Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
my husband and I have been separated for 4 yrs with a 22 year total marriage,....20of those years was in Florida.... no underage children now, my youngest was 16 when we separated....our separation was never legal....he paid me money in dribs and drabs until in moved to Tennessee....then it was excuse after excuse...I applied for disability last April due to physical impairments that cause me to be unable to work....he knew of these conditions prior to our separation...he worked and I stayed home to raise our children...I haven't worked in 19 years and then it was a brief 6 months...my question is, am I entitiled to alimony even with ys being separated 4 years?...btw, I still reside in Florida....
1 Answer from Attorneys
Thank you for your inquiry.
You have done yourself, and your child(ren), a great dis-service in not pursuing this earlier. You probably have waived good-bye to many thousands of dollars in child support.
What's done is done. I suggest that you promptly retain counsel, and file for divorce.
Depending upon your comparative financial resources, you may still have a strong alimony case. You clearly have a long-term marriage, and probably can show the need for spousal support. How much money does he earn a month?
Does either party have any interest in any land/homes?
Is there any retirement accounts?
In Florida, with family law cases, depending on the parties' comparative financial resources, the Courts have the discretion to hold one party responsible for all, or part, of the other's attorney fees and costs. In other words, if the other party has significantly stronger financial resources, do not assume that you will not be able to afford to retain an attorney.
If you opt to proceed without the assistance of counsel, be aware that you will not be entitled to a �do over� if things go badly.
The above information is provided without any consideration/payment having been received, and without full knowledge of all of the facts.
An internet inquiry is no substitution for an in-office consultation with an attorney.
If your situation falls within the Greater Tampa Bay area, I would be happy to schedule you for a no obligation half hour office consultation. The main office is in Dunedin, with a satellite location in Tampa.
Feel free to Google me.
Good Luck, Elliot Goldstein
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
1587 Main St., Ste. C
Dunedin, FL 34698
Tele. No.: 727/455-6596
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
550 N. Reo St. Ste. 300
Tampa, FL 33609
Tele. No.: 813/810-1500