Florida domestic violence: Urging self-harm

Florida domestic violence: Urging self-harm

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

If a party urges another party to self-harm, does this entitle the victim to a domestic violence injunction in Florida? In a case in which a husband was accused of urging his wife to harm herself by placing weapons within her reach and suggesting that she use them on herself, this was an issue. The case is Thomas v. Li, 4D2023-1437 (Fla. 4th DCA July 17, 2024).

Consequences of a default in a Florida child custody case

Consequences of a default in a Florida child custody case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

How does the entry of a default affect a Florida child custody case? A default can be entered when a party fails to respond to a petition on time, and can also be used as a sanction when a party is not following court orders. The usual consequence of a default is that the party against whom it has been entered admits the allegations in the petition. This was an issue in the case Mendez v. Mendez, 4D2024-0113 (Fla. 4th DCA July 10, 2024).

Florida adoption: standard for terminating parental rights

Florida adoption: standard for terminating parental rights

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Adoption

When a person seeks to adopt a child in Florida, part of the process involves terminating the rights of the legal parents. What must be shown to terminate the rights of a parent? This was an issue in the case D.C. v. In re: The Matter of the Adoption of N.L.W., 1D2023-1725 (Fla. 1st DCA July 10, 2024).

Florida child custody: Out-of-State grandparent visitation orders

Florida child custody: Out-of-State grandparent visitation orders

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Grandparent visitation in Florida is limited because Florida law recognizes the right of parents to raise their children without interference. However, if a grandparent is granted visitation rights in a state that permits such rights, Florida case law has consistently held that it will enforce out-of-state grandparent visitation orders under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution. This was an issue in the case Mattingly v. Hatfield, 1D2022-0039 (Fla. 1st DCA July 3, 2024) which was reconsidered on rehearing.

Florida divorce: insufficient to merely cite statutory factors for alimony

Florida divorce: insufficient to merely cite statutory factors for alimony

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Making sure you have a transcript of a hearing in your Florida divorce case can help protect you in the event there is an appeal. A transcript is usually required when there is an appeal filed, and failure to provide one may result in dismissal of an appeal. There are situations, however, where a transcript may not be required because an error is apparent on the face of the judgment. This was an issue in the case Jocelyn v. Jocelyn, 5D2023-1586 (Fla. 5th DCA June 14, 2024).

Florida child custody: Delegating time-sharing decisions to a court-appointed doctor

Florida child custody: Delegating time-sharing decisions to a court-appointed doctor

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Florida law has consistently held that a court is not permitted to delegate its decision-making authority to third parties when it comes to child custody issues. This is because the court, and not other professionals, are charged with making decisions that affect the best interest of a child. This was an issue in the case Malley v. Malley, 4D2023-0332 (Fla. 4th DCA June 20, 2024).

4th of July

4th of July

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Holidays

We wish you and yours a happy 4th of July filled with fun, love and doing things you all love most.

Misclassification of a non-marital asset in a Florida divorce

Misclassification of a non-marital asset in a Florida divorce

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

In Florida, assets acquired prior to marriage are considered non-marital assets. This means the assets are owned solely by one spouse rather than jointly by both. Unless the parties agree otherwise, it is usually an appealable issue if a court awards a non-marital asset to both spouses in a Florida divorce. This was an issue in the case Smoot v. Smoot, 1D2023-0698 (Fla. 1st DCA June 12, 2024).

Florida child custody: Relocation statute must be strictly followed

Florida child custody: Relocation statute must be strictly followed

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

The Florida relocation statute contains requirements which must be followed to avoid dismissal or denial of a request for relocation. One such requirement is that if a request to move is based on a job offer that has been reduced to writing, the offer must be attached to the petition. This was an issue in the case Lane v. Fuller, 5D2023-1943 (Fla. 5th DCA June 7, 2024).

Florida family law: when oral and written orders conflict

Florida family law: when oral and written orders conflict

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

What happens when a judge’s written ruling does not match the judge’s oral ruling in a Florida family law case? Usually, a judge will orally announce a ruling at a hearing to the parties and then a written order documenting the ruling will be entered later. Inconsistencies between the oral and written orders were an issue in the case Silver v. Goodrich, 4D2024-0259 (Fla. 4th DCA June 5, 2024).

Delay in entering Florida parenting plan results in reversal

Delay in entering Florida parenting plan results in reversal

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

Delay in entering a Florida family law final judgment may require that the court conduct another trial. This is especially true where children are involved. In a recent case in which the court entered a parenting plan one year after it held a trial, the appellate court reversed the final judgment because it was not based on evidence concerning the best interest of the children.

Florida family law: attorney's fees in indirect criminal contempt proceedings

Florida family law: attorney's fees in indirect criminal contempt proceedings

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

Criminal penalties can sometimes be levied in Florida family law cases. These are usually the result of indirect criminal contempt proceedings. How is a request for attorney’s fees and costs determined in indirect criminal contempt proceedings in a Florida family law case? This was an issue in Burlinson v. Wilson, 4D2023-0464 (Fla. 4th DCA June 5 2024).

Florida divorce: Errors in equitable distribution

Florida divorce: Errors in equitable distribution

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Florida equitable distribution rules require the court to make certain findings. Without those findings, a Florida final judgment of divorce may be reversible on appeal. This was an issue in the case Hinojosa v. Hinojosa, 2D2023-0155 (Fla. 2d DCA May 31, 2024).