In Stusch vs. Jiruska, the appellate court reversed and remanded an order finding the former husband in Contempt because the trial court erred in not granting a continuance and conducting a hearing without the former husband present. The trial court should have granted a continuance based upon the pro se letter from the former husband […]
What is “income” for purposes of child support calculations?
And how does Florida factor in disability benefits that go directly to the opposing party? First, F.S. 61.046(8) states, “‘Income’ means any form of payment to an individual, regardless of source, including, but not limited to: wages, salary, commissions and bonuses, compensation as an independent contractor, worker’s compensation, disability benefits, annuity and retirement benefits, pensions, […]
Realistic Custody Expectations in Florida Family Court
Often, potential clients enter an attorney’s office with high hopes and lofty goals. Many want their “day in court” and do not wish to settle for less than 100% of their original goal. The reality is that the Court is not in business to make you happy. The Family Court is a court of equity. […]
Castillo vs. Castillo
In Castillo vs. Castillo, the trial court improperly applied the unclean hands doctrine to summarily deny a petition for modification. Where a spouse has the ability to pay an arrearage and does not do so, he is not in court with clean hands and in such case his petition should not be considered on the […]
Perez vs. Fay
You may recall the decision from last year that reversed an order by Judge Elisabeth Adams which, among other things, restricted the mother from speaking Spanish to the child. In that appellate case the mother had prevailed on 7 of the 8 issues that she appealed. When she sought to tax appellate costs on remand, […]
Addie vs. Coale
Addie vs. Coale has a history in the 4th district. When it was first appealed, it was remanded for reconsideration of the alimony and child support aspects of the final judgment. On remand, the successor trial judge entered an alimony and child support award, but it was deficient in that findings were not made on […]
McGlynn vs. Tallman-McGlynn
In McGlynn vs. Tallman-McGlynn, we are reminded that if you include bonus income in your financial affidavit but want to argue that it should not be included in net income for alimony or child support, you should be prepared to present evidence supporting the claim that the bonus income is non-recurring. Also, the Former Husband […]
Theodorides vs. Theodorides
In Theodorides vs. Theodorides, the trial court erred in granting a Rule 12.540 motion to vacate a post-divorce final judgment. The former Wife had attempted to use Rule 12.540 to invalidate an order based on a recommendation of the General Magistrate, but the Former Wife neither filed exceptions to the recommendations, nor moved for rehearing, […]
Lathrop vs. Lathrop
In Lathrop vs. Lathrop, the trial court rightfully awarded alimony, but it erred in requiring that the alimony be secured by life insurance. In the absence of special circumstances, a spouse cannot be required to maintain life insurance for the purpose of securing an alimony obligation. A final judgment of dissolution must set forth sufficient […]
“So you’re going through a divorce and you’re ready to start cutting ties with everything…don’t change anything just yet.”
Often times at the outset of a divorce, men begin wondering what to do regarding their home, their bills, their insurance policies, etc. They want to begin cutting ties with their old life and begin establishing a new one. More often than not, the appropriate course of action during the pendency of your divorce is […]