Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Child Support: What is Imputed Income?
Under Florida law (Florida Statutes § 61.30), child support obligations are typically calculated using certain basic guidelines. While calculating child support may seem complicated, it is actually a reasonably straightforward process in the majority of cases. That being said, there are certainly exceptions to this general rule. In some circumstances, Florida family law courts… Read More »
What Makes Military Divorce Different
Military families face some unique challenges and stresses. Beyond deployment, tight schedules, and the potential for frequent relocations, not every couple is built for the military lifestyle. When military couples do choose to separate, they should be aware that there are some federal and state regulations that make these cases somewhat different from other… Read More »
Florida Divorce: Can I Change My Child’s Name?
Following a divorce, you may be interested in changing your child’s first name or last name. While certainly not all divorcing families seek to make this type of change, it is far from an unusual decision. You may feel that a name change is best to help your child adjust post-divorce. Under Florida law,… Read More »
Your Guide to Grandparent Visitation Rights in Florida
Grandparents can play a very important role in the lives and development of their grandchildren. Most families in Florida want grandparents to be involved. At the same time, there are cases in which conflicts arise between parents and grandparents. There are also cases in which grandparents may need to take action to protect a… Read More »
What is a Domestic Violence Restraining Order?
Unfortunately, domestic violence remains a serious problem in the United States. According to the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), more than 100,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported in the state in 2016. Approximately 60 percent of these cases eventually led to arrests. Victims of domestic violence have access to legal options that… Read More »
My Former Spouse Stopped Paying Alimony: How Can I Collect?
In Florida, alimony (spousal support) may be awarded to help the financially disadvantaged partner following a divorce. There are different types of alimony that can be awarded in Florida: including rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, durational, permanent, periodic and temporary. Many people rely on their alimony payments. If your former partner stopped paying alimony, it can cause… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down Decades-Old Rule that Disadvantaged Biological Fathers
On June 28th, 2018 the Supreme Court of Florida issued a major ruling in a key family law case. In Treneka Simmonds v. Connor Perkins, Florida’s highest court struck down a decades-old legal rule that severely disadvantaged biological fathers by putting a child’s ‘legitimacy’ ahead of a father’s parental rights. This is an important… Read More »
How to Overcome an Impasse in Divorce Mediation
We all know how divorce is portrayed in popular media: it is a difficult, fiercely contested battle of opposing interests that can get dragged out for years and that leaves everyone with hurt feelings. The reality is far different. While ending a marriage is always challenging, not every divorce has to turn into a… Read More »
Can a Child Choose Custody in Clearwater, Florida?
In Florida, child custody and visitation issues are handled under the state’s best interests of the child statute. Family law courts will work to find a child custody or shared parenting arrangement that is best for the health, safety, social development, and overall well being of the child. This raises an important question: Can… Read More »
Five Tips for Negotiating the Best Divorce Settlement
If you are going through a divorce in Clearwater, Florida, you are not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around half of U.S. couples separate prior to their tenth wedding anniversary. Though divorce is common in our country, that does not make it any easier. Going through a divorce… Read More »
