Orlando Florida Divorce Attorneys
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We are proud to announce the opening of our new Orlando Florida office:
Orlando Divorce Attorney Cheri Hobbs (Cheri Blanchette) is experienced in all aspect of Florida family law, including divorce, custody, child support, enforcement, and modification of divorce decrees. She is experienced with the Orange County divorce court system and is especially qualified to help you in this difficult time of your life.
Our low cost initial consultation will provide you with valuable information you can use to make your own decisions. Call today to schedule a divorce consultation in our Orlando office.
Map to Orlando Florida Divorce Attorney Office
Information on the Orlando Florida Divorce Court
Information on the Kissimmee Florida Divorce Court
A special article from Orlando Florida Divorce Lawyer - Cheri Hobbs:
How to Keep Your Orlando Divorce Uncontested or Something Like It
Many people in the Orlando area ask me how they can keep their divorce uncontested. The answer I always give them is this: “it takes two to tango; it only takes one person to make a lawsuit contested.”
Remember to keep the following in mind and you will have a greater chance of success:
1. Carefully choose your attorney and law firm. The Divorce Center of Orlando has a dedicated staff that will help your case at every phase. Remember, when you can’t reach the attorney, you will rely on the staff at the law firm to keep you updated and abreast of potential storms in litigation. A great attorney but a poor running law firm might balance it out negatively.
a. Is the receptionist polite and knowledgeable?
b. How easy is it to reach an attorney? Does the attorney call or write you
back within a reasonable period of time?
c. What does the law firm or website look like? Is it clean, up-to-date and
run smoothly?
d. If your attorney is pressuring you to make this lawsuit get ugly…have a
talk with them. And sooner rather than later. The attorney should assist you
in this difficult time of your life, NOT make the process worse for all
involved so they can rack in the dough (your dough).
2. Even with an amazing attorney and law firm, you are the ONLY ONE
responsible for your own behavior.
a. How do you react or respond to your spouse?
b. How do you react or respond to the children, their teachers, mutual
friends, family members, the opposing attorney, or your own attorney?
c. Beware of writing letters, emails or correspondence that discusses your
spouse or the case to anyone other than your attorney! This just might
backfire on you!! There are a few exceptions but most of what you disclose
to people other than your attorney during the dissolution process is
ADMISSIBLE in court. So before you bash your spouse to another person…think
twice…it might cost you big time.
d. Do NOT record your spouse’s voice…this is illegal in Florida, and the
Orlando divorce court will react poorly to this tactic. Besides, you do not
need to resort to such a low ball action. If your spouse leaves a message on
your answering machine or sends you a text message and you believe it might
help your case feel free to share this information with your attorney.
Likewise, any messages you convey to your spouse might be used against you.
e. Always choose to be civil and polite when speaking or writing to your
spouse. Remember the phrase, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say
anything at all?” It is better to not speak than to give your spouse
ammunition against you for court.
f. Provide information concerning the children when possible. For example:
Whether you take the kids to Disney in Orlando, or if you took the kids to
see Santa somewhere else, if you take photos, make a copy for your spouse as
this will show the Judge you are the parent most likely to facilitate a
positive relationship between the children and other parent.
3. If at all possible, discuss with your spouse in a room WITHOUT knives or sharp objects WHAT exactly he or she would like to accomplish with a divorce. (We are kidding about "sharp objects" but you definitely don't want to end up in the Orlando Domestic Violence Court."
a. It is extremely helpful to your own divorce lawyer and for your case if
you know what the other side is looking for.
b. Who knows – you both might be pretty close to a middle ground when you
actually see everything written down on paper.
c. Remember, negotiations can benefit your case. You should not sign any
agreement that your attorney has not reviewed with you! But, having a list
of wants and desires for both parties will be wonderful going forward.
4. Keep a journal or diary of conversations you have with your spouse and
with your attorney.
a. Memory fails us most often in stressful situations. It is always good to
have something written down to jot our memory while in a meeting with your
attorney or in a Orlando court proceeding.
b. Obtain your phone records – you never know when you might need to show
how many calls either parent has placed.
5. Go to counseling WITH your children and with your spouse if you are civil
to each other. The Orlando Fl area has a large variety of counseling
available.
a. Taking the 4 hour parenting class is nothing compared to the benefit of
family counseling. Show the Judge that you are the parent most likely to
facilitate a smooth transition for the children from intact family to a
separated parent family.
b. Who knows? You just might learn a thing or two about how to relate to
your soon to be ex-spouse when the divorce is finalized.
c. Your children will see that their parent loves them enough to spend money
and time to ensure they feel secure in their place in the home. OK, maybe
they won’t tell you that today but when they grow up they will.
6. Try to make the holidays special for the children by working with your
spouse to ensure the children still have Hanukah or Christmas etc.
a. If there is a family tradition that the kids always were involved in,
make it happen this year – even if it is uncomfortable for you.
b. At one point you were in love with this “other person” so try to be civil
during the holidays and see if it pays off when your two attorneys are
negotiating.
c. If you both cannot agree on a holiday schedule during the pending
divorce, ask your attorney for advice. This is not a new thing for the
divorce attorneys or the family law court to deal with.
7. If you cannot keep your Orlando divorce proceeding uncontested or
amicable…take heart! That is why you hired a professional to see you through
this very difficult and emotional process.
a. Remember, it WILL get better! This is one of the few guarantees I make
clients.
b. This is based on years of experience where past clients send me a holiday
card a year later and admit I was right. Imagine that?!
c. But really, this is the tough time and the battle will end eventually.
You have the opportunity to attempt to make this go as peacefully as
possible.
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