Contested Adoptions in Florida: The Five Questions Families Ask Most What happens when an adoption is not straightforward and what Florida law actually requires Adoption is one of the most profound legal steps a family can take, but not every adoption proceeds smoothly. When a biological parent contests the process,…
The Three Documents Every Florida Estate Plan Must Include: Why a Will Alone Is Not Enough What actually protects you and your family in Okaloosa and Walton County When most people think about estate planning, they think about a will. While a Last Will and Testament is essential, it is…
How is property divided in a Florida divorce? Florida is an “equitable distribution” state, not a community property state. Under Florida Statute § 61.075, marital assets and debts are divided fairly between spouses, beginning with a presumption of an equal 50/50 split that the court may adjust based on specific…
When a child is born to unmarried parents in Florida, the father has no automatic legal rights to the child until paternity is formally established. In a paternity case under Chapter 742, establishing paternity confirms a man as the child’s legal father, giving him the ability to seek timesharing and…
For blended families across Okaloosa and Walton Counties, stepparent adoption is often the final step in formalizing what is already a real parent-child relationship. At The Wheeler Firm, P.A., we help stepparents navigate the law governing all Florida adoptions. A Florida stepparent adoption permanently terminates the noncustodial biological parent’s rights…
If you are going through a divorce in Florida, one of the most important financial questions you will face is whether alimony will be part of your case. As of July 1, 2023, Florida eliminated permanent alimony entirely. Under Florida Statute § 61.08, courts may only award four types of…
Florida law starts from a straightforward premise: when a marriage ends, marital assets should be divided equally. But what happens when one spouse has already been quietly — or not so quietly — eroding the marital estate before the court can divide it? Florida courts have a name for that conduct,…
Navigating a family law case, whether it is a dissolution of marriage (divorce) or a paternity action, is often an emotional and complex journey. Among the most important concerns for parents is the financial well-being of their children. In Florida, child support is not an arbitrary number pulled from thin…
When going through a divorce in Florida, the financial disclosure process is one of the most critical aspects of the case. Florida law requires both spouses to file a financial affidavit that truthfully and accurately outlines their income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Unfortunately, some spouses attempt to hide or underreport…
When navigating a family law trial in Florida, understanding legal presumptions is crucial. These default rules guide judicial decisions and can significantly impact outcomes. Knowing how to leverage these presumptions can make the difference between success and disappointment. Parental Rights and Responsibilities Florida law assumes that shared parental responsibility is…
