In Florida, the courts in Miami overturned the ban on gay adoptions in August 2009. Judge Cindy S. Lederman wrote in her opinion that excluding gay couples defeats Florida’s mission to provide all children permanent families. The state has claimed that gays are more likely to suffer from psychological imbalances…
Many clients need immediate help when they first start going through a divorce. The idea that a divorce can take many months to finalize is very upsetting for most people. But there are temporary motions that can be filed to address issues such as temporary child support, custody, possession and…
Military divorces are subject to certain laws that are not applicable to civilian divorces. As an example, those active in the military are entitled under federal legislation in some cases to delay a divorce or to take advantage of court-appointed counsel. Additionally, military pensions are subject to different rules than…
For parents going through a divorce, keeping things civil can be difficult. Not keeping things civil can be difficult for the children involved. As divorcing parents are starting to look for alternatives to fighting over and in front of the kids, co-parenting classes are gaining in popularity. Co-parenting classes are…
Divorces are usually marked by battles over property and child custody issues. Deciding who gets to keep the family pet can add a whole new topic for couples to fight over. Who gets to keep the dog, cat or lizard is a topic that comes up frequently in divorce proceeding,…
An emerging divorce method, using what is called a “collaborative process,” brings legal, financial and mental health professionals together to help encourage cooperation between the divorcing couple. The method is starting to gain momentum as the Florida Bar has drafted legislation to codify collaborative divorces into Florida state law. The…
by Whitney R. Lonker, Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. wlonker@woodatter.com In Jacksonville, Florida and in all counties in Florida, if children are an issue in a divorce case, the courts will require that the parents attend and complete a parenting course or divorce class. In Jacksonville, Florida, the class is…
By Whitney R. Lonker, Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. wlonker@woodatter.com Time after time with my child custody cases in Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding counties such as Nassau, St. Johns, Clay and Putnam, the parties will enter into a stipulation or an agreement where each will retain all rights as…
By Whitney R. Lonker, Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. wlonker@woodatter.com When there are young children involved in a dissolution action, the case usually has many post dissolution issues that arise as the children get older and new conflicts are created. One issue that continually appears is that the child decides…
Written By: Lenorae C. Atter, Family Law Attorney latter@woodatter.com Are you paying child support after your rights have been terminated? Child support, according to Florida law, is the right of a child with parents living in separate households. The child support obligation begins at the child’s birth if the parents…