Blog Posts in August, 2014

The Difference Between Marital and Separate Property in Divorce

During a divorce, the division of marital assets can be difficult, especially if you and your spouse have collected a substantial amount of property in your time together. In Florida, the law requires an equitable division of property, which may or may not be exactly equal. The first step is understanding the differences between marital versus separate property. Marital property is an asset ...

The Challenges of Modifying Child Custody in Florida

If you and your former spouse have children together, a top concern when going through divorce is to make sure your kids will continue to grow up healthy and happy. Part of the initial divorce settlement is the negotiation of custody arrangements, referred to in Florida law as timesharing. The couple may come to an agreement on timesharing terms or the court may mandate them based on the ...

Using Social Media Appropriately During Your Divorce

Social media may provide you with a positive forum for reconnecting with old friends, meeting new people and generally moving on with your life after your divorce. But social media sites can also become a useful source of evidence that supports your spouse’s case against you. In fact, in a 2010 survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 81 percent of AAML members say ...

Selling Your Marital Home

In 2006, a New York man blew up his marital home rather than rescind ownership to his ex-spouse. His wife, Cordula Bartha, won the home in a divorce settlement. But when it came time for Dr. Nicholas Bartha to leave, he orchestrated an explosion that reduced the property to rubble. Although the Bartha divorce is an extreme, the case demonstrates the deep emotions and high value often placed on the ...

Are You Responsible for Your Former Spouse's Tax Debt?

Before your divorce, filing your tax returns as a married couple may have come with a lot of benefits. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can hold both spouses jointly and severally liable for the full amount of unpaid taxes, penalties and interest associated with the tax years you filed jointly. Unpleasant debt issues may arise during your divorce. But one of the most unnerving — and ...