Child custody and visitation is court-ordered following a divorce or a paternity proceeding. These mandated, fixed schedules have been agreed on by both parents, or are decided by a court. There are consequences for contempt of court if a parent willfully refuses to comply. Modifications can occur when one or…
An AMBER alert is the public notification of child abduction in progress. This program originated to aid in the protection of children throughout the United States since 1996. We have all heard the call for help over our cell phones, radios, televisions, and road signs, asking for residents in a…
The emergence of social media has had a profound influence on our society. Global news, public health awareness, academic opportunities, professional networking, marketing, and social interactions are all examples of the positive impacts of social media. In contrast, there are occasionally detrimental effects, including a correlation between social media usage…
Every divorce is unique, from a legal and an emotional perspective. Well-meaning family members and friends vocalize their opinions about divorce, often based on myths and misconceptions that they have heard in the media, or on television or in the movies. Lawyers spend a significant amount of time explaining the…
Establishing paternity is the legal process of identifying the biological father of a child, usually for purposes of child support, custody, and visitation. It may be necessary to determine a child’s eligibility for public or private benefits such as health and life insurance, social security, veteran’s benefits, family’s medical history,…
Grey divorce, or elder divorce, is modern day terminology that describes long term married couples over the age of 50 seeking dissolution of marriage. This “grey divorce” trend is accelerating faster than the average divorce rate, particularly in the State of Florida, where there are many retirees. Grey divorce can…
As the population continues to grow in Florida, so does the risk of having a motor vehicle accident every time we enter a highway. A car accident is a terrifying and costly experience, both in damages and personal injury. The impact of a crash can leave a driver disoriented and…
Probation is a period of time that a convicted criminal or a defendant that is charged with a crime has court ordered supervision in lieu of incarceration. For the duration of the probation, the offender faces the threat of being jailed or having further charges filed if he or she…
Florida law requires that parents seeking a divorce create a parenting plan that will encompass co-parenting responsibilities and time sharing. This plan is reviewed and approved by the court, so that it reflects the true and best interests of the children. One of the specific areas that are addressed in…
Domestic Violence is aggressive or abusive behavior by one person towards another, in a household setting. This includes spouses, former spouses, blood relatives or those living in cohabitation. Domestic violence takes many forms; it can be physical, emotional, sexual, digital, financial, psychological or emotional abuse. It is a pervasive pattern…
