Most divorces in Florida are granted because the marriage is irretrievably broken. Florida only allows one other reason for the dissolution of marriage: a spouse becoming mentally incapacitated. A divorce attorney in Hollywood, FL can provide representation for either side of this case, but the spouses must each have their own lawyer.
Severe Mental Illness
The mentally incapacitated spouse may have developed a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Not everyone responds effectively to medication, and some individuals refuse to take it. Eventually, the husband or wife could feel the situation has become unbearable. This person then hires a divorce attorney in Hollywood, FL to begin the marriage dissolution process.
Dementia
A spouse also can file for divorce because of mental incapacity if the husband or wife has developed dementia. This reason for ending a marriage is less common because, often, the couple has been together for decades. Serious mental illness typically occurs at a much younger age than Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia do.
Considerations
A spouse who has been married for a relatively short time might not want to continue the relationship if the partner becomes cognitively disabled. This individual may not feel the same level of responsibility or long-term bonding compared with couples who have been together for most of their lives. There may be no adult children to consider regarding their opinions and feelings. An experienced divorce attorney can help with all aspects of the case, such as property division and the possibility of spousal support.
