Tampa Interstate Divorce Attorney

If you want to get a divorce but your spouse lives in a different state, your case will pose some challenges. Still, this does not mean it is impossible to do. No one should remain in an unhappy or unhealthy marriage simply because they live far away from their spouse. Below, our Tampa interstate divorce attorney outlines what you need to know when divorcing a spouse in a different state.

Common Reasons for Interstate Divorce

When people get married, they typically reside together and so, people often wonder why an interstate divorce would ever be necessary. However, there are many common reasons for interstate divorce and they are as follows:

• Military families: If you or your spouse is a member of the military, you may be required to be outside of Florida, or even the country. In these cases, as long as the service member still resides in the state while serving outside of it, you still meet the residency requirements.
• Separation: Florida does not recognize legal separations, but some people unofficially separate before they get divorced. Some couples may just want some time to determine if divorce is the right option for them.
• Relocation: People are often called out of the state they reside in to work in another state. Sometimes, marriages cannot survive the distance and so, they get a divorce.

Can You File for Divorce in Florida if Your Spouse Lives in a Different State?

You can file for divorce in Florida if your spouse lives in a different state. The jurisdiction for the case will then be in Florida, and the state’s laws will apply to a case. If your spouse files for divorce first, the jurisdiction will be in the state where they filed, as long as they meet the residency requirements. In order to file for divorce in Florida, you must meet the residency requirements. This means that before you file for divorce, one or both of you must have lived in Florida for at least six months before the court will hear your case.

Filing for Divorce if You Cannot Find Your Spouse

There are times when one spouse does not know where their partner is, or whether they are even still in the same state. In these instances, you can file by publication. To do this, you must publish a notice in newspapers in the county in which you were married. You typically must publish the notice once a week for four weeks and exhaust all efforts to try and find your spouse. Once you have done this you can file your petition with the court and a judge will likely grant the divorce.

Our Interstate Divorce Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case

If you are getting a divorce and your spouse lives in another state, or you cannot locate them, our Tampa interstate divorce attorney at Florida Law Advisers, P.A. can help you through the appropriate process to make it as easy as possible for you. Call us today at 1 (800) 990-7763 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to learn more.