Recent Blog Posts
Is Same Sex Divorce Different in Florida?
Same sex marriage has been legally recognized in Florida since early January of 2015—when the state court case of Brenner v. Scott went into effect. Less than six months later, the Supreme Court of the United States legalized same sex marriage nationwide. Now, same sex couples have the right to get married—and divorced—in every… Read More »
How Does Florida’s Homestead Exemption Impact Estate Planning
In Florida, individuals and families may be entitled to a ‘homestead exemption’ that will reduce the total cost of their property taxes and protect them from certain creditor claims. As explained by the Florida Department of Revenue, a portion of the value of your primary residence is automatically exempt from state property taxes. While… Read More »
Child Support in Florida: Understanding Imputed Income
Under Florida law, child support obligations are calculated, largely, by considering the income level of the parents. Indeed, the state has put specific child support guidelines in place. However, these guidelines do not work in every case. For a number of different reasons, Florida may allow a deviation from the standard child support guidelines…. Read More »
Four Tips to Avoid a Damaging Divorce
We all know how divorce is portrayed — it is nasty and damaging process. You have probably heard plenty of horror stories about divorce. Fortunately, it does not have to be that way. While it is never easy, many divorcing couples in Florida are able to come to low-conflict resolutions that work for all… Read More »
Florida Estate Planning: Will My Children Inherit My Debt?
Finances are one of the primary worries of the majority of families in Florida. Indeed, debt is one of the leading causes of stress among adults in the United States. As a parent who is thinking about estate planning in Florida, you may be wondering: Will my child inherit my debt when I pass… Read More »
What Happens If You Fail to Respond to Divorce Papers in Florida
Were you served divorce papers in Florida? If so, you need to take immediate action to protect your rights. After being served with divorce papers, it is in your best interest to submit a response. To be clear, the failure to respond to divorce papers will not stop your marriage from ending — the… Read More »
Florida Estate Planning: What is an ABLE Account?
Under a federal law known as the ‘Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act’, an individual with disabilities has the option to save money on a tax-advantaged basis while also preserving their eligibility for important government programs — including for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and for Medicaid. If you have a child or a… Read More »
Four Estate Planning Tips for Florida Business Owners
Small and mid-sized businesses form the backbone of our state’s economy. According to data from the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC), there are more than 2 million business owners in the state — a business ownership rate that is 20 percent higher than the national average. Owning and operating a business can be… Read More »
Revocable Living Trusts: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A revocable living trust is one of the most popular and effective estate planning tools. Though, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions regarding exactly how these trusts work. Below, our Tampa, FL trust planning lawyers answer five of the most frequently asked questions regarding revocable living trusts. What is a Revocable Living Trust?… Read More »
Are Student Loans Marital Property in Florida?
If you are getting divorced in Tampa, FL, it is far more likely that student loans will be an issue in your case than it was in decades past. More and more people are carrying substantial student loan debt later and later in life. According to reporting from Forbes Magazine, Americans now have a… Read More »
