Recent Blog Posts
Fathers: Establish Paternity Quickly
Establishing paternity is a critical step for fathers to take as soon as possible after the birth of their child. Paternity is the legal acknowledgment of a man as the biological father of a child, and this recognition carries significant emotional, legal, and financial implications. Promptly addressing paternity benefits not only the father but… Read More »
DCF Dismissal if Criminal Case Is Dropped?
No, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is not required to dismiss your dependency case just because the associated criminal case is dismissed. DCF operates independently from the criminal justice system. It has different goals, is subject to different laws with different legal requirements, and applies a different standard of proof. While criminal… Read More »
Do Grandparents Have Visitation Rights in Florida?
In Florida, grandparents have limited options when seeking court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. Federal and state law prioritize the constitutional rights of parents to raise their children free from third-party interference. Under a new blockbuster opinion, this once steadfast principle was weakened if not eliminated by the DeSantis appointees of the Florida Supreme Court…. Read More »
New Equal Timesharing for Fathers
Fathers seeking child custody, timesharing, and visitation should be aware of a blockbuster change in Florida law that occurred this legislative session. CS/HB 13601, effective as of 7/1/2023, makes several significant changes to the law on paternity and father’s rights: Equal Timesharing Presumption: Previously, courts were required to consider all the statutory parenting factors… Read More »
Florida Alimony Law Changes in 2023
Florida Alimony Reform News Alert! Effective 7/1/2023, SB 1416 makes big changes to Florida’s alimony laws. Here are the high points: Marriages are classified as short (0-10 years); moderate (10-20 years); and long (20 years and longer). Permanent periodic alimony is eliminated. The types of alimony are now limited to bridge-the-gap; rehabilitative; and durational…. Read More »
What Do You Do If the Other Parent Denies Access to Your Child?
The most important thing you can do in any divorce or paternity action where the other parent is denying you access to your child is to document the denial of visitation. Keep a record of all instances where the other parent has denied you access to your child. Include the date, time, and details… Read More »
Who Gets Alimony in Florida & Why?
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a court-ordered payment made by one spouse to another after a divorce or separation. The purpose of alimony is to provide financial support to the lower-earning spouse, and to help maintain the lifestyle they had during the marriage. In Florida, there are several factors that determine who… Read More »
How to Pick a Divorce Attorney
A topic that many people have to face at some point in their lives is selecting an attorney. Whether it’s for a personal injury case, a divorce, or a criminal defense, choosing the right attorney can be critical to the outcome of your case. So, how do you go about selecting the right attorney… Read More »
Are There Alimony Guidelines Like Child Support in Florida?
There are factors to be considered under Florida law for determining alimony, but no formula-based guidelines like the ones used when calculating Florida child support. Child support is addressed in F.S. 61.30. Child support is determined by a statutory formula, or “guidelines.” Child support guidelines allocate a certain amount of monthly child support to… Read More »
Can Child Support be Modified When a Parent Fails to Exercise Timesharing?
In specific circumstances, Florida courts can modify child support if a parent does not exercise time-sharing in a court-ordered parenting plan. First, the basics: A parenting plan is a document that allocates time-sharing in a divorce or paternity case. The biggest variables in the child support calculation are parent incomes and the amount of… Read More »
