Florida child custody: I am allowed to move without the other parent's permission?

Florida child custody: I am allowed to move without the other parent's permission?

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Can I move with my children to a different county or state? This is a frequently asked question when parents separate in Florida. The answer depends on whether the parents are married, and whether court proceedings for custody or in progress or have already taken place. Relocation of children is governed by Florida Statute 61.13001.

Calculating the marital portion of a retirement account in a Florida divorce

Calculating the marital portion of a retirement account in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

How is a retirement account divided in a Florida divorce? Usually, the marital portion is divided, and this consists of the value of the account on the date of filing for divorce minus the value of the account as of the date of marriage. The value of the account as of the date of marriage is considered the separate, non-marital property of the spouse who owns the account. How about interest on the non-marital portion of the account? This was an issue in the case Balazic v. Balazic, 5D21-1804 (Fla. 5th DCA December 22, 2022).

Florida child custody: Requirements of order for psychological evaluation

Florida child custody: Requirements of order for psychological evaluation

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Can the court require a parent to undergo a psychological evaluation in a Florida child custody case? Yes, if certain requirements are met. The parent’s mental condition must be in controversy and there must be good cause for the examination. A parent appealed the court’s order requiring him to undergo a psychological evaluation in the case Childs v. Cruz-Childs, 2D22-787 (Fla. 2d DCA December 28, 2022).

Alimony, equitable distribution and attorney's fees in a Florida divorce

Alimony, equitable distribution and attorney's fees in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony

Calculating alimony in Florida is a process requiring consideration of multiple factors. The length of the marriage, the relative financial circumstances of the parties, and the ages and health of the parties are some of these factors. Alimony is governed by Fla. Stat. 61.08.

Florida divorce: Dividing a pension when the value is unknown

Florida divorce: Dividing a pension when the value is unknown

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

What can a Florida divorce court do if the value of an asset is unknown at the time equitable distribution is decided? With a pension, for example, the value of the account can be assigned or expressed as a percentage based on the years of marriage. This was an issue in the case Cupo v. Cupo, 4D22-64 (Fla. 4th DCA December 21, 2022).

Notice requirements in a Florida child custody modification case

Notice requirements in a Florida child custody modification case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

When filing a petition for modification of a Florida parenting plan, a parent has to be careful to include all desired relief in his or her petition. This is because the court cannot grant relief that is not requested in the petition, as doing so would violate the due process rights of the other parent. This was an issue in the case Picard v. Picard, 2D21-3500 (Fla. 2d DCA December 21, 2022).

Jurisdiction in a Florida domestic violence case

Jurisdiction in a Florida domestic violence case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

Jurisdiction over a Florida domestic violence case depends on where the parties reside and where the domestic violence occurred. Alleged violence could have occurred in another state, but if the alleged victim or the alleged abuser reside in Florida, a Florida court may still have jurisdiction over a domestic violence injunction case.

Florida divorce: credits upon sale of marital home

Florida divorce: credits upon sale of marital home

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

When a house is sold in a Florida divorce case, is a party entitled to credits for payments made toward the house pending the sale? A party might be able to claim credits for expenses paid on the home if there is an agreement to that effect or the court determines the credits are equitable.

Modification of Florida alimony

Modification of Florida alimony

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony

Modifying permanent alimony in Florida requires a showing of a substantial change in circumstances, among other proof. The party requesting modification has the high burden of showing that circumstances have changed beyond their control. This was an issue in the case Branham v. Branham, 5D22-320 (Fla. 5th DCA December 2, 2022).

Florida family law: Appealing entitlement to attorney's fees

Florida family law: Appealing entitlement to attorney's fees

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

Attorney’s fees awarded pursuant to Florida Statute 57.105 in a family law case are usually awarded due to frivolous litigation. This means the court determined a party pursued litigation that he or she knew was baseless, false, and/or not supported by the law. If a 57.105 motion is granted against that party, he or she can be ordered to pay the other party’s attorney’s fees and costs for having to defend against the litigation.

Florida child custody: Modification or contempt?

Florida child custody: Modification or contempt?

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida child custody

When a parent undermines the other parent’s attempts to meaningfully co-parent or make important decisions about a child’s welfare, a motion for contempt or enforcement may be appropriate. However, a petition for modification of a parenting plan may also be proper. This was an issue in the case Matheson v. Matheson, 2D21-1780 (Fla. 2d DCA December 7, 2022).

Enforcement of Florida prenuptial agreements

Enforcement of Florida prenuptial agreements

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Prenuptial Agreements

When it is time to enforce a Florida prenuptial agreement, both spouses should feel confident that what they agreed to when they married will be honored when they divorce. Sometimes, however, when divorce happens, spouses do not always agree on how words in the agreement are interpreted, leading to expensive litigation. This is why it is important to have an agreement that has straightforward, clear terms. Interpretation of a prenuptial agreement was an issue in the case Shobola v. Shobola, 2D20-3657 (Fla. 2d DCA December 7, 2022).

Florida child custody: transferring jurisdiction to another state

Florida child custody: transferring jurisdiction to another state

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

If a parent moves to another state after a Florida court makes a child custody determination, can jurisdiction over the case be transferred to the other state? The answer depends on many factors, but it is possible for another state to take jurisdiction over the case. This was an issue in Beehler v. Beehler, 1D19-1788 (Fla. 1st DCA December 2, 2022).

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Holidays

"Keep feeling the need for being important. Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love. I want you to be the first in moral excellence. I want you to be the first in generosity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

South Florida weekend family fun guide

South Florida weekend family fun guide

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

This holiday weekend, you can catch a laser show, be all about flamingos, and more! Check out our family fun guide for events near you.

Modification of Florida alimony must be based on substantial change in circumstances

Modification of Florida alimony must be based on substantial change in circumstances

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony

When a party seeks to modify alimony, circumstances must be different from when the alimony was first awarded. The change must be unanticipated and substantial. What if an alimony recipient gains new credentials or employment? Is this enough to warrant a modification of alimony? This was an issue in the case Girard v. Girard, 4D21-2618 (Fla. 4th DCA November 30, 2022).

Disqualification of opposing lawyer in Florida family law case

Disqualification of opposing lawyer in Florida family law case

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

Can a party file a motion to disqualify the other party’s lawyer in a Florida family law case? This is possible when there are valid grounds to do so. For example, if the opposing lawyer previously represented both parties, this may be a reason to disqualify the lawyer from representation. Disqualification was an issue in the case Levy v. Levy, 3D22- 427 (Fla. 3d DCA November 30, 2022).