Parental alienation occurs when one parent takes steps to isolate the child through words and actions meant to damage or destroy the child‘s relationship with the other parent. These steps are often deliberate and malicious on the part of the alienating parent. Alienation often happens when parents are ending their relationship and can be committed […]
Category: Family Law
“I’m the child’s Grandfather/Grandmother, don’t I have rights to see my grandchild?”
This is a difficult reality for most grandparents, but the short answer is probably no. The right of parents to rear their children and to have the privacy to choose with whom they associate is a “Fundamental Right” protected by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. A Fundamental Right is a right that is […]
New Florida Custody Law Pending Florida Senate Bill 668
The Florida Senate approved a new timesharing bill on March 8, 2016. A portion of the bill deals with changes to the alimony statute and the other portion changes the current timesharing statute. If passed, the bill would modify Florida Statute 61.13(2)(c)(1) by instructing courts that are establishing an initial parenting plan to start with […]
New Florida Alimony Guidelines in Florida
Florida is one step closer to having specific guidelines for alimony. A bill has passed through the legislature. If approved by the governor the bill would become law on October 1, 2016. Presently, alimony is determined based upon a balancing of the needs of the recipient against the ability to pay by the obligor. The […]
Cell Phones and Social Media in Family Law Litigation: “Don’t say, or do, anything online, or via text, that you wouldn’t say, or do, in front of the judge.”
This is a very difficult subject to try to give advice upon because most of us are not feeling what you are feeling in that moment when you press “send” or “post.” During the family law litigation process emotions are high and reactions are rapid and unpredictable. To even the most calm and centered of […]
Emancipation of Minors
Emancipation is a common term used to describe the action of elevating the status of a minor to an adult. A minor is defined as a person who has not yet reached the age of 18. Minors that have not been emancipated do not have the right to assume the management of their own estates, […]
Update on Timesharing Bill – Florida Senate
The timesharing bill has received a favorable vote in the Senate Rules Committee. This is the bill that will establish a presumption that timesharing plans are to be approximately equal. The presumption may be overcome by consideration of the factors that we are used to, plus two additional factors that have been created. The bill […]
Florida Senate Tracker Update – Alimony Legislation
The alimony saga in the Florida legislature has taken an unexpected twist. Until yesterday, two separate bills (HB 455 in the House, and SB 668 in the Senate) were moving toward votes in the full chambers. Yesterday, however, Senate Bill 668 was amended in its entirety to delete the alimony guidelines and instead establish a […]
I just received a letter from the Department of Revenue (DOR) regarding a Proposed Administrative Support Order, what do I do?
If you have recently received a letter from DOR stating that the department is seeking to establish child support pursuant to a Proposed Administrative Support Order, do not hesitate: bring that letter to your lawyer immediately. There are very specific guidelines for what you can do when you receive such a letter, and all of […]
Florida Alimony Bill Update
House Bill 455 is the current Alimony Bill under consideration. It passed the Civil Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9-4, and then was passed to the Judiciary Committee. An amendment was added yesterday (not a substantive amendment). A vote will be upcoming in the Judiciary committee shortly (not yet scheduled), and if it passes […]