Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Three Common Divorce ‘Delay’ Tactics (And How to Overcome Them)
You do not need your spouse’s permission to get a divorce. As explained by the Florida Bar Association, you have the right to file for divorce on the grounds that your marriage is irretrievably broken. While your partner cannot stop the divorce, they may be able to slow down progress and delay the process…. Read More »
Can I Stop My Former Partner From Changing Our Child’s Name?
Following a divorce or separation, some parents want to seek a name change for a child. It could be a new first name, a new last name, or both. For the most part, Florida courts will approve a change of a minor child’s legal name if both parents consent. While there are exceptions to… Read More »
Military Divorce in Florida: Three Tips for a Civilian Spouse
Military couples face some unique challenges in ending a marriage. If you are a civilian spouse who is married to an active duty military member, there are certain laws and regulations that you need to understand. We want to make sure that you have the information and tools you need to protect your own… Read More »
Can a Judge Order Us to Go Through Marriage Counseling Before We Get Divorced?
The decision to get a divorce is a difficult one. Every couple has to face their own unique issues. In some cases, married couples go through months or years of counseling before deciding that a divorce is the right option. In other cases, one or both partners may simply have no interest in counseling…. Read More »
Four Child Time-Sharing Tips to Help Parents Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Florida Department of Health warns that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is a dangerous and rapidly spreading respiratory disease. On March 25th, Pinellas County issued a ‘Stay-At-Home’ order, temporarily closing the physical non-essential businesses and requiring residents to shelter in place. Soon after the entire state was placed under a ‘Stay-at-Home’ order. Our state’s public health… Read More »
Federal Government: Stimulus Payments Will Be Offset for Past Due Child Support
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is an economic relief legislation designed to help individuals, families, and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. One provision of the bill provides direct financial support to many people in the form of economic impact payments—or as they are better known, stimulus payments. The federal… Read More »
What are the Benefits of Avoiding Divorce Litigation?
The United States Census Bureau estimates that 780,000 American couples got divorced in 2018 alone. The vast majority of those marital separations were finalized outside of the courtroom. In fact, only a small percentage of U.S. divorces go to trial. You may be wondering: Why do people want to avoid divorce litigation? The answer… Read More »
Florida Divorce and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
Your life is deeply intertwined with the life of your spouse. One of the main reasons why divorce is so challenging is that there is simply a lot that needs to be untangled. Not only is this true on an emotional level, but it is also true on a more mundane, practical level. For… Read More »
Florida Child Support Laws: Health Insurance and Medical Expenses
It costs a lot of money to raise a child. Health insurance coverage and medical expenses often make up a significant portion of a parent’s overall child-related costs. Both custodial and non-custodial parents have a duty to contribute to these costs. Child support obligations may include additional compensation for health/medical costs. As explained by… Read More »
Four Tips to Help You Minimize Conflict During Divorce
Divorce is a normal part of life. The American Psychological Association reports that 19 percent of marriages end in the first five years and 48 percent of marriages end in the first 20 years. Still, as common as it is, ending a marriage is never easy—and in the worst cases, a divorce could turn… Read More »
