The current world pandemic has put stress on all of us. The world was put into lockdown and has kept many of us from living our daily lives “normally.” As stay-at-home orders forced people to be around each other more often, some couples were forced to face issues head-on, or their relationship issues increased drastically. If you are considering divorce during this pandemic, our family law attorneys at Parra Harris Law are here to help.
Below, we share some useful information to help you weigh the pros and cons of getting divorced mid-pandemic or once the world reaches normalcy.
We understand the timing of your divorce is a personal decision based entirely up to you and your circumstances. You don’t have to wait until the stay-at-home orders are lifted or life is back to “normal” before filing for divorce.
- Whether or not you believe your divorce will be amicable, hiring a family attorney will help protect you, navigate you through and process, and explain all of your options.
- At Parra Harris Law, we are offering online services (consultation, mediations, and more) to ensure you are comfortable.
- While the state of Florida allows you to file your divorce online, it’s not always advised. You will want to talk to a divorce attorney about what the best decision is about filing based on your personal situation.
- If you and your spouse agree on terms of the divorce, many courts are accepting orders to finalize your divorce even if the court is still closed to most hearings. You can move your case forward without having to go to a courthouse.
- You may want to hire a marriage counselor or divorce coach, as well. Many people who want a divorce can separate, but that may be impossible during lockdowns. A marriage counselor/coach can offer counseling to ease conflict.
- Since people have been encouraged to stay home during the pandemic, it is a great time to review assets and bank records that you will hand off to your lawyer. Your information will be reviewed by your lawyer so they can advise you on how to divide property, assets, and other financials. Make sure your spouse gets his/her own personal records as you don’t want to invade their privacy and have a criminal charge put against you.
- If you have children, create a visitation/parenting schedule while still on lockdown. Due to the pandemic, your plan needs to include social distancing rules.
- Seek out the help of a mental health professional during this time. Divorce is emotional and taxing as is, but with all that is going on your emotional stress may be taken to another level. Take care of yourself mentally by reaching out to a professional to help you mentally get to a better place. This will help you better negotiate your divorce. Many mental health professionals are offering phone or video meetings at this time.
- Create a post-divorce budget so you will understand what you are able to afford and how the pandemic may affect your future cost of housing or the impact it may have on your savings/retirement accounts.
- Apply for your own bank account or credit card online if you don’t have at least one in your own name. This way, you will have access to funds during the divorce and a place for funds to go during the division of property.
- Real estate and house/apartment showings are still occurring during the pandemic. Take time to consider housing options.
Looking for a Family Law Attorney in Jacksonville?
This article does not replace the legal advice of our experienced lawyers at Parra Harris Law regarding divorce during a pandemic. We advise you to set up a consultation with us.
If you are facing a divorce in Florida, our experienced Jacksonville family law attorneys will guide you through your case every step of the way. Do not go at your divorce alone. We will offer you professional and legal support to get you through the process.
Divorce can be a volatile event for families and it’s only exaggerated by the pandemic. You need a competent, qualified, and experienced divorce attorney working for you. The Parra Harris Law attorneys will guide you through this difficult and emotional process.
Our Jacksonville family law attorneys can fight for you to get alimony, child support, or any other monetary rewards or assets.
At Parra Harris Law, we are experienced in divorce law and family law. We have over 45 years of combined experience. We handle all aspects of divorce and family law litigation issues including Child Support, Timesharing, Alimony, Property Division, Modification, and Enforcement.
Our Jacksonville family law attorneys at Parra Harris Law would be happy to work with you.
Let our team of legal professionals at Paris Harris Law help you get started with your family law case in Jacksonville.
To contact us for more information or to set up a consult, call us at 904-900-1617 or visit our Jacksonville divorce law page. We look forward to hearing from you.
