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Monday Message: December 14, 2020

Doreen Yaffa
Doreen YaffaDecember 14, 2020
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Monday Message: December 14, 2020
Are You Buffering? Have you ever caught yourself doing something just to avoid spending time on a task that may help you reach a goal? You were buffering. Buffering is when we use something external to make us feel better temporarily. It isn’t just drinking or overeating when you’re stressed - it is also hiding from reality or procrastinating when you don’t want to put in the effort to reach a goal. Buffering is spending hours on your emails, thinking you’re making progress when you know you should be working on your business plan for 2021, or snoozing your gym alarm, telling yourself that you will do it later and then never going. A lot of people that visit me are procrastinating on taking that next step of becoming divorced. They tell me that they have decided their marriage is over but have many (of what appear as valid) reasons (i.e. it’s the holidays, her mother is sick, the children are being homeschooled). Procrastination, believe it or not, is a form of buffering. Someone, I knew once got involved in over drinking as a result of trying to buffer the reality of their failed marriage. They sought help and together with a therapist, we assisted them in dealing with the pain and move forward to taking action that made sense. Today, she is divorced, sober, and started a new career. Can you imagine the possibilities of what you could accomplish and all the goals you could reach if you didn’t buffer, and instead let yourself face and work through the uncomfortable feelings? Bad emotional feelings won't kill us. They're just feelings. Allow yourself to feel and move into the next chapter of your amazing life. Wishing you an amazing week. PS. Maybe consider sending this message to someone you care about.
 

Doreen Yaffa

Board Certified Marital & Family Attorney, Life Coach

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How long does a divorce take in Florida?

In Florida, an uncontested divorce can be finalized in as little as 3–4 weeks, while a contested divorce may take 6 months to over a year depending on the complexity of the case and the court's schedule.

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While Florida law does not require you to hire an attorney, having an experienced family law attorney significantly improves your chances of achieving a fair outcome, especially in complex cases involving assets, children, or spousal support.

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Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly — though not always 50/50. Courts consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's financial contributions, and future earning capacity.

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The first step is filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the circuit court in your county. You'll also need to serve your spouse with the petition and financial affidavits. Consulting an attorney before filing helps ensure you protect your rights from the start.

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Doreen Yaffa

Doreen Yaffa

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Family law attorneys at Yaffa Family Law Group, specializing in divorce, custody, and complex family matters in South Florida.

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