Dating violence injunction in Florida

Dating violence injunction in Florida

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Domestic Violence

A petition for injunction against dating violence in Florida requires that the alleged victim show a dating relationship, violence during the relationship and imminent future violence. This was an issue in the case Adams v. Cox, 5D2023-1821 (Fla. 5th DCA May, 2025).

Summer break time-sharing in a Florida parenting plan

Summer break time-sharing in a Florida parenting plan

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

It is common in a Florida parenting plan, for the court to specify vacation dates during summer for each parent. For example, a parenting plan might state the parties will follow the regular time-sharing schedule except that each parent is entitled to take two weeks of vacation with the child each year. If not carefully worded, this provision can create confusion. This was an issue in the case Murnane v. Murnane, 5D2023-1128 (Fla. 5th DCA May 2, 2025).

Florida permanent alimony after July 1, 2023

Florida permanent alimony after July 1, 2023

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

Permanent alimony was abolished in Florida on July 1, 2023. Cases pending on or after that date were subject to revised alimony statutes. If an appeal was pending in a case in which permanent alimony was awarded prior to July 1, 2023, how did that affect the viability of the permanent alimony award? This was an issue in the case Alfonso v. Alfonso, 4D2024-0698 (Fla. 4th DCA May 7, 2025).

Miscalculation of Florida child support

Miscalculation of Florida child support

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support

When calculating child support in Florida, it is possible for courts to make mistakes in calculating the numbers. This can be remedied, if necessary, via an appeal. But what if a party does not have a transcript of the trial at which the child support was calculated? This was an issue in the case Garwood v. Garwood, 6D2023-1793 (Fla. 6th DCA April 25, 2025).

Payment of attorney's fees in a Florida divorce case when incomes are similar

Payment of attorney's fees in a Florida divorce case when incomes are similar

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce

When determining either party’s ability to pay attorney’s fees in a Florida divorce case, the court looks to assets and income available to both parties. When one party has disproportionately more financial resources than the other party, that party may be required to pay attorney’s fees for the other party. This was an issue in the case Ramakrishnan v. Ramakrishnan, 5D2024-2510 (Fla. 5th DCA April 25, 2025).

Florida family law: dismissal with prejudice versus without prejudice

Florida family law: dismissal with prejudice versus without prejudice

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

What does it mean when a case is dismissed with prejudice in a Florida family law proceeding? This means the matter that is dismissed cannot be refiled and is forever barred. If a case is dismissed without prejudice, it means the matter can be re-filed at a later date and/or when circumstances change. Dismissal with prejudice is usually a drastic measure and is used only under stringent standards. This was an issue in the case Cabrera v. Miranda, 3D24-1993 (Fla. 3d DCA April 30, 2025).

No transcript in a Florida domestic violence case may mean a lost appeal

No transcript in a Florida domestic violence case may mean a lost appeal

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

When a domestic violence injunction is entered against a party in Florida, and it is appealed, the appellate court evaluates the case under an abuse of discretion standard and determines whether the injunction is supported by competent, substantial evidence. This was an issue in the case Lau v. Gonzalez, 3D24-1491 (Fla. 3d DCA April 30, 2025).

Appellate attorney's fees in a Florida paternity case

Appellate attorney's fees in a Florida paternity case

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

When an appeal is taken in a Florida paternity case, can the parties seek appellate-level fees? Chapter 742 of the Florida Statutes (the chapter that provides the framework for paternity cases) states “The court may from time to time, after considering the financial resources of both parties, order a party to pay a reasonable amount for attorney’s fees, suit money, and the cost to the other party of maintaining or defending any proceeding under this chapter, including enforcement and modification proceedings.” § 742.045, Fla. Stat. (2025).

Florida child custody: the effect of temporary sole parental responsibility

Florida child custody: the effect of temporary sole parental responsibility

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

How does an award of temporary sole parental responsibility affect school designation? The school boundary designation in a parenting plan may conflict with an award of temporary sole parental responsibility, but the primary focus is the best interest of a child. This was an issue in the case Healy v. Healy, 4D2024-1087 (Fla. 4th DCA April 23, 2025).

Antisuit injunction in a Florida child custody case

Antisuit injunction in a Florida child custody case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Custody

When a child is wrongfully removed from Florida or the United States, the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, and/or the Hague Convention may be implicated. When there are competing orders in different jurisdictions, a party may seek an antisuit injunction which means they are asking the Florida court to prevent a foreign court from exercising jurisdiction in the case. This was an issue in the case Niemeyer v. Niemeyer, 3D24-1692 (Fla. 3d DCA April 23, 2025).

Modifying the dependency tax exemption in a Florida child support case

Modifying the dependency tax exemption in a Florida child support case

Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Child Support

In a Florida child support case, the court may assign the tax dependency exemption to one parent or the other. The court can also order that the dependency exemption be alternated between the parties, with one claiming the exemption one year, and the other claiming the exemption the next year. Modification of the tax dependency exemption was an issue in the case Dorsett v. Ferguson, 2D2024-0917 (Fla. 2d DCA April 23, 2025).

Florida family law: prosecution costs for indirect criminal contempt

Florida family law: prosecution costs for indirect criminal contempt

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

When a party is accused of indirect criminal contempt in a Florida family law case, the case takes on criminal procedure elements that must be satisfied in order for the court to enter a judgment of contempt. Can prosecution costs be assessed against the accused if he or she is found to be in contempt? This was an issue in the case Robilotta v. Karkhoff, 4D2023-3049 (Fla. 4th DCA April 16, 2025).

Role of appellate court in a Florida family law case

Role of appellate court in a Florida family law case

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

Time and time again, we see appellate courts decline to grant relief in an appeal because a party did not provide a transcript of the hearing from the trial court below. The transcript provides a record for the appellate court to review what happened on the trial level. This was an issue in the case Scott v. Broughton, 3D24-1635 (Fla. 3d DCA April 16, 2025).