Blog

Feb. 14, 2014

As a lawyer who has worked on many divorce cases, I can tell you first-hand that divorce can be a very emotional time, and emotions can greatly impact the divorce process. If it is a litigated divorce, emotions can even go as far as driving one or both parties in a divorce to employ tactics and make demands that delay and complicate the divorce proceedings.

Feb. 11, 2014

Last year, alimony law in Florida came one governor's veto shy of changing significantly, and it's possible that the Florida State Legislature could be debating the issue this year as well. Last year's bill sought to change the duration and circumstances under which alimony was allowed, and it also addressed timesharing by establishing a legal presumption that equal timesharing should be awarded in the vast majority of cases.

Jan. 16, 2014

One of the most challenging issues in any divorce case is parental interference. When a divorce decree is signed, parents either agree to a time-sharing schedule with their children, or, in litigated cases where they can't agree to the schedule, cede that decision to a judge who creates a schedule for them. Before a divorce is finalized, standing orders can help orchestrate time-sharing schedules and make sure that each parent gets a reasonable amount of time with their children.

Jan. 6, 2014

With the start of a new year comes the inevitable set of New Year's resolutions, and for many of us, the equally inevitable breaking of New Year's resolutions. The idea behind a New Year's resolution is based on sound principles, we want to change for the better, we see places in our lives where we can make those changes, and then we initiate a change in behavior.

Dec. 27, 2013

A few months ago, I had a friend refer a couple to me who were considering a divorce and wanted to review their options. When I talk to people about divorce, I run through all of the possibilities with them, including options that don't involve lawyers, or even counseling and reconciliation for couples who shouldn't get divorced.

Dec. 16, 2013

One of the most challenging timesharing issues for divorcing parents is where children celebrate the holidays. In Florida's typical orders for timesharing, children spend Thanksgiving weekend with their mother one year and their father the following year, and alternate the first half and second half of winter break with the parties usually alternating Christmas Eve and Day with the children.

Dec. 6, 2013

I'm starting this blog to articulate something I believe in strongly that divorce should not be fought in a courtroom. I have been practicing family law for over 25 years and have witnessed first- hand what happens when divorce becomes about winning and losing rather than trying to seek common ground.