Category Archives: Family Law
Why a Temporary Parenting Order Can Shape the Entire Case
By: Laura A. Olson, Florida Family Law Attorney How early time-sharing arrangements create real evidence and influence the path of a Florida parenting case A temporary parenting order is not a final judgment. Even so, the routines created by that order can become some of the most important evidence the court sees later. Temporary… Read More »
Your Case Has a Digital Witness
By Laura A. Olson, Florida Family Law Attorney Proving text messages, social media, and other digital evidence in a Florida family law case A damaging text can change a case. A cropped image with no reliable connection to its sender may change nothing. The difference lies in how the evidence was preserved, authenticated, and… Read More »
Alcohol Monitoring in Florida Parenting Cases
By Laura A. Olson, Florida Family Law Attorney What breath tests, PEth, EtG, and continuous monitoring can prove, and what a workable court order should say Alcohol allegations become useful to a court only when the evidence answers the right question. A test for recent exposure, a point-in-time breath result, and a longer-term biomarker… Read More »
Can My Divorce Still Be Finalized If My Spouse Refuses to Agree to It?
One of the most common misconceptions people have about divorce in Florida is the belief that both spouses must agree before the marriage can legally end. That is simply not true. Florida is a no-fault divorce state. If one spouse believes that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court will ultimately grant the dissolution… Read More »
Attorney’s Fees in Florida Family Law Cases
One of the most common—and most misunderstood—questions in Florida family law cases is whether one party can be required to pay the other party’s attorney’s fees. Individuals facing divorce or child custody proceedings often assume that attorney’s fees are automatically awarded, particularly when one spouse earns more income or controls more assets. Florida law,… Read More »
When Can a Child Choose Which Parent to Live With in Florida?
Parents involved in a Florida divorce or paternity case often ask whether their child can choose which parent to live with. This question usually arises when a child expresses a strong preference for one parent or resists time-sharing with the other. While the concern is understandable, Florida law does not permit a minor child… Read More »
Does Florida Recognize Pet Custody in Divorces?
Many Tampa residents own pets, and for pet owners, those pets are part of the family. According to data from the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 45 percent of US households own dogs, and more than 32 percent of US households own cats. In total, more than 100 million households in the country… Read More »
Can I Choose Annulment Instead of Divorce?
When a marriage in the Tampa area is not working, one or both of the spouses may be considering their options for ending their legal relationship. For a wide variety of reasons, married couples often want to know if they can have their marriage annulled rather than going through the divorce process. In some… Read More »
Modifying a Divorce Decree in Florida
Florida divorce cases are finalized with a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. Typically, a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage outlines the terms of the divorce. If the parties enter into an agreement, the Final Judgment will outlines the parties’ agreement regarding property division, alimony, timesharing (child custody or visitation), child support, and… Read More »
Steps To Take When Creating a Prenuptial Agreement
A prenuptial agreement, or a prenup, is a legal contract that two people sign before marriage. Prenuptial agreements are getting more popular, especially among millennials. Usually, this contract lists all the property each person owns and the debts they owe. It outlines the terms and conditions associated with dividing the property and debts if… Read More »