Did Divorces Really Spike During Pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic started nearly one year ago and at that time, predictions were being made that it would cause a spike in divorce cases. People were being told to shelter in place at home and many were losing their jobs. Many experts believed that these factors would place an enormous amount of pressure on marriages, and that many would dissolve as a result. However, a new study shows that is not true and in fact, the number of divorce cases in Florida and throughout other parts of the country have actually dropped.

The Study

A recent study conducted by Bowling Green State University’s Center for Family and Demographic Research shows that unlike what many predicted, divorces during the pandemic have actually decreased, as have weddings. The largest state analyzed in the study was Florida. Data showed that here in the Sunshine State, divorces dropped by 28 percent during the months of March and September. Marriages, on the other hand, also saw a decline of 33 percent during the same time period.

If the trends in Florida and other states studied, including New Hampshire, Arizona, Oregon, and Missouri, were seen throughout the country, it could mean divorces nationwide dropped by 191,053 cases. The news is surprising given what many experts had predicted, but there are several reasons for the decline.

Reasons for the Dropping Divorce Rate

The drop in divorce cases during the pandemic does not necessarily mean that couples have been happier during the public health crisis. Instead, it may mean the pandemic has forced people to stay in an unhappy marriage for practical purposes.

Divorce is sometimes an expensive process, and one that many do not want to go through during this extremely challenging time. Job loss has been rampant in Florida and throughout the entire country and without an income, the prospect of paying for a divorce is too difficult for many to face.

In addition to this, tens of millions of people have contracted the virus throughout the country, with Florida being a particular hotspot as of late. Some people that become sick are known as ‘long haulers,’ and they deal with the repercussions of the infection for a long time afterward. People are simply not going to start the divorce process when they are trying to recover from illness, which could also be a reason for the drop in divorce cases.

Lastly, uncertainty about the court system may also stop people from filing for divorce. At the beginning of the pandemic, many of the family courts throughout the country shuttered. While the Florida courts have reopened in some capacity, many people are not aware of this and so, they decide to hold off on filing.

Our Florida Family Lawyers Can Help During This Difficult Time

Divorce is never easy, but no one should feel forced to stay in an unhappy marriage, either. If you are considering divorce, our Tampa family lawyers at All Family Law Group, P.A. can assist with your case. We can advise on the options you have available and how the court system is operating so you are fully prepared for the process. Call us today at (813) 672-1900 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.

Resource:

bgsu.edu/ncfmr.html

When are Couples in Florida Most Likely to Get Divorced?

The ‘seven-year-itch’ has been around for decades and it seems as though it is still very prevalent today. Throughout the country, the average length of a marriage is 8.2 years, which may mean that people start considering divorce at around the seven-year mark. Many marriages do not even make it that long. Infidelity is most likely to occur within the first two years of marriage, which is one reason ten percent of marriages end in divorce during that time. That is the highest rate of divorce for all couples.

Gray Divorces are Becoming More Common

While many couples may divorce when their marriage is still relatively new, others wait much longer before ending their marriage. Gray divorces, or those that occur when couples are over the age of 50, are becoming more common. In fact, gray divorces have doubled since the 1990s, and the rate of couples over the age of 65 getting a divorce has tripled in that same amount of time.

The trend of gray divorces is on the rise for many reasons. One of these is because people are waiting to get married later in life and so, they get divorced later in life, as well. People are also living longer and so, they are more eager to get out of an unhappy marriage because they still have a lot of life to live. Couples that are in their 50s and 60s are also more likely to have been married before, and second and third marriages are much more likely to end in divorce than first marriages.

Our Family Lawyers in Florida Can Help with Divorce at Any Age

Regardless of when you are considering divorce, you should enlist the help of a Tampa divorce lawyer Tampa Divorce Attorneys that can help with your case. At All Family Law Group, P.A., our experienced attorneys can assist you with the divorce process and help you secure the fair settlement you deserve. Call us today at (813) 672-1900 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Se habla Español.

Resource:

theapopkavoice.com/why-is-the-divorce-rate-in-florida-so-high/

How Can A Lawyer Help when Divorcing a Difficult Spouse?

Divorce is difficult enough when the two spouses try to work together to come to the best possible terms. However, when one spouse is extremely difficult to work with, the entire process becomes even more challenging. When your spouse refuses to work with you, it is easy to think that the divorce will inevitably take a long time and cost you more money than necessary.

Fortunately, this is not true, but it will become even more important that you work with a divorce lawyer. An attorney will know how to deal with the issues that are more likely to arise when you are divorcing a difficult spouse.

Dealing with an Unpredictable Spouse

It is impossible to predict what will happen in a divorce case, but an unpredictable spouse can make it even more so. If a spouse is dealing with a mental illness or substance abuse problems, they may not show up at mediation sessions or important court hearings. A lawyer will advise on whether certain options such as mediation are right for you, or whether you need to go to court and let a judge decide how to deal with an unpredictable spouse.

Dealing with a Spiteful Spouse

It is not uncommon for a spouse to go through the divorce process feeling spiteful. Your spouse may blame you for the divorce and anything else that is going wrong in their life, and they may try to make the process as difficult as possible. A lawyer will know how to overcome these obstacles. For example, if your spouse is so spiteful that they stalk you or harass you, a lawyer will know how to obtain an injunction, or a restraining order, so the behavior does not impact your life on the same level.

Dealing with Parental Alienation

Parental alienation is one of the most hurtful things that can happen during and after divorce proceedings. When one spouse alienates a child from their other parent, they may tell them things that are untrue or take other actions to turn the child against the other parent.

The courts take parental alienation very seriously and a lawyer will know this. If your spouse tries to alienate your child from you, a lawyer will raise this issue in court and it may even work in your favor. For example, a judge may award your spouse less parenting time, and you more, when they have tried to alienate your child from you.

Dealing with a Deceptive Spouse

Spouses often try to hide assets and other information to gain a favorable outcome in court. When they do, a lawyer will know the tactics to use to uncover the information so the process is fair for both of you. For example, if your spouse hides assets, a lawyer can reach out to a forensic accountant that will uncover the assets so you receive your fair share.

Our Florida Divorce Lawyers are Here to Help with Your Case

Regardless of whether your spouse is going to cooperate during the divorce process or not, our Tampa divorce lawyers at All Family Law Group, P.A. can help. We know the tactics difficult spouses use to delay the process, and we also know how to overcome them so you can move forward in your new life as quickly as possible. Call us today at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Se habla Español.

What is Marital Property in Florida?

Florida is an equitable distribution state when it comes to divorce, which means the assets and liabilities of the couple are divided fairly, although not necessarily equally. One of the key concepts of property division in Florida divorces is that only marital property is divided, so it is important for anyone going through a divorce to understand what is considered marital property, and what the courts will deem as non-marital property. The distinctions are not always as clear as they sound, and it can often become confusing for divorcing couples.

Marital Property

Generally speaking, marital property is considered any property the couple acquired together during the marriage. However, there are other types of property the court may also deem as marital property during property division hearings. These include:

• Non-marital value that has appreciated in value: In some cases, a person may bring non-marital property into the marriage and the couple improves it or enhances it so it becomes greater in value. For example, one spouse may have a business of their own when they enter the marriage. During the marriage, both spouses work on the business to increase its value and so, it then becomes marital property.
• Spousal gifts: Spouses often give each other presents during the marriage and regardless of what funds were spent on it, these are typically considered marital property.
• Retirement savings: Retirement savings are some of the trickiest assets to divide during a divorce. Any savings that were accrued prior to the marriage are usually considered non-marital property. However, any additional funds or even interest collected on retirement savings are typically considered marital property.

Non-Marital Property

Non-marital property, also sometimes referred to as separate property, typically includes any assets or liabilities a spouse brought into the marriage. Again, there are exceptions to this and they include:

• Inheritances: When one spouse receives an inheritance from another family member, it is typically considered non-marital property, even if the spouse received it during the marriage.
• Income obtained from non-marital assets: The income derived from a non-marital asset, such as a separate rental property, is usually deemed to be non-marital property when the spouse has kept all income separate from marital funds.
• Assets included in a premarital agreement: As long as a premarital agreement is deemed fair by the courts, any assets included within the contract are considered non-marital property as the agreement dictates, regardless of their classification under Florida law.

Our Florida Family Lawyers will Protect What is Yours

Property division in Florida can quickly become confusing, as it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between marital and non-marital property. At All Family Law Group, our knowledgeable Tampa family law attorney will help determine what assets are yours, and what is subject to property division. We always work in the best interests of our clients and will fight to protect what is most valuable to you. Call us today at (813) 672-1900 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help during your divorce. Se habla Español.

What Happens To The Rental Property In Divorce?

Married couples often have many ways of earning income for their household and one of these is investing in rental property. Whether it is an entire apartment building or just one unit that is used as an Airbnb, rental property can be a very lucrative investment.

When a couple gets a divorce though, that property is subject to division just as any other. The manner in which it is divided on the other hand, has the potential to become much more complex. If you are going through a divorce and it involves rental property, below are some guidelines that may suggest how you and your spouse will divide it.

Reaching an Agreement with Your Spouse

Like all other property division issues, you can reach an agreement with your spouse on how you will divide the rental property. One spouse may keep it outright and become responsible for the maintenance, property taxes, and other issues that involve the property. Or, you and your spouse may even decide to continue co-owning it while dividing the responsibilities of upkeep, as well as the income it generates.

Reaching an agreement with your spouse is very beneficial. It puts the control back in your hands, which often makes it more plausible that you and your spouse will abide by the terms of your agreement. Unfortunately, you and your spouse may not reach an agreement and when that is the case, the matter will go to the court.

Factors the Court will Consider

Allowing the court to divide property in any divorce always comes with some risks because judges are able to use their own discretion when making these decisions. A judge will consider many factors including who made the most contributions to the rental property, and whether it makes sense to allow one person to keep it entirely or whether the property should be sold with both spouses dividing the profits.

A judge will also determine whether the property is considered separate or marital property. Even when one spouse owned the investment property prior to the marriage, this does not necessarily make the investment marital property. If the proceeds used from the investment contributed to the household, a judge may deem it marital property. Also, if the household income was used to pay the mortgage or property taxes on the investment property, that is another factor a judge will use to determine that it is marital property.

Clearly, dividing investment property is no easier than dividing any other type of property in a divorce. You should always contact a Florida family lawyer that can advise on how the property may be divided, and that can help you reach an agreement with your spouse.

Call Our Family Lawyers in Florida Today

If you are going through a divorce that involves the division of complex assets, our Tampa divorce lawyers are here to help. At All Family Law Group, P.A., our seasoned attorneys can advise on the property division laws of the state and help you obtain a settlement that is fair. Call us today at 813-672-1900 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. Se habla Español.