Blog Posts in July, 2013

Divorcing a Missing Spouse

If you have been abandoned by your spouse, you may be wondering if divorce is an option. Upon filing for divorce, the filing spouse is legally required to serve the non-filing spouse with notice. In a situation in which a filing spouse has been abandoned, the filing spouse may not be able to reach the missing spouse for notice. If you are seeking a divorce from a missing spouse, there is an option ...

Obtaining a Family-Based Immigrant Visa

Immigrant visas are available to individuals hoping to come to the United States to work, to be near relatives, or just in search of a better life. For those seeking employment in the United States, many visas are available for work ranging from temporary business visits to international intra-company transfers. Alternatively, American citizens may wish to bring family members to the United States ...

What to Expect in a Marriage Dissolution

If you are considering divorce, you may be wondering what the divorce process entails. Florida’s legal term for divorce is dissolution of marriage . Every dissolution is different, but most dissolutions follow the same general path. In order for a marriage to be dissolved in Florida, at least one spouse must have resided in Florida the six months prior to filing. In Florida, there is no fault ...

"Substantial Change" Required for Child Timesharing Modification

In Florida, divorcing parents must adhere to a parenting plan that establishes timesharing, decision-making, and communication responsibilities between parents. This recent development in custody determination reflects the State’s interest in emphasizing the importance of children’s relationships with both parents. After the timesharing agreement is accepted and the divorce is finalized, parents ...

When Business Owners Divorce

You have invested endless time, money and energy into your business, and now you fear that your life’s work will be taken away from you. Whether you own your business independently of, or in conjunction with, your spouse, now that you have made the difficult decision to divorce, where does your business stand? The divorce of a business owner or co-owners can lead to uncertainty and instability in ...

Get Protection from the Threat of Deportation

Non-citizens in the United States may face removal for a number of reasons, including criminal conviction, unlawful entry, prohibited employment activity, or diagnosis of certain diseases. If you fear that you are in danger of being deported, there may be legal relief available to you. Examples of ways to avoid removal include: Waiver. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, if you have been ...

Division of Debts in Divorce

The division of assets and debts in divorce can be determined one of two ways in Florida. A divorcing couple may come to an agreement independently. In that situation, divorcing spouses will sign a Marital Settlement Agreement stipulating how assets and debts will be divided; or A divorcing couple who cannot reach agreement must consult the court, which will issue an order stipulating the division ...

Protecting Your Rights: Divorce and Domestic Violence

If you or your children are victims of domestic abuse, taking action to protect yourself and your family can be very difficult. With your physical safety or that of a member of your household at risk, fear of harm may be stopping you from getting help. When you are ready to take the first step, there are many legal devices available to protect you and your family. To ensure your protection, there ...

Focusing on Your Child's Best Interests in Divorce

From the day your first child was born, you vowed to make your kids your top priority. Your children’s interests always come first. In a divorce, maintaining that focus on your children’s best interests is vitally important. Often, children of divorce may feel abandoned, angry or fearful due to the demise of their parents’ marriage. Divorce can be hard for children to understand. It may be ...