Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Paternity & Child Support in Florida
All children should have parents that love and care for them; but increasingly single parents make up a significant portion of families. Florida law does not automatically assign paternity unless the parents are married to each other. Sometimes men who love their children are shut out of their lives, and sometimes women who are… Read More »
Misconceptions About Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
When most people file for bankruptcy, they file under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. However, there is another alternative. Chapter 13 is available to debtors who have slightly different circumstances than the average bankruptcy filer, and while there are a few more obligations to filing Chapter 13, it may benefit you more… Read More »
The IRS Marriage Penalty
When two people get married, it impacts every aspect of their lives. This includes taxes and their tax filing status. Filing married, even separately, may result in a very different tax liability than filing as a single person. Your choice of filing status can cost you money. Different Brackets The tax brackets for married… Read More »
The Collaborative Law Process Act
Exciting news! Florida has adopted a law codifying the Collaborative approach to family law disputes. Collaborative divorce is a relatively new phenomenon in most states in the U.S., and as such, until now it was largely unregulated, although it has been practiced successfully around the world for some time. On March 24, 2016, Florida… Read More »
Changes For Same-Sex Couples Since Obergefell
Since the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in mid-2015, the legal landscape has undergone seismic changes with regard to the rights and responsibilities of same-sex couples. From tax laws to estate planning, same-sex couples must revise and conform their plans and thinking to the new reality, which sometimes can be more difficult… Read More »
How Will My Bankruptcy Affect My Spouse?
Bankruptcy is a last resort for the overwhelming majority of people. If you are forced by circumstance to have to file, you almost certainly have a thousand questions about the future, and that load doubles if you are married. Many couples file for bankruptcy jointly, but this is not always the best choice, and… Read More »
What Happens When Your Spouse Refuses A Divorce?
When you decide to file for divorce, it can be a very rude awakening if your spouse simply puts his foot down and refuses to participate. However, he is legally within his rights to do so, and can make life difficult if he so chooses. Before you file for divorce, it is critical to… Read More »
Three Things People Don’t Expect to Fight Over in a Divorce
When it is time to call it quits on a marriage, couples have certain expectations – some positive and some negative. Divorcing couples might expect to get some of their time and energy back after years of constant fighting. They may also expect some financial setbacks. But there are also those things people would… Read More »
Considering Bankruptcy During Tax Time
If you are like the numerous other Americans who file for bankruptcy protection every year, you may be concerned about the long-term implications of filing. Maybe you worry how you will be able to afford a bankruptcy lawyer, or how long it will take to rebuild after the initial financial crash. But one thing… Read More »
Divorce and Taxes: What you Should Know this Tax Season
As Americans prepare for tax time, all the usual questions begin to mount. Should we file jointly or individually? Do I need to itemize? Can I claim that deduction? But for some Americans, the questions get even more complicated. Divorcing couples also have to think about a host of added concerns. When speaking with… Read More »