Author Archives: Jay Butchko
When Does Child Support End in Florida?
Child support is a court-ordered responsibility that parents cannot waive. In Florida, child support covers, among other things, educational expenses, food, clothing, medical costs, and entertainment. The amount of child support a parent is required to pay is usually based on the Florida Child Support Guidelines. However, courts can deviate from the state’s Child… Read More »
Your Guide to Rear-End Collision Claims in Florida
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that rear-end collisions are the single most common type of multi-vehicle crash in the United States. Navigating the aftermath of a rear-end collision can be challenging. It is crucial that you have a full understanding of your rights and your options under state law. Within this… Read More »
Four Tips to Help You Work Towards an Amicable Divorce in Lakeland, FL
Divorce is a part of life for many people. An estimated 40 to 50 percent of U.S. marriages end in divorce (American Psychological Association (APA)). Virtually, every person has heard horror stories about divorce. The good news is that it does not have to be that way. With the right mindset and a proactive… Read More »
What Parents Should Know About Florida’s Child Time-Sharing Reform
For divorced and separated parents, navigating issues related to child time-sharing is both sensitive and important. Earlier this year, Florida reformed its child time-sharing law. State courts are now required to work from the (rebuttable) presumption that a 50/50 time-sharing split is best. Here, our Lakeland time-sharing attorney provides an in-depth discussion of the… Read More »
Understanding Florida’s Spousal Support Reform (2023)
Spousal support (alimony) is payment(s) made by one spouse to the other during or after a divorce. State law governs spousal support cases. Earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1416 (SB 1416)—legislation that radically reforms spousal support laws in Florida. It is crucial that parties to a divorce understand the new… Read More »
Approaches To 50/50 Time Sharing For Divorced Parents
Couples who have undergone a recent divorce often struggle with issues related to their children. This is no secret, and yet, the stakes are so high, that the parents must be able to create a plan that fits the best interests of the children. In cases where they can’t reach a solution together, the… Read More »
Custody Exchange? There’s An App For That
Today, there’s an app for everything and that includes custody exchange, also called timesharing in Florida. There are several apps available on the market right now, but they all essentially perform the same task. Ultimately, both parents are connected through the app and can use it as a reference point for their visitation schedule…. Read More »
How Does Property Division Work During A Florida Divorce?
Concerns over property division are one of the questions that divorce attorneys are most frequently asked. Florida is an equitable distribution state, which means that the court divides assets in a way that is equitable to both parties. This does not necessarily mean the split will be 50/50. The split is supposed to allow… Read More »
Avoiding Court Intervention When Dividing Marital Assets
The court will intervene when there is no common ground between the spouses, and they seem too far apart on major issues to decide for themselves. That being said, just because you can’t agree is not necessarily a good reason to take the decision out of your hands and give it to the court…. Read More »