Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer Blog

Many married couples in Jacksonville, Florida and across the country own businesses together. But spending all day together working and then coming home to family responsibilities at night can either help a business and a relationship thrive, or destroy both.

Some Florida couples find it easier to agree not to take work home with them in the evening. Giuliano and Pamela Zaratin own a restaurant in Del Ray Beach. When they leave work in the evening they don’t talk about it until they return the next day. They also split their time at the restaurant so that they can share parenting responsibilities without relying too heavily on daycare.

Money is a big issue in a marriage, and that can be amplified when the couple is in business together. Experts advise that the more conservative partner be in charge of the finances. Keeping each other informed about the financial situation at home and at work is critical too.

One of the primary concerns for couples considering a divorce in Florida is the potential costs. In light of the poor economy this is a very valid concern for many Florida couples. If you decide to file for divorce your filing fee is going to be right around $400. You will also need to have a summons issued and served on your spouse by the sheriff or a process server, which will cost around $50. You can pickup all of the required forms at the clerk’s office for about $20 or you can go online and print them for free. There are a number of Attorneys in Florida who will review your forms for you to ensure they are filled out correctly for around $150-$500 depending on the attorney. If all goes well you can get divorced for right around $600.

However, divorces rarely proceed without a few bumps in the road. That is why people hire Florida Family Law Attorneys. In addition, the Florida rules of civil procedure and family law rules are confusing for most people. It is beneficial to have an attorney explain the dissolution process in depth so you will understand your rights and develop the best course of action to guarantee your rights are protected. The average retainer for family law attorneys in Florida to handle a dissolution of marriage is anywhere between $3,000 to $5,500 depending on the issues involved in your case any the potential issues the attorney may spot after an initial consultation. In some cases there are couples who have worked out most of the divorce issues prior to consulting with an attorney and they simply want the attorney to help them through the process and finalize everything in accordance with Florida law. This is generally what is considered an uncontested divorce. Depending on the attorney you may be able to get by with a retainer of only $1,500 to $2,000. Keep in mind though that even uncontested divorces can become contested while going through the process if one of the parties changes their mind about the issues involved. In that case your legal fees will increase.

It can be really hard to predict how much a divorce will cost before all is said and done. However, a Florida Family Law Attorney can help you understand the process better ultimately save you time, money, and an adverse judgment that may be with you for a lifetime.

Florida speed skater Jennifer Rodriguez, nicknamed “Miami Ice” never expected to be back in the Olympics at thirty three. After her disappointing eighth place finish in the Turin games in 2006, she had hung up her skates. But two years later she returned to skating at the urging of her husband, KC Boutiette. She was ready to try for Olympic gold again.

But since 2008, Ms. Rodriguez has suffered a series of life tragedies that have threatened to keep her from the Olympics. The first blow was when Ms. Rodriguez and Boutiette divorced after six years of marriage. The divorce led to mounting financial problems, and when her mother died of breast cancer she almost considered quitting. But at the very end of 2008 she won a gold medal in the 1000 meter event at the World Cup in Japan. She was then ready to go on to the Vancouver Olympic Games, where she competed in the 1000 meter, 500 meter, 1500 meter and the Ladies Team Pursuit.

Divorce is never easy, and even though Jennifer Rodriguez did not win the Gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics, she has shown her fans that there is life after divorce. You can read more about Miami Ice’s trials and triumphs at Jennifer Rodriguez skates past sadness to Olympics.

Bob Howat, a marriage and family therapist from Fernandina Beach, Florida, recently shared his tips for avoiding the negative effects of anger. As a marriage counselor, he agrees with other experts that unchecked anger can unnecessarily lead to divorce.

Of course, some anger is healthy and natural, such as when it is part of the grieving process after a death or divorce, but if anger stays around too long it can become debilitating. Howat counsels couples that anger is often a choice, and teaches an “ABC” method for avoiding unnecessary anger. It is based on the Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy model developed by psychotherapist Albert Ellis.

The ABC method is actually made up of 5 steps, which include: