Tampa Separation Attorney

If you've been seeking information on legal separation in Florida, you may be confused by contradictory information. To be absolutely clear, legal separation is not possible under Florida law. Therefore, if you and your spouse are living separately and you want legal protection, your options are limited. At the Law Offices of K. Dean Kantaras, P.A., our Tampa Bay separation lawyers have the legal knowledge and experience to provide reliable advice.

Contact our Tampa Bay separation attorneys now to learn more about legal separation in Florida!

Why Would You Get a Legal Separation Instead of a Divorce?

In states where it exists, legal separation is not for couples that want to "take a break" and "figure things out" before getting back together. It is a permanent designation for people who want to dissolve their marriage, but for whom divorce is either unacceptable or impractical. In many ways, legal separation is the same as divorce, with one notable exception: Legally separated couples are prohibited from marrying other partners.

People choose separation over divorce for compelling reasons:

• To retain health benefits and tax advantages with their spouses
• To avoid divorce for religious or moral reasons
• To settle issues while waiting to meet divorce eligibility requirements

A legal separation, like a divorce settlement agreement, decides many important issues:

• Child custody and child support
• Division of property and assets
• Alimony/spousal support
• Visitation rights

Enforcing Legal Separation Orders from Other States in Florida

Although Florida does not grant legal separation status, Florida courts must enforce terms of legal separations finalized in other states. If you or your separated spouse now reside in Florida, our Clearwater separation lawyer can help you get relief under the terms of the legal separation judgment from the court in the other state. Furthermore, if you have a legal separation agreement from another state, and now want to divorce in Florida, we may be able to use that agreement effectively as the basis for an uncontested Florida divorce.

Consult Our Clearwater Attorneys: Divorce vs. Separation

Given that legal separation is not possible in Florida, the Clearwater separation attorneys at the Law Offices of K. Dean Kantaras, P.A. advise clients who would have pursued separation to consider a divorce. Our team serves Clearwater and Palm Harbor clients and can help you and your spouse enter a temporary legal agreement that allows you to live apart during your divorce proceedings. Obviously, decisions to divorce, like decisions to marry, should not be made in haste. However, if your marital problems are serious enough for you to start considering legal action, you would benefit from a consultation with a board-certified marital law attorney.

Reach Out to Our Tampa Bay Separation Lawyers Today

When marital problems lead you to consider divorce, you need an attorney who knows how to pursue legally enforceable solutions. At the Law Offices of K. Dean Kantaras, you can consult with a board-certified marital and family law attorney in Palm Harbor who can answer your questions and help you plan for the future!

Schedule an appointment with our Tampa Bay separation lawyer today. Contact us at (727) 939-6113 or online.