Miami family law attorney blog
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Paternity
Can attorneys’ fees be awarded in a Florida paternity case? The short answer is yes. The parties may agree otherwise, but there are limits to how they can agree. This is highlighted in the case Nishman v. Stein, 2D19-697 (Fla. 2d DCA April 17, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes
It’s hot outside, but we have some recipes to cool you down! Try some of our favorites.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
In order to obtain an injunction against repeat violence in Florida, a petitioner must show at least two incidents of violence via competent, substantial evidence. How far apart in time the incidents must be was an issue in the case Yehezkel v. Aral, 3D18-939 (Fla. 3d DCA April 15, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What does the six-month residency requirement for a Florida divorce mean? In order for a Florida court to have jurisdiction to enter a final judgment of divorce, one or both parties must have resided in Florida for at least the immediately preceding six months prior to the date of filing the petition for divorce. The definition of residency was in dispute in the case Lauterbach v. Lauterbach, 2D19-524 (Fla. 2d DCA April 15, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
When parties reach a stipulation in a Florida divorce case, this means they agree on something. Usually, stipulations are upheld by the court. Stipulations can save time and money since the parties will not have to spend time proving the subject of the stipulation. The power of such an agreement is illustrated in the case McVety v. McVety, 2D18-2250 (Fla. 2d DCA April 15, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
A party nearing retirement may consider filing a petition to modify his or her alimony obligation in Florida. In order to modify alimony, there must be a showing of a substantial, permanent change in circumstances which was unanticipated at the time the original support amount was ordered. Many parties disagree about whether retirement is an unanticipated change in circumstances, as was the case in Befanis v. Befanis, 5D19-359 (Fla. 5th DCA April 17, 2020).
This weekend, consider watching “Just Mercy”, an eye-opening film starring Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan that tells the compelling, true story of exonerated former death row inmate Walter McMillian. Warner Brothers is making it available in hopes of it being used as an educational tool to shed light on systemic racism. Watch for free on your favorite digital platform or visit https://www.justmercyfilm.com for more information. Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
When a child is born as a result of an extramarital affair, complications may arise with regard to paternity of the child. In the case Fla. Dep't of Revenue v. Ashby, 5D19-1244 (Fla. 5th DCA April 17, 2020), the biological father of a child born outside of wedlock requested that the court dismiss a petition for child support filed against him, likely on the basis that the mother’s husband was the legal father of the child.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody
When a parent wants to relocate more than 50 miles from his or her current residence with the parties’ child, it is important that the parent follow the appropriate steps to have the relocation approved. In the case Leos v. Hernandez, 3D19-1665 (Fla. 3d DCA April 15, 2020), an appeal was taken regarding the lower court’s decision to grant the mother’s request for relocation.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
When a parent is accused of child abuse, the child’s statements regarding the abuse may not be considered by the court unless they meet what is know as a hearsay exception. In the case Perrault v. Engle, 4D18-3458 (Fla. 4th DCA April 15, 2020), an unfortunate scenario arose in which a father was accused of sexually abusing his three year old son and an injunction was entered as a result.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
A self-employed party in a Florida divorce will need to show evidence of income and business expenses when it comes to determining alimony and child support. In the case Carter v. Carter, 4D19-351 (Fla. 4th DCA April 15, 2020), the former husband appealed a final judgment which imputed income to him for purposes of determining his support obligations.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes
Summer has unofficially started, so what better way to celebrate than to try some of our favorite recipes with loved ones this weekend?
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What is the purpose of a motion for rehearing in a Florida divorce case? In many instances, it is necessary to file a motion for rehearing in order to preserve appellate rights. By asking for a rehearing, a party is alerting the court that there are mistakes in the final judgment. Without giving the court the chance to fix those mistakes, the appellate court may not have jurisdiction to address any discrepancies in your final judgment. This was the issue in the case Russell v. Russell, 1D19-364 (Fla. 1st DCA April 9, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
The entry of a domestic violence injunction in Florida carries with it a stigma against the person found to have committed domestic violence. It can affect a person’s job prospects and certain privileges such as purchasing firearms. This is likely why the law requires that certain steps be followed before an injunction is entered. In Toler v. Pray, 2D19-997 (Fla. 2d DCA April 3, 2020), the entry of an injunction was appealed on the basis that all steps were not followed.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
In addition to Florida child support, parents can be ordered to pay a certain percentage of uncovered medical expenses. This percentage is usually calculated under the Florida child support guidelines. When a parent fails to pay his or her share of these additional expenses, the parent may be held in contempt of court and forced to pay the other parent’s attorneys’ fees and costs. This issue arose in the recent appellate case Johansson v. Johansson, 4D19-2661 (Fla. 4th DCA April 1, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Holidays
“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.”
– Jeff Miller
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes
This Memorial Day weekend, we honor the sacrifices of service members and their families. Here are some recipes to add to your grill as you spend the weekend with loved ones.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
If you believe there is an error in your Florida final judgment of divorce, what can be done? The answer depends on the specific facts of your case. One recent appellate case deals with this issue: Eaton v. Eaton, 1D19-0192 (Fla. 1st DCA March 23, 2020).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
After a final judgment of divorce is entered in Florida providing for equitable distribution of assets and debts, what happens when one spouse later files for bankruptcy, thereby affecting the distribution scheme? This issue arose in the case Martinez-Noda v. Pascual, 3D19-1646 (Fla. 3d DCA April 1, 2020) in which the former husband appealed a judgment that modified equitable distribution agreed-to by the parties in their marital settlement agreement.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
How long must one reside in Florida before a petition for divorce can be filed? According to Florida Statute Chp. 61.021, “To obtain a dissolution of marriage, one of the parties to the marriage must reside 6 months in the state before the filing of the petition.” This residency requirement was at issue in the case Robinson v. Christiansen, 3D19-1709 (Fla. 3d DCA March 25, 2020).
