You may have just filed for divorce prior to the coronavirus outbreak or your case way moving along as planned and you were so close to getting that fresh start you desperately needed , but the coronavirus COVID-19 brought all of your plans to a screeching halt. The good news is that Florida Courts are up and running virtually throughout the state. The disadvantage is that it’s not business as usual for most court cases, other than those based upon emergency and essential services. Under the circumstances, many divorce proceedings will be moving forward at a slower pace than usual, especially if you don’t have a lawyer.
Still, you can make the most of your own downtime while courts are operating at a slower pace. Below are a few tips to make the best use of the downtime:
Identify Issues You can Agree On: Not every issue in a divorce is contested and needs to go to a full hearing and, in fact, many spouses are able to resolve their differences without ever seeing a courtroom. Florida allows Consent Final Judgments through marital settlement agreements which you can compromise on such matters as asset division, alimony, child support and timesharing. Now is a good time to identify the areas where you believe agreement is achievable and appropriate.
Identify Your Overall Goals in Divorce: Even if you can’t reach an agreement on some or all divorce issues, it’s important to identify what you want from the process. Realistically, everything will not go your way, so you should prioritize the issues that mean the most for your future. If you have non-negotiables that you are not willing to compromise on, write those down. If there are issues or things you are willing to go all the way to trial for, write those down. Be clear on what you are willing to compromise on and what you are willing to fight about.
Stay Compliant with Court Orders: All orders previously entered in your divorce case still apply and must be followed until further order of the court. Usually temporary orders consist of temporary timesharing agreements and those related to child custody and visitation. You shouldn’t deviate from the current order, unless the agreement is in writing, or you could be held in contempt. Please remember the parent with the majority time must allow parenting time unless they have a well-founded belief the child’s health is in danger because of COVID-19 exposure.
Get Creative in Exercising Parental Rights: The implications of novel coronavirus may prevent you from parenting time, whether it’s because you tested positive for COVID-19, were exposed, work overtime in an essential market sector, or for other reasons. You’re still entitled to parenting time, but you might need to think outside the box. Work out video conferencing to talk to your child and play virtual games, such as scavenger hunts, social media, educational games, and others.
Keep Your Divorce Attorney Up to Date: You should periodically check in with your Florida Divorce attorney while doing your duty to remain safe at home. Your lawyer will continue to work on your case during this downtime and can communicate with opposing counsel on many divorce-related issues. It’s possible to emerge from this crisis in a better position because you dedicated time to these and other important tasks.
Go with Goggins to Handle the Details
These are just a few ideas on how you can make the most of your COVID-19 downtime while Florida divorce cases move at a slower pace than usual. If you have questions about the divorce process and how we can assist, please contact Ashley Goggins Law, P.A. You can reach us at (904) 903-4522 to schedule a consultation. We’re open for all your family law needs during the current crisis.
