A frequent question that our Naples attorney often gets from clients is whether or not to file their petition for dissolution of marriage first?
In short, our answer is yes.
The Family First legal team believes that filing first is not only crucial to your case but also extremely beneficial.
If you have made the decision to file for divorce, then do not hesitate in filing. There is a psychological advantage to knowing that you have made up your mind to file and you are thinking multiple steps ahead in the process.
Additionally, if there is a spending issue with your spouse, then the date of filing will create a divide between marital and non-marital debt. This can be critical for individuals who have a spouse that is draining their respective bank account(s).
Most importantly, in the event you have to go to trial, the person who files first gets to present their case to the Judge first. The party who filed second has to sit in court and listen to you present your entire case to the Judge before they are given a chance to speak. Then, the party who filed first gets a chance to present a rebuttal argument.
If you are thinking about filing for divorce and have questions, please feel free to reach out to Family First Legal Group for your divorce needs.