Best Divorce Lawyers in Deerfield Beach

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Deerfield Beach, Florida?

  You may contact the Deerfield Beach Law Enforcement Division at 954-764-HELP (4357) for non-emergency cases.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Deerfield Beach, Florida?

  To request police reports, you may visit Deerfield Beach's website at www.deerfield-beach.com. Choose the Government tab and click on Public Records Requests, which is under the Office of the City Clerk.

• How do divorces work in Deerfield Beach?

  When it comes to divorce, Deerfield Beach is considered a "no fault" area. The court does not require evidence of adultery or domestic abuse, as some jurisdictions do. A spouse may file for divorce and be granted one regardless of who caused the split.  A family court judge will typically need one of the parties to declare that the marriage is irreparably broken and that reconciliation or marriage counseling cannot repair it.

• Do you need to attend court proceedings to obtain a divorce in Deerfield Beach?

  If your marriage is uncontested and you and your soon-to-be-former spouse agree on the conditions of your divorce, you may be able to skip going to court. You might instead hire a Deerfield Beach mediator to negotiate your terms rather than going to court. You will only need to petition for a divorce hearing if other issues arise, such as alimony, asset distribution, or child custody.

• How long does a divorce proceeding take in Deerfield Beach?

  The time frame for a Deerfield Beach divorce depends on whether it is contested or uncontested. For uncontested dissolution, the finalization process takes up to several weeks when partners have reached an agreement on various issues. However, the procedure can be lengthy when a divorce case is contested. It might take four to six months, or longer. The contested divorce process depends on how contentious your case is, what must be resolved or divided, and how busy the court is.

• Are there co-parenting arrangements when you file a divorce in Deerfield Beach?

  Yes, there are. The Deerfield Beach court can impose several forms of parental responsibility over a child. Parental duty can be solo, shared, or shared with final decision-making authority. When deciding what kind of parental responsibility is appropriate for the child, the courts consider the factors outlined in Florida Statute 61.13. The specifics of a particular case will determine which parental responsibility is most suitable, but a shared arrangement is the most usual.

• What is the time frame for the other party to respond to a divorce petition in Deerfield Beach?

  The party who is served with a divorce petition in Deerfield Beach has 20 days from the date of service to answer. Otherwise, he or she may be defaulted. Once the opposite party has been served, precise obligatory financial disclosure is expected, including a financial affidavit detailing current gross and net incomes, normal household spending, minor child expenses, and a list of assets and liabilities.