Strong Representation For Your Divorce

Divorce filings can be one of the most difficult legal matters that a person can face in their life. These filings often involve bitter fights over essential aspects of your life, including asset ownership, time spent with children and support payment. In addition to the short-term disputes, divorce settlement agreements can last a lifetime and may be difficult to change after initial creation. Because of the long-term consequences of a divorce, you need an attorney who will protect your rights, children and assets.

At Law Office of D. Scott Wesley, PLLC, we will find the right approach that allows you to get the best possible outcome for your divorce. Attorney D. Scott Wesley is a skilled family law attorney who has helped many Florida clients successfully resolve their combative divorce filings. Our Sarasota office represents clients in Sarasota, DeSoto and Manatee counties as well as in the surrounding counties. Call us now at 941-259-6678 to schedule your free 30-minute consultation.

Help With Every Aspect Of Your Divorce

Mr. Wesley will use his extensive knowledge of Florida family law to create a personalized case strategy for your divorce. He will find solutions to the problems in your divorce negotiations so that you can move forward with your life without the burden of a lengthy case. If negotiations do not produce positive results, he will not hesitate to take your case to the courtroom.

We help clients with their divorce-related disputes, including those involving:

• Prenuptial agreements
• Child custody and parenting time
• Child support payments
• Alimony, also called maintenance or spousal support
• Marital asset division

People who own multiple pieces of property, vehicles or other assets may feel overwhelmed by the divorce process. Business owners may also worry about how their divorce will affect their venture’s finances. Mr. Wesley will use his personal business experience and family law knowledge to get your fair share of marital assets.

Debt And Divorce

Many newly divorced people have trouble managing their finances and paying their debts. Because divorcing spouses may be required to split marital debt, many people who were financially thriving can experience financial difficulties after a divorce. Mr. Wesley will fight to get you a fair division of marital assets and debt.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sarasota Divorces

Feeling uncertain about the future and the decision to divorce is common. Learning more about the process can empower you as you begin a critical transition to a better life.

Will proof of adultery affect the outcome of the divorce?

Florida’s no-fault divorce rules minimize the impact that adultery has on the terms set in a contested divorce. Adultery and other forms of marital misconduct usually do not affect property division. However, if verifiable dissipation of assets occurred because a spouse accrued debt or spent marital income on the affair, that can affect the overall distribution of the marital estate.

Adultery rarely affects time-sharing terms. Only if the adultery might expose the children to abuse, lead to parental neglect or create a chaotic, unsupportive home environment does one parent’s infidelity influence what a judge believes is best for the children.

Infidelity can impact the amount and duration of alimony. Especially in cases involving dissipation by the higher-earning spouse while conducting an affair, adultery could alter the terms set for alimony.

What if my spouse is hiding assets or spending money during the divorce?

Formal disclosure of all resources is a key component of a fair or equitable property division arrangement, as is the preservation of marital property until the final decree. If you suspect your spouse of hiding resources or spending excessively, you can ask the courts to issue an order freezing financial accounts to prevent the transfer of property.

You can then work with a forensic accountant to track income and validate financial misconduct. If you can prove to the courts that they intentionally hid income, failed to disclose assets or inappropriately undervalued resources, the courts may consider that misconduct while deciding how to divide the marital estate.

Hidden assets are subject to division, and the courts may penalize the spouse who attempted to hide property when ruling on property division matters. Similarly, intentionally taking on debt, wasting money or destroying assets could alter how the courts handle the remaining marital property.

What happens if my spouse ignores the divorce?

Your spouse generally only has 20 days from the date of service to respond to your petition. If they fail to do so, you can have your lawyer file a motion to request a divorce by default. You can move forward with the divorce process without the direct involvement of your spouse.

Do Not Start The Divorce Process Without A Lawyer

Filing for divorce without an attorney can be a critical mistake. A knowledgeable divorce law attorney will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive your fair share of assets. Call our firm now at 941-259-6678 or send us an email to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with an experienced divorce lawyer.