Fort Lauderdale couples may want to start living separately before filing for divorce
Celebrity divorces end up in the news fairly often because of the large amounts of money that usually change hands or other problems that result in court battles.
Local news for the Fort Lauderdale area reported on a celebrity divorce involving a musician and his long-time wife.
Joey Fatone divorces his wife of 15 years in Florida
One of the singers of the pop group NSYNC, Joey Fatone, is filing for divorce in Orange County Florida.
He has been married to his wife for 15 years, but in a number of recent events the singer revealed that they are already living separate lives. They had initially met while they were still in high school and married in 2004. The couple had two children over the course of their marriage.
Fatone has already been seen attending events with a new girlfriend over the past couple of years, and rumors have surfaced that they have already been dating at various points over the previous four years while he is still technically married.
Are married couples allowed to distance themselves before formally divorcing?
Before a divorce if finalized or even initially filed, there is nothing in the law to prevent a couple from making other living arrangements and separating. In some cases, it may actually be beneficial to live separately as soon as possible, as this will not be another issue to deal with during the divorce. Some states even have specific laws which state that the couple must be living apart for several months before the initial divorce filing.
If both parents agree on custody, they can begin to have their separate time with the children and present their plans to the court rather than going through an additional custody battles if they are already managing the situation on their own. Most people are also better psychologically equipped to begin their new life when they have a new place to live away from the former spouse.
Florida is a no-fault divorce state like most of the country. This means that couples who are both residents of the state can choose to start living separately for any reason they choose and then formally file for divorce, and there is no requirement of adultery or abandonment. There is only a 20 day waiting period after the initial filing.
What else can family lawyers do for those who are about to get divorced?
While divorces are the most common things people think of when contacting a family lawyer, there are actually a number of other important things that attorneys who practice in this area of the law can do. Issues with child support or custody hearings can be handled by family attorneys. Alimony can be modified, petitions for adoption can be filed, and prenuptial agreements can be drafted before marriage to safeguard finances and property. One attorney may possibly represent you in all of these matters, as their services tend to be needed around the same time as a divorce.
Get local help with divorces, custody, and related problems
To speak with an attorney about any family law issues in the Fort Lauderdale area, contact King Lindsey, P.A. The firm serves all of South Florida with expert legal representation.
