How the COVID-19 Pandemic May Affect Your Divorce Case

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting Florida in countless ways, and it has placed a strain on many couples that has proved too difficult to surmount. If you are considering filing for divorce in the Tampa Bay area during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to understand how it may affect your case. At the law office of Blair H. Chan, III, our highly experienced legal team is here to answer all your questions and advocate for your needs every step of the way. To learn more, call or contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.

Issues Living Apart

One significant issue for couples navigating divorce during the pandemic is that you may have issues living apart during the process. The pandemic has made finding suitable housing and affording rent more difficult, so you may have to live with your spouse for a period of time after filing the initial paperwork for the divorce.

Delayed or Virtual Court Hearings

Another consequence of the pandemic is delayed or virtual court hearings for your case. The courts are currently behind schedule and many are operating virtually to avoid spreading the virus. This may also mean engaging in any alternate dispute resolution methods like divorce mediation virtually, as well.

Challenges Negotiating a Settlement

The pandemic has brought significant financial uncertainty to many with layoffs, furloughs, and reduced hours for thousands of workers across Florida. This current instability may make it more difficult to negotiate a settlement between you and your spouse, as one or both of you may have a more urgent need for marital assets during this difficult time.

Issues Selling Significant Assets

You may also face difficulties selling significant assets during the pandemic, when many people cannot afford to make big purchases at this time. The most common example is when a couple decides to sell the marital home. The Florida real estate market has crashed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so you may not be able to sell your home or be forced to sell it for far less than its actual value, during this time.

Questions about Alimony and Child Support

Finally, there may be some additional difficulties determining alimony and child support during and after a divorce while the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing. Negotiating alimony and child support could prove challenging if one or both parents is currently enduring economic hardship because of the pandemic. While the court does take temporary job loss into account when determining these issues, it could result in a substantially different outcome than what you would get after the pandemic is over.

Talk to Our Office Now

Filing for divorce during the coronavirus pandemic is not impossible, but there may be some difficulties you should talk through with a knowledgeable attorney before making any major decisions. If you have further questions about filing for divorce during the COVID-19 pandemic, call or contact a Tampa divorce lawyer at the law office of Blair H. Chan, III today to schedule an initial consultation of your case.

Resource:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.30.html

https://www.bchanlaw.com/how-to-protect-your-business-in-a-divorce/