Those of us over a certain age remember a time when the idea of living together in a romantic relationship without marrying was shocking to most people. In just a generation or two, people have largely come to accept committed cohabitation in our society. Some people...
Family Law
Mediation: From hostile conflict to arms-length agreement
Some divorcing couples can negotiate marital settlement agreements resolving what they will do with their assets and money, future support and child custody arrangements. If they remain far apart on these issues or have such animosity that negotiation seems too...
Will 4 be the magic number for a Florida alimony reform bill?
As of this writing on April 28, 2023, the Florida Senate has passed the fourth version of an alimony reform bill (SB 1416) considered in a decade. Govs. Ron DeSantis and Rick Scott vetoed the first three. Now, eyes are on the Florida House of Representatives, where...
Not out of the woods yet, Tiger’s ex-girlfriend seeks legal recourse
In Florida news, Erica Herman, Tiger Wood’s ex-girlfriend, has filed the second lawsuit in Martin County arising out of their five-year relationship. In a declaratory judgment complaint – an action in which a party asks the court to clarify legal rights or issues –...
Can I move out of our family home during my Florida divorce?
The short answer is yes, but you should make the decision to leave home carefully and after consultation with a lawyer, if possible. Most people think that if you move out, the judge will probably want to keep things status quo, especially if the arrangement is...
Mummies (or daddies)? Who has a leg up in Florida family law?
Are you a Floridian haunted by potential outcomes in your divorce if arrangements in the decree are in accord with historical family roles based on gender? Some of those frightful stereotypes include: Mothers should have custody because they are better at nurturing...
You have chosen stepparent adoption. What are the next steps in Florida?
Families come in many forms today, including those in a home where a married couple lives with a child of one of the spouses – in other words, a stepfamily. Especially when the other biological parent is not involved with the child, it is not unusual for the...
New automatic time-sharing schedule for parents in 2018
A major goal for Florida lawmakers with Senate Bill 590 was to "encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent" and to "optimize the development of a close and continuing relationship" with the children after divorce or separation. Gov. Rick Scott signed...
Long-term relationship, short-term marriage: In same-sex divorce, who gets what?
On Jun. 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal throughout the country. The case of Obergefell v. Hodges - now considered a landmark case in civil rights - gave same-sex couples the right to marry and to enjoy the state-bestowed benefits of joint...
Terrified to testify? Don’t worry – your lawyer will prepare you
To testify means to bear witness.When you testify, you are a witness to the facts and circumstances of the matter at hand, and you answer questions put to you by your lawyer and your spouse's lawyer. And when you testify, you are asked to speak the truth, under oath,...
The Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC represents individuals in Fort Lauderdale in high-asset divorce matters. Daniel Forrest is board-certified family lawyer and mediator serving the South Florida area.
