Recent Blog Posts
Florida House Bill 675: Indecent Exposure Definitions
Florida House Bill 675, introduced by Representative Amy Mercado, is an update to Florida indecent exposure laws. It expands the definition to encompass any display of nudity in a public setting. HB 675 also makes certain acts of exposure a felony and allows the police to arrest a suspect without a warrant and without… Read More »
How Does a Domestic Battery Charge Affect Child Custody?
In Florida, while domestic battery involves familial issues, domestic violence is a criminal law matter and is prosecuted by the State. If you are in the middle of a divorce with shared children and are seeking primary or joint custody, a domestic violence charge or conviction can severely hamper custody arrangements. Ultimately, a family… Read More »
Florida Senate Bill 1082:Update to Domestic Violence Injunctions
Senate Bill 1082 is an important update to domestic violence protection orders. The bill allows the petitioner to retain possession of the family pet(s) while a final protective order is pending. If you or a loved one are seeking a protective order against a spouse or intimate partner and are concerned about the welfare… Read More »
Third Party Custody
Are you a grandparent or relative of a minor child who was recently orphaned or lives in an unsafe home? Are you seeking visitation with your grandchildren? Grandparents’ rights and third party custody vary from state to state. In Florida, grandparents and third parties are only awarded custody if they can establish that the… Read More »
Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, includes mediation and arbitration. These are methods that parties can choose to pursue as an alternative to litigation. Many parties seek ADR as a viable option because it can be cheaper, more amicable, and efficient. There are many benefits to pursuing mediation for family law cases, including better outcomes… Read More »
How Will COVID-19 Affect Holidays for Divorced Families?
If you are divorced with children or currently separated with children, you likely drafted a marital settlement agreement. That agreement, or MSA, governs child custody, education, healthcare, tax deductions, as well as which parent spends time with the child on which holiday. Some parents choose to alternate holidays like Thanksgiving every other year, or… Read More »
Alcohol Abuse Increase During COVID-19 & Its Impact On Child Custody
At least 50 percent of all students in the US (K through 12) are currently being homeschooled due to COVID-19, which typically requires that, for certain ages, a parent supervise their education throughout the day. Meanwhile, many of these parents are simultaneously trying to keep up with their own jobs while working from home. … Read More »
Criminal Cases and Diversion Eligibility
Were you recently arrested for a misdemeanor offense, and not sure what your next step should be? Were you arrested for driving while suspended, or is your child facing criminal charges? If so, you may be eligible for entry into a diversion program. Florida Pretrial Diversion programs are designed to route defendants to a… Read More »
The Confusion Over When Discipline & Spanking Turn into Child Abuse Accusations
There is no question that parenting during the pandemic has been difficult for many, especially divorced or otherwise separated parents who disagree with each other about issues related to raising their child, such as corporal punishment. Even though 65 to 80 percent of US parents spank their children, sometimes disagreements between parents over issues… Read More »
The First Step Act Fails to Provide the Relief It Promised to Drug Offenders Serving Unfair, Lengthy Sentences
Many had high hopes for the First Step Act, which promised to slash sentences for a number of nonviolent drug offenders. Perhaps most importantly, it would also retroactively apply the 2010 Fair Sentencing Act to those who had been unfairly punished in terms of sentencing for crack cocaine offenses prior to 2010. And, for… Read More »
