Is Mittens more loyal than your soon-to-be ex-spouse? In part 1, we revisited the treatment of family pets in Florida divorces – basically like personal property. Sadly, in some marriages that are on the rocks, parties develop more feelings for their pets than for...
Property Division
Florida divorce: Cupid aimed for my spouse but hit my dog, part 1
Your marriage is over, but your furbaby still has your heart Many Floridians have dogs, cats and other pets smaller or larger – or less traditional. Especially during the pandemic, pets play an important role within many households and are part of the family. Lots of...
Putting a dollar sign on a Florida business during a divorce
If you face divorce and you, your spouse or both of you jointly own a business, proper valuation of that enterprise is necessary so the court can fairly divide the marital estate. You and your spouse may be able to agree on a number, but if not, the judge will...
Haunted by a bad marital settlement agreement? Can it be set aside after divorce?
What generally happens with a marital settlement agreement (MSA) in a divorce is that the judge reviews it and incorporates its terms into the final divorce decree, if it complies with the law and is in the children’s best interests. So, while it was in essence a...
Bill and Melinda Gates announce divorce and separation contract
On May 3, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, 65, and his wife Melinda French Gates, 56, announced their divorce on Twitter after almost 30 years of marriage. That same day, Ms. Gates filed a petition for divorce, which Mr. Gates joined. The petition states that the...
Long separation before Florida divorce could be financially problematic, part 2
In part 1, we explained that under Florida law the marital estate usually consists of the marital assets and debts as of the date of the divorce petition filing – called the cut-off date. The marital estate is the totality of property and liability equitably...
Separated but still married in Florida? It could end up costing you, part 1
It is not uncommon when a marriage breaks down for one spouse to move out of the marital home in anticipation of eventual divorce. Every couple is different – one might file for divorce immediately to get it done as soon as possible, while another might want to give...
This land is your land, this land is my land
Property appraisers and their role as real estate experts in Florida divorce litigation One of the most consequential parts of divorce is the division of real property, meaning land and buildings, between the spouses. Sometimes a couple can negotiate how they will...
Better than flowers: The abandonment of prenuptial agreements by action in Florida
If your marriage is deteriorating and you anticipate divorce, you might not expect flowers for Valentine’s Day this year. But it might make you happier than flowers would have should you learn that because of the actions of you or your spouse during the marriage,...
What’s mine is yours? Dividing rental property in Florida divorce
What’s it really worth? Rental property can be a good source of income during marriage, but what happens to this asset when a couple divorces? It is frequently more complicated than you might think. Equitable division Florida law requires the equitable division of...
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.
