Recent Blog Posts
Parties Seeking More Alimony Than They First Request Must Make Proper Amendments
Unlike child support, which is determined by a formula and where need is not a factor that is considered when making decisions about who pays what, in alimony situations, need and ability to pay are the two most significant factors that a court will consider. Of course, spouses in a divorce are usually left… Read More »
Ireland Looks to Reduce Divorce Waiting Period
In Florida, we have a very liberal and relaxed standard for being allowed to divorce. There is no waiting period, and couples do not need to spend any time separated before asking for a divorce. In fact, Florida does not even recognize legal separation. However, not all states or countries allow this. Ireland Voters… Read More »
Maine Court Makes Pet Custody Determination
A while ago we wrote about states that were passing laws giving judges the power to make custody determinations when it comes to family pets. Recently, yet another court has made a custody determination as to a family pet. Court in Maine Gives Custody to Animal’s Mother This time, it is a court in… Read More »
Not Every Family Law Obligation Can be Enforced by Contempt
Few things will motivate people to pay support, or otherwise live up to their support obligations, like an order of contempt. A contempt order, as the name sounds, is a declaration that a party has acted contemptuously or in disregard of the order of a court. As an ultimate penalty for contempt, a party… Read More »
Inference Stacking is Allowed in Recent Injury Case
Pretend that you are driving on the highway. You see a man standing by a pickup truck on the side of the road. His truck has work materials in the truck bed. He is looking to the middle of the road. You look to see what it is that the man is looking at…. Read More »
Compelling Your Spouse to Undergo a Mental Exam Requires Specific Showings
In a hotly contested divorce that concerns children, allegations of mental disorder can be quite common. Sometimes these allegations are just insults (he/she is “crazy,” or “out of control”), but other times the allegations can take a more material and serious tone (“he/she hits the wall when angry” or “he/she gets in fights with… Read More »
There Are No Gender Presumptions WIth Alimony or Child Support
It can be very difficult to get rid of gender stereotypes or common notions of traditional gender roles and responsibilities. One area where stereotyping still tends to be commonplace is when it comes to paying alimony and child support. Many people still think of these obligations as a man’s obligation to pay, and many… Read More »
The Hague Convention Can Help Return a Child Illegally Taken Out of the Country
When a parent takes child out of state without the consent of the other party, or in violation of an existing court order or marital settlement agreement, it is always a concerning situation. Aside from being illegal, and demonstrating a lack of respect for the law or the agreement of the parties, the parent… Read More »
What Happens When Children Don’t Want to Follow a Time-Sharing Agreement?
Children under the age of 18 are generally not considered legally competent to make their own decisions. Although we do take their interests into account when making custody and time sharing decisions, their wishes when it comes to these matters do not determine, by themselves, what is in their best interests. When a Child… Read More »
The Art of Jury Selection
A large part of winning a personal injury trial is selecting the right jury. Poor jury selection can end up with a losing case, regardless of how good the witnesses or facts may be. Jurors are a panel of our peers, but they are human beings, and go into the jury selection process with… Read More »
