Divorce and Family Law Blog

Parenting plans, or custody arrangements, are required during all Florida divorces, and anytime two adults co-parent a minor child. Parenting plans are written documents that outline how children will spend time with each parent in various situations, such as weekly and monthly visits, holidays, vacations, and school breaks. The goal is for both parents to […]

Dividing marital property is one of the most contentious and stressful parts of divorce proceedings. Florida law uses equitable distribution guidelines to determine how marital property is divided in a Florida divorce. Equitable distribution seeks to divide property fairly and evenly between spouses, not 50/50.  Marital property is anything the couple purchased, obtained, or gained […]

In Florida, a custodial parent has primary physical custody of a child following a legal divorce or separation. As part of the legal requirements imposed by Florida family courts, custodial parents are responsible for the day-to-day care of a child. They must decide about the child’s health, education, and welfare. Whether you’re thinking about divorce, […]

Child support and child custody are two separate matters. A court could grant sole custody to one parent and restrict visitation while still requiring the non-custodial parent to pay child support. Florida uses child support guidelines to determine how much child support a parent must pay. However, judges can deviate from the guidelines in some […]

Florida Statute §61.13 indicates that it is the state’s policy that child custody decisions are made in accordance with the best interests of the child. The state takes the position that children benefit from continuing and frequent contact with both parents. Therefore, Florida does not make a presumption of which parent should have custody of […]

When a judge considers a child custody case, the judge decides custody based on the child’s best interest. The judge hears testimony and reviews evidence presented by each party. However, the judge might also order a psychological evaluation to help determine what would be in the best interest of the child.  What Is a Psychological […]

If you are married to a narcissist, you already know that going through a divorce with your spouse will be an emotional, expensive, and complicated process. People unfamiliar with narcissists do not understand that underneath the charming and polished exterior lies a dark personality that lacks empathy for others.  A narcissist puts themselves before their […]

No, but there are steps you can take to hold your child’s other parent accountable for not letting you spend time with your kids. Nurturing your relationship with your child is vital to both of you, but you can’t simply withhold child support payments as they’re intended to help your child. Doing so would inevitably […]

Domestic violence, also referred to as intimate partner violence (IVP), is a serious national problem. Roughly 41% of women and 26% of men experience domestic violence. Most people think of physical violence when they hear the term domestic violence. Sadly, domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse.  Examples of domestic violence include: Victims of […]

Divorces are common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly one-half of all marriages end in divorce. Those rates vary by state, with Maine and Nevada being the states with the highest rates of divorce. While many people dread divorce, it isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes […]