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
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 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
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
A hot topic these days is Child Custody by Extended Families. The parents may have a drug problem, or they may be in jail. Parents also ask extended families to help out while he or she is in college, or the military. In all of these circumstances, it’s good to know when and whether you … Read more
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
School Choice is here to stay. Governor Rick Scott signed a new bill last week which allows parents to pick any public school in Florida, including charter schools. This new law allows parents to bypass traditional county boundaries and school districts, and pick any public school they think best suits their child. This includes picking … Read more
Florida is on the verge of becoming another State which has its own Collaborative Law statute. Collaborative Law is a unique process. It involves having the parties consent to negotiating rather than litigating. A collaborative team works together. And it may include a collaborative attorney, counselors, and accountants. The process can begin at any time. … Read more
A little known program in Florida is the administrative law process. It can be used to establish child support without using the courts, and every prospective father should know about it. Generally, people will file either a petition for divorce or paternity to establish parenting time and child support. However, in Florida, child support can … Read more
The legal process is something all people in a lawsuit should understand. Too often, new clients come to us and are confused by the process. So here’s a quick tutorial. The legal process is always started by filing a Petition, or Complaint. In legal terms, it’s called a pleading. The other party must usually … Read more