On July 1, 2023, a Florida law went into effect that implements a comprehensive reform of the state’s system of alimony, also known as spousal support. This groundbreaking legislation has effectively eliminated permanent alimony in Florida, replacing it with a more structured and equitable system that takes into account the length of the marriage and the financial needs of both…
Many marriages suffer because of disagreements over financial issues. In some situations, money problems are the primary reason for a divorce. Occasionally during the divorce process, one or both parties seek an adjustment to equitable distribution terms based on their spouse’s alleged intentional dissipation of marital assets. Florida’s equitable distribution statute requires a judge deciding on division of property to…
Family court judges face difficult decisions regarding parenting plans and time-sharing when a parent has allegedly engaged in threatening behavior against their former partner. Florida law calls for minor children to have frequent and meaningful contact with both parents. In some cases, courts have discounted claims of intimidation during disputes over time-sharing. Determining whether such a claim has merit or…
International custody disputes that fall under the Hague Convention typically involve drawn-out and bitter conflicts between parents. Even so, a case that went to the U.S. Supreme Court and that is still being litigated is extraordinary for its heartbreaking circumstances. It is also notable for the high court’s ruling on how judges should evaluate Hague Convention cases where a parent…
When spouses come from different countries, divorce can take on international dimensions, whether the marriage took place on U.S. soil or abroad. Multiple issues can combine to complicate the divorce process, making it more time-consuming and expensive. Immigration troubles can arise if one spouse’s legal status in the U.S. is based on the marriage and he or she wants to…
As international marriages have become more common, so has the incidence of international child abduction. This occurs when a parent, or sometimes another relative or acquaintance, takes a child from their country of habitual residence without authority to do so. If your child has been illegally taken, you may have remedies available under the Hague Abduction Convention and/or federal law.…
It is increasingly common for citizens of different countries to marry or for citizens of one country to marry and then move abroad. When such couples seek to get divorced, however, they face challenges that can complicate an already difficult process and make it more expensive and stressful. Nearly all international divorces raise two key questions. The first is jurisdiction,…
Child custody and visitation issues can be difficult and emotional under the best of circumstances. When one or both parties have moved to another country, the situation becomes much more complicated. There are two circumstances in which foreign nations may be involved in child custody and visitation disputes. The first is when a parent takes the child out of the…
Property division is an often contentious aspect of divorce cases and is even more difficult if the spouses have high incomes and hold large financial resources. Wealthy people tend to have a wide variety of assets that must be quantified and valued so that each spouse’s share is properly calculated. This can be a lengthy and complicated process. Florida follows…
When one or both spouses own all or part of a private business, that ownership stake may be considered a marital asset that is subject to equitable distribution in a divorce. Often, one spouse is a founding owner of a business that may predate the marriage. In some cases, a non-owner spouse contributes capital for the business and/or adds value…