As a trusted divorce law firm Tampa, Florida residents turn to, we, at The McKinney Law Group, understand the decisions are clients face when going through a divorce. When the marriage has lasted for many years, or decades, deciding to go through the process might be even more challenging. A lot of this has to do with the emotional attachment to the past, as well as the life that you both have become accustomed to. There are also different rules for the dissolution of a long term marriage; so much so, that they will affect the outcome and many details included within. Whenever a long term marriage is coming to an end, a trusted divorce law firm Tampa, Florida has to offer should represent you.
At The McKinney Law Group, we know that you and your spouse have spent a lot of time together. Perhaps you’ve raised a family and acquired assets together. Now, you’re ready to divorce and are worried about the future. Rest assured, you can feel peace of mind in knowing that we will guide you through the process and provide you with as much support as possible. It is our duty to get you through the process in an amicable way with the least amount of hurdles.
For a consultation with a knowledgeable divorce attorney Tampa, FL has to offer, please call The McKinney Law Group.
Dissolving a long term marriage refers to a marriage that has existed for many years (usually seven to ten or more) and is coming to an end. These marriages have special rules and can pose unique issues that are not typically present in a divorce that involves a short term marriage.
Dividing Assets and Property
A long term marriage will almost certainly involve assets such as real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, family heirlooms, and more. Typically any asset that was purchased during the marriage will be a marital asset. A divorce lawyer may recommend that all marital property is appraised to determine their worth. Assets that might be difficult to appraise generally include:
- Investment portfolios
- Employee stock options
- Certain financial interests
A trusted divorce law firm in Tampa, Florida will carefully review all of the marital assets and help you to understand how they may be divided according to the laws of Florida. When assets do not have any real value, but possess an emotional value, spouses are encouraged to work together to determine how they will be divided. When this isn’t possible, your divorce lawyer may include them in the negotiation process.
Apart from child custody matters, the division of assets is often one of the most challenging parts of a divorce. Our trusted divorce law firm in Tampa, Florida can provide clients with many resources such as accountants, appraisers, investigators, and more. These professionals compliment the proceeding and can help you to reach your objectives in a timely manner.
Seeking Spousal Support
When it comes to the dissolution of a long term marriage, it is very common for a judge to award spousal support or a larger amount of assets to the spouse who had less income during the marriage. A judge might also see that the spouse retained the same standard of living (or similar) that they had become used to during the marriage. The amount of spousal support or assets, and the length of time they are given to the spouse, will depend on factors such as:
- The total length of the marriage
- The educational levels of both spouses
- The age of both spouses
- Each spouse’s health
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The contribution of each spouse during the marriage.
If you would like to talk with a trusted divorce lawyer Tampa, Florida men and women prefer about the dissolution of a long term marriage, please call The McKinney Law Group.
If you have questions about a prenup agreement or a postnup agreement or require legal assistance in other areas of Family Law you may always contact Damien McKinney of The McKinney Law Group to discuss your case further. He can be reached by phone at 813-428-3400 or by e-mail at [email protected].
We now offer virtual prenuptial agreements. Contact us to inquire further about our virtual prenup option.