Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When calculating income in a Florida divorce case, we look at the Florida Statutes to define what this means. Income is defined by Florida Statute Chp. 61.046(8) as “any form of payment to an individual, regardless of source, including, but not limited to: wages, salary, commissions and bonuses, compensation as an independent contractor, worker’s compensation, disability benefits, annuity and retirement benefits, pensions, dividends, interest, royalties, trusts, and any other payments, made by any person, private entity, federal or state government, or any unit of local government. United States Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits and reemployment assistance or unemployment compensation, as defined in chapter 443, are excluded from this definition of income except for purposes of establishing an amount of support.”
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What happens to marital funds in a college savings account established for a child when there is a divorce? While it is not required that parents pay college tuition for a child in Florida, a college savings account can be awarded to one parent in equitable distribution as a trustee of funds for the child. This was an issue in the case Aronoff v. Aronoff, 4D21-3305 (Fla. 4th DCA February 15, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
What is retroactive child support in a Florida family law case? This is support that a court awards dating back to the date the parties no longer lived together or no more than two years prior to the date a petition for support is filed. The court determines how much support should have been paid during this period and orders the party responsible for support to pay it going forward, in addition to any ongoing amount of child support. Retroactive support was an issue in the case McGill v. McGill, 2D22-443 (Fla. 2d DCA February 10, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
What is hearsay in a Florida family law case? The definition of hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Basically, hearsay is a statement made outside of court. So if someone testifies “John told me last week…” what John said is hearsay. Hearsay is not allowed in a Florida family court hearing unless there is a valid hearsay exception listed in Florida Statute 90.803 or 90.804. Hearsay was an issue in the case Wells v. Wells, 2D21-3406 (Fla. 2d DCA February 15, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events
To kick off spring break, take a look at our weekend family fun guide for story time and mermaids!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
When a person is held in contempt of a Florida family law order, what are the person’s remedies? A finding of contempt usually requires that the court make other findings supporting the conclusion that a person is in contempt of a court order. A challenge to a contempt order was an issue in the case Walker v. Wallace, 4D22-1665 (Fla. 4th DCA February 8, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
Can my neighbor install a camera that looks into my yard? Many people may feel uncomfortable when a camera placed on a neighbor’s property looks into their property. However, this may not be illegal and can continue so long as there is a legitimate purpose for doing so. This was an issue in the case Coons v. Henderson, 1D21-3675 (Fla. 1st DCA February 8, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Can a court award relief not requested by either party in their motions or at a hearing? Generally, no. Parties are entitled to due process in Florida family law proceedings which means they are entitled to be put on notice of what issues are being considered at a hearing before a court can rule on them. This way, parties can prepare to defend against allegations. This was an issue in the case Cruz v. Matos, 4D22-700 (Fla. 4th DCA February 8, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can a Florida family court set aside a final judgment any time? There are deadlines and procedures to be followed in vacating a Florida family law order. Failure to follow those deadlines and procedures may mean an order vacating an order is invalid. This was an issue in the case Padron v. Padron, 3D22-2146 (Fla. 3d DCA February 8, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events
This weekend, learn about pollination, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and enjoy a free dance class with the family!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Alimony
Florida Statute Chp. 61.08 governs alimony. Factors are listed in this statute which must be considered by the court in establishing or modifying an alimony payment. Some of these factors include the standard of living established during the marriage, the duration of the marriage and the age, physical and emotional condition of the parties. Modification of alimony was an issue in the case Stivelman v. Stivelman, 3D21-1404 (Fla. 3d DCA February 8, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
When a party wants to remove a judge from presiding over a Florida family law proceeding, the party must file a motion for disqualification. “To be legally sufficient, a motion to disqualify must demonstrate some actual bias or prejudice so as to create a reasonable fear that a fair trial cannot be had.” Saenz v. Sanchez, 3D22-1688 (Fla. 3d DCA February 1, 2023) (internal citations omitted).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can a lien be placed on property for unpaid alimony in a Florida divorce case? The answer depends on whether special circumstances exist for imposition of a lien. This was an issue in the case Kritzman v. Kritzman, 3D21-624 (Fla. 3d DCA February 1, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
When someone is referred to as “pro se” in a Florida family law case it means that person is proceeding without a lawyer. That person is acting as his or her own lawyer. While not optimal, it is allowed, but the court can place limits on a pro se party who repeatedly violates rules or otherwise hinders the court’s ability to move the case forward.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events
This weekend, enjoy an orchestra, a boat ride and a cultural festival with our event guide!
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence
How recent must allegations be to support the entry of a Florida domestic violence injunction? There does not seem to be a definite answer to this question, but Florida case law indicates incidents that occur a year or more before the petition is filed may be too remote in time to support the entry of an injunction.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law
Do I need a court reporter for my Florida family law hearings? While a court reporter is not required in all hearings, it may be important to have one present to protect your ability to appeal. Without a transcript of the court proceedings, the appellate court is unable to review what happened at the hearing you are trying to appeal.
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support
Sometimes, a parenting plan is not clear on what expenses should be shared between parents outside of child support. Florida parenting plans include a designation of who makes decisions regarding the children’s education and health. They also usually include a split of who will pay for services related to these matters. When a parenting plan says the parents will split financial responsibility for “educational” expenses, does this include tutoring programs outside of school curriculum? This was an issue in the case T.W. v. T.H., 2D21-1069 (Fla. 2d DCA January 20, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Family Law Procedure
“Am I allowed to represent myself in a Florida family law case?” This is a frequently asked question that many may have because they feel they cannot afford to pay a lawyer to represent them. The right to proceed without a lawyer in a Florida family law case is not absolute. That is, the court can prohibit a party from proceeding without a lawyer, and this was an issue in the case Clark v. Baney, 1D22-118 (Fla. 1st DCA January 25, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can a spouse be stopped from selling assets while a divorce case is pending? In most cases, yes. This is because there is an order in place in most Florida jurisdictions that mandates that parties must maintain the status quo. A spouse may be worried that assets are being disposed of, and there is relief that can be sought to prevent this. This was an issue in the case Lanigan v. Lanigan, 4D22-727 (Fla. 4th DCA January 18, 2023).
