October was National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since 1987, advocates for victims of domestic violence have observed this month as a time to mourn those who have perished as a result of this type of violence, to celebrate the survivors, and to connect those workers who seek to end it. In 1989, Congress passed the… Read More >
Difference between Uncontested and Simplified Divorce
Uncontested divorces are estimated to comprise roughly 95% of all divorces in the United States. Simply stated, an uncontested divorce is one in which you and your spouse are able to settle all aspects of the divorce involving property and children – e.g., equitable distribution, spousal support, parental responsibility and visitation, and child support. However,… Read More >
Divorce Attorney Discusses Legal Separation in Florida
A question we frequently encounter in our family law practice is whether Florida provides for court-adjudicated legal separation. Florida is one of only eight states that does not have a statute acknowledging legal separation as a status. However, couples that desire to separate without divorcing can avail themselves of the courts when it comes to… Read More >
The Issue of Common Law Marriage in Florida
Are common law marriages legally recognized in Florida? The simple answer is “sometimes.” Florida Statute 741.211 abolished all common law marriages in the State of Florida which were entered into after January 1, 1968. Common law marriages entered into prior to that date are still considered valid. Florida residents who entered into a common law… Read More >
Challenges to a Florida Prenuptial Agreement
Couples who are considering marriage often take the step of entering into a premarital contract, also known as a prenuptial agreement or “prenup,” so that each of the parties to the marriage understand and agree beforehand on the handling of financial matters should it end in divorce. The idea behind such agreements is to avoid… Read More >
What Parents in Florida Need to Know about Relocation
During the process of divorce, and certainly after, it is common for both ex-spouses to need individual space. In most cases, one or both spouses move out of the marital home and begin to establish themselves as newly single individuals. However, what happens when one ex-spouse wants to relocate and there are children involved? For… Read More >
Florida Child Support Basics: What Parents Need to Know
When parents undergo a Florida divorce, child support is often one of the most hotly debated elements that arise during the process. Determining child support orders, enforcing the payments, ensuring fairness, and modifying orders if needed are all pertinent concerns for many divorce and post-judgment cases. The process of establishing a child support order is… Read More >
Organizing your Documents before Filing for Divorce in Florida
When Florida couples begin the divorce process, one of the most stressful and highly debated elements of the divorce case is the issue of finances. Unfortunately, many couples fail to be proactive in financial planning before the divorce, which exacerbates stress and tension once the process has begun. What makes matters worse is the fact… Read More >
Florida’s Alimony Legislation that Paves the Way for Reform
Several lawmakers in Florida’s legislature have introduced alimony legislation that paves the way for reform. Alimony is one of the first, and most debated, considerations in Florida divorce cases. Unfortunately, many perceptions of alimony are inaccurate or completely inapplicable. Like so many elements of divorce, there is not necessarily one standard for alimony that will apply to… Read More >
Dividing Assets in a Florida Divorce
During a marriage, property and assets become a mingling of “his”, “hers”, and “ours”. In many cases, the process of determining who gets what becomes muddled as each spouse attempts to claim property and find a suitable way to divide assets. Dividing assets in a Florida divorce can be determined by the parties through a… Read More >
