If your marriage is struggling, you are probably getting advice from friends, family and others regarding divorce. Unfortunately, even people with the best of intentions fall victim to the myths and misunderstandings surrounding Florida divorces. In an effort to set the record straight, below are a few of the misunderstandings we commonly hear and the truth you need to be aware of:

• Myth: At least half of all marriages end in divorce. Although 40% to 50% of marriages end in divorce, these percentages are skewed by the serial divorcers.

• Myth: Your marriage is more likely to succeed if you live together first. There are too many factors that go into why a couple divorces, so living together before marriage does not necessarily lower the risk of divorce.

• Myth: The court will always order the husband to pay alimony to the wife. This is absolutely false. The court will consider numerous factors in determining whether or not spousal support must be paid by either party. In some cases, the wife may be ordered to pay alimony to the husband.

• Myth: Divorce is very expensive. No two divorce cases are the same, so the cost depends on the couple and their circumstances. Obtaining a divorce does not have to be costly.

• Myth: Second marriages are more likely to be successful. Again, every situation is different. However, with each failed marriage you have, the more likely your additional marriages will end in divorce.

• Myth: The mother is always awarded custody of the children. This may have been true in the past, but this concept is now obsolete. In fact, courts approach every case with the expectation that having both parents involved in the child’s life is in the best interests of the child. Thus, depending on the circumstances of your case, relatively equal timesharing between parents is often granted.

If you have questions regarding divorce, we have the answers you can trust. Contact the Men’s Divorce Law Firm to schedule a consultation with a caring professional, and aggressive advocate for men’s rights in divorce, child timesharing (custody), and paternity matters.