Use of Our Family Wizard in Florida child custody cases

Use of Our Family Wizard in Florida child custody cases

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Can a Florida family law court force parents to communicate via platforms such as Our Family Wizard? This was one of the issues brought up in the appellate case Scudder v. Scudder, 4D19-2288 (Fla. 4th DCA May 6, 2020) in which the former husband appealed several child custody-related issues.

Florida alimony modification reversed for failure to allow testimony

Florida alimony modification reversed for failure to allow testimony

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony

The right to call and cross examine witnesses is fundamental to due process in a Florida family law proceeding. When a former husband was prohibited by the court from cross-examining the former wife, he appealed the order concerning his request to modify alimony payments in Benedict v. Benedict, 4D19-3266 (Fla. 4th DCA May 6, 2020).

Florida stalking injunction upheld in case of disturbing text messages

Florida stalking injunction upheld in case of disturbing text messages

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

According to a recent Florida domestic violence appellate case, “Where an injunction is sought by a victim of domestic violence based on completed acts, the petitioner is not required to establish reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of any act of domestic violence.” Whitlock v. Veltcamp, 1D19-3780 (Fla. 1st DCA May 6, 2020).

Proving non-marital or separate property in a Florida divorce

Proving non-marital or separate property in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

What is considered non-marital or separate property in a Florida divorce? Generally assets acquired before marriage, acquired with non-marital funds, or acquired by gift or inheritance are separate assets belonging to the spouse who owns them. It is possible for a court to mistakenly identify separate or non-marital assets as marital, as happened in the case Street v. Street, 2D18-283 (Fla. 2d DCA May 1, 2020).

Modification of Florida parenting plan based on parent's move back to Florida

Modification of Florida parenting plan based on parent's move back to Florida

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Does a parent’s move to a home closer to the children justify modification of a Florida parenting plan? This was at issue in the case Bryan v. Wheels, 1D19-2670 (Fla. 1st DCA May 1, 2020) in which the former husband appealed a court’s order modifying a parenting plan on the basis of the former wife’s relocation to within 35 miles of the children’s residence.

Equalizing payment in Florida divorce reversed for lack of ability to pay

Equalizing payment in Florida divorce reversed for lack of ability to pay

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

In a Florida divorce case, the court seeks to award each spouse his or her fair share of the marital estate through a process known as equitable division. It is important to remember that equitable does not always mean equal. In the case Jones v. Jones, 5D19-879 (Fla. 5th DCA May 1, 2020), the former wife appealed the court’s equitable distribution ruling, imputation of income to her, and the denial of her claim for attorneys’ fees and costs.

Petition for modification of Florida child support

Petition for modification of Florida child support

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida child support

Do you need to file a motion for rehearing in your Florida child support case? This was an issue in the case Delgado v. Morejon, 5D19-1618 (Fla. 5th DCA May 1, 2020) in addition to the former husband’s complaint that the trial court committed error in striking his pleadings.

Florida child support: Loans from friends insufficient to support finding of contempt

Florida child support: Loans from friends insufficient to support finding of contempt

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida child support

What happens when a parent refuses to pay child support in Florida? The parent could be held in contempt of court and sentenced to jail in extreme cases. In Pace v. Pace, 5D18-2343 (Fla. 5th DCA May 1, 2020), the appellate court reviewed the case of a father who contested the trial court’s finding of contempt against him.

Residency requirement in Florida divorce: Homes in different countries

Residency requirement in Florida divorce: Homes in different countries

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

For a Florida court to have the power to divorce a couple, one or both of the spouses must have resided in Florida for the six months immediately preceding the filing for dissolution. When parties split time between residences in Florida and other states or countries, this can make it difficult to ascertain the true residence of the parties. This issue arose in the case Mejia v. Mejia, 4D19-3847 (Fla. 4th DCA April 29, 2020).

Florida divorce: Error to decide equitable distribution based on speculative tax liability on forgiven debt

Florida divorce: Error to decide equitable distribution based on speculative tax liability on forgiven debt

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

It is possible for mistakes to be made in a Florida final judgment of divorce. This is why parties have the right to revisit the judgment through the appellate process. In Diaz-Silveira v. Diaz-Silveira, 3D18-919 (Fla. 3d DCA April 29, 2020), the trial court’s final order was appealed regarding equitable distribution and attorneys’ fees.

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes

Watch fireworks and fire up the grill with our weekend recipe picks!

Florida child support: imputation of income must consider local job market

Florida child support: imputation of income must consider local job market

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Paternity

When imputing income to an underemployed or unemployed parent, the court must consider certain statutory factors. In Williams v. Gonzalez, 4D19-3659 (Fla. 4th DCA April 22, 2020), the court considered an appeal of a father in a Florida paternity action in which he alleged the trial court committed error in calculating his income and determining the retroactive period.

Florida divorce: reducing an equalizing payment to account for present value

Florida divorce: reducing an equalizing payment to account for present value

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

A party who is owed payments under a Florida divorce agreement may be able to enforce those payments against the other spouse’s estate if the spouse passes away. This issue arose in the case Allen v. Estate of Allen, 4D19-2195 (Fla. 4th DCA April 22, 2020) in which the former wife sued the former husband’s estate to recover equitable distribution payments due to her under a marital settlement agreement.

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes

And just like that - the weekend is here again! Here are some recipes to keep the summer fun going.