Here you will find some of the most common questions I am asked. If you do not see your question, please contact me.
A collaborative divorce process keeps all but the final filing out of the court system. Parties work at their own pace working out the divorce details with a team of their attorneys and other trained professionals. Judges are not involved in making decisions. This approach limits exposure to public records.
Yes. In fact, both parties have their own divorce attorneys, looking out for the best interests of their client. Collaborative divorce attorneys work closely with all parties with the goal of reaching the divorce as smoothly as possible.
Yes. With collaborative law you share professional resource costs with your spouse. Trained professionals in finance and mental health are utilized by both parties, thus saving money. These professional are less expensive than attorney fees and often are better suited to address the various aspects of preparing for a divorce.
Courts are working via secure video conferencing for hearings and mediation. A link is issued and when the time is right you just log-in.
Much is the same as making a physical appearance. Parties get sworn in, take the Oath, and testify. Liliana will be there to represent you.
With Liliana you’ll need an email account and a computer or smartphone for video calls and electronic document signing. You don’t need to be computer-savvy. Liliana and her team are here to help every step of the way. The process is secure and legally binding.
All conversations can be done over the phone or via video conferences. Legally-binding documents are emailed for review and digital signatures. Florida courts are now conducting business online too. You can literally get divorced in Florida without leaving the comfort of your own space.
If you and/or your spouse have significant assets the Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce service would not be an option. Why? All assets must be disclosed and documented in detail in the settlement agreement. Liliana does this type of divorce and is ready to help but the Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce representation does not include this level of service.
Please call 954-389-3337 and speak to Liliana to learn if the Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce package is right for your situation.
- I will prepare the paperwork, send it to your spouse for review and signature
- I will file with the Court and appear at the final hearing with you.
You will be divorced on that same day.
Filing fees are determined by Broward County.
Payment is due in full when I start working for you. Initial consultations are always free. You may pay by check, cash or major credit card.
You or your spouse must have been a resident of Florida for at least six months (any county in Florida). It does not matter in which county you live now. To learn if you qualify for the Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce service, please contact Liliana L Guarino.
If you qualify the cost considerations are as follows: (learn more about restrictions to the Flat-fee Divorce).
- Uncontested divorce without children
- Uncontested divorce with children
- Forms and document review (for self-represented litigants)
To provide you with a cost estimate, you must first complete the Florida Marital Agreement and submit it to Liliana for review. Visit our Flat Fee Uncontested Divorce page and click on the Get Started for Free button.
My goal is to head this off from happening. You will provide me with a list of what you and your spouse have already agreed to, including: parental responsibility, timesharing, division of assets and liabilities, alimony, child support, and any other topics important to the two of you. After the agreement is formalized, minor edits are included.
I can set the hearing date and time to one that is agreeable to all parties. And, as your attorney, should something come up I can change the date for no additional fee.
Name changes are included in the package purchased from the court house. Name change is an option. There is no additional charge for changing your name if done during the final divorce stage with the courts. Name changes require personal appearance.
If someone decides to change a name after the divorce that would be a separate petition.
The Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan are the final deliverables. Next you must purchase a package for divorce at the courthouse. Fill out the forms and file the petition for divorce without an attorney.
Only the petitioner appears for a final hearing where the judge signs a final judgement of the dissolution of marriage. No attorney is necessary. Mediators cannot file papers or appear with them in front of the judge.
You do not pay for 2 lawyers, only one mediator. Mediation allows for the minimum of court intervention.
Mediation is confidential. Should you choose divorce after attempting mediation, no information conveyed during the mediation can be divulged in court. Both parties sign a disclaimer that they understand how the process works.
A Family Mediator is a facilitator that acts as a neutral party. They do not represent either party. Both parties are always present. They dictate their goals to the mediator. A mediator asks questions and provides options without giving legal advice. The mediator prepares the agreement.
Mediation is less expensive than divorce. With mediation, you do not retain a lawyer. Mediation allows the both of you to make important decisions instead of leaving it up to a judge.
If you and your spouse can work together. If you both make decisions based on the best interest of the children and are committed to maintain that relationship for the children you are good candidates for Family Mediation.
There are several options. A settlement agreement can be reached through negotiations between the attorneys, or your attorneys may consider it necessary to go to mediation. There is also the collaborative process where spouses and their lawyers with special training in collaborative law commit to settle all their differences out of Court. It is best to consult with an attorney to decide which option is the best for you.
Generally, each spouse pays the initial retainer to his or her own lawyer. If you are the spouse in need of financial help, your attorney can request temporary support for you and also attorney’s fees to help cover the costs of your representation. Same as alimony, awards of temporary attorney’s fees are based on your need and your spouse’s ability to pay.
It depends. Alimony is based on your need and your spouse’s ability to pay. We do not have “alimony guidelines” in Florida, that is why it is so important to have competent attorneys representing you. There are several factors that the Court will consider when granting alimony, such as the length of the marriage.
Unless your former spouse agrees to it, you will need to file a petition for relocation if you want to move with the child(ren) more than 50 miles away from the other parent’s residence.
The new language for “full custody” is “sole parental responsibility.” Most parents in Florida have shared parental responsibility. In order to obtain sole parental responsibility, you will have to prove to the Court that shared parental responsibility is detrimental to your child(ren).
Yes. The general premise is that everything acquired during the marriage is to be split 50/50, regardless of title. There are many other factors that are important to consider, such as inheritances and pre-nuptial agreements.
Yes, you could. You will be a “self-represented litigant.” But unless yours is a very simple case, it is not recommended. There are steps and procedures that you must follow. The slightest mistake can cost hours of an attorney’s time to fix. There are also rights that may be waived forever unless exercised on time.
You do not need spousal consent to get divorced. You do not need to prove grounds for your divorce either. All the Court will require from you to dissolve your marriage is that you state, under oath, that, in your opinion, the marriage is irretrievably broken.
In Florida we do not have a “legally separated” status. If you decide to live apart, you will still be legally married until a final judgment for dissolution of marriage is entered.
Yes, as long as you and/or your spouse have resided in Florida for at least 6 months, regardless of your immigration status.
