Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
If a party to a Florida family law case wants the other party to undergo psychological testing, specific steps must be followed. The rule guiding these types of evaluations is found in the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure. Generally, the party seeking such an evaluation must show that good cause exists for one and that the condition subject to examination be in controversy. Such evaluations are most commonly requested in cases involving a child custody dispute.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Discovery in a Florida divorce refers to a process in which each party is entitled to request documents and other evidence to explore the issues in the case. This is the time when each party investigates issues raised in the petitions. One way to investigate is to send subpoenas for information from third parties such as banks, employers and the like. But what limits are imposed on the information that can be obtained by third parties?
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events**
April is here, and as Easter approaches, we have some egg-cellent activities for you and the family to enjoy in our weekend family fun guide!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Florida family law allows for the payment of attorneys’ fees and costs based on need and ability to pay. So even the “winner” of a family law case may be required to pay the other party’s attorneys’ fees and costs based on principles of equity. The playing field is leveled in this way so that one party does not have the ability to hire a lawyer while the other must proceed without counsel. However, before attorneys’ fees and costs are ordered to be paid, there must be findings as to a party’s need for them and the other party’s ability to pay them.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Injunctions for protection against domestic violence in Florida are civil restraining orders that are entered if evidence of certain acts have been established. In the case of an injunction against repeat violence, the Florida Statutes define repeat violence as two incidents of violence or stalking committed by the respondent, one of which must have been within 6 months of the filing of the petition, which are directed against the petitioner or the petitioner’s immediate family member (Fla. Stat. 784.046).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
The terms of a Florida marital settlement agreement are enforceable and subject to interpretation like any other contract. So when terms of a marital agreement are clear, a court will enforce them. This is illustrated in the recent appellate case Rector v. Rector, 2D17-3651 Rector v. Rector (Fla. 2d DCA 2019) in which the former wife appealed an order denying her motion for temporary fees to enforce the final judgment.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
Calculating child support in Florida is controlled by Florida Statute 61.30. The Statute goes over the type of income that will be considered in calculating support as well as any discretion the court has in adjusting the child support guidelines. The Florida child support guidelines are based on the net incomes of the parents, any daycare or medical insurance premiums being paid as well as a threshold amount of overnight timesharing being exercised by the parents.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events**
The last weekend of March is here already, can you believe it?! South Florida has lots of family fun to check out this weekend in our event guide.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
It is important for parties to bring court reporters to their Florida family law hearings as a type of insurance. This is because if you want to appeal a family court ruling, you usually cannot do so without a transcript of the proceedings. This is illustrated in the case Joyner v. Worley, 1D17-3540 Joyner v. Worley (Fla. 1st DCA 2019) in which the former husband appealed an order but did not provide a transcript of the proceedings.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
The year in appellate cases started off strong with the case Julia v. Julia, 4D17-2261 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019) in which the former husband appealed an array of issues in his Florida divorce ranging from equitable distribution to child support to alimony. Ultimately, the former husband prevailed on appeal on the issues raised.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Time and time again, we see cases in which parties’ marital settlement agreements are not fully clear as to intent. A paragraph about child support, for example, may say something, but when read years later, can cause different interpretations. These different interpretations usually lead to expensive post-judgment litigation as was the case in Quillen v. Quillen, 247 So.3d 40 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
Child support may be established via an administrative proceeding in which documents are sent to the parties by mail to establish child support. If a party disagrees with the proposed child support amount in mailed documents, he or she may request a hearing. As part of this process, retroactive child support can be established. Retroactive child support is that which was owed prior to the order being entered establishing the child support obligation. How far back can retroactive support be ordered?
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events**
Spring is here, and also for many, spring break! Kick off the weekend of vacation and nice weather with our weekend family fun guide.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
“Although determining whether notice provided is reasonable depends upon the circumstances of each case, we have not identified a single case where less than twenty-four hours' notice of a hearing impacting an individual's parental rights was upheld as reasonable.” - The Second District Court of Appeal in Florida in Ferris v. Winn, 242 So.3d 509 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018). In this case, a father’s right to communicate with his children was suspended after he received less than 24 hours notice of a hearing on the issue.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody
In order to modify a Florida parenting plan, a party must show a substantial change in circumstances that was not contemplated at the time of entry of the parenting plan. A court has much less discretion in modifying a parenting plan than it does when initially creating one. The main components of Florida parenting plans are timesharing and parental responsibility. In a case in which the mother sought to remove the father’s ultimate decision-making authority concerning extracurricular activities, the court granted more relief than requested by the mother.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
The State of Florida is authorized to initiate child support proceedings by serving a parent with notice of a proceeding to establish an administrative support order. This process is done by mail with a parent mailing requested proof of income and the Department of Revenue creating a proposed order to be sent to the parent who will pay child support. If the party disagrees with the order he or she can request a hearing. Because failure to respond to these documents could result in the entry of an order against a party which may not have accurate information, it is important not to ignore these mailed notices.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
To calculate child support in Florida, a Court looks at the incomes of both parents. Income is defined by Florida Statute 61.30 and includes business income. When using business income to calculate child support, Florida law requires the court to subtract ordinary and necessary expenses required to produce income from a party’s gross business income.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events**
It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend and if you’re looking for family-friendly fun, look no further than our weekend family fun guide!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
Parties to a Florida divorce case are understandably concerned about receiving a fair trial in front of a judge. If a party has a reasonable fear that he or she will not receive a fair hearing in front of a judge, he or she may file a motion for disqualification. However, as we see in the case Erlinger v. Federico, 242 So.3d 1177, certain behavior by a judge, although unpleasant to a litigant, does not automatically disqualify the judge from presiding over a case.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
An important component of a Florida family law case is proper procedure. Failure to follow proper procedural steps could result in a party losing a valid argument or claim based on technicalities. For example, knowing where to file your case is an important first procedural step that needs to be followed to start your legal process. In the case Robinson v. Robinson, 248 So.3d 174 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018), an order dismissing a suit to set aside a mediated settlement agreement was appealed.
