In Florida family law, paternity cases often involve more than establishing biological fatherhood. They can include disputes over time-sharing, parental decision-making, child support, and even what last name the child should carry. One of the most influential Florida Supreme Court decisions addressing these issues is Finley v. Scott. The case remains an important guide for courts and parents when resolving…
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Child Custody
Greenwood v. Greenwood: Child Relocation and the Best Interests of the Child in Florida
Relocation cases can be emotionally trying. When one parent wants to move with the child and the other doesn’t agree, it puts everyone in a difficult position. The court has to balance a parent’s reasons for moving with the child’s need for consistency and their relationship with both parents. That’s what was at stake in Greenwood v. Greenwood, a 2025…
Warner v. Warner: When Alimony Awards Are Challenged on Appeal
Alimony is one of the most frequently fought-over issues in a Florida divorce. Since it depends on factors like financial need, earning ability, and what the court sees as fair, it’s not uncommon for one spouse to feel the judge got it wrong. That was the case in Warner v. Warner, a 2025 decision from Florida’s Fifth District Court of…
When Unequal Distribution Goes Too Far in a Florida Divorce
A lot of folks assume that Florida divorces always end up with marital assets and debts being split between the spouses. While that is the default position of the Florida courts, it doesn’t necessarily have to work out that way. The courts can sometimes see fit to favor one litigant with a larger share of the marital estate than the…
When Can the Florida Courts Unevenly Divide Assets in Divorce?
Florida is an equitable distribution state. This means that the marital estate is divided in accordance with what is “fair” to both parties. In other words, your marital estate may not necessarily be divided in half. The courts can favor one spouse with a greater portion of the assets or a smaller portion of the debts, based on financial need,…
Reversing a Domestic Violence Injunction
Florida law provides for special protections for those who are the victims of domestic violence. Such injunctions are an important tool to protect individuals from harm or the threat of harm by a family member. However, injunctions can have a significant effect on another person’s personal liberties, residency rights, and especially custody issues. In this article, the Tampa, FL family…
Attorney’s Fees in Florida Divorce Cases
Divorce is not necessarily cheap, especially if you take your case before a judge. These situations tend to be much more expensive, which allows one person to have a significant advantage over the other when it comes to legal representation. In some cases, the court will award the partner with fewer resources attorney fees. Such an award is an attempt…
Florida Court Discusses Civil Contempt in Family Law Case
In the case of Gregory v. Rice, the Florida Supreme Court addressed how all Florida courts must handle civil contempt proceedings in family law cases. This is especially true when the subject is support arrearages. This decision is important since it helped prompt the adoption of Florida Family Law Rule 12.615 to regulate contempt in divorce cases and clarified procedural…
Can I Voluntarily Reduce My Earnings and Then Petition for a Reduction in Child Support Payments?
Generally speaking, the Florida courts are quite strict when it comes to forcing a parent to pay child support. They can, in some instances, impute income, meaning that they can determine how much you should be making as opposed to how much you are making for the purpose of supporting your child. If you voluntarily take a lower paying job…
Florida Court Discusses Termination of Parental Rights
In the case of M.D.P.N., the Mother v. Department of Children and Families, et al, the Third District Court of Appeal had to answer a difficult question: Can the State of Florida terminate a mother’s parental rights under Florida’s termination process even after she made positive life changes when her child was in shelter care? In the case we’re about…