Divorce Lawyer Orlando FL

Divorce Lawyer Orlando FL - An Interview with Alisha Stevenson-Rountree

Q.Tell us about yourself and your practice.

A. Hi!  My name is Alisha Stevenson-Rountree.  I have a double bachelor of arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science.  I went to law school to help people.  When I was a child I had experience with two lawyers who I felt neglected to represent me adequately.  However it fueled my desire to become an attorney and actually help others by listening to what they have to say and doing as much as I can to help them.  Since my undergraduate years I have had an interest in helping victims of sexual assault.  I graduated from Barry School of Law .  During law school I did an externship with a domestic violence shelter and realized that I enjoyed helping victims of domestic violence as well.   To this day our practice still assists victims of both sexual assault and domestic violence.

I am happily married to Shawn who is an attorney as well.  We have three chihuahuas  Duke Napoleon and Caesar. 

I opened my law practice in October 2008.  Shawn joined me in January 2009.  We practice primarily in family law criminal defense and foreclosure defense.  The difference between our practice and other law practices is that we strive to provide not only top-notch legal representation but believe that when someone hires our office they enter into a partnership with us.  In essence we do not take the attitude that because you've hired us that we expect you to do whatever we say.  If something pops up we want to be able to discuss it with the client go over the courses of action suggested by both the attorneys and the client and together pick the best choice for all involved. 

Further Shawn and I work together on all of our cases.  From the free initial consultation where we both go to potential client meetings to mediation to any hearings that might occur  you get the perspective of two attorneys but pay for one.  Further our firm has a policy that we will be available via phone or email.  We strive to respond to email or phone messages within 24 hours often it is much earlier than that. It is our goal to let clients know that we are appreciative that they have chosen us to represent them and we want to be available to discuss any concerns or questions that they might have.

Also we strive to make retainers reasonable.  We don't require $10000 or $20000 retainers.  Further our retainers are refundable.  This means that if we don't use a portion of your retainer it goes back to you.  Our motto is  if we didn't earn it then it's not ours. 

We also are willing to meet clients in locations that are convenient for them  whether it is a bookstore or restaurant near your home office or it's at your home or office.  We realize that clients lead busy lives and we want to provide them this service as a convenience. 

Q. How long do you take to process a divorce?

A.  This really depends on the complexity of the divorce.  However let's say that it's an average dissolution process.  What really constitutes average these days?  But let's say that there are children and property involved.

Let's say that we've had an initial consultation with the client on Monday January 1^st.  Let's assume that the client has retained us on the same day.  They have paid their retainer.  We accept payments of cash check debit or credit cards  Sometimes we accept payment plans.

Once all of the preliminaries are taken care of we provide the clients with a packet of documents that need to be completed and assembled by the client.  This includes financial information and information regarding the marriage children and property.  We usually ask  the client to provide these within a week.

Once we have the information we will begin drafting the petition and necessary documents.  It is our goal to get the petition and necessary documents drafted as quickly as possible.  We are usually able to draft these documents within a week of receiving your paperwork sometimes sooner. Once the petition and other necessaries are drafted we email you a copy.  You look it over we discuss any necessary changes.  Once those changes are made we meet once again and get the documents signed and I notarize them.   Then we're ready to rock n roll!  So ultimately you can have the documents ready to be filed and served by January 21^st if not sooner depending on how quickly you are able to return the documents and how quickly we can meet up to get them signed and notarized.

Q. Do you provide free initial consultations?

A. Absolutely . We offer 45 minutes-however we like to hear the whole story so that we can give the client the big picture. 

Q. I have engaged your services what happens next?

A. Once a client has hired us we have them fill out the necessary paperwork and gather financial and other documents.   Once this is completed we are able to work on drafting the pleadings.

Q. What are the grounds for a divorce?

A. Fortunately in Florida where I practice it is a no-fault state.  This means that you just have to show that the marriage is "irretrievably broken.”;   There is no real definition of irretrievably broken.  But fortunately  there is no requirement that you be separated for a period of time before the dissolution- you may file if you believe the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Q. In a marriage if there are cases of personal injury from a spouse what can be done?

A. Thankfully in Florida spousal immunity has been abolished.  The spouse could have a claim for battery both civilly and criminally.  Additionally our office works with domestic violence survivors on a regular basis- so we would probably also advise that the person seek a domestic violence injunction to prevent further injuries.

Q. What is a fault-based divorce?

A     Fortunately in Florida where I practice it is no fault.  Additionally from research that I've done all states are no fault.

Q. What are the processes to follow in filing a divorce?

A. Generally there are no set processes for each and every divorce.  However with the filing of the petition the other side has a chance to respond.  If they do not respond then a default can be entered.  If the other side responds then you will respond to their response.  In Florida disclosure of financial documents is mandatory.  This can be waived but if the divorce is not amicable you will probably not want to do this.  Next discovery can be conducted.  Discovery is the process whereby you work to uncover information that is relevant to your divorce.  Generally discovery is used as a vehicle to discover financial information.  Once discovery is done most courts like mediation.  Mediation is where both parties and their attorneys-if they have attorneys meet with a neutral third party to see whether they can come to an agreement about certain issues such as   property distribution time-sharing (custody/visitation in other states) parental responsibility and residential responsibility.  If the parties are unable to reach an agreement or a complete agreement then the parties can either continue with discovery or a final trial will be the next step.

Q. How long does it take for a divorce to become final?

A. With the economy in its current state getting into the courthouse for hearings and trials has become increasingly tricky.   If the divorce is uncontested and the other party is defaulted you can get in about 20 to 30 days after the default has been entered.   If the divorce is uncontested and the other party answers and waives their appearance at the final hearing you can get a divorce in about 20-30 days after your petition has been filed.  For some especially the more contentious divorce matters it can take anywhere from about 4 months to a year.   In Florida if you were to schedule a hearing date right now- most judges would not be able to see you until at least the middle to end of September maybe even October.