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
Attorney’s Fees
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
Helping after Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey has left a trail of destruction throughout Texas. The coastline is devastated from the flooding, and that area will need help for a long time. Here are ways you can help. First, the Red Cross is always accepting donations. You can donate anywhere from $10 to $1,000 or more online. And you … Read more
Parenting Plans: A Change In Perspective
Parenting plans are what courts use today to divide time with kids. Until 2008, Florida courts used the terms residential parent and visitation. That all changed when the Florida Legislature replaced those terms with parenting plans. It is more than a change in names – it is a change in perspective. The change reflects the … Read more
Collaborative Divorce Law
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
Dividing Retirement Assets Can Be Tricky During Divorce
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
Florida Supreme Court Revises Family Law Rules
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
Blended Families Face Challenges but it’s Worth the Effort
Many blended families exist today. More than ever, people are getting divorced. They often remarry and bring together their children. Often the new couple may have two households, or live in different towns. They face many challenges when trying to put their family together. When blending such a family, it’s important to know where the … Read more
Understanding Florida Child Dependency Cases
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