Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Florida Post-Divorce Modification Actions
For parents who share minor children, disputes may continue long after their divorce becomes final. Court orders with respect to children, such as child support and timesharing plans, can change periodically until the children become adults. In some cases, parents are able to work out changes about their children on their own, but, in… Read More »
What Happens to Our Debts in Our Florida Divorce?
The reality is that most American couples carry debts, whether they stem from mortgages, car loans, or credit card accounts. When a couple decides to divorce, however, these debts can become even more onerous burdens, particularly when each spouse may be struggling financially in attempting to rebuild a life on his or her own…. Read More »
Handling Your Child’s College Expenses When You Divorce
Many couples start saving for their child’s college education during their marriage. Unfortunately, however, about half of all marriages will end in divorce. When a divorce occurs, one issue to determine is how to divide, maintain, or continue to fund existing 529 college savings accounts, which parent will benefit most from available tax deductions,… Read More »
Birth Certificates Still Do Not Reflect Same-Sex Spouses
It has now been more than a year since the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling gave same-sex couples the right to marry in the state of Florida. For Florida residents, however, that ruling has been bittersweet; although same-sex couples can marry, the State of Florida still refuses to place the names of both parents… Read More »
How Dragging Out Your Divorce Hurts Your Children
The decision to seek a divorce is neither easy nor quick for most people; rather, it tends to start slowly and build momentum over months or even years until it gets to the point that divorce is the only remaining option. The inevitable uncertainty and guilt that tends to accompany a divorce can cause… Read More »
New Study Shows Steady Decline in Military Divorce Rate
According to the Department of Defense, new statistics show that the military divorce rate continues to slowly decline, just as it has for the last five years. The military divorce rate for 2015 measured three percent, down 0.10 percent from 2014. One researcher attributes the continued decline in the military divorce rate to military… Read More »
Interstate Timesharing Disputes Under Florida Law
The Florida legislature has adopted the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), which is a law that allows Florida courts to exercise temporary emergency jurisdiction over a child who is involved in an interstate custody dispute. (Here, it is important to note that Florida no longer uses the term ‘custody’, instead replacing it… Read More »
The Benefits of Separating Finances and Children in Your Divorce
In a recent Huffington Post article, a writer reflects on her ongoing divorce and how she and her husband were able to separate their finances from their children. She found that although it was difficult at times, working closely with her husband to implement a gradual parenting plan that allowed each parent equal access… Read More »
Who Gets to Keep the Pets in Our Divorce?
A 2015 survey by the American Pet Products Association reveals that close to 80 million households in the United States own a pet, which represents about two-thirds of all households. When these statistics combine with relatively high divorce rates, it is not uncommon for couples to fight over ownership of their beloved pet when… Read More »
Depositions and Your Divorce: What to Expect
Depositions are one of many discovery techniques that lawyers use when representing clients in any type of lawsuit, including a divorce. Discovery, in general, is designed to allow your attorney to get information from your soon-to-be-ex-spouse about issues related to your divorce. Through the discovery process, both sides to a dispute are able to… Read More »