What Is Family Law?

Divorce

Also known as Dissolution of Marriage, every divorce proceeding is unique. We handle straightforward uncomplicated divorces and complex dissolutions. A divorce can involve:

• Alimony
• Division of property
• Complex business evaluation
• Mutual funds, stocks and securities distribution
• Evaluation of assets
• Debt management
• Pensions/401K Plans
• Children's Issues
• Attorneys Fees & Costs

We can be trusted to negotiate an equitable distribution of debts and assets, as well as handling all other matters related to divorces.

Paternity

We represent fathers and mothers seeking relief from the courts to establish parental rights for the purpose of:

• Receiving child support
• Establishing visitation, contact and access rights
• Establishing shared parental responsibility

Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody, support, and visitation decisions are some of the most important aspects of a dissolution proceeding, or paternity for individuals with children. In determining how parental responsibilities are to be shared, a couple must determine:

• The primary and secondary residence of the children
• Whether rotating custody is appropriate
• What the visitation schedule will be
• Shared decision making

There are a number of important issues that must be determined in the calculation of child support, including:

• Income of the parties
• The needs of the child
• The contact and access schedule
• The needs of the children for health and life insurance

Alimony

There are many issues involved in formulating an alimony schedule. Our experience and focus ensures that our clients have the best advice available, regarding:

• Whether alimony should be permanent and periodic
• Whether rehabilitative or lump sum alimony is appropriate
• Whether alimony should not be paid
• The effects of a long-term marriage versus a short-term marriage
• A determination of need
• An ability to pay

Separate Maintenance Agreements

For some married couples, dissolution of marriage is not a possibility. Separate maintenance agreements can be crafted so that a spouse who is separated can still receive support payments.

Domestic Violence Injunctions and Restraining Orders

Our attorneys are available to assist in procuring a Domestic Violence Injunction or in defending an individual against the granting of one. In the state of Florida, a family member who is in imminent danger or who is a victim of abuse by another family member or by a person with whom they have had a child or with whom they are cohabitating may apply for a domestic violence injunction. It is a stronger remedy then a restraining order because it provides protection in conjunction with law-enforcement.

Enforcement Actions

We represent clients in the enforcement of all agreements that have resulted from the dissolution process, including:

• Shared parenting issues
• Contact and access to the children
• Visitation
• Child support
• Property settlement
• Alimony

The contempt power of the courts may be able to be utilized for enforcement.

Post-Judgment Proceedings

We represent clients who are seeking to make an amendment to the agreements that have resulted from a dissolution of marriage or paternity process, including:

• Emancipation of child
• Increase or diminishment of child support
• Changes in the primary residence due to the best interest of the child based on a change in circumstances
• Modifications of child support and alimony due to changes in economic circumstances
• Changes in contact and access schedules

Juvenile Court Dependency Proceedings

We defend against and institute dependency proceedings. In a dependency proceeding, the court looks to see if a child has been abused, abandoned or neglected to determine whether that child should stay in the custody of his or her parents. If you feel that a child is not being properly cared for, a dependency proceeding to place that child into the custody of a more appropriate caregiver is an option.

Prenuptial Agreements

Our goal is to protect and safeguard our client's premarital assets according to the agreement between the parties. It is of the utmost importance that every aspect of a prenuptial agreement is valid and enforceable because, in general, prenuptial agreements are disfavored by law. We pay particular attention to the drafting and the execution of a prenuptial agreement to insure that it will be enforceable. We also represent individuals who are seeking to have a prenuptial agreement enforced or disqualified.

Grandparent's Rights

Although grandparent's rights have been significantly diminished by Florida Supreme Court decisions, our firm is available to advise you as to what rights exist and what remedies are available.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

It is our goal to facilitate an amicable agreement for the parties in a dissolution of marriage. We believe that using alternative dispute resolution reduces the emotional and financial costs of a divorce proceeding. While we are ready and able to take any case to trial, it is important to us to keep our clients out of the expensive litigation process. Because of our years of experience, nine out of ten of our dissolution cases are resolved out of court. We can accomplish this through negotiation between attorneys or by mediation.