Recent Blog Posts
Restoring a Former Name After a Florida Divorce Is Finalized
Plenty of people who took a spouse’s last name during marriage decide, somewhere in the divorce process, that they want their old name back. The easy part is that Florida makes this possible without a separate lawsuit. The harder part is remembering to ask for it before the case closes, because the path gets… Read More »
Can Alimony End When an Ex-Spouse Starts a New Relationship in Florida
A paying spouse often assumes that once an ex moves in with someone new, the alimony checks can simply stop. It is rarely that simple. Florida law does not treat a new relationship as an automatic off switch for support. Instead, it asks a narrower question: has the relationship become a substitute for marriage… Read More »
Is Mediation Right for Your Tampa Divorce? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Divorce mediation gets marketed almost universally as the better option: cheaper, faster, and less combative than litigation. That reputation is often deserved, but treating mediation as automatically superior ignores an important truth. Mediation works well precisely because it depends on both spouses negotiating honestly and in reasonably good faith. When that condition isn’t met,… Read More »
Modifying a Parenting Plan as Children Get Older in Tampa
A parenting plan that made perfect sense for a five-year-old often stops making sense once that child is fourteen. Schedules built around naps and early bedtimes rarely survive contact with a teenager’s part-time job, driver’s license, or travel soccer league. Yet many Tampa parents assume their original plan is fixed once a judge signs… Read More »
What Happens to the Marital Home When Neither Spouse Can Afford It After a Florida Divorce?
The marital residence is usually one of the largest assets a couple owns. During divorce, it needs to be divided in an equitable manner among the spouses. Even if one spouse wishes to keep the residence, mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance can make it financially difficult. This is especially true after the two… Read More »
Can a Florida Court Order a Parent to Pay Child Support for an Adult Disabled Child?
Usually, parents assume their responsibility to pay child support ends when their children reach adulthood. However, in Florida, there is one exception. Some adults who are not able to support themselves due to a disability can receive support from their parents. Florida has special statutes concerning dependent adult child support. It is important to… Read More »
Due Process in Family Law Cases
Disputes regarding child custody and support are usually very emotional. To ensure that justice is served when dealing with such sensitive issues, the legal system is guided by strict procedural requirements. In this article, we’ll discuss a Florida family law case that deals with due process and how it plays out in Florida courts…. Read More »
Division of Appreciated Nonmarital Assets in Florida Divorce Cases
The allocation of property is one of the most contentious areas in Florida divorces. Even though some property is classified as marital property that is eligible for equitable distribution, other forms of property may be considered non-marital property owned by one spouse prior to the marriage. It can become confusing when non-marital property appreciates… Read More »
Temporary Alimony and Florida Divorce Proceedings
Temporary alimony can be among the most controversial aspects of Florida divorce proceedings. During the course of a divorce, there might be an obligation imposed on one spouse to pay temporary alimony to the other so that one party’s stability might be maintained until a final ruling. It can often be challenging to determine… Read More »
Unequal Distribution of Marital Assets in Florida Divorce Cases
Many folks assume that the property acquired during their marriage will be equally distributed to both parties in the event of a divorce. Although equitable distribution is practiced in Florida, it does not imply that the marital assets will be shared 50/50. The courts have the power to allocate more than half of the… Read More »