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…
Helping Good People At Their Worst Times
Family Law
Where can I find divorce support groups?
In the Pensacola area there are at least two different churches who host Divorce recovery groups. Marcus Pointe Baptist Church 6205 North “W” Street Pensacola, FL on Tuesdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm; Feb. 6 – May 1, 2018 Olive Baptist Church 836 E. Olive Rd. Pensacola, FL 850-475-1147 or [email protected] Led by Stephen and Michelle Shelby Wednesdays | 6:00p-8:00p…
What is the difference between an annulment and a divorce?
If you try to open a Florida statute volume, you will not find a provision for annulments. However, you can still obtain one. Judges over time have created different causes of action via case law. Florida Courts have recognized reasons why a couple can get an annulment. They are: one participant is less than 18 years of age at the…
What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine?
In Florida, assets that you bring into the marriage are yours. The status of the asset can change however. If you for instance, had a house prior to your marriage, but added your husband to the deed, he is now entitled to it just as much as you. If you at the time of your marriage have a retirement account…
Can text messages be admissible into evidence at a hearing?
Absolutely, text messages are admissible! If you are in a family law case, emotions run high. People say things they later regret. But, when you do it either in a text message or email, the likelihood that you will see it in print at a hearing, is almost 100%! Bad behavior can be punished by a judge. It can reduce…
Does it matter who files for divorce first?
Often, clients will ask, “Does it matter who files for divorce first?” Technically, no, it doesn’t matter. However, strategically it can. The person who files first, named the Petitioner, will set the tone. If adultery or misuse of money is alleged, then we know the divorce is going to be contested and perhaps hostile. It is actually about $100 cheaper…
My husband cheated on me and I am angry. Will the judge give me my pound of flesh?
While I would like to say that a Judge can punish the cheater like in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the answer is no. In the state of Florida, it is no-fault. So if one says there are “irreconcilable differences” between you, a Judge doesn’t have to go any further to grant the divorce. The Judge doesn’t have to see private investigator footage,…
How is my business divided in a divorce?
How is my business divided in a divorce? When someone gets divorced, their assets can be subject to different rules in order to divide them. If one of the spouses began a business before the parties married, only the increase in value from the date of marriage until date of filing the divorce is considered marital. If the business began after the…
How does relocation after a divorce with children work?
After parties divorce, especially in this day and age, at least one spouse may relocate. It is almost inevitable if one party is military. The factors that the Court will consider are statutory in Florida. However, there is no rhyme or reason at times to be able to with certainty to advise a client that they will be able to…
Do I have to get off Facebook if I’m in a divorce?
If you are about to embark on a family law matter that will end with a court appearance, get off social media. Make your Facebook in active, refrain from using Twitter. If you want to keep the accounts, make sure that you avoid commenting on your case. Do not use social media to lash out at the other side or…