People in unhappy marriages have options. But people often confuse the terms divorce, dissolution, and legal separation. The choice you make can affect your rights concerning your partner, your children, and third parties. Florida complicates your options by not providing a process for securing a legal separation in court. This means that any action short… read more

Many factors affect whether your ex-spouse can take your child out of the country. Even if your child custody order falls into a gray area, your ex-spouse can petition a judge for permission to take your child out of the country. Whether a judge grants this petition will also depend on several factors. In Florida,… read more

Are you getting a divorce in Florida? The court may order you or your spouse to pay alimony. Courts often order alimony if one spouse will be unable to support themselves after a divorce. You may wonder how long alimony payments last. The answer: it depends. Courts account for a number of factors when deciding… read more

Getting a divorce in Florida can be a challenging experience, but it’s a common legal action. Approximately 50% of marriages between first spouses end in divorce. Florida has the third-highest divorce rate in the nation. Before finalizing a divorce, you may have to sort through many issues, including property division, child custody, and spousal support…. read more

It is common to have numerous questions as you begin the divorce process. Seeking a divorce can be overwhelming, emotional, frightening, and stressful. However, by asking five specific questions during your initial consultation with a divorce lawyer, you can obtain answers to some of the most important questions regarding divorce. Below are the five most… read more

Temporary custody generally lasts until there is another order by the family court addressing custody matters. The judge awards temporary custody to one parent pending the outcome of a divorce case, a paternity case, or custody battle. The purpose of temporary custody is to make arrangements for the children until the parties settle custody issues… read more

Florida child support laws dictate that each parent has a legal obligation to support their child financially. The legal obligation to provide financial support does not end when the child’s parents divorce or separate. Indeed, Florida child support guidelines tell us how much parents should pay to support their children when they separate or divorce…. read more

You may be wondering how judges determine child custody decisions in a divorce. According to Florida Statute §61.13, when establishing or modifying parental responsibility, the child’s best interests must be considered. To determine a child’s best interest, the court must evaluate factors that impact the interest and welfare of the child. The statute lists 19… read more

Blended families can take on many different forms. Parents may marry or remarry and create a stepfamily for their children. It is estimated that approximately 1,300 new stepfamilies form each day in the United States. Over one-half of families consist of individuals who are remarried or re-coupled. The U.S. Census estimates that there are over… read more

Deciding matters related to child custody is rarely easy. However, when one parent is unfit, it can make the custody case much more challenging. Proving that the parent is unfit can result in sole custody for the other parent, which can be in the child’s best interest. What Does it Mean to Be an Unfit… read more