Author Archives: Jay Butchko
What Are The Steps To Stepparent Adoption In Florida?
When you marry someone with children, it is a rewarding and enjoyable experience to take on the role of being a supportive, loving stepparent. There may even come a point when you and your spouse would like to solidify the relationship through stepparent adoption. Under Florida’s adoption statute on who can adopt and be… Read More »
How Do I Modify Timesharing Under Recent Changes To Florida Law?
Florida uses the term timesharing to refer to the familiar concept of visitation between co-parents, but the basics remain the same. Children will typically split time, based on an arrangement that allows the parents to spend around half their time with the child. Parental responsibility is separate, covering how co-parents make the decisions involved… Read More »
Do I Need A Florida Prenuptial Agreement Before Getting Married?
When you plan to spend the rest of your life with someone, you might not think there is any need to protect your rights and financial interests through a prenuptial agreement. However, you may not realize the specific reasons why having a structure in place is important if the relationship breaks down. Florida’s statute… Read More »
What Are The Most Important Facts To Know About Child Support In Florida?
When parents do not share an intact relationship, they still have the obligation to provide financial support to their minor children. Some parents never marry, while others are going through divorce. Child support is also an issue in less common situations, such as after annulment of a marriage or during legal separation without divorce…. Read More »
Do I Qualify To Get An Annulment In Florida?
There is a lot of confusion about annulments because of similarities with divorce. Plus, there is also misinformation because these matters are a legal issue as well as a topic addressed by churches and religious organizations. Many US states have enacted statutes, but Florida divorce laws do not address annulment. To establish that a… Read More »
What Are The Recent Changes To Child Custody And Timesharing In Florida?
July 1st of every year is the date that numerous laws go into effect in Florida, after having been passed by the legislature and signed by the governor. This year, there were a few bills in the area of family law that may affect your interests. House Bill 1301 (HB 1301) includes several provisions… Read More »
Do Parents Have To Testify In A Florida Child Custody Hearing?
If you are involved in a Florida divorce case or other legal matter involving child custody, the idea of going to court can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, it may be necessary in certain proceedings. The Florida child custody statute focuses on the child’s best interests for disputes, and the concept covers much more… Read More »
What Steps Do I Take To Prove Paternity In Florida?
Paternity in Florida is tied to marriage, as a child born to married parents is presumed to be the offspring of both spouses. When a woman is unmarried, the father is not legally recognized and must prove paternity. There is a process for doing so under laws on determination of parentage, which is a… Read More »
How Do Florida Divorce Laws Apply To Timeshares?
Timeshares are an attractive option when you are looking to enjoy the benefits of a vacation home without the headaches that come with owning property in a distant place. Data from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) reveals the popularity of timeshare property, indicating that 9.9 million US households own weeks, points, or related… Read More »
Do I Need Approval To Relocate In Florida If I Do Not Have Child Custody?
Whether it is a job, family, or other personal reasons that motivate you to move within the State of Florida, you also know that you have legal obligations as the parent of a minor child. Your parenting plan on parental decision making and parenting time, i.e., custody and visitation, was based upon the locations… Read More »