In most cases, a divorce arises when a couple has been dealing with ongoing problems for a considerable time. At times, things change or become difficult, leading both individuals to realize that continuing the marriage isn’t workable. Deciding on a divorce can be tough for many spouses.
When it comes to divorce in Tampa, Florida’s legal rules establish specific criteria that both partners must meet. One requirement that judges always take into account involves the length of time that you and your spouse have been married prior to the divorce. This so-called “7-year rule” is a measuring stick that may come into play in your divorce proceedings.
What is the 7-Year Divorce Rule in Florida?
As in other places, Florida has a general guideline that a judge can use when making decisions on financial issues like alimony or child support. While not an official law, many Florida courts institute a “7-year” rule when it comes to the length of the marriage.
- If the marriage has lasted longer than seven years, it’s considered a “long marriage”, while a “short marriage” is one that lasts less than seven years.
In general, the longer a marriage lasts, the more assets and property the couple will have accumulated. Therefore, a judge will have to factor in the duration of the marriage, as well as other factors when they make their decision on any alimony or child support payments. These additional factors include:
- Earning capacity – The court looks at how much money each person earns now and might earn in the future. This includes things like their education, skills, work history, and job prospects.
- Property ownership – The court checks who owns what stuff and how they got it. This means figuring out if they got things before or during the marriage and if they got anything as a gift or inheritance.
- Spending habits – If anyone spent money recklessly or did something unfair with assets, the court considers that. This helps make sure no one takes advantage of the situation.
- Family duties – The court recognizes family connections, especially if there are kids. This affects things like who takes care of the children and who pays for their needs.
- Taxes – The court looks at how taxes might change for each person. This includes stuff like taxes on selling property and changes in tax rules after the divorce.
How Does the Length of Your Marriage Impact Your Divorce in Tampa?
The reality is, every divorce is unique. While many marriages in Tampa break down, each relationship has its own particular issues that the divorcing couple needs to hash out during the proceedings. That said, the length of your marriage will impact many of these issues. Whether your marriage was long or short, it’s important to understand how the duration will affect things:
Less complex asset division – In shorter marriages, there may be fewer assets and property acquired during the marriage, making the division of property relatively simpler.
Property accumulation – In longer marriages, there’s typically more time for the accumulation of joint property and assets, which can complicate the division process.
Alimony considerations – For marriages that have lasted a significant period, there might be considerations for spousal support (alimony), especially if one spouse was financially dependent on the other during the marriage.
Retirement and investments – In lengthy marriages, retirement accounts, and investments can be substantial, leading to complex valuation and distribution processes.
Parenting plans – The duration of the marriage can impact the development of parenting plans, especially if the couple has children. Longer marriages often lead to more established co-parenting routines.
Child support – For marriages that produced children, the length of the marriage might affect child support calculations and the financial responsibilities of each parent.
Remember that how the length of your marriage affects your divorce can change depending on your situation, the laws in Florida, and any agreements you have in place. Talking to our experienced Tampa divorce lawyers can help you figure out how your marriage length might affect your divorce process in your specific case.
Is It Better To Have a Short or Long Marriage in Tampa?
Legally speaking, judges can use the duration of the marriage as a factor in their overall decisions. However, just like every divorce is different, so too is the way every judge interprets precedent and case law. With that said, there is no legal framework that says whether a long or short-term marriage is best.
However, there are some general guidelines to use for whether a short or long marriage works best in a Tampa divorce:
- Shorter marriages typically have less complex legal proceedings because there is less entanglement and emotional baggage
- Longer marriages are generally more challenging, as there are usually child custody matters, spousal support considerations, and more difficult financial and asset divisions to make.
Ultimately, the best approach depends on your unique circumstances and priorities. No matter what your circumstances are, you should consider working with our team of dedicated Tampa divorce lawyers. We can guide you through the decision-making process and help you navigate the legal complexities regardless of the length of your marriage.
Experienced Tampa Divorce Lawyers Can Help You
At Robert Sparks Attorneys, our experienced and dedicated Tampa divorce lawyers understand how difficult a divorce can be. Regardless of whether you were married for less than or longer than seven years, our team can help you gather all the important documentation and evidence you need to protect your rights. We can also help you negotiate with your former spouse to make sure a fair outcome is reached for both sides.
If you would like to set up a confidential consultation with our team, contact us here.