Should I Get Marriage Counseling Before Filing For Divorce In Tampa?

Ending your marriage is always a difficult decision. Getting a divorce in Tampa often involves making significant changes that could impact your life for years afterward, so it is only natural to want to take your time and explore all options.

Marriage counseling may be a possibility and can help in repairing your relationship. While only you can decide if it is an option you want to explore, our Tampa divorce lawyer explains common scenarios in which it is-and isn’t-most likely to work.

When Marriage Counseling May Help Prevent A Tampa Divorce

Every couple goes through occasional rocky times in their marriage and periods where they may feel like maintaining the relationship with their partner is a lot of work. When making the difficult decision to get a divorce in Tampa, you want to avoid doing anything rash. For most people, it is important to explore all the options before finally filing a divorce petition through the Hillsborough County Family Court.

Attending marriage counseling can offer surprising benefits and may help salvage your relationship. You can pursue this option, even if you have already filed for a divorce in Tampa. Situations in which it is most marriage therapy is most likely to work include:

• When both parties are willing to attend;
• When they have clearly defined issues and goals;
• When they treat each other with respect and are willing to compromise;
• When they are committed to making the marriage work and willing to follow the therapist’s instructions.

Even under ideal circumstances, marriage counseling may not work. In some cases, it works initially, only for additional problems to arise in the future. To protect yourself and your rights under the Florida Statutes against this type of situation, consider putting a Tampa postnuptial agreement in place.

When Getting Counseling Is Unlikely To Save A Marriage

Obtaining marriage counseling, attending regular sessions, and following up on suggestions made by your therapist may help improve some marriages. However, there are also some circumstances where moving forward with a divorce in Tampa is the only option. These include:

• Your spouse refuses to communicate or work on the relationship;
• They are no longer committed to the marriage and are actively engaging in affairs;
• They begin to hide assets,
• They constantly criticize, isolate you from family or friends, have angry outbursts, make threats, or show other signs of being abusive.

Marital misconduct and fault grounds are not required to get a divorce in Tampa. However, it is important to discuss your spouse’s behavior with our Tampa divorce lawyer, as it could impact your rights in a final divorce order.

Discuss Available Options With Our Tampa Divorce Lawyer

At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., we understand how difficult it is to choose to get a divorce. As an experienced Tampa divorce lawyer, we can advise you on your options while taking the legal steps needed to protect your rights. Call or contact us online to request a consultation today.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm/Ch0322/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/0061.html

hillsclerk.com/court-services/family-law