Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Study Shows Risk of Divorce Higher for Those Who Marry in Their Early 30s
The Institute for Family Studies recently published the results of their analysis of data taken from the National Survey of Family Growth between 2006 and 2010. While it is not surprising that those individuals who married young, such as those in their early 20s, faced a heightened risk of divorce, researchers also found that… Read More »
The Challenge of Setting Aside a Divorce Decree
A final judgment is essentially the end of a court proceeding. For dissolution of marriage cases, the final judgment of divorce declares that the parties are legally divorced. It may also divide property, establish custody and grant future support payments. Absent an appeal, the judgment is set in stone and each party is obligated… Read More »
The Termination of Parental Rights in Florida
Outside of very serious circumstances, the state generally does not interfere with an individual’s right to parent their child. However, in certain circumstances, the courts may find it in the best interest of a child to terminate a parent’s rights. This includes the right to make decisions, spend time and determine who can access… Read More »
Understanding False Imprisonment as Domestic Violence
Many people are surprised to learn how many various actions come under the classification of domestic violence. Commonly reported crimes, such as assault or stalking, easily come to mind. But false imprisonment is another act of domestic violence that the victim may not even recognize. Under the Florida Criminal Code, false imprisonment occurs when… Read More »
Is It Time to Reevaluate Your Parenting Plan?
Its back to school season and many students are heading back for the first time as children of divorce. They may be starting a new school due to one parent’s relocation or shuttling back and forth between two households as part of a joint custody arrangement. While the freedom of summer makes custody splitting… Read More »
Pursuing a Claim for Permanent Alimony
The contentious nature of divorce is often driven by the issues of property distribution and alimony. Especially in situations where the spouses are uncooperative, discussions about granting alimony and the determination of an amount can lead to heated disagreements. Under Florida law, spousal support is the financial maintenance that one individual pays to their… Read More »
The New Trend in Marriage Dissolution: The Divorce Selfie
Many divorcing couples are turning to a cultural sign of the times to announce the end of their relationship. Divorce selfies are all over social media. Couples are using these pictures to not only tell the world about their new status, but to also demonstrate their intention to remain cooperative for the well being… Read More »
Paternity and Custody Considerations for the Unmarried Dad
Statistics indicate that by 2016, half of all new births will occur between unwed partners. Many of these instances will involve cohabitating couples who, even though unmarried, plan to raise their children together. However, a significant percentage will involve parents who are not in a monogamous relationship with one another and have no intentions… Read More »
Dating Site Hack May Lead to Divorce Court
The recent hacking of a large dating site may lead to divorce court for many spouses. Ashley Madison is a dating website that reportedly caters to married individuals who are looking for extramarital affairs. According to news reports, the website’s hacking exposed information for millions of registered users. The responsible parties allegedly threatened to… Read More »
Differentiating Between Marital and Non-Marital Assets
One of the most contentious aspects of a divorce is determining how the property gets divided. During the marriage, you spend years amassing your belongings and growing attached to them. When the court makes you give them away, especially to someone who may have betrayed you, it can be a hard pill to swallow…. Read More »