Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Couples Postponing Divorce Because It’s “Too Expensive”? Recent Study Indicates They Are
It’s no secret that we, as Tampa divorce lawyers, field more cases at the beginning of the year than at most other times throughout the year. However, 2024 is a different sort of year, and with it comes a rising cost of living, inflation, and an economic crunch on American pocketbooks that is impacting… Read More »
Recent Poll Surveys Couples’ Reasons for Getting Divorce
Depending on who you ask, the divorce rate in America is either going up or going down. The best studies appear to indicate that the divorce rate is going up among older Americans and down among younger Americans. Meanwhile, the marriage rate is also going down for younger Americans with fewer younger Americans tying… Read More »
Contested Florida Custody Case Addresses Fees for Guardian Ad Litem
In contested Florida custody cases, especially those involving allegations of domestic violence, the court will often see fit to appoint a guardian ad litem to the case. The guardian ad litem is an investigator who acts on behalf of the court to determine what is in the child’s best interests. However, these fine folks… Read More »
Wife Petitions Court for a Modification of Alimony Payments Based on Husband’s Underemployment
Generally speaking, the Florida courts will award alimony payments based on the recipient’s need and the payer’s ability to pay. The courts also consider factors like the length of the marriage. In many cases, disputes over alimony arise. That was the issue in one Florida court case involving a wife who alleged her husband… Read More »
Appeals Court Hears Case Regarding Attorney’s Fees During Florida Divorce
In Florida, the court can order one party to pay the legal fees of the other in specific situations. The court must determine that the party paying the legal fees engaged in egregious or meritless litigation conduct. The court can assign legal fees to this party as a means of discouraging such behavior. These… Read More »
Florida Court Rules on Retroactive Child Support Allegations
The State of Florida requires parents to provide financial support to their children. The obligation to do so ends when the child turns 18, the age of majority. However, if the parent did not provide financial support to the child when the child was still a minor, the parent who is owed child support… Read More »
Mother Appeals Order to Modify a Child Support Petition Granted to Father
The Florida courts will only grant modifications to child support payments when the individual who is petitioning the court for the modification can prove that a substantial change has occurred to warrant such a modification. Typically, “substantial changes” include changes to an individual’s income or when the children start spending more time with the… Read More »
Mother Appeals Decision to Terminate Her Parental Rights
The termination of parental rights is a serious matter in Florida. In some cases, a parent can voluntarily surrender their parental rights to a child as in the case of adoption. In other cases, the court will find cause to terminate a parent’s parental rights because the court has determined that they are a… Read More »
What to Include in a Prenuptial Agreement in Florida
Some couples won’t even address the concept of a prenuptial agreement prior to getting married. They don’t want to “jinx” their marriage with the possibility of a divorce. However, studies have shown that Millennials have a much better opinion of prenuptial agreements than previous generations. And prenups aren’t just for the ultra-rich. Prenuptial agreements… Read More »
Restrictions on Stepparent Adoption in Florida
Stepparents are legally allowed to adopt children from a previous marriage in Florida. There are several reasons why you may want to do this. You may want to formalize your parental rights over the children or ensure that your relationship with them is legally binding under Florida law. Parents have specific rights over their… Read More »