From the moment a divorce is filed, both spouses in Florida are subject to automatic temporary injunctions that prohibit disposing of marital assets, taking on new debt in the other spouse's name, or canceling existing insurance coverage. These injunctions apply to both parties automatically and exist to preserve the financial status quo while the case is pending. Violating them can result in court sanctions and will be treated as relevant conduct when the court considers asset division and other financial issues. A Pembroke Pines divorce attorney advises clients on what the injunctions cover and what actions remain permissible during the pendency of the case.
Maintaining accurate and complete records of all financial accounts from the point of filing forward is also important. Bank records and retirement account balances can all become exhibits in a contested divorce proceeding, as can business financials. Clients who keep organized records are in a significantly better position when the other side challenges asset values or claims the marital estate is different from what it actually is. Financial documentation gaps are far harder to address after the fact than before, which is why getting organized early, with guidance from a divorce attorney Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines residents trust, is one of the most practical steps a person can take at the start of a dissolution case.