Recent Blog Posts
Disability Trusts & ABLE Savings
Are you or a loved one concerned about a disabled family member’s well being after you pass on? Are you concerned your disabled loved one will be unable to care for themselves or manage finances, or that an irrevocable trust doesn’t meet their needs? Last year, the Florida Legislature passed a bill designed to… Read More »
Divorce & Incarceration
A married couple or domestic partners have decided they want a divorce. The plaintiff attempts to file a complaint but realizes her ex was arrested. Not only was he arrested, he can’t post bail and will be remanded for months. What does this mean for the Plaintiff’s custody or divorce case? Can she proceed… Read More »
Divorce & Your Finances
Divorcing couples that have commingled finances, bank accounts, and other intangible assets are faced with difficult decisions to make. Equitable division of joint property is always tenuous, and often the most expensive and drawn-out issue in contested divorces. Courts encourage parties to resolve issues collaboratively and with limited judicial interference if possible. Some couples… Read More »
Co-Parent Not Using Visitation Time: Options for Resolution
If you and your ex-spouse/co-parent already have a final custody order in place, including parenting plan details for drop-off/pick-ups of shared children, all your problems are over, right? Just because an agreement has been filed with a court and a final order has been issued, doesn’t mean both parties will adhere to it. What… Read More »
Taxes After Divorce
If you are considering divorce, or are legally separated, you may have questions about your tax filing status, what deductions you can claim, or which parent claims the children as a dependent for tax credit purposes. Fortunately, most tax considerations are contemplated and agreed upon in a marital settlement agreement. Conversely, not all parties… Read More »
Your Pets & Divorce
In Florida, pets are still considered personal property when it comes to equitable distribution in divorce. Parties are now drafting prenuptial custodial agreements for pet custody similar to child custody and support orders. In many states, dogs are assigned a monetary value based on property valuation and that includes Florida. The Plaintiff or party… Read More »
Child Support Calculations
Many married couples considering divorce worry if they can afford their current lifestyle after separation. In addition, many parties are concerned that courts make baseless child support awards that they cannot pay. While some lifestyle adjustments and living arrangements will change after divorce, child support calculations are based on imputed income and contributions to… Read More »
Florida SB 994: Update to Guardianship Law
Florida Senate Bill 994 passed in the House and Senate during the 2020 Legislative Session and was signed into law by Governor DeSantis last spring. It took effect as of July 2020. SB 994 provides a legislative update to guardianship. In summation, the bill allows the court to investigate the potential guardian and determine… Read More »
Estate Planning for Newlyweds & Blended Families
Wedding bells are ringing. You booked the caterer, the date is set and you have your dress. But have you given thought to your estate plan now that you are married? Will you be joining two families and have special considerations regarding your children from a previous marriage? Do you think it is too… Read More »
Same-Sex Divorce & Child Custody Disputes
The landmark case Obergefell v. Hodges, decided in 2015 by the Supreme Court, granted numerous rights to same sex couples. These rights include the right to marry, and consequently, the right to divorce. Unfortunately, in many states including Florida, same-sex couples face numerous challenges including equal treatment under the law. Family law is emotionally… Read More »
