The short answer is, it depends. If there is a court order in place that states that you are not to have contact with your wife (e.g., Domestic Violence Injunction), then you must obey that order so as not to violate that judgment. However, if there is no order in place, then talking to your […]
Do I Have To Pay Child Support If My Child Drops Out Of School?
Per Florida Statute § 743.07 the court may require support for a dependent person beyond the age of 18 years, “…when… the person is dependent in fact, is between the ages of 18 and 19, and is still in high school, performing in good faith with a reasonable expectation of graduation before the age of […]
How Does Child Support Work With 50/50 Custody?
In Florida, child support is governed by Florida Statute § 61.30. Often a misconception that is heard from clients is, “we’re going to do 50/50 custody and she doesn’t want child support…” Child Support is not something either party can “waive,” as child support is a right of the child pursuant to the aforementioned statute. […]
About Family Law and Retainer Fees
So you’re about to have your first experience in the court system. You’ve never even had a traffic ticket, so this is all foreign to you. I mean, sure you have that one friend or family member that went to law school, but they practice something else. You’ve never even had to consult with an […]
What Is A Magistrate and Why Should I Refer My Case To That Person?
When you file a case in Lee County, Florida, your case will be immediately assigned to one of five family law judges. Each day, hundreds, if not thousands, of cases are pending in this jurisdiction. It is an unfortunate fact, but a reality that our court system faces. Now, the judge assigned to your case […]
The Effects Of Name Calling During A Divorce
When you are in the process of ending a relationship, it can be tempting to resort to name-calling and other behaviors that are not helpful to your situation. A common reaction to the stress of ending a relationship is to rename your former partner on your phone. While you may feel justified in assigning an […]
Understanding the UCCJEA in Florida
If you are a parent who is about to go through such proceedings as a divorce, a paternity action, or a post judgment case, then this blog is for you. Americans are a mobile people. We tend to move a lot. Whether that moving is for good reasons, or bad, the UCCJEA is something that […]
How Many Times Should I Expect To Have To Go To Court In My Divorce Case?
One of the things we hear asked quite often at the outset of a case is, “Am I going to have to go to court at all? And, if I do, how many times do you think I’ll have to go?” The reality right out of the gate here is that you’ve sought to subject […]
Should I File For Divorce Now or Wait?
Often times as a family law attorney, I find myself diving immediately into what the law says when talking to men about the potential of them filing for divorce. I begin analyzing the facts of my clients’ life and assessing what needs to be done to put him in a good position for the litigation. […]
How To Make The Most of Mediation
Virtually all family law cases are referred to mediation prior to being able to go to trial. This means that whether you are involved in a divorce, paternity, or post-judgment case, you will likely find yourself in the position of attempting to negotiate a settlement with your ex. There Are 4 Outcomes To Mediation full […]