Florida child support: consideration of new partner's income in modifying support

Florida child support: consideration of new partner's income in modifying support

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support

When a couple divorces, it can be expected that one or both may end up in a new relationship. How does a new relationship, especially one in which a former spouse and a new partner are living together, affect Florida child support payments? This was an issue in the case Sunderwirth v. Sunderwirth, 2D20-2567 (Fla. 2d DCA January 5, 2022).

Florida stalking injunction: Contact with people related to victim

Florida stalking injunction: Contact with people related to victim

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

The subject of a Florida dating violence injunction may involve a break-up that goes wrong. When a dating relationship ends, the parties may behave in a way that gives rise to the filing of a domestic violence injunction petition. This was an issue in the case Bell v. Battaglia, 2D19-280 (Fla. 2d DCA January 12, 2022).

Florida Domestic Violence: Cyberstalking Petition

Florida Domestic Violence: Cyberstalking Petition

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

What qualifies as cyberstalking in Florida? According to the Florida Statutes, it is “To engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person . . . causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.” Fla. Stat. Chp. 784.048(1)(d). This was an issue in the case Strober v. Harris, 2D21-267 (Fla. 2d DCA January 5, 2022).

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

National Granola Bar Day and National Pie Day make this weekend a sweet one! Try the recipes in our guide for these treats.

Florida divorce: Injunctive relief cannot be too broad

Florida divorce: Injunctive relief cannot be too broad

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

When a party violates a Florida marital settlement agreement, what remedies are available to the other party? Depending on what provision of an agreement was violated, the innocent party may be able to move for contempt or enforcement. This was an issue in the case Smith v. Short, 2D20-3506 (Fla. 2d DCA December 29, 2021).

Florida family law procedure: Does a court have to grant a request for continuance?

Florida family law procedure: Does a court have to grant a request for continuance?

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

What is a continuance in a Florida family law case? This is a postponement of an event such as a hearing. If a continuance is granted, it usually means the original hearing date is cancelled and is or will be rescheduled for a later date. Continuances are within the discretion of the trial court judge, but there are certain considerations that must be taken into account when considering a request for continuance. This was an issue in the case Kalke v. Kalke, 2D20-3594 (Fla. 2d DCA December 29, 2021).

Florida Parenting Plan based on future events may not be valid

Florida Parenting Plan based on future events may not be valid

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

A Florida parenting plan can include many provisions, but there are some limits on what is allowable. One provision that is usually prohibited is a prospective change in time-sharing. For example, a parenting plan that says a time-sharing schedule will automatically change once a child turns a certain age may not be enforceable. This was an issue in the case Harrell v. Cook, 1D20-1379 (Fla. 1st DCA January 12, 2022).

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

National Bagel Day kicks off your Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, and we have some easy, yummy recipes for you to try.

Florida domestic violence: Incidents of stalking must be included in petition

Florida domestic violence: Incidents of stalking must be included in petition

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

In order to obtain a stalking injunction in Florida, a party must prove two separate incidents of stalking. When the parties to a stalking injunction case are neighbors, an injunction could interfere with the accused’s right to enjoy and be present in his or her own home. This was an issue in the case Sutton v. Fowler, 4D20-1978 (Fla. 4th DCA December 22, 2021).

Florida divorce: The gift presumption in equitable distribution

Florida divorce: The gift presumption in equitable distribution

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

An unequal division of martial assets and debts in a Florida divorce must be supported by certain findings made by a judge. When a party claims he or she contributed non-marital funds to a marital asset, the burden is on that party to prove the contribution was not a gift to the other spouse. This was an issue in the case Chatten v. Chatten, 4D21-694 (Fla. 4th DCA December 22, 2021).

Florida child custody cases: Failure to include analysis of relocation factors in order warrants reversal

Florida child custody cases: Failure to include analysis of relocation factors in order warrants reversal

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

When a parent wants to move more than 50 miles from his or her residence and there is a court-ordered parenting plan in place, the parent must either have the written permission of the other parent to move or must obtain a court order approving the move. The factors a court must consider in determining if relocation should occur are contained in section 61.13001 of the Florida Statutes. This was an issue in the case Mignott v. Mignott, 3D20-1225 (Fla. 3d DCA December 22, 2021).

Florida paternity cases: Biological fathers and Legal Fathers

Florida paternity cases: Biological fathers and Legal Fathers

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Paternity

Establishing legal paternity of a child in Florida is not based on DNA testing alone. A child may be raised by a parent who is on the birth certificate, but is not biologically related to the child. Disestablishment and establishment of paternity was an issue in the case Castillo v. Rodriguez, 3D20-681 (Fla. 3d DCA December 22, 2021).

Recipes for your weekend

Recipes for your weekend

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

The holiday season is behind us, and our new year is ahead of us! Focus on your goals this weekend by celebrating National Vision Board Day on January 8 while enjoying our weekend recipe guide.

Florida domestic violence injunction must be based on reasonable fear

Florida domestic violence injunction must be based on reasonable fear

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

A Florida domestic violence injunction is available to a person who is the victim of abuse and is in reasonable fear that the abuse will continue. The incidents alleged cannot be too remote in time, and must put a reasonable person in fear of becoming a victim of domestic violence. An appeal of an injunction was an issue in the case McGuire v. Boscan, 3D20-1419 (Fla. 3d DCA December 1, 2021).

Attorney's fees for enforcement of a foreign child custody order in Florida

Attorney's fees for enforcement of a foreign child custody order in Florida

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

In order for a Florida court to exercise jurisdiction over a child custody matter, the child at issue must have resided in Florida for at least six months prior to the date of filing a petition. Whether or not a child lived in Florida for the required period of time is a question of fact that is decided after an evidentiary hearing. Florida Statutes authorize an award of attorney’s fees for a parent who enforces a foreign custody order in Florida. These were issues in the case Alvarez v. Jimenez, 3D20-610 (Fla. 3d DCA December 1, 2021).

Florida family law procedure: writ of mandamus in child custody case

Florida family law procedure: writ of mandamus in child custody case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

When a parent is denied contact with his or her children, there are remedies that can be sought in court. A Florida child custody court retains jurisdiction to modify a parenting plan, including time-sharing, until the children turn 18. When a case gets “stuck” in the system, a parent may need to appeal to a higher court. This was an issue in the case Cisneros v. Guinand, 3D21-1910 (Fla. 3d DCA December 15, 2021).

Appointment of a guardian ad litem in a Florida divorce case

Appointment of a guardian ad litem in a Florida divorce case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

A guardian ad litem can be appointed in a Florida child custody case in order to investigate claims made by the parties, interview the children, and make a recommendation to the court concerning a parenting plan. This was an issue in the case Velasquez v. Mendieta, 3D21-1168 (Fla. 3d DCA November 24, 2021).

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Holidays

Happy New Year! Here’s to a happy, healthy, wealthy and love-filled 2022 for everyone. With gratitude, from your favorite Miami family law firm.

Service by publication in a Florida divorce: real property description

Service by publication in a Florida divorce: real property description

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

When a spouse cannot be located, how does the other spouse get a divorce in Florida? The spouse who cannot be located may be served by publication. This means notice of the case is published for four consecutive weeks in a local newspaper to put the absent party on notice that a case is pending. There are specific requirements for the notice if real property is involved. This was an issue in the case Contreras v. Contreras, 3D21-1226 (Fla. 3d DCA December 1, 2021).