Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Appeals Court Tackles Bases for Establishing Paternity
Those who have children out of wedlock often presume that they have a right to parent their children without the court’s say so. If the relationship between the parents ends up on the rocks, however, a father may find his parental rights in jeopardy. That happened in the case of N.D. v. J.B. Background… Read More »
What’s the Difference between a Legal and Biological Father Under Florida Law?
There are numerous ways to establish paternity in Florida. Not all of them involve DNA testing. One way to establish paternity is by being named as the father on the child’s birth certificate or being married when a child is born. If you are the husband of the pregnant wife, the court will presume… Read More »
What is the Role of a Guardian ad Litem During a Florida Custody Battle?
During a high-conflict child custody hearing, the Florida courts may see fit to assign a guardian ad litem to intervene. Their job is to investigate the dispute and ensure that the children’s best interests are protected. In other cases, a parent may request that a guardian ad litem be assigned to their case. If… Read More »
Study: Men Fare Better Than Women After “Gray Divorce”
We recently published a blog post discussing a study that researched how gray divorce impacts the familial landscape. Essentially, the study indicated that women maintain closer ties with their adult children directly following a divorce, while men tend to lose contact with their children or interact with them less frequently. This study was conducted… Read More »
Are Couples Postponing Divorce Because It’s “Too Expensive”? Recent Study Indicates They Are
It’s no secret that we, as Tampa divorce lawyers, field more cases at the beginning of the year than at most other times throughout the year. However, 2024 is a different sort of year, and with it comes a rising cost of living, inflation, and an economic crunch on American pocketbooks that is impacting… Read More »
Recent Poll Surveys Couples’ Reasons for Getting Divorce
Depending on who you ask, the divorce rate in America is either going up or going down. The best studies appear to indicate that the divorce rate is going up among older Americans and down among younger Americans. Meanwhile, the marriage rate is also going down for younger Americans with fewer younger Americans tying… Read More »
Contested Florida Custody Case Addresses Fees for Guardian Ad Litem
In contested Florida custody cases, especially those involving allegations of domestic violence, the court will often see fit to appoint a guardian ad litem to the case. The guardian ad litem is an investigator who acts on behalf of the court to determine what is in the child’s best interests. However, these fine folks… Read More »
Wife Petitions Court for a Modification of Alimony Payments Based on Husband’s Underemployment
Generally speaking, the Florida courts will award alimony payments based on the recipient’s need and the payer’s ability to pay. The courts also consider factors like the length of the marriage. In many cases, disputes over alimony arise. That was the issue in one Florida court case involving a wife who alleged her husband… Read More »
Appeals Court Hears Case Regarding Attorney’s Fees During Florida Divorce
In Florida, the court can order one party to pay the legal fees of the other in specific situations. The court must determine that the party paying the legal fees engaged in egregious or meritless litigation conduct. The court can assign legal fees to this party as a means of discouraging such behavior. These… Read More »
Florida Court Rules on Retroactive Child Support Allegations
The State of Florida requires parents to provide financial support to their children. The obligation to do so ends when the child turns 18, the age of majority. However, if the parent did not provide financial support to the child when the child was still a minor, the parent who is owed child support… Read More »