New rules handed down by the Florida Supreme Court may offer some couples more flexibility to settle disagreements in a divorce. Under these new rules, more spouses may be able to find common ground on frustrating issues, especially those like alimony.
The new rules apply to couples using collaborative divorce, which allows couples to meet each other, along with their respective legal counsels, in a neutral location to work out the finer points of a divorce without the constrictions of a courtroom. Under these new guidelines, collaborative divorce is acceptable as long as both parties agree to the process and no domestic violence accusations exist within the marriage.
One such divorce that benefitted from this approach involved a husband and wife arguing over the finer points of an alimony agreement. The husband was arguing that he should not have to pay alimony despite the wife qualifying for it. Ultimately, the husband was willing to purchase an annuity that would pay the wife a certain stipend indefinitely. In a traditional courtroom setting, a judge lacks the authority to order such an arrangement, but working with a legal team in an extrajudicial setting allows couples, even those with complex assets, to consider non-traditional approaches to solving all manner of divorce conflicts.
If you and your spouse cannot agree on an alimony settlement, be sure to consult with an experienced attorney who understands the specifics of alimony litigation in Florida. An attorney can help you identify options and strategies you might never have thought of, while keeping your rights and privileges secure.
Source: Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Gentler, kinder collaborative divorce rules get approval in Florida,” Frank Fernandez, Sep. 02, 2017