Florida Family Law Articles
Dividing Retirement Accounts in a Florida Divorce
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
Adoptions
Adoption is a great alternative for many grandparents and step-parents. Many grandparents and step-parents find themselves thrust into being a parent. Most relish the chance, but not everyone starts by considering adoption. Many adoption cases have come into our office recently. They all have one major thing in common – a parent who is missing. … Read more
Adult Dependent Children and Florida Guardian Advocacy
Adult Dependent Children is an issue near to my heart. Kids are being diagnosed with autism at an alarming rate. Many others have other challenges, such as Downs Syndrome or a combination of physical and mental challenges. Most school districts today have programs for kids with special needs; however, it’s never enough. There are not … Read more
Father’s Rights
Father’s Rights took a nice step in the right direction recently. The Florida Supreme Court held that unmarried dads can pursue their rights, even if the mother was married to someone else. This set aside a decades old approach that was long overdue. Before this ruling, unmarried dads could not pursue such rights. Children whose … Read more
Homestead Protection in Florida
Homestead Protection is a fundamental part of most probate cases. I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: “Your house is your castle”. Well in Florida, that’s true. There is broad protection for homes, and that protection passes on to your heirs. At the top are surviving spouses and minor children. For them, there are certain types … Read more
Divorce and Income Taxes (Video)
It’s officially tax season, and anyone getting a divorce should know how taxes may affect you. There are several things to consider with taxes, especially with the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. These include how it affects support payments, when to file jointly, and how to claim dependents. Divorce and income taxes … Read more
Martin Luther King Championed Equality for All
We honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this coming Monday. It’s an important day for all of us. Dr. King’s ideas go beyond the Civil Rights Movement. Martin Luther King championed equality for all. He marched to promote freedom and opportunity for all. In his “I have a Dream” speech, Dr. King talked about people … Read more
Summary Probates Offer a Much Faster Alternative
Summary Probate is a quicker format for those with small estates. Probate cases are used after a person has passed away. There are two basic types of probate cases in Florida – Summary and Formal. Formal probate cases involve estates which have more than $75,000.00 in assets, and are a bit more complex. A personal … Read more
Holiday Parenting Time
For many kids, December brings visions of Santa Clause and gifts. For parents, however, it’s a lot of shopping, cooking, and decorating. The Holidays also bring arguments over how to divide Parenting Time. Holiday parenting time is for the kids. As we go about getting ready for the Holidays, let’s remember that time-sharing this Holiday … Read more
Halloween and Parenting Plans
Halloween is a great time. Ghosts and goblins are ready to come out, and kids love to trick or treat. But for many caught in a divorce, it’s also a time when parents argue over who gets to take the kids around the block. Young kids love to dress up, and it’s a fun time. … Read more
Domestic Violence Awareness
This month is Domestic Violence Awareness month. It’s important to recognize this issue. Domestic violence is a serious problem. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women are victims. Ten million people are abused each year by a close partner. These are staggering numbers, and it’s not acceptable. Violence at home … Read more
The Two Types of Contempt of Court
Contempt of court is a common method to enforce judgments. There are two types – criminal and civil. The most common form is Civil Contempt. Unlike criminal contempt, civil is used to compel someone to follow an order. The best known type involves collecting money in child support cases. A custodial parent can file … Read more