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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
316 S. Baylen Street, Suite 520
Pensacola, FL 32502
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What is a Guardian Ad Litem in Florida?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA guardian ad litem in Florida is an advocate for children that are dealing with difficult situations. Many of the children have lived in households where they were neglected or abused in some way. In some instances, the biological parents are losing custody of the child or one biological parent is attempting to have custody […]
Bankruptcy and Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawGetting divorced but also need to file for bankruptcy? You are not alone. Many former couples find themselves in a situation where they are no longer happy and would like to separate from one another. However, they may need to file for bankruptcy as well because it is the best decision for them based on […]
Obtaining a Passport for a Child in a Divorced Home
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawAre you a divorced parent? If you would like to travel outside of the country, you are going to need a passport for yourself and your child. However, you may be concerned about getting a passport for your child because of the other parent. Even if you share joint custody with your ex-partner, there is […]
How Do I Get an Annulment in Florida?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawMarriage isn’t for everyone. Sometimes, we do not find this out until after the fact. If you want to dissolve your marriage in Florida, you can either get a divorce or annulment. Divorce is a simpler and less time-consuming process that just terminates the marriage. An annulment goes even further to say that the marriage […]
Raising Children While Going Through a Divorce
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawGoing through a divorce is one of the most stressful situations anyone ever has to go through. The situation becomes even more difficult when you have children, especially young children. Getting divorced later in life, with your children now grown adults with families of their own, might not be as hard on them as it […]
Can Divorce Impact my Credit Score?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawDoes getting a divorce impact your credit score? The short answer is, not directly, but possibly indirectly. No Direct Impact There is no direct impact on your credit score when you finalize a divorce, because the credit reporting agencies do not consider marital status as a factor in determining your creditworthiness. That being said, there […]
Who Makes Healthcare Decisions for Children of Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawYou’ve decided to get a divorce and you have children. Ideally, the husband and wife share the children and make parental decisions in the best interest of those children. Unfortunately, it does not always work out that way. The court will require the parents to agree on a child custody plan which includes some coordination […]
Getting Divorced as a Senior Citizen
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawRetirement can be no fun when you no longer like the person you are supposed to be spending it with. This is the situation that many Baby Boomers find themselves in, and according to the latest statistics, some are deciding not to stick around for the long haul. Pew Research Center reports that the rates of […]
Should I Date During my Divorce?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawA dissolution of marriage is a difficult and emotionally-charged process. There are a lot of issues that must be resolved, and there is great uncertainty about the future. Some divorcing spouses mourn the loss of their marriage and they are in no hurry to start dating again. Others are anxious to get back out there, […]
Do Children Have a Say in the Custody Conversation in Florida?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawThe issue of who ends up with the kids after a divorce if often the source of dispute among parents. Emotions can run high, and there can be heated disagreements about child custody. In Florida, “child custody” has been replaced with terms such as “parental responsibility” and “time sharing”. Parenting responsibility is the decision-making component […]
Spousal Support Tax Deduction Ending Soon
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawSpousal support, also commonly referred to as alimony or spousal maintenance, is a payment from one spouse to another that is either ordered by the court or agreed upon between both parties as part of a final divorce settlement. Spousal support is not ordered or agreed upon in all cases, and the amount and duration […]
What is a QDRO?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawRetirement accounts are individual in nature, and there is only one name listed on them. This is why during a divorce, many spouses mistakenly believe their IRAs, 401Ks, and other types of retirement accounts are not part of the marital estate. In actuality, they are considered marital property, and they are included in the division […]
Do Divorce Rates Increase in the Summer?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawAccording to a 2016 research study conducted by a sociology professor at the University of Washington, more couples file for divorce in March and August than any other months of the year. With August upon us, you may find yourself in that position as well. Although the study didn’t set out to determine seasonal patterns […]
Can I Modify My Divorce Decree?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawEven though your divorce seems final, there are certain circumstances that might allow you to change aspects of your divorce decree in Florida. When you experience dramatic life-changing events, it may be necessary to request this change. It might be tempting to do this informally by trying to work out an agreement with your ex-spouse […]
How Does My Divorce Effect My Taxes?
/by Crystal Collins Spencer, Attorney at LawThere’s a lot to like about April in Florida, including the weather, clear skies, plenty of sun, and all the other joys of spring. But one thing that most adults in Florida aren’t excited about when April rolls around is the fact that mid-April is tax time. The idea of filing and paying taxes is unpleasant, but […]