Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

Did you know this Sunday is National Toasted Marshmallow Day? In honor of the day, our recipe line up is all about - you guessed it - marshmallows!

Florida domestic violence injunction upheld despite claim of lack of jurisdiction

Florida domestic violence injunction upheld despite claim of lack of jurisdiction

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

How do issues of personal jurisdiction and subject matter jurisdiction affect a Florida domestic violence injunction? In the case Alobaid v. Kahn, 3D19-2128 (Fla. 3d DCA May 27, 2020), the husband appealed the entry of a permanent injunction on the basis that he did not live in Florida, and the child’s home state was not Florida, but Kuwait.

Setting aside a Florida family law final judgment or order

Setting aside a Florida family law final judgment or order

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure

When a party wants to set aside a Florida paternity order, there are certain steps which must be followed by certain deadlines. If a party believes there is a basis to have an order overturned or reversed, that party may be able to seek relief under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.540. The case Williams v. Taylor, 3D19-1926 (Fla. 3d DCA May 27, 2020) examines those steps.

Florida family law: Denial of motion to recuse general magistrate upheld despite procedural error

Florida family law: Denial of motion to recuse general magistrate upheld despite procedural error

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure

When a party feels a judicial officer holds a bias against that party, there is the option of filing what is known as a motion to recuse. This motion raises specific allegations of bias against a judge or general magistrate. In the case Seiwert v. Seiwert, 5D19-2809 (Fla. 5th DCA June 19, 2020), the former husband appealed the denial of his motion to recuse a general magistrate.

Florida same-sex divorce: child custody issues

Florida same-sex divorce: child custody issues

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Same-Sex Family Law

One area of Florida family law that is evolving is same-sex family law, particularly as it relates to children born during a same-sex marriage who are not adopted by or biologically related to one of the parents. This issue arose in the case McGovern v. Clark, 5D19-1525 (Fla. 5th DCA June 12, 2020).

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

We hope the first week of school for Broward County students went well, and we wish our Miami students well as they prepare to begin school soon! This week, treat yourselves and your favorite students with our weekend recipe picks.

Requesting mental health records in a Florida child custody case

Requesting mental health records in a Florida child custody case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Can a parent’s mental health records be subpoenaed in a Florida child custody case? The answer depends on what is at issue - is the parent being accused of having a mental health issue which affects his or her ability to parent? In the case Ricketts v. Ricketts, 2D19-3854 (Fla. 2d DCA June 19, 2020), we see a case in which it was ultimately ruled that discovery of the mother’s mental health records was inappropriate.

Classification of marital versus non-marital assets in a Florida divorce

Classification of marital versus non-marital assets in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Property acquired by either spouse before a marriage or after a petition for divorce has been filed is presumed to be that spouse’s non-marital property. This is because it falls outside of the definition of marital property which is defined as that acquired during the marriage. The same goes for liabilities. We see this in the case Jackson v. Blazer, 2D17-4686 (Fla. 2d DCA June 3, 2020).

How a parent's alcohol abuse may affect a Florida child custody case

How a parent's alcohol abuse may affect a Florida child custody case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

How does a parent’s substance abuse issue affect a Florida child custody case? Since the establishment of a parenting plan needs to be based on the best interest of the children, if the substance abuse affects a parent’s ability to care for the children, this is a factor the court will consider in determining time-sharing and parental responsibility. We see this play out in the case Frye v. Cuomo, 4D19-1417 (Fla. 4th DCA June 3, 2020).

Recipes for your weekend (spa edition!)

Recipes for your weekend (spa edition!)

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

In the spirit of National Relaxation Day celebrated on August 15, here are some at-home pampering recipes for your face and body that are all-natural and sound good for you!

Due process in Florida domestic violence case

Due process in Florida domestic violence case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

Due process is an important part of any family law proceeding, including Florida domestic violence cases. A party is denied due process when he or she is not permitted to present testimony or other evidence to support his or her claims and defenses in the case. This is illustrated in the case Price v. Taylor, 4D19-2427 (Fla. 4th DCA June 10, 2020).

Modifying Florida child support based on a parent's career change

Modifying Florida child support based on a parent's career change

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support

When a parent wants to change professions or jobs, how does this affect a Florida child support order? Depending on how the change affects the parent’s income, the change may not be sufficient to modify a Florida child support order. This is discussed in the case Gerville-Reache v. Gervielle-Reache, 1D19-1331 (Fla. 1st DCA June 11, 2020).

Parents may not be able to waive Florida retroactive child support

Parents may not be able to waive Florida retroactive child support

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Retroactive child support must be addressed by a Florida family court when it is requested by either parent. Since Florida law considers child support to be a right that belongs to a child, parents are usually not allowed to waive child support payments. This issue was explored in the case Johnson v. Johnson, 1D19-430 (Fla. 1st DCA June 15, 2020).

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

Happy weekend! Here are some yummy recipes to try with your loved ones.

The limits of contempt power in enforcing a Florida final judgment of divorce

The limits of contempt power in enforcing a Florida final judgment of divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

When it comes to filing a motion for contempt in a Florida divorce, it is important to understand what matters are enforceable by contempt. Equitable division matters are typically not enforceable by contempt under Florida law, however, support issues may be pursued via a contempt motion. In the case Vinson v. Vinson, 1D18-2602 (Fla. 1st DCA May 18, 2020), the former husband appealed an order of contempt against him that was based on a since-reversed order clarifying the nature of payments to be made under a final judgment of divorce.

Florida paternity order reversed for ruling on prospective relocation

Florida paternity order reversed for ruling on prospective relocation

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

A court-ordered Florida parenting plan usually cannot be based on future, speculative events. This is because no one knows the best interest of a child for most future events. This was an issue in the recent case C.G. v. M.M., 2D19-857 (Fla. 2d DCA May 20, 2020).

Prevailing party attorneys' fee awards in a Florida divorce

Prevailing party attorneys' fee awards in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Many Florida marital settlement agreements contain a “Prevailing Party” clause. This part of the contract usually states that if one party does not follow the agreement in some way and the other party has to take the delinquent party to court to enforce the agreement, the party who ultimately “wins” in court on that issue is entitled to have the other party pay his or her attorneys’ fees and costs. Sometimes it is not clear to the court whether or not there is a prevailing party and this was the issue in the case Gilbert v. Gilbert, 3D19-858 (Fla. 3d DCA May 20, 2020).

Temporary alimony award in Florida divorce must be supported by competent substantial evidence

Temporary alimony award in Florida divorce must be supported by competent substantial evidence

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Temporary alimony awards are made in a Florida divorce to give immediate relief to a spouse needing financial support. If a party had to wait until the final hearing or trial in the divorce case, it may take several months or years to get to that hearing, and in the meantime, the party is without sufficient funds to maintain good financial standing. An award of temporary alimony was appealed in the case Jones v. Jones, 5D19-3463 (Fla. 5th DCA May 22, 2020).