Family members frequently step in to take temporary custody of a child when their parents are unable to care for them. Special laws govern temporary custody for extended family members in the state of Florida pursuant to Chapter 751, Florida Statutes. Anyone who is considering asking for temporary custody of…
In Florida, the termination of parental rights is a legal process that permanently ends the legal relationship between a parent and their child. It is a serious and often difficult decision, and it requires careful consideration of the best interests of the child. One of the most common grounds for…
When a married couple files for divorce in Florida, there will be an “equitable distribution” or the division of marital assets and liabilities. The legal requirements imposed upon the parties, and which must be followed by Florida courts, is set out in Florida Statute § 61.075. While the law strongly…
The right to call witnesses to support your case, and to prove a defense to allegations made against you, is a fundamental right in our legal system. However, the right is not absolute. Many people ask if they can call minor children to testify in their family law case. This…
If you and your spouse have decided to divorce, you may want to begin your separate lives as soon as possible. Divorce is never easy, but the process may be less traumatic for both parties by working for an amicable settlement through mediation. The alternative is a trial before a…
Florida law recognizes assets acquired during the marriage as “marital” assets. This includes businesses that were created during the marriage and the law presumes that marital assets should be divided equally in a divorce. In other words, if you or your spouse created a business during the marriage, it is…
Get a Will and Make Sure it Reflects Your Wishes Your Last Will and Testament should reflect your wishes and, when administered at probate court, you wishes should be respected. However, Florida law places certain limitations on our ability to disown family members. Disinheriting A Spouse You cannot completely disinherit…
Parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children under Florida law. The amount of child support is usually calculated through the Florida Child Support Guidelines. The guidelines calculate child support based upon the income of the parents, the number of overnights exercised under the parenting plan, and the…
Businesses are often intertwined with divorce litigation. As a Florida business owner, you likely worked hard over a long time to build your business. The idea of losing it due to a divorce is deeply unsettling, and you probably want to do everything you can to keep the business once…
Although family members do not plan to raise the children of others, relatives are often called upon by parents who are simply unable to provide care for a child. This could be the case for any number of reasons, including: Child abuse Child neglect Abandonment Death of a parent A…
