When your marriage isn’t working, what do you do? Many people automatically jump to the conclusion of a divorce, but you may not have to go through the entire legal process of dissolving your marriage. Here’s what you need to know about your divorce options. 

Annulment 

An annulment is a legal procedure that can completely void a marriage. Whereas divorce legally ends a marriage, an annulment makes it so that the marriage never existed in the first place. However, not all marriages are eligible for annulment. You must be able to prove a specific reason for annulment. Some examples include that you were coerced into marriage, the other person was already married, you were intoxicated or not of capacity, underage, or otherwise did not give your legal consent to the union. 

Legal Separation 

A legal separation gives a couple considering ending their marriage an option to “test the waters,” so to speak and separate before ending their marriage. This allows you to separate while remaining technically married, so you and your spouse can continue to enjoy the legal benefits of marriage, such as access to health and life insurance benefits, pensions, and more. However, please keep in mind that there is no legal separation in Florida so, under the law of Florida, you are still married. 

Mediation 

Mediation is a newer type of divorce resolution that is quickly gaining traction in Florida as a way to handle disagreements in a neutral setting and reach compromises about important aspects of your divorce, like child custody, visitation, alimony, and more. During mediation, you’ll meet with a neutral third party who can help facilitate positive, effective communication between you and your spouse. This can allow you to resolve your divorce amicably, affordably, and with less time investment.

Mediation can be done within a divorce, or prior to. Just please keep in mind that mediators are neutral and cannot give legal advice. It is best to have the assistance of a Florida family law lawyer to protect your rights and interests during mediation. 

Understand Your Legal Options by Contacting a Florida Divorce Lawyer 

If you’ve been served with divorce papers or are simply contemplating your options for dissolving your marriage, you need legal help. Don’t wait to obtain aggressive advocacy for your family — the wellbeing of you and your loved ones depend on it. Contact Naples family and divorce lawyer Kevyn Noonan Hayes, P.A. for a consultation at 239-591-6248.