Divorce Process
Want A Faster, More Efficient Divorce? Call 800-822-5170 Today!
Divorce is stressful enough when you know what’s going on, but it can be even more emotionally taxing if you do not arm yourself with the right information. When filing for divorce in Florida, it can significantly reduce your stress if you know what to expect at each critical juncture.
Many of our clients ask, “What is the order of events in divorce?” and “What are all the steps involved in getting a divorce?” If you have similar questions and are in need of help from an experienced legal professional in Pensacola, we encourage you to call The Virga Law Firm, P.A. today at 800-822-5170.
In the meantime, here is an overview of what to expect during a Florida divorce.
Filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
First, you must file petition for divorce in order to get the ball rolling. You can do so whether or not you and your spouse agree on whether or not to divorce and whether or not you have hashed out any details regarding child support, who gets what, and so on. It doesn’t necessarily matter who files the petition, as long as it happens. Florida is a no-fault state, so you do not have to demonstrate that one of you is at fault for the failure of your marriage in order to begin the process of divorce.
Obtaining Temporary Court Orders
Temporary orders are not necessary in every divorce. However, temporary orders are sometimes very important to the well-being of one spouse or of dependent children and family members. In cases where a divorcing couple lives in different residences or experiences sudden, significant financial disparity due to separation, a judge may order what is called temporary alimony to get both spouses through the divorce process with minimal undue difficulty or financial strain.
Temporary orders are also very important when it comes to caring for dependent children and family members while a couple is divorcing. Temporary child custody and child support orders ensure children do not suffer unnecessarily due to their parents’ separation.
Service of Divorce Papers and Response
This happens when one party officially files a divorce petition and someone notifies the other party via newspaper publication, mailing the divorce papers, service by law enforcement or a private servicer, or other means of notification. If both you and your spouse are on the same page, at least when it comes to getting divorced to begin with, you can arrange divorce paper service with your respective divorce lawyers.
In the state of Florida, your spouse has 20 days or less to submit a written response, rebuttal, counter-petition, or other answer to your petition for divorce. You may eventually be able to enter a default judgement against your spouse if they fail to respond, meaning that you may be able to proceed without them and get divorced anyway.
Negotiation of Terms
Unless you are one of those rare couples who agrees on absolutely every aspect of divorce, you will likely need to undergo at least some amount of negotiation and back-and-forth before arriving at a settlement you can be satisfied with (or at least tolerate). This is where having adequate legal representation comes in handy. Without an experienced divorce lawyer by your side to advocate for you, your spouse could take the lion’s share of assets and leave you with limited parenting time, diminished savings, and other negative repercussions.
If you and your spouse are not able to resolve your differences or disagreements via mediation, you may need to take your divorce to court. However, you can significantly reduce the need to take your divorce to court by bringing in a lawyer.
Finalizing Your Divorce
Whether you end in mediation or court, a judge will issue your finalized divorce decree once all is said and done. Your attorney can work with you to prepare an order of dissolution that you are happy with (and that contains any terms agreed upon by you and your spouse), and submit it to the court. Once finalized, the terms of your divorce decree are legally binding.
Need help with a divorce? Call The Virga Law Firm, P.A. at 800-822-5170 today. We can provide the personalized, dedicated service you need.
Our Core Values
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The Client Comes First and All Else Will FollowWe take pride in delivering best-in-class client service and experience, understanding the privilege and responsibility we have when assisting clients and their families through legal matters. It is our highest obligation.
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Authenticity and TransparencyWe believe in being transparent about who we are, with ourselves, each other, and our clients and partners. This authenticity builds trust and fosters strong relationships.
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Relentless Pursuit of the WinWe achieve stellar results by focusing on personal and professional performance and goals. Our relentless pursuit ensures we deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.
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Growth MindsetWe continuously learn, grow, and improve as individuals, as a law firm, and as advocates for our clients. We set and exceed both personal and professional goals to ensure ongoing development.
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OwnershipWe take responsibility for our work and actions, ensuring accountability in all that we do. Our commitment to ownership drives excellence and fosters a culture of trust and reliability.
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Results DrivenWe focus on outcomes and disregard the level of effort required. We have the vision and the discipline to do the work and face challenges to make our vision a reality for our clients.
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Respect and Celebration for One AnotherWe support each other with kindness and respect, emphasizing a positive work culture and celebrating along the way. We respect our clients and support them through their challenges.
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Unquestionable IntegrityWe stand up for what’s right with consistently sound ethics and courageous honesty. Our integrity is the foundation of our practice and guides our actions and decisions.
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We are in it TogetherWe are client and team-focused, committed to the firm’s vision, and act for the greater good. We carry our weight, bring others along, and act with civility, candor, and respect in all interactions.
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ReputationReputation is everything. We strive to have the best personal and professional reputations. We want our reputation to precede us and for opposing counsel to know we are committed to fighting for our clients.
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Associate Attorney, In Person, Panama City Beach Office
Job Title: Family Law Associate Attorney Position
The Virga Law Firm - Panama City Beach, FL
Are You Ready for More Than Just a Career?
We're not looking for just any lawyer – we're searching for an attorney committed to compassionate and excellent representation. If you're ready to make the practice of law both meaningful and rewarding, this opportunity could be what you've been waiting for. Join a firm where you're appreciated and part of a team dedicated to excellence.
Who We Are
The Virga Law Firm is a dynamic, high-growth family law firm dedicated to providing excellent legal representation and superb client care. Founded by Gerard Virga, who brings over twenty years of legal experience to the practice, our firm has established itself as a leader in family law throughout Florida. Our attorneys hold prestigious positions on various committees for the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, demonstrating our commitment to shaping and advancing family law practice in our state.
Our core belief is "Caring is Contagious." We understand that nothing is more important than family – it's the bedrock of our civilization and closest to people's hearts. When clients entrust us with their family law issues, we recognize it as the highest honor and responsibility.
Each family is unique and requires specialized attention during the most emotionally trying times in their lives. Our mission is to protect our clients and their families, providing them with a strong new start to their lives. We achieve this by helping one family at a time through our multiple office locations throughout Florida.
Who You Are
The ideal candidate:
- Is obsessed with achieving results for clients
- Has a passion for family law
- Excels at identifying crucial case details
- Loves litigation and is comfortable in the courtroom
- Takes pride in developing litigation strategies
- Has strong negotiation skills with a compassionate approach
- Thrives in fast-paced environments
- Is committed to helping others and leading by example
Minimum Qualifications
- An active member in good standing with the Florida Bar
- Demonstrated experience in family law
- Proven history of passionate representation and client service
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Clio knowledge is a plus)
- Advanced knowledge in litigation and client relations
- Mastery of Zoom video conferencing for court presentations
- Ability to work independently and produce superior work product
Key Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive legal advice and analysis to clients
- Manage complex high-asset divorce cases
- Handle parental responsibility and timesharing cases
- Navigate cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues
- Represent clients in court proceedings and mediations
- Draft legal pleadings, motions, and orders
- Lead team members including Paralegals and professional staff
- Maintain a fast-paced workload with attention to detail
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive compensation package based on experience
- Dental and vision insurance options with family coverage
- Progressive Paid Time Off:
- One week per six months
- Up to 80 additional hours accruing each pay period
- Paid holidays and one flex holiday
- Parental and bereavement leave
- Paid continuing legal education, bar dues, and certification dues
- Professional development opportunities
- Supportive team environment
Why Choose The Virga Law Firm
- Unified company culture dedicated to success
- Highly trained support staff including Paralegals and Discovery Specialists
- Diverse caseload and full pipeline from day one
- An environment that encourages innovation and creative problem-solving
- Commitment to personal and professional growth
- No-drama, no-judgment work environment
- Strong focus on team collaboration
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
- Current resume
- Writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation
- Cover letter
How to Apply
- Call our career hotline at 850-565-3426
- Submit required documents
Additional Information
- Website: www.thevirgalawfirm/careers
- Email: careers@thevirgalawfirm.com
- Work Location: In-person at Panama City Beach office
- Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8-hour shifts
The Virga Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace—A background check is required for final candidates.
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