Helpful Divorce Advice Direct From Attorneys

This month, we asked our office of Tampa, FL family law attorneys to share words of encouragement and advice to clients and those in our community facing divorce. See what our team had to say:

Jonathan Bodden, ESQ.

“There are things in my life that are hard to reconcile, like divorce. Sometimes it is very difficult to make sense of how it could possibly happen. Laying blame is so easy. I don’t have time for hate or negativity in my life. There’s no room for it.” – Reese Witherspoon

Alisa Miazga

This is still one of my favorite quotes! We had firm T-shirts at my last law firm in Orlando that said this on the back. I always got comments on it when I was out and about after work.

“Divorce isn’t such a tragedy. A tragedy’s staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love. Nobody ever died of divorce.” ― Jennifer Weiner

Stacey Smith

“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.” – Mo Willems

You’re allowed to leave any story you don’t find yourself in. You’re allowed to leave any story you don’t love yourself in. You’re allowed to leave someone you love if they’re treating you poorly, you’re allowed to put yourself first if you’re settling and you’re allowed to walk away when you’ve tried over and over again but nothing has changed. We sometimes look at leaving as a bad thing or associate it with giving up or quitting, but sometimes leaving is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Linda Somellan

And they lived happily ever after.

Separately.

Katrina Ghekas, ESQ.

“You know why divorces are so expensive? Because they’re worth it.” – Willie Nelson

My divorce tip is: If you’re going through a divorce, begin compiling your mandatory financial disclosures once your case has been filed. It takes longer than you think. Retrieve your bank statements electronically and organize them into subfolders with neatly titled bank account titles (for example: Bank of America *1234) and include each monthly statement labeled neatly inside. Stay organized throughout the process and you will be less stressed and frustrated. Provide your organized mandatory financial disclosures to your attorney at one time. This will save you time and money and you’ll receive less follow up emails.

Stephanie Pletcher

“It is important to keep in mind that this too shall pass.” I know it is simple and not divorce specific, but I think people need to keep in mind that as frustrating as these times are, it’s only temporary.

I would say, before filing:

1. See a mental health professional or a counselor- and focus on improving self-awareness and setting boundaries
2. Discuss finances with your spouse, and make sure you have full transparency and online account access. Not only is it important to know what your and your spouse’s financials are, but soon you are going to be re-organizing finances, and it is important to make sure that you understand what your expenses are, and what a realistic lifestyle will look like post-divorce.
3. If there is domestic violence- make sure you (and your kids) have a safe place to go, and make sure you contact your support system (friends and family) ahead of time—you will need them.
4. Potentially look at creating an ‘emergency fund’ in case you think you may need it, or consider paying off credit cards to help free up credit you may need to utilize, pending the divorce proceeding.

“There is never a right answer to ‘how long does a divorce take’. A divorce can go as quickly as parties would like if they are able to set their differences aside, and comply with the procedural requirements.”

“It is important for parents to keep in mind that divorce is not what causes kids to struggle or cause their mental health to suffer, it is the behavior of contentious parents and inconsistency in their behavior that causes children to suffer.”

Matthew Wilson, ESQ.

“And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life,” – J.K. Rowling

Tampa Divorce Attorney

Anton Garcia Law’s family law attorneys are compassionate, experienced and dedicated to representing your best interests.  Contact us today!  Serving the following Florida areas:

• Tampa, St Petersburg
• Land O’ Lakes
• Lakeland
• Plant City
• Downtown Tampa
• … and more!

If you are looking for a Tampa family law attorney, look to Anton Garcia Law, a 2021 SuperLawyer “Best Attorney” award winner. Our office is located near beautiful downtown Tampa, where we proudly serve clients from around the state of Florida.