Lori Bark us, P.A. 2883 Executive Park Drive, Suite 103A, Weston, FL 33331

Tel: (954) 349-7988 Fax: (95 4) 349-8088

1. What are the grounds for divorce?

Florida is a no-fault state.  In order to obtain a divorce, one party needs to state that he or she has lived in Florida for six months and that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

2. Can I stop my spouse from obtaining a divorce?

A divorce can be granted over one party’s objection. So long as one party meets the residency requirements and states that the marriage is irretrievably broken, there is no way to object to or to stop the divorce process.

3. Do I need a lawyer to represent me in a divorce?

You are not required to have a lawyer represent you. However, you may decide to seek legal advice or representation if you have questions about your rights in the divorce process.

4. Can you represent both of us in a divorce?

In a few circumstances, it is permissible for an attorney to act on behalf of both parties to a divorce. However, we believe that it is a conflict of interest to represent both parties in a divorce process. We can provide suggestions on how to minimize the cost of divorce, but we cannot offer legal advice to both parties.

5. We reached an agreement that we will not pay child support. Is this allowed?

The State of Florida requires the filing of a child support guidelines worksheet as well as financial affidavits. The payment of child support is a legal requirement which cannot be waived by the parties.

6. How long will the process take?

Each case is different. The amount of time it takes for a divorce to become finalized depends on such factors as how many issues there are in dispute, whether the parties are seeking court intervention to resolve these issues and the like. We cannot guarantee a specific time frame for a divorce to become finalized. We can give a general estimate and can also provide suggestions on how to make the process more efficient.

7. How much does it cost?

The cost of representation in divorce depends on the amount of time involved. It is difficult to determine this at the outset of a divorce case as it depends not only on the actions of the client but the actions of the spouse as well. Some parties have more questions than others and their cases require more attention. We are always willing to assist clients will any and all issues that arise, but doing so requires time and, therefore, additional cost.During an initial consultation, we can provide an estimate of fees and costs. We will emphasize that this is only an estimate.

8. My friend told me that I should not leave the house because this is considered abandonment. Is this correct?

We would encourage anyone involved in a divorce process to seek legal advice and not rely on the opinions of friends and family members, no matter how well meaning they might be. Every case is different. There are several facts and circumstances to take into consideration when it comes to who will reside in the home during the pendency of a divorce. This is one of the issues we address with clients during an initial consultation.

9. Can I call you to ask a few questions about my divorce?

We are unable to provide legal advice over the phone. When it comes to divorce, many questions that seem simple cannot be answered with a yes or no response. We understand that this may be frustrating, but we do not want to short change our clients. When we provide legal advice to our clients, we want to make sure that we have all the information necessary to give an assessment of the situation. In order to provide client matters with the time and attention they deserve, we schedule in depth consultations with prospective clients. This allows the client to meet with an attorney in person in a comfortable setting and to have all of their questions addressed.

10. What is your policy regarding consultations?

We believe the attorney client relationship is an important one and that it needs to be based on trust and open communication. We do not treat initial consultations as a quick attempt to “sell” a client on retaining our services. Instead, we treat this as an opportunity to get to know our potential clients and allow them to get to know us. Following an initial meeting with an attorney, a client should feel comfortable that he/she can discuss the personal issues that arise in a divorce situation and that he/she has received a realistic assessment of the situation. In order to do this, Lori Barkus meets with all potential clients personally for at least an hour. Prior to the meeting, we will provide you with a detailed list of information we would like you to bring so that we can review this information and make our time as productive as possible. It is our goal during a consultation to address all issues and concerns that you may have.

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.