Goodblatt • Leo

Our attorneys, Amy E. Goodblatt and Tatiana Leo, have more than 55 years of combined legal experience. They are directly involved in each case and stay focused on the issues that matter most to you.
  • In-Person Mediation vs. Virtual: Which Is Right for You?

    Is Virtual Mediation More Convenient? One of the biggest advantages of virtual Mediation is convenience. You and your spouse do not have to be in the same location and can participate without spending additional time traveling to an attorney’s or mediator’s office. Virtual Mediation also provides more flexibility during the day. For example, you may be able to pause Mediation to pick up your children from school and return afterward. Attorneys may also be able to handle a short hearing or another necessary task during a scheduled break. This flexibility can make it easier to accommodate everyone’s schedules. When Virtual Mediation May Feel More Comfortable For some people, virtual Mediation provides a greater sense of comfort and safety. If being in the same building as…

  • What Financial Information Must Be Disclosed in a Florida Divorce?

    Florida Requires Financial Disclosure in Divorce Florida has mandatory financial disclosure requirements in divorce cases. You and your spouse need to complete a financial affidavit and provide documents such as bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements, debt information, and proof of ownership of property. Financial disclosure is important because your spouse may not have equal knowledge about finances. You may know that your spouse has a retirement account, brokerage account, or business without knowing its value or having access to the records. Complete information helps identify and value marital assets and liabilities before decisions are made about equitable distribution. Can Your Financial Information Be Kept Private? Financial disclosure does not necessarily mean that all of your financial information becomes part of the public court…

  • Should I Consolidate My Debt or File Bankruptcy?

    Debt consolidation may seem like a way to avoid bankruptcy and protect your credit, but many debt consolidation programs can leave you further behind on payments, damage your credit score, and still lead to bankruptcy. Understanding the differences between debt consolidation and bankruptcy will help you to make a better decision for your financial future. Why Debt Consolidation Sounds Appealing If you are struggling with credit card balances and other unsecured debts, debt consolidation may seem like a simple solution. Many people choose this option because they want to avoid having a bankruptcy filing appear on their credit report. The idea of combining multiple debts into one payment sounds attractive. However, the reality is that many debt consolidation programs do not work the way consumers…

  • How Do I Choose the Right Divorce Process?

    People often assume divorce always means going to court.However, you have options for how to resolve the issues in your divorce. Choosing the right divorce process starts with understanding your family’s unique situation. By evaluating communication, financial transparency, and areas of agreement, you can determine if an Uncontested Divorce, Mediation, Collaborative Divorce, or Litigated Divorce is the best path to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome. 4 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Divorce Process There is no one-size-fits-all approach to divorce. The process that works well for one family may not be the best choice for another. Before deciding how to proceed, consider a few important questions: The answers to these questions can help determine which divorce process is the best…

  • What is a Guardian Ad Litem and Do I Need One in My Case?

    In a divorce, modification, or paternity case where the issues concerning a child are highly contested, a Guardian Ad Litem (“GAL”) may be appointed by the Court. The GAL is a neutral person appointed by the Court to represent your child’s best interests. The GAL also assists in investigating allegations and making recommendations to the Court as to what is best for the child. The GAL will meet with both parties and the child as many times as deemed necessary. The GAL will talk to any witnesses you and the other party want them to.  He/she will review any documents provided or that they obtain, i.e. police reports, medical records, Court documents, school records, etc. The GAL will also assist in trying to resolve problems arising between the parties…

  • Can I Be Required to Pay Child Support for a Child I Didn’t Know I Had?

    Yes, you can.  Not knowing you had a child does not negate your obligation to pay child support. If you are served with a Petition to determine Paternity or Child Support for a child you didn’t know you had, there are several things you need to do. Most importantly, do not ignore the papers. You must respond to the Petition within the time the paperwork states.  Ignoring the Petition won’t make it go away.  The Mother and/or Department of Revenue will ask the Court to enter a default against you and the case will move forward without you.  The Court will presume that you are the child’s father, and child support will be ordered. Ask for a paternity test. It will prove whether or not…

  • 6 Things You May Not Know You Can Do in Bankruptcy

    Most people know that you can discharge credit card and medical debt in bankruptcy.  But, there are other things you may be able to do in your bankruptcy.  Let’s look at 6 of those things. Modify student loans. The United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida is the first Bankruptcy Court in the U.S. to offer this program.  It was created to provide a forum for debtors and lenders to discuss consensual repayment of student loans.  The goal is to facilitate communication, exchange information in an efficient and transparent manner, and to encourage the parties to reach a feasible and beneficial agreement under the administrative oversight of the Bankruptcy Court. Reduce your car payment. If you owe more than your car is…

  • 5 Benefits of Mediation

    Florida courts require parties who are divorcing to attend mediation before going to trial.  You, the other party and your respective attorneys meet with a certified mediator to try to settle the issues pending in your divorce.  Our firm may represent you in mediation as your attorney, or you may have Amy Goodblatt mediate your case.  Is mediation really beneficial or is it just another cost and delay to keep me from having my day in court? There are many benefits of mediation, but we’re going to look at 5 of them. Mediation gets everyone in the same place. Mediation can be done with everyone in the same room or you and your attorney can be in a room separate from the other party and…

  • Social Media and Your Divorce

    Deciding to divorce and moving forward with it is painful, especially if you feel you are the wronged party.  Having your family and friends as a support system is important.  But, social media isn’t the place for that support.  Those rants about your spouse and sarcastic comments could negatively impact the outcome of your case. Consider the following at the beginning and during your divorce: Change your passwords. Sure, it’s a hassle to change the password on all of your accounts (bank, online, social media, etc.) and devices.  Use a strong password (a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters).  Don’t assume that your spouse doesn’t know your passwords, rather assume that they do and secure the information in those accounts…

  • NEW: We can Modify your Student Loan

    Goodblatt · Leo is proud to announce that it is now offering to modify student loans through the new Student Loan Modification program (“SLM”). What’s the new Student Loan Modification program? The United States Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Florida is the first Bankruptcy Court in the U.S. to offer this program.  It was created to provide a forum for debtors and lenders to discuss consensual repayment of student loans.  The goal is to facilitate communication, exchange information in an efficient and transparent manner, and to encourage the parties to reach a feasible and beneficial agreement under the administrative oversight of the Bankruptcy Court. Can anyone modify their student loans? To be eligible for the SLM program, you must have a pending bankruptcy…