Dividing retirement accounts in a divorce is a pivotal issue for many. Detailed information is needed as to what kind of retirement accounts exist (company pensions or Individual Retirement Accounts, for example) and what the balances were at the time the parties married. In addition, parties to a divorce need to consider the tax consequences … Read more
Attorney’s fees is an important issue in many family law cases. Hiring an attorney is expensive, and often people are using the balance of their checking account to hire someone. Worse yet, they have to put the fees on a credit card because the other spouse hired someone already. There are many issues to resolve … Read more
The Collaborative Law Process Act is now law, and it’s a great step for families. The Florida Legislature recently passed this new law, which gives people an alternative to litigation. A rather unique approach, Collaborative Law is based on the idea that parties work strictly to resolve things without litigation. Parties must agree to participate, … Read more
Many divorces involve dividing retirement assets. Dividing these assets can be tricky. Most people have either 401-K or Individual Retirement Accounts. However, dividing these can also cause problems. The biggest issue often is deciding when to evaluate the asset. Some people want to use the date the parties separated, while others use the date on … Read more
The Florida Supreme Court has recently revised the Florida Family Law Rules. These rules outline how a case proceeds, from start to finish. This includes what is required when you file a case, and how to proceed. The Family Law Rules tell all parties what financial information is needed, and when it is due. For … Read more
Dependency Cases often interact with family law cases. They are filed when parents are alleged to have abused, abandoned, or neglected their children. Dependency cases are usually handled by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). However, anyone with knowledge can file a dependency petition. There are very distinct definitions. Abandoned means a parent, while … Read more
A hot topic these days is Child Custody by Extended Families. The parents may have a drug problem, or they may be in jail. Parents also ask extended families to help out while he or she is in college, or the military. In all of these circumstances, it’s good to know when and whether you … Read more
Special Olympics is a wonderful program throughout the United States, and here in Florida. Special Olympics is a program with great benefits. Special Olympics began in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Eunice Kennedy Shriver helped create Special Olympics. She organized events for people with intellectual disabilities, and she served on President Kennedy’s panel on … Read more
Relocation is a common event for all of us. Our jobs change. We remarry or enter into new relationships. So it’s important for a custodial parents to know when they can move, and how far. America is a mobile society. We are able to connect with each other via FaceTime, Skype, and other forms of electronic … Read more
Mediation is an important step in every family law case. And it’s a better solution than going to trial in almost all cases. More people are satisfied if they have a say in the outcome. Trials are expensive, and you never know how a judge is going to rule. It’s better to control your own … Read more