Regardless of if you had a quick and simple divorce or if it was long and complicated, you likely breathed a sigh of relief when it was final. After all, this can be a stressful and emotional time for each person involved. Now, you think you can finally move on with your life. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Depending on your situation, you may not have to return to court at all once your divorce is final. For some, however, litigation after the divorce may be necessary.
Even if the divorce is finished, you and your ex are still connected. As a result, you may have a few unresolved issues to contend with. These issues can include child support, alimony, assets, time sharing rights and even your credit.
When a divorce is over, the judge may order one of the people, usually the one who earns more, to pay alimony to the other (the one who earns less) for a certain period of time. Alimony is most commonly used for continuing the life that the person is used to while they finish school, find another job, wait for their house to sell or some other condition. In the state of Florida, there are five types of alimony that can be permanent, long-term, short-term and temporary.
If the judge awarded you alimony and your ex does not adhere to the requirements, then you may need to hire a divorce attorney to go back to court and have the payments enforced. However, if you have been ordered to pay alimony and the conditions have changed, especially if the money is no longer needed, then you may also need to return to court to have the payments changed.
In the state of Florida, the courts usually grant parental responsibility where the parents have to come up with an agreement that includes a plan outlining the specific responsibility of each parent, in addition to a schedule for time-sharing.
If one of the parents fails to adhere to the original terms, then you may have to return to court to have the agreement enforced. You may also want to change the terms of the agreement, which will also have to be done in court.
This is also true for child support. When child support is awarded, the court will take into consideration certain conditions. If the conditions have changed, then the agreement may need to be adjusted.
Unfortunately the conditions in a divorce can require you to return to court after the divorce is final. If you are facing this situation, it is a good idea to hire a family attorney to represent you. They can help ensure your rights are protected.
If you have questions or need help with a post-divorce issue, contact the divorce attorneys at the Esteves-Pazos Law Firm by calling 305-717-7130.
