Florida Family Law Blog - Jonathan P. Culver, PA - Ocala, FL

Florida Family Law Blog

Holiday parenting time is for the kids

Holiday Parenting Time

November 27, 2017

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 and Parenting Plans

October 30, 2017

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 is a serious problem.

Domestic Violence Awareness

October 18, 2017

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

Understanding the Two Main Types of Contempt of Court

The Two Types of Contempt of Court

October 3, 2017

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 is an important issue in many family law cases.

Attorney’s Fees

September 10, 2017

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

August 29, 2017

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

Florida Parenting Plans: A Change In Perspective

Parenting Plans: A Change In Perspective

August 9, 2017

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

Courts cannot order someone to attempt Collaborative Law.

Collaborative Divorce Law

July 30, 2017

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.

Dividing Retirement Assets Can Be Tricky During Divorce

June 22, 2017

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 Revised Family Law Rules

Florida Supreme Court Revises Family Law Rules

May 12, 2017

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

For many grandparents and stepparents in Florida, adoptions make the family whole.

Blended Families Face Challenges but it’s Worth the Effort

April 13, 2017

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

Dependency Cases often interact with family law cases.

Understanding Florida Child Dependency Cases

March 30, 2017

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