An Interview with Florida Family Lawyer Cindy S.Vova
Cindy S. Vova is a member of the Florida and Georgia Bars and has over 23 years of experience in family and civil litigation matters. Ms. Vova has served on numerous legal committees, including the subcommittees of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. She holds both a BBA (magna cum laude-1978) and MBA (1979) from the University of Miami, and earned her Doctor of Law degree from Emory University (1984). Ms. Vova’s firm is located in Fort Lauderdale and she may be reached at 954/316-3496 or cindyvova@vovalaw.com.
Recently, Ms. Vova took time out of her busy schedule to answer The Modern Woman’s Divorce Guide questions about divorce.
1. What are the grounds for divorce in your state? In Florida, the only ground necessary is an allegation that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
2. Does fault (such as infidelity or domestic violence) affect the outcome of a divorce in your state? If so, how? Generally speaking, no. Florida is a “no fault” divorce state.
3. If a woman is preparing for divorce what, if anything, can she do to improve the outcome of her case? She should have a clear picture of the parties’ financial situation so her attorney has a good start evaluating the case and advising her accordingly. Sometimes I suggest that a woman come in for “prophylactic” divorce planning. A one-hour consultation with a lawyer before making any legal moves, is well worth the investment.
4. What are some of the biggest obstacles women face in divorce? Finding the right attorney. If a woman (or man) finds an attorney that understands her situation, then it is easier to address potential obstacles and come up with viable solutions.
5. When should a woman take her case to trial? When shouldn’t she? There is again, no hard and fast rule. However, in general, when the settlement offer is so bad that there is no possible way a woman could do worse in court, she should proceed to trial. A case shouldn’t go to trial when the costs outweigh the benefits. This analysis must be done on a case-by-case basis.
6. How can a woman make divorce easier on her children? A woman can make divorce easier on her children by remembering that no matter how bad the situation is with her husband, that her children are entitled to have both a mother and a father, regardless of the adult’s decision to divorce. This, of course, must be tempered by instances where being with the father is a TRUE danger to the children.
7. What qualities should a woman look for in a divorce lawyer? Women should look for recommendations from friends and professionals (counselors) that they trust. A woman should speak with an attorney on the phone and see if it is someone who sounds genuinely interested in her situation. A face-to-face meeting is also important. Does the attorney respect your privacy? Does the attorney give you his or her undivided attention (i.e.: not take interruptions from staff or phone calls while you are there). A prospective client should also ask about the attorney’s experience, and it is perfectly acceptable to ask for references. Even though there is attorney-client confidentiality, most attorneys have clients who are willing to speak with a prospective client. One can also check with the state bar (in Florida) for the attorney’s disciplinary record.
8. What should a woman do if she disagrees with her divorce lawyer’s recommendations? She should ask for the attorney’s reasons for the recommendations in writing so she can evaluate them. Moreover, if she is really uncomfortable with the situation she should consult with another attorney. Divorce is a very emotionally charged time for anyone, and sometimes it is difficult to see clearly when you’re the person affected. A second opinion may either affirm that you are getting good advice, or indicate that your gut feeling was correct. Either way, it leaves less room for doubt on decisions that will so significantly impact a person’s life.
9. If you could impart any of your wisdom to a woman who is going through divorce, what would it be? Stay focused. Discuss matters with your attorney. Don’t look at the process as a fight. Look at it as a way to resolve issues that need resolving and a temporary bridge to cross in beginning a new life.
This article is not legal advice. You should consult an attorney if you have questions that relate to your divorce and finances.
-
Posted by ModDiva on October 24th, 2007 filed in Florida, Family Lawyer Interview Series, Divorce Lawyer |
Leave a Comment