Author Archives: Jay Butchko
I Cannot Get a Handle on my Debt. Is Bankruptcy my Only Option?
Probably not. In many cases, individuals with significant levels of personal debt have multiple options for taking control of their debt. Although bankruptcy is often one of these options, it usually is not the only option and in some cases, it is not the best option. Below are a few alternate options to bankruptcy… Read More »
Specific Family Law Issues that Same Sex Parents Face
As of 2015, same sex couples can legally marry in Florida. Although this was a critical civil rights milestone, it does not mean that all issues same sex parents face were resolved. In 2016, the Florida Department of Health began to allow both parents in same sex couples to list their names on their… Read More »
The Fight Over Fido — Who Gets to Keep the Family Pets in a Divorce?
We’ve all heard the joke that says, “We’re staying together for the sake of the dog”. But in reality, many couples do end up facing a divorce, and in addition to all the other painful decisions about who gets what, pets become part of that dilemma. Although many of us love our pets as… Read More »
Reasons to Consider a Collaborative Divorce over Mediation
If you do determine that ADR is right for you, you need to decide whether you are better suited to mediation or a collaborative divorce. Both will save you money by keeping your divorce out of the courtroom. Both have their pros and cons. A few of the advantages that collaborative divorce has over… Read More »
Make your Teen’s Transition to College Painless as a Divorced Parent
Although your son or daughter is no longer a child, you are not finished being his or her parent. After your divorce, you learned how to co-parent effectively. Now, as your child finishes high school and moves on to college, you and your former spouse have new challenges to face. Issues to Work Out… Read More »
When it Comes to your Divorce Terms, your Gender Means Nothing
In the eyes of the law, men and women are treated equally. This means what when you work through the divorce process, your gender does not play into how your property is divided or how your child custody arrangement is set up. Speak with an experienced divorce lawyer to learn more about what to… Read More »
How is Collaborative Divorce Different from Mediation?
If you are considering filing for divorce, consider completing the divorce process through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). There are multiple types of ADR, each of which has unique requirements for the parties involved in the dispute. What unites them is their common purpose: to allow individuals to avoid the stress and high cost of… Read More »
Do I Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
For individuals who are struggling with personal debt, such as credit card or medical debt, there are generally two bankruptcy options: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Each has unique demands for the bankrupt individual and unique benefits. Although many consider Chapter 13 to be the less austere because you may keep unlimited assets, you… Read More »
What Becomes of Frozen Embryos in a Divorce?
In 1984, Zoe Leyland became the first baby ever born from a frozen embryo. We’ve come a long way since then, and Assisted Reproductive Technology has become a viable option for couples wanting to start a family, but who are unable to do so without assistance. With many women waiting longer to start a… Read More »
Asset Division: Deciding Who Gets What
By far the most complex part of any divorce is usually asset division. While Florida is an equitable distribution state, which means that the couple’s assets will be divided according to fairness rather than a strict 50-50 split, it can be difficult even within the equitable framework to decide who gets what, and which… Read More »
