Florida Divorce Lawyer

  • How is Child Support Calculated?

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Child Support, Divorce, Family Law

    Child support is the money paid from one parent to the other to cover the expenses that come with raising a child, such as the need for a home with enough space for the child, utilities for that home, food and household items, and the child’s needs like clothing and school supplies. The court uses a formula that considers the number of children to be supported, each parent’s income, and the amount of time the children spend with each parent to determine an appropriate child support amount to require.  In some cases, special circumstances like a child’s medical needs may be considered, causing the amount of child support ordered to deviate five percent or more or less from the amount that would be ordered for…

  • The Rights of Unmarried Couples in Florida

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Divorce, Family Law, Parenting Plans, Timesharing

    Many couples eventually decide to marry at some point in their relationship, especially including now same-sex couples who may now marry nationwide. However, some couples decide not to legally marry, for a variety of reasons. Unmarried couples still have very limited legal rights in Florida. The exception concerns unmarried couples and their children; the law provides many protections in that area. Property Rights The property rights of married spouses are codified in law, and they may also be specified in other documents such as prenuptial agreements. Couples who are not married, but cohabitate, do not have statutory rights to each other’s property, therefore it is a good idea to draw up a property agreement with the help of an lawyer. The longer you live together,…

  • What To Look For In A Divorce Lawyer

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Divorce, Family Law

    Divorce is a time when even the best among us need assistance.  The complexity of the law means that you will require a good lawyer, but we must also remember that an lawyer has specific jobs to perform, and you must find a lawyer you feel comfortable with.  If you are lawyer shopping, it is imperative that you understand what type of personality will give you the type of service you want and deserve. Respect and Realism An ideal divorce lawyer respects her clients.  This means, as one might expect, that your lawyer will treat you with respect not only when you are a prospective client, but also once she has your business.  This also means that you are not the only one she will…

  • Divorce and Taxes: What you Should Know this Tax Season

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Divorce, Family Law

    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 your divorce lawyer, here are just a few things you should know, especially if you have recently gotten divorced in 2015 or are in the middle of a divorce that you anticipate will be finalized in 2016. Should you file jointly? First, you must consider whether you can file jointly. According to the IRS, you may only file as married filing jointly if you were still legally married as of December…

  • Understanding Divorce Mediation in Orlando

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Divorce, Mediation

    Those facing a divorce in central Florida have several options for ending their marriages. They can fight in court and go to trial – an expensive and emotionally exhausting prospect for sure. They can also opt to sit down and resolve the matter out of court between themselves. This type of uncontested divorce is usually the most cost-effective and peaceful way to end the marriage. However, if the parties cannot agree peacefully among themselves, the case will proceed. Still, there is one other step that the court will require – mediation. What is mediation? Although mediation sounds better than going to trial, it is still adversarial. This means the parties are definitely opposed and disagree on at least some of the issues. The parties and…

  • Dispelling Three Myths About Florida Marriage Annulment

    ByGoodblatt • Leo Hours Categories Annulment, Divorce, Family Law

    When it comes to marriage and divorce, there are many myths and misconceptions, especially on the internet. One of the biggest areas of confusion is marriage annulment. Myths abound regarding when, how, and why a person may annul his or her marriage. Here, we will look at three of the most common myths and explain what annulment is and is not. MYTH #1: I can get my marriage annulled within the first year of marriage without going through a full divorce. If only this were the case, we might hear a united sigh of relief from many. Unfortunately, the law does not have any such wiggle room. Once you get married, you are married. In Florida, even if you are only married for 24 hours,…