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
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
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
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
New Year’s Resolutions are fabulous, if you actually follow them. Many people promise themselves that they will lose weight, or spend less money. Here’s four common sense tips that are helpful to all, especially anyone who is divorced or is about to divorce. First, don’t blame yourself for what happened. It takes two to create … Read more
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
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 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
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