Author: admin
How to Shelter in Place with your Soon To Be Ex
For decades, couples who are soon-to-be-divorcing have lived together out of financial necessity or lack of other immediate housing options. Now, this situation may be governmentally mandated, and work can [...] Read more
ZOOM…GOING VIRTUAL WITH OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM
With COVID-19 changing how we operate our day to day lives, so has the way we appear at court. Amid the COVID -19 pandemic, courthouses are closed to the public [...] Read more
Immediate Help For Florida Restaurant/Hospitality Workers Falling Behind On Child Support
Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the national effort to contain the spread, these coming weeks will be challenging for all of us. We thank our restaurant and hospitality […]
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Coparenting with Your Crazy Ex During Coronavirus
AS COVID-19 continues to change the way we operate our daily lives, we will be challenged as individuals and parents. With court closures, school closures, and social distancing we must […]
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Do You Need a Dedicated Father’s Rights Firm?
Why Choose A Dedicated Father’s Rights Firm? Our legislative/political and policy position are pro-dad. We never have to take a position in court contrary to our pro-dad objectives. Our most […]
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I’m Getting Deployed—What About Timesharing?
Military service adds an extra layer of complication to co-parenting relationships and may interfere with the service member’s ability to exercise time sharing consistently. Military service can also make litigation […]
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Good News for our Broward Clients: Status Quo Orders are now available in Broward Family Cases
As of February 21, 2019, the Chief Judge of Broward County, Florida, Jack Tuter, signed and adopted Administrative Order No. 2019-15-UFC. This Administrative Order is a Status Quo Temporary Order […]
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How Can I Win Court-Ordered Mediation?
You filed your case; now what’s next? If you are litigating a divorce or paternity action, chances are you will be sent to mediation by your judge. Florida law allows […]
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Halloween: Time-Sharing During Minor Holidays
Because Halloween falls on a different day each year and we usually don’t get the day off work, the holiday often gets overlooked in parenting plans. Anyone who has a […]
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Split Custody and Census 2020: Don’t Let Your Child Be Unaccounted For
April 1, 2020, is Census Day across the United States, but how do you ensure everyone is accounted for when you have a split custody arrangement? Why does it matter? […]
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The Risks of Using Social Media During Your Divorce
Social media is part of everyday life for many of us, including men. In fact, many studies reveal that men use various social networking sites as frequently as women, so […]
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What should I do if I am not getting my daily phone calls with my child?
How was your day? How was school? I love you. Have a good night. All simple words that you tell your kids, but what happens when you can’t say those […]
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PSA: How to Survive Hurricane Dorian with Your Co-Parenting Relationship Intact
Hurricane season is stressful, and the decision of whether to shelter in place or evacuate can be painstaking—even more so when you share a child who may or may not […]
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A Bartender Explains Divorce Mediation
Basics: Litigation vs. Mediation To understand mediation, you first need an overview of how courts work. American litigation, at its most basic level, allows two opposing parties to present their […]
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MIAMI v. BROWARD: Does it matter where my case is filed?
Where your case is filed makes a world of difference as to strategy, expediency, and services. Most of the time, you will not have an option as to where to […]
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Keeping that ‘Swag’ in check: The guide on what is proper attire before the Court
Gucci. Versace. Hermes. Zenga. All popular and high-ticket items to show that your ‘swag’ is beyond control. However, these same items can severely hurt you in the courtroom in the […]
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Back to School Tips for Parents Who Are Separated
Back to school means back to basics. No more flexible schedules and summertime fun. It is back to homework, projects, extracurricular activities, and parent teacher conferences. It is imperative that […]
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Mistakes Fathers Should Avoid Making in a Child Custody Case
When it comes to divorce, one of the most sensitive matters you will address is child custody. Not only is it a complex legal issue, but it is an emotional […]
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DADvocacy™ Law Firm Opens New Office Location in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
You already know that DADvocacy™ Law Firm is the trusted name in fathers’ rights advocacy throughout Miami. But did you know you can also count on us for family law and divorce representation in […]
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CHILD SUPPORT MYTH #6
YOU WILL ALWAYS PAY EXACTLY what the child support guidelines recommend. FACT: Not necessarily. While the child support formula must be calculated to determine the starting point, Judges, General Magistrates […]
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Unbundled Legal Services and How Can it Help you to Save Money
Did you know that when hiring an attorney, you do not need to hire them to handle your entire case? Unbundled legal services means you can get help where you […]
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Can I Relocate With My Child After a Divorce?
After going through a divorce, the lives of parties tend to endure several changes, especially when it comes to their living situations. Since you will have to part ways, one […]
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MYTH: Child Support can’t take my IRS refund if I file jointly with my new spouse.
FACT: Child Support Enforcement CAN take your IRS refund if you are behind on your child support payments—EVEN IF you file jointly with a new spouse. In fact, the IRS does not discriminate […]
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Do I Have to Pay Child Support if I Lose my Job?
The short answer is: yes. A child support order remains in effect even if you are unemployed. Losing your job is a very difficult and stressful time for you and […]
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Why Does My Ex-Wife Get a Free Child Support Lawyer?
Fathers in divorce are often blindsided by just how much a family law court can be tilted out of their favor, simply for being a man. Due to outdated and misplaced stereotypes, […]
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What Should I Do If My Ex is Alienating Me From My Children?
Parental alienation is common in divorces that are rife with conflict. While mothers and fathers are both guilty of this behavior, it is more commonly directed at fathers in an […]
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What Does 50/50 Timesharing Look Like on Paper?
When asked what timesharing schedule a client wants, the most common response is, “I want 50/50.” However, most of the time clients do not know what 50/50 timesharing actually looks […]
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Tips for Fathers: How to Win Child Custody
Fathers have just as much a right to be a parent to their children as mothers do and, although courts recognize that it is in the best interests of children […]
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Child Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Fathers
Regardless if a child’s parents were married when he or she was born, biological fathers have a right to seek child custody or visitation rights. Much like any other child […]
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Tips on How to Make Your Holiday Visitation Schedule
Every parent wants to share as many special moments with their children as possible, but there are only so many days available and, ultimately, parents will need to find a […]
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Tips to Co-Parent During the Holidays After Divorce
The holidays are often a hectic and busy time for many of us and, if you are divorced and have children, the challenges will undoubtedly be greater. However, there are ways to […]
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Mistakes to Avoid as a Divorcing Father
Divorce is never an easy experience, given the range of emotions that are often involved and the complexities that are inherently part of dissolving a marriage. For fathers, there are […]
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Attorney Suttle Shares Prenup Knowledge in October 2018 Issue of American Drycleaner
Owning a small business, like a drycleaners for example, can bring plenty of stress each day, from attracting new clients to crunching the numbers. Going through a divorce as a small business […]
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Step-Parent Privacy in Divorce Proceedings
Part One: Can my husband’s ex come after me for child support? Many family law litigants worry that the income and assets of their new spouse will be discoverable in court or included […]
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Divorce Mistake #9: Creating New Expenses for Yourself
Don’t Create New Expenses During divorce in Florida, like many other states, you are required to disclose proof of your income and expenses, such as any leases, mortgages, credit cards, cell phone, satellite […]
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Divorce Mistake #8: Purchasing or Leasing a New Vehicle While Going Through a Divorce
A common divorce mistake many people make is getting a new car while they are pending litigation. Buying a new car can feel like a fresh start or a treat […]
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Can I Get Timesharing in my Administrative Child Support Case?
The answer to this question used to be a hard no, but Florida Statute 409.2563 has changed the answer to maybe. You can now agree to a timesharing schedule in your administrative support case, […]
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Retroactive Child Support vs. Child Support Arrears: What’s the Difference & How Does the State & Federal Government Enforce Them
Retroactive child support can best be described as “back pay” for a specific period of time before you entered into your child support order (pre-judgment). Under Florida law, the court has the […]
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I Don’t Have Any Money-Why Is My Co-Parent Asking Me to Pay Attorney Fees?
Have you received a paper from your co-parent that requests for you to pay for their attorney’s fees? The letter might say something like: “The Mother has retained an attorney […]
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Time to Update Your Prenuptial Agreement
Prenuptial agreements are supposed to lay out each spouse’s financial expectations before they enter into their marriage. Many couples decide to waive their option to alimony because both people have […]
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What You Need to do to Protect Yourself Against Domestic Violence Allegations
Domestic violence allegations are all too common in family law cases. Injunctions are designed to offer victims of domestic violence legal protection against their alleged perpetrators, and although many of these […]
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Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: How to Make Sure You Have All Your Proof of Child Support Payments and Credits
Most clients always say the same thing when asked if they have proof of receipts of payments made directly to the Mother. “I never thought I would have needed that” […]
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How to Set Yourself Up for Better Communication with Your Co-Parent
When going through a separation or divorce from your co-parent it is imperative to keep the line of communication open in a way that (1) minimizes conflict; (2) sets clear boundaries; and […]
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Five Tips for Traveling with Children During Your Timesharing
Summer is approaching and you’d like to take your children on a vacation. There are many factors to consider post-separation and planning out every summer for the next 18 years […]
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10 Ways to Save Money On Your Family Law Attorney
A family law dispute can be a mentally and emotionally draining experience. If you are not prepared, your family law dispute can also become an expensive and costly endeavor to take on. […]
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Tips for Completing Your Florida Financial Affidavit without a Lawyer
Pursuant to Florida Family Law Rule 12.285, a financial affidavit is required in virtually every family law case. I am of the opinion, along with many other family law practitioners, that it […]
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Getting divorced? Here are Five Reasons Why Calling your Doctor is as Important as Calling your Lawyer.
Family medical issues impact and can be impacted by a divorce. But many people forget to consider medical concerns, health-related financial issues, and privacy until too late. Here are five ways […]
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The New Year will bring change. For some, it will bring a divorce. Avoid complicating your divorce by avoiding these seven life changes.
Don’t Change Your Job. Avoid changing jobs, especially if the change to your schedule or commute will reduce the time you have to spend with your children. If the new […]
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Why it is Important to Deal with Timesharing Issues Prior to Settling Child Support
It is essential that timesharing is clearly defined between parents prior to agreeing to child support. This is true whether the couple is divorcing, modifying a prior child support order, or […]
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The Necessity of Prenuptial Agreements
No one gets married, anticipating they will eventually get divorced. However, studies show at least half of all marriages end in divorce. Consequently, before you get married, it’s a good […]
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How to Reinstate Your Driver’s License After It Has Been Suspended for Failing to Pay Child Support
Florida states that your driver’s license may (will) be suspended for failing to pay child support. Fifteen days of nonpayment is all it takes to put your driver’s license, amongst [...] Read more
Teen Dad? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re a teenager and you’ve just been informed that you’re a father, a thousand different thoughts and emotions are likely swirling through your mind. That’s understandable – parenthood is […]
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The Importance of Premarital Agreements
Premarital agreements, more commonly known as prenuptial agreements, have become increasingly more popular. In the past, people associated such agreements with a wealthy man marrying a poor woman. Today, all […]
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What To Do If You Receive Notice That Your Driver’s License Is Going To Be Suspended
You’re in a bit of a panic, and you don’t know what to do. You have received notice from the State of Florida that your driver’s license is going to […]
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How Do I Find Out If A Child Is Mine?
When you are first told the news that you are the father of a child, the first question you may want to have answered is whether the child is truly […]
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Consequences of Failure to Pay Child Support
One of the unfortunate results of divorce cases is that ex spouses sometimes forget to pay child support. The state of Florida contains one of the most stringent systems for […]
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What Is “Birdnesting” and Is It Right for Me?
After a divorce, there are several available custody options for parents, including: Sole Custody. This type of custody refers to situations where one parent has sole custody over the children. […]
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Incapacity and Divorce:
Mental incapacity is one of two grounds for divorce in Florida. Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that specific fault grounds for divorce, such as adultery, need not be […]
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How Do I Figure Out My Child Support Payments?
Child support is a court-imposed obligation upon one parent to pay the other parent in order to help meet the child’s basic needs, such as the roof over the child’s head, […]
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What If I Can’t Afford My Child Support Payments?
Have you suffered a life-altering event that is making it difficult for you to make your child support payments? Have you been injured, sick, lost your job, or had some other unexpected, […]
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Child Support: When Can It Be Stopped?
Has your child turned 18? Perhaps your visitation rights are being withheld by the mother. Possibly the opposite is true – your child is no longer staying with the mother […]
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When the Judge Is Dead Wrong – How Soon Must I Appeal ?
So, you made it through the family court system and received a final judgment in your case. And it is not what you wanted, not something you can live with, […]
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Coparenting Through Your Child’s Sports and Extracurriculars – It Takes Teamwork
Fall brings the start of the school year and the start of many sports seasons, especially as children get older. The question becomes how do you navigate staying an active […]
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Ten Things to Do Before You Tell Your Spouse You Want a Divorce
Below are 10 things you should consider doing before telling your spouse that you want a divorce. For further information or to schedule an appointment with Chantale Suttle please contact Dadvocacy at (305) […]
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What Are The Tax Consequences of Child Support Payments?
Understanding child support is difficult. Once you understand how child support is calculated, you might begin to wonder how child support affects your taxes. There are various parts of divorce that affect […]
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DADVOCACY Named Among the Top 25 Divorce Lawyers in Miami
Expertise included Dadvocacy in its list of the 25 best divorce lawyers in Miami for 2016. Expertise researched and analyzed 326 firms before selecting its top 25. As a national […]
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So, How Long Will My Divorce or Paternity Case Take?
if you are the PETITIONER in your action you can expect your case to follow the approximate time frames listed below. From our retention to completion of the minimum initial […]
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Abandonment of the Home, This Divorce Myth is BUSTED!
Myth: If one person moves out of the marital home they have abandoned it and have no legal right to it, or any profits or any liabilities associated with it. […]
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Got an Agreement to Sell the Marital Home? The Devil is in the Details. Here are Ten Issues that Could Cause You to Wind Up Back in Court
Selling a marital home in a divorce is for some people a way to start with a clean slate, but getting there takes planning and cooperation. Sorting out all the […]
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Age by Age Conversation Starters for the Scheduled Nightly Phone Call
Age Range: Little Ones Read a nightly book together. Get two copies so they can page through as you read it to them. If they draw or build with Legos […]
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Just Starting Overnight Timesharing/Visitation? Here Are Some Ideas to Make Your Child Feel at Home.
Starting overnights in a new bedroom in a new home can be easier and more fun for your child or children by engaging them in decorating their space and making […]
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Guardian ad Litem or Social Investigator-What’s the Difference?
If your case involves a lot of animosity or contention between the parties; if there are allegations of mental health problems against either party; if there are accusations of mental, […]
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Family Law Lawyers: Have you heard about the Child Support Guidelines Math Glitch?
Sometimes online or other automated Florida child support calculators don’t seem to come out quite right, and it appears that substantial visitation actually increases the support amount instead of decreasing it, which […]
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Pricing at DADvocacy. How Does it Work?
All of our cases are priced with regard to the following issues: The history of the case, including negative involvement of the Domestic Violence Unit, Department of Children and Families, […]
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I Am a Good Parent, but Someone Called DCF on Me, What Do I Do?
First off, calm down. Remember that DCF (the Florida Department of Children and Families) is a governmental agency, but it still must go to Court to be able to take […]
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Signing Your Child’s Birth Certificate May Not Establish Your Paternity
If you were married to your child’s mother when the child was born, then yes, you are the legal father. If your child’s mother was married to another man when […]
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Official Family Law Forms for Florida. FREE and Florida Supreme Court APPROVED .
If you are representing yourself in Florida family courts, you may find many websites purporting to contain family law forms to assist you. Many of these sites charge for the […]
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Domestic Violence Court without a Lawyer in Florida-Guide for Civil Injunctions.
For those dealing with issues where they have been the victim of domestic violence, or are accused of perpetrating acts of domestic violence, this guide may be useful for educational […]
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“I Have a New Baby to Support. Can I Get My Child Support Obligation for My Older Child Lowered?”
Congratulations! However, the answer is: Generally, no, a subsequent child is not cause for lowering your child support obligation. Public policy in the state of Florida is that parents have a fundamental […]
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How NOT to Pay Child Support
You have a child, and you are separated from the child’s mother. She has not put you on child support, but you want to give her money each month to help […]
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Your case has recently been referred to Family Court Services. What does that mean?
The Family Court Services Unit (FCS) was developed to assist judges and general magistrates with some of the Court’s most difficult family cases, reducing case delays while tending to the […]
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I Just Lost My Job. What Should I File with the Court to Avoid Child Support Enforcement?
You can file anything you want with the court; however, even if you did file something notifying the court and State of Florida Department of Revenue (the agency that runs […]
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Why Do I Have to Comply with Discovery, I Wasn’t even married to the Mother of My Child?
The legislature of the State of Florida sets forth rules for discovery, and those rules are loosely called 12.285. 12.285 sets forth all the parameters for discovery in Family Law […]
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Child Support and Your SSI and Social Security Benefits
If you have applied for, are receiving or have recently been approved to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and have a Florida Child Support order […]
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Prohibition Against Treating Psychologists Performing Forensic Evaluations of Minors for the Purpose of Addressing Custody, Residence or Visitation.
It is a conflict of interest for a psychologist who has treated a minor or any of the adults involved in a custody or visitation action to perform a forensic […]
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I Have a UCD Hearing, What Happens There and What Do I Bring?
You will need to bring the following items with you to the final hearing: Your Florida Identification, which is likely a Driver’s License, and Fifteen dollars exact change would be […]
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I Got Something Called Interrogatories. What Are They and What do I do?
Our opposition has prepared and served Standard Family Law Interrogatories. These questions must be answered by you and sworn to in front of a notary. Most questions will likely be […]
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I am Not a Citizen, and I am Only in the US Through My Spouse’s Visa. Can I Still Get Divorced?
If the Petitioning spouse intends to remain in Florida for an indefinite period of time, then the divorce can go forward. In Perez v. Perez, the Court found that such […]
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Care and Feeding of Your New Divorce Lawyer
You’ve got yourself a family law lawyer. Congrats! Here’s how to keep him or her doing their best for you. 1. Help your lawyer meet the deadlines imposed by law. […]
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What does Shared Parental Responsibility mean? Does that mean I have joint custody?
In a divorce, there are many issues that are difficult to resolve. But in Florida, one issue that is usually disposed of immediately is “Shared Parental Responsibility.” Some states use […]
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How to Talk to A Judge or Hearing Officer in Family Court
Most attorneys and judges will tell you that representing yourself in family court is a bad idea. But if you find yourself in that unfortunate position, here are a few […]
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If mom tries to relocate with the kids
What If My Ex Tries To Move The Kids Out Of State? If your spouse or the mother of your child to you tries to move the child out of […]
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Breaking News on Equal Time sharing. It Passed, Today, April 18, 2013
The equal time sharing bill passed the Florida legislature late this afternoon. It calls for equal time sharing by parents to be presumptive law in newly filed cases. Simply put, […]
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Equal Time sharing Presumption Passed the Florida Senate Yesterday. What This Means
NOTE: This bill still must clear the House, and it is expected to do so as the early versions of the bill passed the House committees by a large margin. […]
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How the pro-dad movement is pro-mom.
As a woman, a feminist, and the owner of a law firm dedicated to representing dads in family court, I have to be careful how I make friends. Father’s rights […]
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Can you be ordered to mediate in Florida?
Yes, you can absolutely be ordered to mediate your disputes in Florida, however, you cannot be court ordered to agree at mediation. If you and your ex cannot come to […]
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Judge, Hearing Officer, General Magistrate, what’s the difference?
What is a General Magistrate and Hearing Officer? In Florida, Chief Judges of each circuit may appoint General Magistrates and Hearing Officers to help manage the large caseloads of the […]
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My child support order is from a state which requires support to the age of 21.
I think we are usually talking about the state of New York, where child support continues until the child’s 21st birthday. Even if you are in Florida, and child support […]
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