Polk County Divorce Lawyer

Guiding You Through Divorce With Strength and Strategy

If you consider divorcing your spouse, you may feel stressed and unsure about the future. Divorcing couples must make many complex decisions, especially if they have children together. In a collaborative divorce, you may be able to dissolve your marriage through decisions reached together as a couple.

On the other hand, many couples experience a contested divorce where they rely on a judge to issue legally binding orders regarding the many issues that must be resolved. For example, you may face disagreements regarding critical issues such as property division, child support, child custody, alimony, time-sharing, and more. Our divorce service offers support for mothers, fathers, and anyone seeking divorce.

There is too much at stake to hire a divorce lawyer without much experience. Our legal team has been practicing divorce and family law for decades, giving us the insight and skills to help you finalize your divorce as quickly and easily as possible. We can also negotiate terms that benefit you and your family. Call (863) 622-9602 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your unique needs with our compassionate legal team.

What Issues Must Be Resolved in a Polk County Divorce?

Florida allows no-fault divorces, which means marriage dissolution or annulment can occur for a variety of reasons, including adultery, domestic abuse, irreconcilable differences, or any other nonspecific reason. Whatever led to the decision to separate, it’s not as simple as walking your separate ways. Marriage is a legally binding contract; to end it, the parties involved must deal with every legal issue required under Florida law.

Regardless of the situation behind your divorce, you likely have several critical issues that must be resolved, including:

Property Division

Property division is typically the most common issue that a Polk County divorce attorney will deal with. Not all marriages result in children, but all involve assets and debts. With legal representation on your side, you have a better chance of securing a more favorable outcome in the legal system. How properties and debts get divided can affect your life for years, so ensure you have a staunch legal advocate.

Spousal Maintenance

Divorce cases also frequently involve alimony orders. Also known as spousal support or spousal maintenance, this form of financial support aims to minimize economic disparities between the parties involved. A higher-earning spouse may have to pay alimony temporarily or permanently — but even permanent orders will typically end eventually. We offer the legal assistance you need to secure a fair outcome with spousal support payments.

Child Custody

Determining child custody is easily one of the most stressful parts of a divorce. This family law issue can have former partners at odds and fighting in court. However, it may be possible to reach an amicable solution. Polk County divorce attorneys can help you understand your options and whether mediation is appropriate. If an amicable solution is impossible, our law practice will fight diligently to secure the outcome you and your child deserve.

Child Support

Family lawyers often get asked why parents need assistance with child support — particularly since Florida has a child support formula. The reality is that these calculations are not as straightforward as you might expect. Hidden assets, parenting time, employment fluctuations, and issues that arise during the legal process of divorce can all affect a final court order. Our law firm can help you resolve child support payments fairly.

Navigating Difficult Family Law Matters

This can be an extremely stressful time that takes a toll on you emotionally and financially. A divorce and family lawyer can reduce your stress and help you resolve issues quickly, giving you a brighter future to look forward to. Contact a divorce attorney like those at our law firm today to get the representation and counsel you deserve.

What Makes a Divorce Contested?

Unlike an uncontested divorce, a contested divorce case involves the husband and wife failing to reach an agreement voluntarily. This is usually the case when the spouses disagree on divorce issues, such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and division of the marital estate. It can be tough to work with a spouse who is narcissistic, manipulative, or engages in abusive behavior. However, working with a divorce lawyer can reduce contention and help you find solutions that meet both individuals’ needs.

You may face a contested divorce if your divorce or legal separation requires litigation. A judge can oversee the case and make a ruling based on Florida law and their best judgment. Unlike a simplified divorce, you may require divorce proceedings in a family court to get a legally binding court order. This can ensure you get treated fairly and give you legal recourse if your spouse does not fulfill their obligations in the future.

Furthermore, it is imperative to get legal counsel if you are in a gay marriage or are married to a non-U.S. citizen. These cases require attorneys who care deeply about their clients and will work tirelessly despite possible legal complications. And considering how quickly the legal landscape can change with a new administration, you need an advocate who will not back down when fighting for what’s fair in your family law case. Contact The Law Firm of Gil Colón, Jr., for more information about how our legal team can assist you.

Can Mediation Help With My Florida Divorce?

Mediation is an excellent way to resolve differences, even in a contested divorce. Couples may find a resolution for complex issues when using skilled mediators like those at our law firm. An experienced divorce lawyer can represent your interests through mediation, even if you feel uncomfortable speaking with your ex in person. Your lawyer can advise on what to pursue during mediation negotiations and will seek a favorable outcome in your divorce settlement.

It is important to note that mediation may not be ideal in cases of emotional or physical abuse. Most divorce attorneys will advise against mediating a resolution when potential power imbalances or intimidation exist. In addition to situations involving domestic violence, mediation is also frequently inappropriate if one party has an untreated mental health disorder or unchecked substance abuse problems. Both parties may not be mentally aware enough to reach agreements in these family law cases.
After a successful mediation, a judge will review your case and give a legally binding final order that requires you and your spouse to abide by the decision. Unfortunately, resolutions reached in mediation are not legally binding — so if your spouse does not fulfill their obligations, you may need to take legal action. Your Polk County divorce attorney can help you identify whether mediation is right for you.

Do You Need a Polk Family Law Firm for Uncontested Divorces?

It’s not uncommon to question whether family law attorneys are necessary for uncontested divorce cases. After all, the courts actually prefer when divorcing parties can reach their own resolutions rather than letting things get decided in court. However, you don’t have to go through a complex divorce to benefit from experienced professionals who offer family law services. The reality is that divorce law — even in uncontested situations — is incredibly complicated and has specific statutory criteria that must be followed. Even minor mistakes can derail the process.

Family law courts do not have to approve agreements reached by divorcing parties. They might believe your parenting plan is not in the best interests of your children, or maybe they think your division of marital property is unfairly one-sided. Even prenuptial agreements can run into issues if one spouse claims legal matters exist that make it invalid. In these and many other issues, it’s not uncommon for judges to refuse agreements and send the parties involved back to the metaphorical drawing board. This can make the entire process drag on for much longer than you expected.

Fortunately, our Polk County divorce lawyers can review your agreement and identify any potential legal issue that may cause problems. In both straightforward and complex divorces, we can help you understand what the law requires and how to reach a resolution that’s both fair and legally valid. We’ve been successfully representing clients in uncontested divorce cases for years, and we’re ready to help you, too. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Are Judgment Modifications an Option?

Many people believe the final hearing in a divorce is the final word in family law cases. However, this is not always the case. While certain orders are typically set in stone — such as the division of marital assets (unless fraud occurred) — many other judicial orders are modifiable. Child custody, child support, and alimony payments all fall into this category. However, a significant change in circumstances must usually occur before a judge will grant modification.

For instance, our legal team spends plenty of time collecting evidence that the financial situations of divorced parties have changed since their marital dissolution. If the party receiving alimony gets a high-paying job, wins the lottery, or secures personal injury compensation after an accident, they may no longer be as financially disadvantaged as they were during the divorce. Most divorce lawyers could successfully file an order modification on your behalf in such situations.

Some of the most important judgment modifications involve child custody. Perhaps the custodial parent started using drugs or found themselves facing charges under criminal law. Maybe they’re no longer in a living situation that’s conducive to a child’s healthy upbringing. Basically, any issue that may have affected the outcome of the initial order could be grounds for a modification. Our Polk County divorce lawyers will review your case and advise whether a change is possible.

Contact a Polk County Divorce Lawyer for All Your Family Law Matters

Whether you are in a mutual consent divorce or experiencing a great deal of contention when dissolving your marriage, you need attorneys who understand Florida law and will fight for your rights at every step of the divorce process. At The Law Firm of Gil Colón, Jr., we have decades of experience handling divorces on behalf of our clients. We promise to use our knowledge, skills, and compassion to finalize your divorce quickly to minimize stress and expenses.

Our divorce attorneys understand the importance of families and will fight aggressively to maintain your precious family relationships through child custody, visitation, and other parental rights. We also know how vital it is for you to have the financial support you need following your divorce, and we will work tirelessly to get a positive outcome in matters such as child support, alimony, and marital estate division. Put simply, you’re not in this alone.

With all of the stress and emotions that come with marital dissolution — and the complexities of divorce law — the last thing you need is to carry the heavy burden of a legal battle. Call our law office today to learn more about how we can lessen your load by handling the legal details of your divorce. We offer a free initial consultation with an experienced Polk County divorce lawyer so you can get the advice you need at no risk. Contact us at (863) 622-9602 to schedule your free case evaluation.