Category Archives: Family Law
Will a Mental Illness Diagnosis Affect Your Parenting Plan?
The news headlines show you that the stigma surrounding mental health issues is much less than it was a generation ago. It is now possible to talk openly with your friends and family about medication side effects and the ups and downs of relationships with therapists. Having to disclose your mental health diagnosis to… Read More »
Reasons for Marriage Annulment in Florida
If asked to name what the family courts do in Florida, the first things that come to mind are probably divorce, child custody and child support decisions, and adoption. You probably do not think of annulment. Today, we most often hear of marriage annulment in a religious context, such as if a church annuls… Read More »
When Divorced Parents Disagree About Children’s Medical Care
Medical conditions, especially chronic ones, do not always have one universally agreed upon method for how best to manage them. Even in cases where almost all physicians would recommend the same treatment, the decision to pursue the treatment is not always easy. For example, parents may wish to delay having a child undergo surgery… Read More »
Florida Parenting Plans and Parents’ Mental Health
The good news is that society’s awareness of mental health and mental illness are increasing, and thus, the stigma against seeking treatment for a psychiatric illness has lessened during our lifetimes. Today, nearly one in five Americans has received a diagnosis of a mental illness at least once in their lifetime. Now that almost… Read More »
A Family Law Attorney Can Help Keep Student Debt from Ruining Your Marriage
What determines when a person is mature enough to consider marriage? Most people would cite financial independence as a prerequisite for marriage readiness, but in today’s economy, the meaning of financial dependence is changing. While some people value the multigenerational household, lots of people in their 20s and 30s would balk at the idea… Read More »
Does Florida Have Spousal Privilege?
Spousal privilege in Florida is also known as “husband – wife privilege” and is covered under Florida Statute Section 90.504. This privilege is designed to prevent one spouse from disclosing certain types of communication that occurred between the spouses. It is to encourage honest communication between spouses without worry or threat that any of… Read More »
Failure to Report Child Abuse in Florida — Is It a Crime?
A number of states, including Florida, require anyone who suspects or witnesses child neglect or abuse to report the activity to the local authorities. Florida Statute 39.205 covers the crime of Failure to Report Child Abuse or Neglect. It defines the crime of Failure to Report as when someone knowingly and willfully fails to… Read More »
Is it Required to Return the Ring in a Broken Florida Engagement?
The breakup of an engagement can in some cases be just as emotional and financially stressful as a marriage falling apart. With more couples purchasing homes and other assets prior to marriage, there are a lot of financial aspects to deal with if one partner breaks off the engagement. One of the main assets… Read More »
Separation Agreement vs Settlement Agreement in Florida
Some states allow for formal legal separation, but Florida is one of only a few states that does not. A separation agreement outlines terms of a separation whereas the settlement agreement is the final part of a divorce. If you have questions regarding when you need a separation agreement versus a settlement agreement, it’s… Read More »
How to Improve Co-Parenting After a Florida Divorce
Learning how to co-parent with your ex-spouse can be one of the more challenging aspects of moving on after a Florida divorce. If one spouse is dealing with depression or struggling to move on, those feelings can manifest into bitterness and anger that make co-parenting even more challenging. The whole process of co-parenting is… Read More »
