Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Collaborative Divorce in Florida: The Use of Expert Witnesses
Witness testimony can be an important part of a legal case. There are different types of witnesses. An eyewitness can testify as to what actually happened — meaning they can help to establish the basic facts and provide important details. On the other hand, an expert witness is a person who possesses special knowledge… Read More »
Divorce and Social Security Benefits
Social Security benefits are an important part of the ‘three-legged stool’ that makes up the retirement security in the United States. Yet, many people simply do not understand their Social Security benefits. Indeed, a study from the National Retirement Institute found that more than 90 percent of Americans lack a comprehensive understanding of their… Read More »
August is One of the Leading Months for Divorce Filings in the United States
In general, August is viewed as a bit of a ‘laid back’ month — families go on vacation, people relax and enjoy the end of summer, and even the United States Congress goes into its annual recess. With this in mind, it may be surprising to learn that August is actually one of the… Read More »
Five Benefits of a Collaborative Divorce
In Florida, couples who are separating have the option to use the state’s collaborative divorce process. It is an approach to divorce that tries to put everyone — both spouses and their attorneys — on the same team. Even more so than mediation, collaborative divorce emphasizes the advantages of working together and finding mutually… Read More »
What is ‘Dissipation of Assets’ and How Does it Affect a Divorce in Florida?
In Florida, a divorcing couple’s marital assets must be divided in an equitable manner. Equitable is not always equal. What constitutes a ‘fair’ distribution of property will depend entirely on the specific circumstances of marriage. If one spouse ‘dissipated’ assets — meaning they wasted, abused, or improperly depleted assets — a Florida court has… Read More »
Four Things You Need to Know About Taxes and Divorce
Getting a divorce can be complicated, stressful, and emotionally challenging. With so much going on, it is easy for some more mundane things, such as tax issues, to get overlooked. That being said, forgetting about taxes could be a major financial mistake — a divorce has the potential to have significant tax consequences. You… Read More »
Four Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Florida Family Law Mediation
Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that can help family members work out their issues in a informal venue outside of a traditional courtroom. As explained by the Florida Courts, mediation is “voluntary” and “confidential” — the process is set up to help parties reach a mutually agreeable settlement. If you… Read More »
Five Common Divorce Mistakes You Should Avoid
Going through a divorce can be stressful and overwhelming. If you are preparing for divorce in Florida, it is essential that you know how to protect your emotional well-being, your family, and your legal rights. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes in divorce — as a consequence, the process becomes even more difficult. Here, our… Read More »
Supervised Time-sharing (formerly known as visitation): When is it Required in Florida?
Several years ago the Florida Legislature changed the legal terms related to custody and visitation. Though those terms are still generally used by the public they are no longer the legal terms used in a family law case. The term “time-sharing” is now used to describe what days a child goes with a specific… Read More »
What Happens to Your Inheritance When You Get Divorced in Florida
If you received an inheritance from a relative or a loved one, you may be interested in protecting it in a divorce. Under Florida law, divorcing couples must divide their marital property in a reasonably fair manner. However, not all of your assets will necessarily be deemed marital assets. Indeed, when handled properly, inheritance… Read More »
