Miami family law attorney blog
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Divorce
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can a Florida divorce order a trust to be dissolved in order to effectuate equitable distribution? Sometimes, spouses place assets in trust for estate planning purposes. But if a divorce happens, the assets in the trust may be marital assets subject to a claim from both spouses. This was an issue in the case Hyatt v. Zimmerman, 4D22-896 (Fla. 4th DCA July 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What type of temporary relief can a court award in a pending Florida divorce case? Some examples include alimony, child support and even early equitable distribution. A judge has broad discretionary authority when it comes to temporary relief, but this is not without limits. This was an issue in the case Williams v. Williams, 1D21-2454 (Fla. 1st DCA July 5, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What is active appreciation, and how does it affect equitable distribution in a Florida divorce case? Active appreciation is an increase in value of an asset due to the efforts of a spouse. An example of this would be a stock account - while the stock account may be non-marital, if a spouse actively trades on the account or makes more than ministerial effort to increase the value of the account, the increase in value of the account might be considered active appreciation which is subject to distribution between divorcing spouses. This was an issue in the case Naranjo v. Ochoa, 4D21-3084 (Fla. 4th DCA July 5, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When parties are married and then separate for several years before they file for divorce, during their period of separation, they may each be incurring debts which will be jointly owed. This is why it may be important to have a valid separation agreement, prenuptial agreement or post-nuptial agreement. The division of assets and debts after a six-year separation was an issue in the case Gayer v. Gayer, 6D23-17 (Fla. 6th DCA June 16, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
How is a pension divided in a Florida divorce case? The marital portion is that which was earned during the marriage. Usually a special order, such as a qualified domestic relations order is needed in addition to the final judgment of divorce to accomplish division of the pension. Distribution of a pension was an issue in the case Franxman v. Franxman, 1D21-3321 (Fla. 1st DCA June 14, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can my spouse be ordered to pay my attorney’s fees in a Florida divorce case? A court can order payment of attorney’s fees where there is a disparity in income combined with need and ability to pay. This is to even the playing field, so-to-speak, when it comes to divorce litigation. This was an issue in the case Gables v. Gables, 1D15-4951 (Fla. 1st DCA June 7, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Does a Florida trial court have to expressly reserve jurisdiction in its order to enforce its order? Usually, Florida family law judgments contain a provision that states the court reserves jurisdiction to enforce its order. If this provision is missing from the order, a party might argue the court loses jurisdiction to enforce in the future. This was an issue in the case Wisheart v. Wisheart, 5D22-3024 (Fla. 5th DCA June 2, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When a marital settlement agreement provides that any modifications must be in writing and signed by the parties, this provision will usually be upheld despite any oral agreements subsequently reached by the parties. This was an issue in the case Duchateau v. Duchateau, 5D22-2609 (Fla. 5th DCA June 2, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When a party disputes that an asset acquired during the marriage is marital or jointly-owned property, it is that party’s burden to prove the non-marital nature of the asset. Assets acquired during the marriage are otherwise presumed to be marital despite whose name is titled on the asset. This was an issue in the case Douglas v. Douglas, 4D22-1144 (Fla. 4th DCA June 7, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Sometimes lack of detail in a final judgment of dissolution of marriage in Florida can cause confusion. The Florida Statutes require that certain issues be specified in a parenting plan such as time-sharing. In equitable distribution, a failure to specify how the court arrived at its distribution decision and/or classification of assets can disrupt the equities. These were issues in the case Brutus v. Giles, 5D22-223 (Fla. 5th DCA May 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What is considered a marital debt? According to the Florida Statutes, “All assets acquired and liabilities incurred by either spouse subsequent to the date of the marriage and not specifically established as nonmarital assets or liabilities are presumed to be marital assets and liabilities.” Fla. Sta. 61.075(8). “The cut-off date for determining assets and liabilities to be identified or classified as marital assets and liabilities is the earliest of the date the parties enter into a valid separation agreement, such other date as may be expressly established by such agreement, or the date of the filing of a petition for dissolution of marriage.” Fla. Stat. 61.075(7). This was an issue in the case Reese v. Reese, 6D23-201 (Fla. 6th DCA May 12, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When a marital settlement agreement is entered, parties usually rely on the financial affidavits and other documents provided to determine if they want to enter the agreement. When there is an accusation that someone hid assets or was not honest on a financial affidavit in a Florida divorce, a motion can be filed to challenge the agreement. This was an issue in the case Duke v. Duke, 4D23-165 (Fla. 4th DCA May 17, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Recently, the Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure were amended to state “To preserve for appeal a challenge to the failure of the trial court to make required findings of fact, a party must raise that issue in a motion for rehearing under this rule.” Fla. Fam. L. R. P. 12.530(a). Many provisions of a final judgment of divorce in Florida require certain findings to be made. This was an issue in the case Innocent v. Innocent, 4D22-985 (Fla. 4th DCA May 17, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What is a lis pendens in a Florida divorce? This is a document filed that gives notice to the public that ownership or other issues are being litigated regarding a property. So if a spouse files a lis pendens in the public records, this is to put any prospective buyers of the property on notice that ownership to the property is disputed. The lis pendens is usually removed once a final judgment of divorce is entered settling the parties’ property rights. A lis pendens was at issue in the case Ivey v. Ivey, 6D23-694 (Fla. 6th DCA April 28, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
What is a motion for stay in a Florida family law case? This is a motion that asks the court to pause the case. Sometimes this is necessary to address an issue that is preventing a party from fully participating in the case such as health issues. If a party disagrees with a judge’s decision to stay a case, they may be able to have this issue reviewed by the appellate court as was the case in Williams v. Williams, 5D23-478 (Fla. 5th DCA May 1, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
In what division of the court should a post-judgment family law case be filed? When there are civil remedies available to a party as a result of a contract entered in a divorce, for example, a party might wish to file in the general civil division rather than the family division because there may be certain remedies available. However, if a party files in the wrong division, should the case be dismissed? This was an issue in the case Chickering v. Bawa, 4D22-2180 (Fla. 4th DCA May 3, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
When one spouse is awarded the marital home in a Florida divorce, the court may require that spouse to refinance to remove the other spouse from the note and/or mortgage. How long does the spouse have to refinance? This was an issue in the case Viera v. Viera, 3D21-1459 (Fla. 3d DCA April 26, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
In Florida, an alimony award is based on need and ability to pay - the need of the spouse asking for alimony and the ability of the other spouse to pay it. There is no calculator for alimony like there is for child support in Florida. According to the Florida Statutes, “The award of alimony may not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the net income of the recipient unless there are written findings of exceptional circumstances.” Fla. Stat. 61.08(9). This was an issue in the case Tucker v. Tucker, 4D22-1891 (Fla. 4th DCA April 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
Can a spouse’s separate property become marital or jointly-owned property during the marriage? Florida law recognizes a concept known as donative intent which means a spouse shows intent to gift separate property to the other spouse. This was an issue in the case Bernstein v. Bernstein, 4D21-2480 (Fla. 4th DCA April 19, 2023).
Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in Florida Divorce
If it is not possible to comply with the terms of a Florida final judgment of divorce, what can be done? For example, if an order requires a party to transfer assets which are subject to federal law, and the order contradicts how federal law requires a transfer to occur, what is a party to do to avoid contempt? This was an issue in the case Leger v. Leger, 4D22-1669 (Fla. 4th DCA April 12, 2023).
