Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What if a Spouse Refuses to Sign Divorce Papers in Florida?
Divorce can be difficult. Often, divorcing spouses do not agree on several things. Spouses may even disagree on whether getting a divorce is the best thing to do. In such a case, when a spouse is served with divorce papers, they may be tempted to ignore the petition. If a spouse refuses to sign… Read More »
Do Child Support Payments in Florida End When a Child Gets a Job?
In Florida, both parents are supposed to make financial contributions towards raising their child. This is true regardless of whether the parents are married, divorced, or separated. That is why when parents are not married, courts usually order one parent to make child support payments to the other parent. Usually, the parent with whom… Read More »
Common Reasons a Parent May Lose Child Custody in Florida
In Florida, family courts believe that, even after a divorce, both parents should remain involved in their child’s life. Florida law even created a rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing is in the child’s best interests. This means that unequal timesharing can only be ordered if it is proven that equal timesharing is not in… Read More »
Are There Any Advantages of Being the First to File for Divorce?
Filing for divorce is a life-altering decision. For this reason, the decision to file for divorce is never an easy one. However, when a marriage seems irreparably broken, someone must make the decision to file for divorce. If you are considering being the first to file for divorce, one of the questions you may… Read More »
Modification of Child Support in Florida
According to Florida law, both parents are legally obligated to financially support their children. This is true regardless of whether the parents are married or not. When parents get a divorce or separate, the court uses a specific calculation to determine the amount of child support one parent will pay to the other. Like… Read More »
Debunking Common Myths About Prenuptial Agreements
In Florida, a prenuptial agreement is an agreement that two people make before getting married concerning the ownership of assets should the marriage fail. A prenuptial agreement or prenup spells out, among other things, all the property each party owns, the debts they owe, each individual’s property rights during the marriage, and how property… Read More »
I Suspect That I Am Not the Biological Father of My Child. Can I Disestablish Paternity?
In Florida, when you are not married to the child’s mother, you must establish paternity to be considered the child’s legal father. Once paternity is established, the father has equal legal rights and responsibilities as the mother does to the child. Unfortunately, sometimes, after a father establishes paternity by signing a voluntary acknowledgment of… Read More »
Can I Relocate With My Child?
Often, during or after a divorce, a parent will decide to move with their child for several reasons. Some parents move because of new jobs. Others move because they believe a change of location might provide a fresh start for them. And others relocate to be with new partners. However, in Florida, strict laws… Read More »
What Is a Custody Evaluation, and Is It Right for My Case?
When divorcing parents cannot agree on issues pertaining to child custody and timesharing, the court must step in. The court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) to represent the child’s best interest. The court may also order a custody evaluation. This evaluation can be ordered by the court or requested by either parent…. Read More »
What Is the Role of a Guardian Ad Litem in a Family Law Case?
Many times, when parents split up, each may have differing opinions concerning what is in the best interests of their child(ren) when it comes to how custody should be handled. Are the concerns about substance abuse where time with one parent should be limited? Are there concerns that one parent may not ensure property… Read More »