Category Archives: Family Law and Marital Law
Contested Custody and Relocation Under Florida Law
The most difficult type of contested custody cases involves parental relocation with the child. When a parent seeks to relocate a child a great distance from the other parent, the trial court has to weigh their competing claims and determine whether the relocation should proceed. In weighing this evidence, the trial court must make… Read More »
Contested Paternity and the Limits of DNA Evidence in Florida
Paternity disputes can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially where a child is already deemed to have a legal father. Advances in technology have made it easier to prove biological parentage, but it is noteworthy that Florida courts have consistently held that paternity is not just a matter of DNA but instead is… Read More »
Parental Relocation in Florida: What Tampa Parents Need to Know Before Moving With a Child
Relocation cases are some of the most emotionally charged disputes in Florida family law. When a parent wants to move 50 miles or more from their current residence, they cannot simply pack up and go. Florida law requires a detailed, evidence-based process, and courts scrutinize relocation requests closely, particularly in contested cases. A landmark… Read More »
Wade v. Hirschman: Reining in Custody Modifications in Florida
Custody disputes after divorce can get especially tense when one parent wants to change who the primary residential parent is. In Florida, the courts generally favor keeping things stable. The idea is that once a custody arrangement is in place, it shouldn’t be changed unless there’s a strong reason to do so. That principle… Read More »
Contested Custody & Domestic Violence: How Florida Courts Protect Children in High-Conflict Cases
When custody gets messy in Florida, especially in places like Tampa, allegations of domestic violence tend to carry a lot of weight. Judges don’t take these things lightly. Even just one reported incident, whether it leads to charges or not, can seriously shift how time with the child is divided. A lot of parents… Read More »
Garwood v. Wyatt: Child Support Under Fire — How Calculations and Arrearages Can Drive Appeal
Child support cases can get very complicated very fast, especially when a parent’s income changes or someone claims the other side isn’t holding up their end of the bargain. In Florida, such disputes end up being appealed, and a big reason is simple math errors or confusion over how past-due payments are calculated. For… Read More »
When Can a Parent Relocate With a Child? Lessons from Greenwood v. Greenwood
Child relocation cases are some of the most emotionally charged disputes in Florida family law. When one parent wants to move more than 50 miles away with a child–and the other parent objects–the court must apply Florida’s strict statutory framework under § 61.13001. A recent case, Greenwood v. Greenwood, offers a clear example of… Read More »
Finley v. Scott: How Florida Courts Handle Parental Responsibility and Name Changes in Paternity Cases
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… Read More »
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… Read More »
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… Read More »