Florida Family Law Articles
Understanding the Role of Florida Magistrates
The Florida court system uses Magistrates every day. However, many people do not understand their role. Magistrates are appointed by circuit judges to handle a variety of cases. They work directly under the circuit judges, running their courtroom just like a judge. In family law cases, magistrates hear divorces, modification cases, and paternity cases. … Read more
Calculating Child Support in Florida Can Be Complex
Child Support is an integral part of almost all family law cases. But it is also now rather complex to calculate. Back when I started practicing law, we did child support calculations on paper. You took the net income of each parent, the number of kids, and multiplied the non-custodial parent’s income by a percentage. … Read more
Vote Election Day! What’s Important in Florida
Election Day is just around the corner, so make sure to vote! This year, it will be on November 8th, but polls in North Central Florida are already open. Bloggers, social media and the news media give us daily information about the presidential candidates. But there are also many state and local elections which are … Read more
Florida Disabled Kids Still Being Placed in Nursing Homes
A federal judge recently dismissed a case filed under the ADA to stop disabled kids from being placed in nursing homes in Florida. This is a travesty of justice. The ADA refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Passed in 1990, this act forbids discrimination against people with special needs. It is modeled after the … Read more
Family Law Modifications – Preparation is the Key to Success
Many customers have come to us lately with modifications being sought in his or her family law case. Persons seek to modify the Final Judgment for a variety of reasons. New jobs are offered in different cities or states. People remarry and need to move away. Someone who is paying child support may lose his … Read more
Self Determination a Hallmark of Mediation
Mediation is a great resource, and all parties should try it before marching into a courtroom. I attended the Florida Dispute Resolution Center’s annual conference recently. It was refreshing to interact with so many other mediators. Without question, we all felt that mediation is a better alternative to trial. Why use mediation? The answer … Read more
Diversity in Law: Respecting the Dignity of Every Person
Diversity in Law is a reality these days. Whether this involves race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender identity, Florida is rich in diversity. And the Florida judicial system is committed to ensuring that all walks of life receive equal justice. The Standing Committee on Fairness and Diversity is a Florida Court investigation into diversity. It … Read more
It’s Back to School Time in North Central Florida!
It’s Back to School time here in North Central Florida. Meet the teacher is here, and schools are getting ready to start. In Marion County, classes resume on Wednesday, August 10th. In Alachua County, school starts on Monday, August 15th. Each school provides a list of what materials your students will need. Check their websites … Read more
What are Emergency Motions or Orders?
Emergency Motions are the court’s remedy when a situation involves immediate attention. Parties can seek emergency orders in a variety of situations. A parent may have been arrested for drug abuse or domestic violence. An emergency may also exist if the custodial parent is Baker Acted, or if there has been domestic violence. In any … Read more
Independence Day Reflections: American’s Must “Hang Together”
Independence Day brings us a chance to reflect – a chance to think about the freedom and opportunities we enjoy here in the United States. It’s hard to imagine what it was like back in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed. The British Empire spanned across continents. The British Army was bigger and … Read more
Top 3 Benefits of Mediation Over Going To Court
Before you ever reach a trial, try using mediation. Mediation is one of the best tools around. It is also called Alternative Dispute Resolution. And it provides a way for people to resolve problems without risking it all in court. It is a great forum for outlining differences, and it provides a safe and secure … Read more
Wills and their Importance
Wills are an important part of everyone’s planning. They are easy to prepare. And they are simple to revise. Once made, you have outlined how your assets should be distributed. But without one, you may be leaving it to chance. Florida, like all States, has something called “intestacy” laws. These laws outline how assets are … Read more