Category Archives: Family Law
Top Ten Parenting Time Factors in Florida
Child custody is perhaps the most divisive emotional issue in a divorce. Most parents agree on broad principles, like children benefit from meaningful and consistent contact with both parents. But words like “meaningful” and “consistent” are extremely subjective. So, Florida law sets forth a number of parenting time factors. Port St. Lucie divorce attorneys… Read More »
Getting Through a Grey Divorce
All divorces have both emotional and financial issues. Over 55 divorces have these issues as well, but they are a bit different, as outlined below. Regardless of the parties’ age, most divorces end the same way. In almost all cases, a Port St. Lucie divorce attorney is able to resolve these matters out of… Read More »
Seven Property Division Factors in a Florida Divorce
Like most other jurisdictions, the Sunshine State has an equitable division law. So, upon divorce, marital property must be divided equitably. That’s not necessarily the same thing as equally. To assist judges in making determinations, and to assist Port St. Lucie divorce attorneys in crafting settlements, Florida law sets forth a number of factors… Read More »
How Much Does a Florida Divorce Cost?
Divorce is expensive, both in terms of money and time. These two costs are related, and they are also difficult to calculate. Financially, the average divorce costs a staggering $15,000. That’s an average cost. When power couples like Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos split up, they will probably spend a lot more than $15,000. On… Read More »
Setting the Amount and Duration of Alimony Payments in St. Lucie County
This time last year, the alimony tax deduction change dominated the headlines in this area. Before January 1, 2019, alimony payments were tax-deductible and alimony receipts were tax-reportable. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act eliminated both the deduction and the reporting requirement. A year later, it seems the change has had little effect on… Read More »
Classifying and Dividing Marital Property in St. Lucie County
Like most other jurisdictions in the country, Florida is an equitable distribution state. Marital assets and debts must be divided equitably, which is not necessarily the same thing as equally. Additionally, before they can be divided, they must be classified. Nonmarital property is not subject to division. Port St. Lucie divorce attorneys must be… Read More »
Five Child Custody Factors in St. Lucie County
Until fairly recently, Florida family law was heavily weighted in favor of mothers, at least informally. But now, Florida has a co-parenting law. So, the child custody factors are much more important than they were before. Briefly, a phrase like “joint custody” does not necessarily mean a 50-50 timeshare arrangement. This phrase usually refers… Read More »
Three-Step Property Divisions in St. Lucie Divorces
Florida is an equitable distribution state. All marital property, including both assets and debts, must be divided in such a way that the divorce is not an unfair financial burden for either party. That rule is extremely subjective. So, as outlined below, Florida law sets out a number of property division factors. But before… Read More »
Top Seven Child Custody Factors in Florida
Most good parents agree that divorce child custody and visitation provisions should be in the best interests of the children. However, most parents disagree as to what constitutes a child’s best interests. Furthermore, some parents confuse the best interests of the child with the wishes of the child or the best interests of the… Read More »
Classifying and Dividing Marital Property in a Florida Divorce
In almost all cases, marital property division is either the easiest or most complex portion of a marriage dissolution action. Generally, there is no in-between. If the marriage only lasted a few years and the couple had no assets, property division is usually a straightforward matter, simply because there are basically no issues in… Read More »
