Florida no longer has custody orders. They are called Parenting Plans. The change was made in 2008 based on the recommendations of a Family Law Committee. The Committee is made up of attorneys and professionals who work in the family law field. The reason for the change is to move away from common problems seen … Read more
Many people consult with us about time-sharing here in the State of Florida. It’s very different than how other States address this, especially with the wording. The Florida Legislature abolished words as “custody” and “primary residential parent” in 2008. Instead, we use words such as time-sharing and parenting plans. The reason is simple – it … Read more
Alimony is an issue which is often litigated. There is no objective way to assess it, but it comes up in many cases. Support is based on need and ability to pay. This is as vague as it sounds. However, it is the primary way to determine alimony. Florida law provides several different types of … Read more
We have a little known system called Administrative Child Support in Florida. You need to know how this system works. It all starts with many people receiving a Notice of Commencement. If you receive a Notice of Administrative Child Support, then you have 20 days in which to notify the Department of Revenue that you … Read more
This coming Thursday is America’s Birthday, and it’s a great thing to celebrate! We have so many things in our country for which to be thankful. Freedom of speech and the press is a wonderful right that we enjoy both at the national and State level. Freedom of Religion, likewise, is protected in both the … Read more
Dividing assets in divorce cases seems easy at first. But it requires many factual decisions. Courts must first determine what’s marital and non-marital. This can be tricky, as the date used to determine property must be set. Most courts use the date on which you marry and the date on which the divorce is filed. … Read more
Back Child Support is something to ask for. The problem is getting it. In every initial case, Courts have the discretion to make it retroactive. Cases on this tell the courts that retro support is the norm rather than the exception. But it’s also one of the most confusing areas to handle. Back Child Support … Read more
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
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
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