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Crystal Collins Spencer, the founder of Crystal Collins Spencer Attorney at Law, has over 38 years of courtroom experience in Florida and throughout the United States. She is very dedicated to her clients and has proven to be an aggressive and respected attorney.
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Pensacola, FL 32502
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New Florida Law Says 50/50 Sharing is Best for Children
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA new Florida law could have far-reaching implications for divorcing couples with children. Effective July 1, 2023, the new law signed by Governor DeSantis helps “unwed fathers” gain rights over a child they previously did not necessarily have as the parents were unmarried. In that case, even if his name was on the birth certificate, […]
New Florida Law Ends Permanent Alimony
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawWhile marriage has changed over the years, so have presumptions about alimony. Permanent alimony was previously allotted when a marriage dissolved after a long partnership, traditionally when the man left a woman who had been a housewife and mother and not earned an income outside of the home. Many couples still prefer that arrangement, […]
Divorce and Debt Division: Legal Strategies for Managing Marital Liabilities
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawEquitable distribution. Remember that phrase. Unlike a community property state where assets are divided 50/50, in Florida, when a couple decides to divorce, expect the “equitable distribution” doctrine to apply in the division of both assets and liabilities. Divorcing your spouse can be a stressful time. You and your spouse have decided to end your partnership. […]
Divorce and Blended Families: Legal Rights and Co-Parenting Challenges
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawNavigating co-parenting during and immediately after a divorce is a major challenge for many parents. Even if the divorce was mutual and obviously in everyone’s best interests, figuring out how to share your child is a learning process. It gets even more complicated when one or both parents remarry and have to learn how to […]
Helpful Ways to Resolve Co-Parenting Conflicts
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawCo-parenting when a couple is not together may be one of the greatest challenges that parents may face. But when done right, it can make your children’s lives dramatically better. Whether you and the other parent are divorced, or you were never technically together, figuring out how to co-parent a shared child is a task […]
How to Keep Money Separate During a Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawIn Florida, marital property is considered that which was acquired during the marriage, whether cash in a bank or savings account, a home, vacation property, 401(k), boats, jewelry, or anything of value acquired during the years the couple was married. Debt acquired during the marriage may also be subject to division. It doesn’t matter if […]
What Are the Consequences of Hiding Assets During a Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawIt is not unusual for high-net-worth divorce clients to attempt to hide some of their assets during a contentious divorce. After all, they worked for it, and it’s theirs. At least, that’s how they see it. But the court doesn’t agree. So try and hide assets during a divorce, and the Florida courts may […]
Is it Legal to Record and Spy on Your Spouse During a Florida Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawIf you are undergoing a divorce in Florida, it is unfortunate. No one gets married thinking it will end. Besides the disappointment and heartbreak, there are practical considerations to consider. Not only will your life change emotionally, but your home and income will likely be impacted. The challenge becomes dealing with the split and ensuring […]
Tips for Dealing with Divorce During the Holidays
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawDespite all the hoopla about the joy of the holidays, they can be incredibly stressful if your family unit is not intact. A divorce will definitely do that. You will not see marriage and children through the same lens as before, and the holidays bring out the difficulties emotionally and logistically. If your children are […]
Helpful Tips for Working Divorced Single Parents
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawIn the 1950s, the nuclear family consisted of mom and dad, their children, Dick and Jane, and their pets. Few families today bear any resemblance to those of seventy years ago. Today, nearly 24 million kids live in a family with only one parent, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Some parents choose to […]
Adopted Children Might Need Extra Support During a Florida Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawPlanning for a family might include adopting children if biological children are not possible. No matter how many children or where they come from, your plans for the perfect family fall apart when a divorce is looming. In that case, treating adopted children like biological children is essential. They are likely sensitive to the fact […]
Can I Move Out of the Area with My Child after a Florida Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawMoving a child out of state after your Florida divorce is not a simple thing. You must consider the ex-partner who is still an equal parent to the child. Your divorce did not change that fact. Even if you are the custodial parent and must relocate for a job, a Florida judge will balance your […]
Dealing with Cryptocurrency During a Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA Florida couple can expect that their assets will be divided during a divorce. The guideline in Florida is a fair and equitable division, unlike other states where community property means everything is divided in half to distribute to each spouse. In our changing technological world, a question needs to be addressed – what is […]
How Inheritances Impact Alimony Payments
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawInherited wealth is usually given to one individual with the intention that it stays with that individual. This can be accomplished through a prenuptial agreement or a family trust, keeping the inherited monies out of a joint account and, therefore, away from the soon-to-be ex-spouse. If a divorcing couple has assets or is expected an […]
How Are Digital Assets Divided During a Florida Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA 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 have […]