Modification of Child Support: Don’t Avoid Paying

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It’s human nature to want to avoid unpleasant experiences.  That’s why there are so many cavities and income tax extension requests.  However, one thing that people should not avoid is paying court-ordered child support.

Not everyone follows this advice.  According to the Trumball Patch, one man faces two years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine, on top of the $175,000.00 he owes in back child support.  Apparently, his aversion to paying child support persisted since 1993.

If you have been ordered to pay child support, and there has been a substantial change in circumstances that has affected your ability to pay, in Florida you may have the option of seeking a modification of your child support order.

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Can’t Find Your Spouse? Check For Mug Shots.

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One of the first steps in initiating a divorce or other proceeding is to have a petition and other papers served on the other party (the “Respondent”).  Sometimes the Respondent does not want to be found.  Other times, the Respondent is, well, in the slammer.  So how do you find out whether he or she is behind bars?

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Video: Professor Atwood Discusses Changes in Family Law Part 3

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Barbara Atwood of the University of Arizona discusses how family law has changed in this video from Divorce TV:

Video: Professor Atwood Discusses Changes in Family Law Part 2

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Barbara Atwood of the University of Arizona discusses how family law has changed in this video from Divorce TV:

Video: Professor Atwood Discusses Changes in Family Law Part 1

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Barbara Atwood of the University of Arizona discusses how family law has changed in this video from Divorce TV:

 

Mediation FAQs

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The Twelfth Judicial Circuit of Florida (DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties) provides the following FAQs for family mediation:

What is Family Mediation?

Family Mediation is an informal meeting where the parties work out mutually agreeable settlements in Family Court cases.  Parties have the opportunity to explore options and negotiate voluntary agreements that may be submitted to the Court for approval.

Who participates?

Family Mediation provides an opportunity for parties involved in family litigation to engage in a facilitated discussion about the specific issues in their case.  Counsel for each party may attend the conference.  Other third parties may only participate if both sides agree.

What issues can be discussed?

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Time-Sharing and the Super Bowl

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A quirky article by Rob Hahn in the Huffington Post compares time-sharing to the Super Bowl.  Below is an excerpt:

Thousands of fans crowded into Cowboys Stadium, and millions more watched it on television. They’re the most important part of this entire equation. Without fans, the NFL would not be such a huge success. And I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that if one team played only one quarter of Sunday’s game, the fans would feel cheated. They want to see both teams equally involved. Children are no different. Studies indicate the large majority of children want to spend and benefit from time with both parents, not just 20- or 25-percent but an equal amount of participation.

Video: Psychological Stages of Divorce

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The following video from eHow describes psychological stages of divorce:

Video: Reducing the Costs of Your Divorce

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The following video from eHow describes how spouses may reduce the costs of their divorce:

Parties should utilize alternative dispute resolution techniques such as mediation to help them reach agreements and reduce time and expense.

Parental Responsibility

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“Parental responsibility” is the authority to make decisions regarding your child’s healthcare, religion, education, and other issues unique to your family.  You may have heard parental responsibility referred to as “legal custody,” though this term is no longer used in Florida.

Courts will generally order one of three possibilities for parental responsibility: