When fashioning an equitable distribution plan, does it matter that assets are titled solely to one spouse or the other? The answer is: Yes and no. Think of the assets and liabilities of a marriage collectively as a pie. From the standpoint of determining what goes into the pie filling, legal title is irrelevant. Everything […]
P.E.A.C.E. In Divorce
Family law attorneys are often asked if there is an order in which the Court decides various issues in a divorce. The answer is, yes. The acronym P.E.A.C.E. sets forth the order in which the Court will determine the issues in your case. P.E.A.C.E. stands for: (P)arenting; (E)quitable Distribution; (A)limony; (C)hild Support; and(E)verything Else. Why […]
Corporations In Divorce
These days it is not unusual for a married couple to have one or more businesses that are incorporated as Corporations or Limited Liability Companies (LLC). When divorce comes up, a question should be asked “should the corporation be made a party?” If a spouse wants to have property that is owned by a corporation […]
Moral Fitness Of Parents
Florida Statute 61.13(3) sets forth 20 factors that the Court must use when determining a parenting plan and parental responsibility. One factor is F.S. 61.13(3)(f): the “moral fitness” of the parents. Different families will have different views of what is proper moral behavior and what is not. So, how does the Court determine when the […]
Court Ordered Child Support Beyond Age 18: A Real Possibility In Many Cases
Many parents are of the belief that child support terminates immediately upon the minor child reaching age 18. However, the state of Florida does permit extensions of child support beyond the age of majority in certain circumstances. F.S. 743.07 provides: (1) The disability of nonage is hereby removed for all persons in this state who are […]
Modifiability Of Asset And Liability Distribution
Simply put, when a Final Judgment is entered which distributes the marital assets and liabilities to the now-former spouses, the trial court loses the ability (jurisdiction) to modify the distribution at some later date. There are a few exceptions to that general rule, but the exceptions would only apply in very narrow situations. Absent those […]
Timesharing Factors
Florida courts no longer use the term “custody” with regards to children. Instead, the Court fashions “timesharing plans” that consider specific factors that are in the best interests of the child(ren). One factor that can be difficult, especially if you are involved in a difficult divorce or paternity case, is the first factor the courts […]
Enforcement of Property Distribution
If you have been awarded a particular distribution of assets and/or liabilities, and the opposition is not doing what they have been ordered to do, there are many legal remedies available to compel compliance. The courts always maintain jurisdiction to enforce their own orders, and the law also provides remedies that can be enforced in […]
Caution Re: Retroactive Child Support
Parties should be aware that the obligation to pay child support begins immediately upon the separation of the parties. F.S. 61.30(17) states: “In an initial determination of child support, whether in a paternity action, dissolution of marriage action, or petition for support during the marriage, the court has discretion to award child support retroactive to […]
Modification Of An Existing Parenting Plan
There are two ways to modify an existing parenting plan. The first is by the agreement of the parties. The second is through the court. In order to modify an existing parenting plan through the court, the parent requesting the change must do three things. They must prove that the change is requested due to […]