The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), cuts both ways on the issue of alimony. If you are a paying spouse, new divorces that are final post 12/31/2018, cannot deduct the alimony paid on their tax return. If you are a receiving spouse, the alimony payment you receive (if entered or modified post 12/31/2018, is no longer taxed. So,…
Helping Good People At Their Worst Times
Year: 2018
In a divorce, who pays the child’s college?
In Florida, once your child graduates highschool and turns 18, he or she are on their own. There is no requirement that either parent pay for college. However, if you are that parent who can help, the path is not clear for how to get financial aid. The following are tips to help you navigate: 1. The parent where the…
Can my child under the age of 18 be charged as an adult?
Even if a child is under the age of 18, the State Attorney’s office can choose to direct file with the adult court. The state has the power to allow the child to be prosecuted in the juvenile system or transfer them to adult court. The difference may not seem drastic, but it is. Generally, more severe charges are the…
To Collaborative divorce or not? That is the question:
To Collaborate or not to Collaborate, that is the question. Many have heard about the new collaborative divorce process available in Florida and other states. The claims from attorneys who advocate for this type of law believe that the new process is cheaper, avoids the uncertainty of a court’s decision and avoids the nastiness which comes with a contested proceeding.…
I swear, she said she was 18!
In Pensacola, Spring Break brings tourists for miles. College students and high school students are a large part of them. They meet new people and sometimes engage in sexual relations. In Florida, the age of consent is 18 years of age. For minors ages 16-17, Florida statutes provide an age-gap provision that allow a 16 or 17 year-old to legally…
Is it safe to confide in my parent or best friend during my divorce?
During your divorce or custody action, everything you say to your best friend, parent or boy/girl friend can be disclosed. You don’t have the luxury we did growing up of being able to ask your friend to keep your secrets. Your best friend can be subpoenaed to court and compelled to recount your conversations. Who can you talk to during…
What happens if I violate my probation?
If you violate your probation you can be facing jail or prison time. The outcome depends on what you were on probation for, the nature of the violation and other factors considered by the Judge. Often times people on probation violate because they are arrested on a new charge. If this is the only violation, I typically recommend resolving the…
What happens after I have been arrested?
What happens after I have been arrested? Often times people are unsure of the procedure or how the court process works after they have been arrested. Assuming that you are given some type of bond and post it after your arrest, the jail will provide you with your first court date, which is your arraignment. If you plan on hiring…