A welcome change in child custody laws in Florida and across the country includes the move toward more equitable parenting plans. However, when one parent is not fit to deal with parental responsibility, the courts may decide to intervene. This typically happens in the face of evidence that a parent is abusing drugs or alcohol.
Author Archives: Carolyn Ward
Is a collaborative divorce right for you?
If you are a Florida resident contemplating divorce, both you and your spouse, despite your irreconcilable differences, probably hate the thought of a protracted, acrimonious court battle. What you may not realize is that more amicable options exist. One of them is collaborative divorce, and it may be the approach that best fits you and your spouse and your specific situation.
Should you and your spouse negotiate on your own?
During a divorce, many soon-to-be ex-spouses try to save money and time by negotiating with each other. In a few cases, it works. Many times, though, this move turns into a giant headache and worsens the situation. For one thing, you could make an offer that is not exactly legal or give up much more than you think you have to.
Overcoming the stress of deployment in military marriage
Being married to someone who serves in the U.S. armed forces may be one of the most challenging partnerships a person can face. Service members and their spouses must quickly adapt to changes, including moves to unfamiliar places and prolonged periods apart during deployment.
Changing tax law muddles alimony and property division for many
As if divorce was not hard enough, now Florida couples have to contend with new alimony laws that may turn the proceedings upside down. Alimony was once a useful tool for negotiating property division and for providing a lesser-earning spouse with some stability in the early years after the divorce.
Bitcoin is an important part of estate plan for many
Many in Florida and around the world are discovering the convenience and flexibility of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and other virtual wallets allow people to control their financial transactions without going through a bank. However, since no bank manages the accounts, those who invest in cryptocurrency must keep track of their own holdings.
Parental responsibility in blended families takes its toll
Since the coining of the term "blended family," stepfamily advocates have sought to bring out the best in the very difficult task of uniting a married couple with the children of their spouses. Each blended family has its own unique dynamic, and the assimilation of two worlds into one often seems like an impossible goal.
Why is it a mistake to post on Facebook during your divorce?
First things first: Yes, some people are able to use social media just fine during their divorce without experiencing repercussions. However, it is a good idea to, at the very least, avoid Facebook use and other social media use. To cover your bases altogether, the recommendation is to suspend your posting until the divorce is over.
Don’t neglect health insurance during property division
While going through a divorce, the process may consume a person's thoughts. There is much to consider and plan, including child custody issues and property division. However, one factor many in Florida may neglect to consider is the how the divorce will affect their health insurance coverage.
For business owner, estate plan is crucial
The steps one takes to prepare a business for the future are similar to the steps one takes to prepare one's family for the future. Leaving these to chance means placing family or business at risk of meeting difficult times and perhaps serious financial struggles. For a business, it may even mean its demise if its owner does not take the time to make an estate plan.