In any divorce or dissolution of marriage, an area of great concern(s) is the division of assets and debts. In Florida, the law provides for an "equitable distribution" of marital assets and liabilities. While a divorce court must begin with the presumption that marital assets and liabilities are to be divided equally, the court may distribute the marital estate fairly or "equitably" instead. Fair is not always equal. Factors to be considered include the contribution of each spouse to the marriage; the duration of the marriage; and the economic circumstances of each spouse. Alimony is determined after equitable distribution.
Equitable Distribution the Division of Assets and Liabilities in a Divorce
Child Support, Incarceration and Imputed Income
When a parent is about to be or has been ordered child support and the paying parent is or is about to be incarcerated, then what? This is a common occurrence in divorce and paternity cases and like many things in family law, the answer depends on the facts of each case. There is a distinction in the case law between setting child support and supplemental petitions to modify child support.
Alimony / Spousal Support in a Florida Divorce
In some divorce cases, alimony can be awarded to a former spouse that is in need of spousal support if the paying spouse has the ability to pay. Alimony is considered after equitable distribution. The court may grant alimony to either spouse. The requesting spouse must demonstrate a need for alimony and the ability of the other spouse to pay alimony.
Child Abuse & Neglect - Combining Criminal & Family Law
Allegations of child abuse or neglect can generate criminal or family cases against the accused. In many cases a parent accused of child abuse or neglect by the State of Florida in a criminal case will also find themselves defending against a Supplemental Petition to Modify a parenting plan or custody. Sometimes a third case of an injunction for protection against domestic violence could also be brought.
Divorce, Retirement Pension - Purchase of Premarital Years.
In divorces, a large asset for most people is their retirement or pension. A pension or retirement account is likely a marital asset that has to be divided by the divorce court. If a spouse began saving for retirement before the marriage, or if it is a second or subsequent divorce, then all of the pension may not be a part of the marital estate.
Family Law - Child Support Enforcement & Spendthrift Trusts
In family law, whether divorce or paternity, once there is an order of child support, the next problem for some is collecting said support payments. Enforcement of child support can be especially difficult when the obligor has no assets, hidden assets or protected assets. One way to protect assets from being depleted is by having a spendthrift trust that restricts the way that funds that are distributed can be used.
Even in Divorce Words Mean Things - "A" Prenuptial Agreement
In divorce or dissolution of marriage cases, if there are any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, the Court will have to decide the validity of the agreements but may also have to interpret the meaning. Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements are interpreted using contract law principles because they are contracts by another name.
Divorce and Tax Treatment of Alimony
In divorce or dissolution of marriage cases, the tax treatment of alimony or spousal support changed radically at the end of 2018. These changes will affect all cases where alimony is agreed to, or ordered by the Family Court. Effective January 1, 2019, the changes to the tax treatment of alimony have turned upside down the historical tax treatment of alimony
Florida's Equitable Distribution in Divorce - dividing property
In a proceeding for divorce, called dissolution of marriage in Florida, a substantial issue is the division of property owned by the spouses. First a divorce court will identify and separate each spouse's marital and nonmarital assets and liabilities. Identification of assets and liabilities as marital or nonmarital is therefore very important because, only marital assets and liabilities are subject to distribution in a dissolution action.
Changing Family Law - Florida Judge Overturns Ban on Gay Marriage
On July 17, 2014 Circuit Judge Luis M. Garcia overturned the ban on Gay Marriage in Florida. The case was in the 16th Circuit which only encompasses Monroe County Florida. Therefore, this decision is not binding on any other trial court. In addition it is not binding on any other County Clerk.
