Understanding Your Advocate: The Challenges of a Family Law Attorney
I realize that the title of this article may seem overly dramatic and maybe even come off as whiny. However, the reality is that family law attorneys face distinctive challenges that can affect them personally and professionally. After close to 18 years of practicing family law, I have come to believe that if our clients […]
How a Parent’s Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD) Affects Their Children, and In Turn, Their Time-Sharing
Substance use disorders (SUDs)have been on the rise in every state in America. Yet, the prevalence of SUDs in Florida is higher than in the majority of other states. Clearly, parents with a SUD, weighed down by the disorder and the stigma associated with it, can be deeply affected. However, SUDs not only affect the […]
From High-Conflict to Effective Co-Parenting: Restoring Respect & Trust
During and after a highly contentious case involving children, achieving a healthy co-parenting relationship can seem like a hopeless undertaking. Overwhelmed by anger, hurt, and sadness perceived to be caused by the other parent, the thought of respecting and trusting that person ever again seems laughable. However, respect and trust are the foundations of a […]
Co-Parenting Conflict and Children: What the Research Reveals*
As a family law attorney and a Guardian ad Litem, I have witnessed parents so firmly entrenched in their anger or hurt with each other that, often, they fail to recognize how their conflict affects the children. These parents may be absolutely focused on the resentment and unresolved issues surrounding the breakdown of their relationship, […]
What Your Family Law Attorney Might Not Be Telling You (But Should): Part 2
A previous article, “What Your Family Law Attorney Might Not Tell You(But Should): Part 1,” discussed central truths about family law cases that often go unexpressed by family law attorneys to their clients. With this “Part 2,” we resume the forthright discussion about the realities in family law cases that your attorney may have left […]
What Factors Are Used to Calculate Child Support?
The financial support of children by their parents is a central issue in Florida family law. For the State of Florida, the principle behind child support consists of parents having a duty to provide support for their children. This duty ensures their children’s financial needs are met, and also, ensures these financial needs do not […]
What Your Family Law Attorney Might Not Tell You (But Should): Part 1
Navigating the world of Florida family law can be a surreal, intimidating, and emotional experience. Even if you have a practiced attorney on your side to help you through the legal intricacies of time-sharing, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, etc. there are often very important truths that go unspoken. These important but unexpressed realities […]
The Genuine Article: Hollywood’s Portrayal vs. Real-Life Divorce in Florida
Here is the reality: Your divorce is not going to be like what you see in the movies or TV (and frankly, you really would not want it to be). Movies and shows exploit all the drama and the emotions like hostility, sadness, and disappointment that comes with a divorce. However, an actual divorce in […]
Crafting Prenuptial Agreements Using the Collaborative Law Model
The experience of entering into a prenuptial agreement is an awkward and surreal experience: On the one hand, you are madly in love, engaged, and perhaps, in the middle of planning the wedding of your dreams. On the other hand, you are negotiating a prenuptial agreement determining the terms of a potential divorce that may […]
Maintaining the Peace: The Crucial Component of Co-Parenting After Divorce
The Emotional Impact of Divorce Divorce can be one of the most emotionally challenging times in a person’s life. Yet, parents that are divorcing should also keep in mind that no matter how challenging they believe divorce feels for them, this huge life transition can be even more stressful for the children involved. How negatively […]
