Author Archives: David Matine
How Are Digital Assets Divided During a Florida Divorce?
A divorce means dividing homes, dividing lives, and dividing assets. We all understand things of value, including real estate, bank accounts, property, cars, art, pensions, and investment funds. But as the world has gone online, there is a full array of valuables you may not have considered. They are digital assets, but they may… Read More »
Does Child Support Cover Your Kid’s Extracurricular Activities?
Raising children is expensive enough considering the cost of food and housing. On top of that, extracurricular activities for children seem to grow as the kids do. Sports fees, music, and dance lessons, band, equipment, travel on the weekend to competitions, horseback riding, scouts, it all adds up. How does Florida view these activities… Read More »
How Mediation Differs from Litigation During a Florida Divorce
Mediation is an alternative to a trial that is often used for a more peaceable dissolution of a marriage. Mediation may not be appropriate for every case, but if it works for your situation, it can be a way to negotiate your issues and concerns with the help of a neutral third party to… Read More »
Are Mothers More Likely to Get Child Custody During a Florida Divorce?
The laws in Florida have changed in recent years concerning divorce and custody of children. Traditionally, Florida family courts relied on the “tender years” doctrine that favored the mother in considering child custody. It was assumed the mother was better to fill the role as the primary caregiver during a child’s early years, that… Read More »
How Do I Divorce My Military Spouse Who is Stationed Overseas?
Divorce is always a difficult decision for a couple, but it is compounded when one is serving in the military, especially if they are overseas. You will have to navigate several different areas, including the division of the retirement benefits, jurisdiction, child custody and support, and health benefits. Crystal Collins Spencer has more than… Read More »
Prenuptial Agreements for Lower & Middle Income Couples
Since about half of all marriages end in divorce, more if it is a second or third marriage, it is advisable to consider what a prenuptial or premarital agreement might provide. Florida is not a community property state. A division of property is supposed to be “fair and equitable”, but it does not necessarily… Read More »
Determining Parent Visitation Outside the Courtroom
In the case of divorcing spouses with a child or children, the children’s best interest should always prevail. That is the stated goal under Florida law, and ideally, the parents work together to develop a plan in the best interest of their children. With a parenting plan, the judge does not have to intervene… Read More »
How Divorce Affects Your Student Loan Debt
Life may feel overwhelming when you are going through a divorce. But no matter what emotions are involved, make financial considerations a top priority. If you have a student loan, or you and your spouse both have student loans, you need to understand what will happen when you divorce. That, in part, depends on… Read More »
The Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce
You married your spouse, intending to be together for life. But then life happens. Almost half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce. For second or third marriages, the rates go up, 60 and 73 percent, respectively. While some states require a formal separation before filing for divorce, Florida has no statute… Read More »
Advice for Stay-At-Home Moms During a Divorce
Unfortunately, some marriages become untenable and divorce is the only alternative. This can be a frightening time especially if the woman has decided to be a stay-at-home mom to put quality time into raising the children. This is when she needs to understand the family finances. How many credit cards does the family have… Read More »
