In order to file for a simplified divorce in Florida both parties must meet the following requirements: There can be no minor or dependent children born from the marriage nor can the wife be pregnant (all child born of the marriage must be at least 18 years old). If there is property, division of property has been agreed to and…
Being sent to jail is not likely to facilitate the ability of your ex to make child support payments. However, parents who refuse to make payments they can afford can potentially be found guilty of contempt of court, which can subject them to being sent to jail . This may seem satisfying to the other parent over the short term.…
Everyone believes their motion deserves the immediate attention and resolution by the Court. Many self represented litigants and inexperienced attorneys believe that by filing an “Emergency Motion”, even if the issue is not a true emergency, they will receive that immediate attention and resolution. However, filing a Motion as an “Emergency” does not automatically get you the immediate resolution you…
Often parties in very short term marriages realize they made a mistake and want to have their marriage annulled. However, where a marriage is validly contracted it should not be dissolved other than by divorce, or by a decree of annulment supported by allegation and proof of recognized grounds for annulment of marriage. Unlike, Dissolution of Marriage, Annulment is not…
For couples who are clear about their decision to divorce and do not share minor children, Florida offers a process for a simplified dissolution of marriage. This type of divorce can take as little as 30 days to complete and cost very little money. Do we qualify for a simplified dissolution of marriage? If you wish to qualify for a simplified…
Many of Florida’s divorced parents enjoy an equal or near-equal share of time with their children. A parenting plan should allow for parents to take their children on vacation with a bit of negotiation. When planning a vacation that involves extensive or international travel, it is a good idea to prepare well in advance, so as to avoid conflict with…
Despite the fact that nearly half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce, many couples are not versed in divorce law. There remains a notion that, if a marriage fails, one person must be legally at fault. Florida has joined the majority of states that now have a no-fault statute. The two grounds for divorce Florida courts…
Florida’s infamous George Zimmerman has recently been back in the news, this time not for alleged murder but for domestic troubles. Zimmerman and his estranged wife, Shellie, are divorcing. A recent encounter led her to place a panicked call to 911 to request police intervention. While it is unclear as to precisely what happened between the couple, or between Zimmerman…
Every couple divorcing in Florida is required to have at least one session in mediation to resolve any contested issues. A mediator is a neutral third party who is trained to help couples resolve areas of conflict peacefully and to reach an agreement in the least hostile manner possible. Many couples choose to divorce through the mediation process exclusively, some…
The role of the divorced father has evolved over the last 20 years. In most modern divorces, both parents share in the responsibilities of parenting the children they share, if not equally then nearly so. Florida modified the language of its divorce-related statutes to reflect the change in philosophy — from custody to time-sharing. The new role of the single…