General information on dissolution of marriage
I just came across an article that discusses a study from Florida State University researchers about how divorce affects a child’s future relationships. The researchers conclude that children of divorced parents are more likely to become divorced themselves for a myriad of reasons, including the fact that children learn relationship skills from their parents. The article states the following:
Section 61.08, Florida Statutes, and relevant case law, provides for several different types of alimony awards. The likelihood of receiving each type of award depends on several different factors, including the need of one spouse for support, the ability of the other spouse to pay for that support, and the length of the marriage. Below is a brief description of available types of alimony:
An article from Time Magazine recounts some horror stories and tales of caution emanating from the use of Facebook and other social networking sites.
A good general rule: don’t post anything that you would be embarrassed to have your grandmother see. This includes the following:
Section 61.21 of the Florida Statutes requires each party in a case that involves children and custody/time-sharing issues to attend a four-hour parenting course. This “Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course” gives parents the opportunity to learn about, among other topics, how their court action may affect the emotional well-being of their children.
You should note that, except in very limited circumstances, a judge will not enter a final judgment until both parties have (i) attended the course and (ii) filed a certificate of completion with the clerk of the court.
It is always a good rule of thumb to be respectful when entering a courtroom. I often find myself taken aback by the appearance and behavior of people as they are asking a judge to make a major decision on serious issues–such as divorce, child support, alimony, or time-sharing–in their lives. Many people come in shorts, chew gum, and treat the courtroom like their living room. Such behavior leaves a poor impression on the judge and may impact the outcome of their matter.
The Family Law Division of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit (Hillsborough County), like many courts around Florida, has a code of conduct: The Twelve Rules of Courtroom Civility. Most of these rules are simply about common courtesy, and include the following instructions:
To maximize the chances of a successful outcome in your matter, become familiar with the rules and procedures of both your circuit and your specific judge.
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