Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Your Divorce Anniversary Is What You Make of It
Somewhere there is a couple who celebrates their divorce anniversary every year. Now that they no longer have to worry about managing their finances together, sharing household chores, or living up to the expectations of each other’s parents, it is easy for them to be close friends. Somewhere else, a divorced couple gets together… Read More »
The Stages of Adjusting to a New Reality After a Divorce
Divorce is exhausting. From the legal battles to hastily finding a new residence and moving into it, you are in crisis mode for such a long time that you barely have time to feel any emotions about the larger picture. The present looms so large in your mind that you can’t imagine how it… Read More »
Is There Ever a Valid Reason Not to Let Your Ex-Spouse Exercise Parenting Time?
It is never easy to let your children venture out into the world when you know about all of the unpleasantness and the dangers out there, but it is part of letting children grow up. You smile and wave goodbye as your children take their seats on the school bus, knowing that they have… Read More »
The Best Divorce Settlement Agreement Is One That Includes Clear Deadlines
You are not the only person who has been tempted to agree to less-than-ideal property division terms, just so you can finalize your divorce instead of continuing to go in circles during mediation. Your friends and your divorce lawyer might encourage you to stay and fight instead of giving up. You understand their point… Read More »
Does Florida Have Common Law Marriage?
When is a married couple not married? Is it possible to not know for sure whether you are truly married to your spouse? These are the kind of thoughts that never pass through your mind until you are watching Netflix alone late at night, and an offhand comment made by a character in a… Read More »
Text Messages and Your Divorce Case
Before the dawn on smartphones, the talking heads on the news used to knit their brows about the danger of kids texting. They made it sound as if those incomprehensible abbreviations that the young generation used was a harbinger of the downfall of civilization, when the simpler explanation was that, on those tiny flip… Read More »
High Net Worth Divorce Blues
Another Miami power couple has announced their divorce; it seems like a common occurrence here. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and his wife Nikki recently announced that they have filed for divorce after seven years of marriage. Erik Spoelstra has been a coach for the Miami Heat for 16 seasons, contributing to more… Read More »
Procrastination After Divorce Can Lead to Financial Woes in the Future
Getting divorced is a slog, and it is a relief to be legally single again. It is no wonder that some party planners in South Florida dedicate a page of their websites to divorce parties. You deserve to celebrate making it through your divorce and to share a toast to your new life with… Read More »
Don’t Let Your Ego Get in the Way When Making Parenting Plan Decisions
Parenting is not a competition, even though the desire to see other kids’ parents, or even other adults in your own children’s lives, as rivals, is palpable. You passive-aggressively engage other parents at the playground in conversation about your children’s developmental milestones. Sure, that other parent’s kid started walking before her first birthday, but… Read More »
Contempt of Court in Family Law Cases
Your ex-spouse breaks promises, ignores requests, and does whatever he or she feels like doing, no matter how it affects other people. If this were not the case, you would not be getting divorced. Your divorce lawyer reassures you that the family law courts know just how to deal with difficult exes like yours. … Read More »