The Divorce Process — And How I Can Lead You Through It

I am attorney Jennifer Kirkhart Curcio. My practice is dedicated to helping you through your divorce. I understand how overwhelming this process can be. There are many factors to consider and many solutions to explore. From my Gainesville, Florida, office, I can help you determine what is best for you and your family in this stressful situation.

There are two main categories of divorce proceedings:

Uncontested Divorces

Uncontested divorces are the most basic divorces. I will lead you through every relevant decision that needs to be made, including property division, child custody, spousal maintenance (alimony) and others. Once we have reached a full and fair settlement offer that you are comfortable with, I will draft that into a full agreement for you and your spouse to sign. After you both sign the agreement and other required documents, I process it through the court and do all of the other required documents. In the end, we will go to a hearing and finalize the divorce.

Contested Divorces

In many situations, reaching an agreement between spouses is a bit more difficult. A party could disagree with the terms, refuse to cooperate or want more of a say in drawing up the terms of the divorce. A contested divorce is started by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Once filed, it is served upon the other party. Typically, both parties are represented by attorneys, but they do not have to be represented. Depending on your unique situation, there are two options during this process:

  • Mediation. You and your spouse will negotiate the terms of your divorce with a trained and licensed third-party mediator. In Florida, mediation is required if you are going through a contested divorce. I will represent you in mediation, and my role will be advisory as you and your spouse negotiate your divorce with the mediator. If an agreement is reached, it is reduced to writing and then submitted to the court.
  • Litigation. If mediation is unsuccessful, or things are so conflicted or hostile that litigation is necessary, I am not afraid to advocate for you and your children in court. If issues of safety or financial security are best resolved in front of a judge, then I will represent you to the fullest. Your best interests are always my priority, and I will do what I can to give your case the best chance for success.

Collaborative Divorce

A collaborative divorce is a client-focused process in which the clients work with an interdisciplinary team in an amicable and transparent manner to create terms that work for everyone. The interdisciplinary team consists of a lawyer for each party, a facilitator that is a mental health professional and a financial neutral (typically a CPA). The focus of the process is to maintain respect and dignity for each party and find a solution that is mutually beneficial.

Fairness Is Best For Everyone

In every situation, I strive for an equitable divorce that has the best interests of you and your children in mind. In most situations, the less adversarial a divorce, the better off everyone is. Of course, I will do whatever is necessary to advocate for you, even if that means litigating on your behalf. However, my priorities involve both parties maintaining financial security and your children living in the safest environment with the best custody arrangement.

Contact My Office

When you come to my office, I will help you understand all of these options and represent you from start to finish regardless of the route we take. An equitable, fair and safe divorce is my ultimate goal, and I will collaborate, mediate or litigate as necessary to get it. Schedule a consultation with me today by calling 352-327-1201. You can also send an email.