Divorce actions are often contentious, and it is not uncommon for a Florida court to issue an order in a divorce proceeding that prevents a party from taking intentional or inadvertent actions that harm the other party’s interests. If a person fails to comply with the terms of such order,…
Many people involved in divorce proceedings in Florida cannot resolve their disputed issues without a trial. Once the trial is held and the court makes its determinations, it will issue a final order of dissolution. Parties can appeal such orders, but they must follow the procedural rules and guidelines. Otherwise,…
When a married couple with minor children decides to divorce, they will typically have to determine their parental rights. Making custody determinations can be a lengthy process for Florida courts, and in most instances, they will issue temporary custody orders prior to delivering final orders. As explained in a recent…
In Florida, marital assets are subject to divorce actions, while non-marital assets remain the property of the spouse that owns it. Assets that become comingled, where marital and non-marital funds intermingle, can present challenges during equitable distribution. The court may need to discern the separate contributions of each spouse to…
In family law cases, the courts will order one party to pay the other’s legal fees in certain situations. In doing so, if the court finds that the party from whom fees are sought engaged in litigation conduct that is deemed egregious, vexatious, or meritless, the court may impose fees…
In Florida, the courts may deem it necessary to terminate parental rights under specific circumstances outlined in the Florida Statutes. Termination of parental rights is a serious legal action and is considered when it is determined to be in the best interest of the child due to factors that jeopardize…
In Florida, parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support to their children. Typically, this obligation ends at eighteen. If a parent did not provide financial support for their child while the child was a minor, however, their co-parent may be able to recover retroactive support, even after the…
It is not uncommon in Florida divorce actions for one party to agree to pay the other alimony. Such payments may be conditional, however. For example, a support agreement may stipulate that if the party receiving alimony enters into a supportive relationship, there may be grounds for terminating alimony. The…
In Florida divorce actions, what constitutes marital property, and how such assets should be divided is often one of the most contested issues. Generally, separate property remains separate unless the spouse that owns the property comingles assets or otherwise takes action to commute it into marital property. As discussed in…
In Florida family law actions, as in other proceedings, parties have the right to appeal orders they believe were issued improperly. Such right is not absolute, however, as there are certain prerequisites to filing an appeal, including the requirement that the relief sought must be attainable. This was illustrated in…