Jacksonville Divorce Attorney Blog

December 21, 2011

Florida House Bill 549

Florida lawmakers like others across the nation are taking the issue of permanent alimony to the legislature. Florida lawmakers are currently considering Bill 549, which would end permanent alimony in the state.

Currently, Florida Statute 61.08 reads, “Permanent alimony may be awarded to provide for the needs and necessities of life as they were established during the marriage of the parties for a party who lacks the financial ability to meet his or her needs and necessities of life following a dissolution of marriage.”

Permanent means exactly that, PERMANENT. The obligor ex-spouse pays the ordered alimony until such time the obligee ex-spouse remarries, dies or the judgment is otherwise modified.

December 20, 2011

How Do I Reduce My Monthly Alimony Payments?

by David M. Goldman

Florida recognizes four main types of alimony.

(1) Bridge-the-Gap

(2) Rehabilitative

December 19, 2011

Millionaire Dead-Beat Dad in Sunshine State

by David M. Goldman

Not far from Jacksonville, Hillsborough County Judge Caroline Tesche is dealing with a “dead-beat dad” who owes approximately $10 million in child and spousal support. ABC News is reporting that Judge Tesche sentenced, “dead beat dad”, John Stanton to five months and 29 days in jail. However, Mr. Stanton avoided arrest yesterday, Thursday, December 15, 2011, because he did not appear in court. Yet, there is a warrant out for his arrest.

Jacksonville has its own plethora of “dead-beat dads” and the Duval County Court Family Law Judges deal with them on a daily basis. A Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer, takes “dead-beat dads” to court regularly and knows how to have them found in contempt.

If you live in the Jacksonville area and are not receiving your court ordered child support or alimony contact a Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer to schedule a free consultation.

December 15, 2011

Name Change in Florida

by David M. Goldman

Are you a Jacksonville Florida resident and have been considering legal changing your name for a while now? If so, don’t go into the new year with a name you hate. Contact a Jacksonville Name Change Lawyer to get the process of changing your name moving.

The process to have an adult name change in Jacksonville involves; filing a Petition with the court, having a criminal background check done, having fingerprints taken, and appearing before a judge at a final hearing.

Why fingerprints? The Court wants to insure that a Petitioner is not trying to evade any criminal proceedings or related issues. Florida Statute 68.07 reads as follows: “Before the court hearing on a petition for a name change, the petitioner must have fingerprints submitted for a state and national criminal history records check, except if a former name is being restored. Fingerprints for the petitioner shall be taken in a manner approved by the Department of Law Enforcement and shall be submitted electronically to the department for state processing for a criminal history records check. The department shall submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national processing. The department shall submit the results of the state and national records check to the clerk of the court. The court shall consider the results in reviewing the information contained in the petition and evaluating whether to grant the petition. When a petition is filed which requires a criminal history records check, the clerk of the court shall instruct the petitioner on the process for having fingerprints taken and submitted, including providing information on law enforcement agencies or service providers authorized to submit fingerprints electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement. The cost of processing fingerprints and conducting the state and national criminal history records check required under this subsection shall be borne by the petitioner for the name change or by the parent or guardian of a minor for whom a name change is being sought.”

December 14, 2011

Disparaging the Other Parent? Bad Idea!

by David M. Goldman

As a Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer I am familiar with the many issues that surround custody disputes. I also know what Jacksonville Judges absolutely hate to see in child custody cases. One of the main things that divorcing parents in contested cases have a tendency to do is disparage the other parent. This is something that should be avoided at all costs.

Jacqueline Harounian speaks on this topic in her Huffington Post article titled “How To Lose Child Custody“. Harounian states, “A parent who is constantly denigrating the other parent, leaking anger, and negatively influencing the child’s relationship with the noncustodial parent will be reprimanded. In extreme cases, there will be allegations of parental alienation and interference with parenting time. Many judges will consider a change of custody if this type of interference is shown.Bottom line: if you want to show the Judge that you will promote the best interests of your child, then you need to show that you recognize the value of the child’s relationship with your ex, and will take the steps to encourage that relationship. Of course, when you are going through an adversarial proceeding with someone you don’t like very much, it can be very hard to put those feelings aside for the sake of your child. But that is exactly what you need to do if you want to prevail in your case.”

If you’re considering divorce and live in the Jacksonville area contact a Jacksonville Divorce Lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.

December 12, 2011

Parental Abduction Warning Signs

by David M. Goldman

Timescolonist.com posted an article the other day titled, “Parental Abduction: Here are the Warning Signs.” Although the article discusses issues arising out of Canada the same principals apply to the States.

Some things to consider when there are concerns regarding Parental Abduction:

(1) Divorce or separation is “high conflict.”

December 9, 2011

12 Laws of Christmas – Day 4 Gun Trust $100 Off

by David M. Goldman

Interested in a Gun Trust or one of our new Asset Protection Gun Trusts? This special is for today only. If you contact us by email or telephone today, we will knock $100 off the price of your Gun Trust. To learn more about what a Gun Trust is visit the Gun Trust Lawyer® Blog If you contact us after hours on Dec
The Law Office of David M. Goldman has decided to do 12 great specials for our new and existing clients.

If you want to be the first to find out about the special offers by the Law Office of David M. Goldman for the remaining 12 Laws of Christmas, be sure to check this blog daily or subscribe to our blog updates.

December 8, 2011

12 Laws of Christmas – Day 3 Foreclosure Defense Pay 2 Months Get One Free

by David M. Goldman

This special is for any new or existing Foreclosure Defense clients and can offer you a substantial discount and save you a substantial amount of money. While we understand that not everyone will be able to take advantage of the offer, for those of you who can it should be considered. If you pay for 2 months of Foreclosure Defense we will give you a credit for an additional month at no charge. For more information on Strategic Default or Foreclosure Defense in Florida, please see the Florida Foreclosure Defense Lawyers Blog.

The Law Office of David M. Goldman has decided to do 12 great specials for our new and existing clients. Many of the specials will only be valid for the day they are mentioned, but we will honor this special as long as you contact us about it by December 25th and pay for it by the end of the year.

If you want to be the first to find out about the special offers by the Law Office of David M. Goldman for the remaining 12 Laws of Christmas, be sure to check this blog daily or subscribe to our blog updates.

December 7, 2011

12 Laws of Christmas – Day 2 Criminal Defense $500 off Retainer

by David M. Goldman

If you or a family member has been accused or are under investigation for a Crime and are looking to hire a Florida Criminal Defense lawyer to represent you, we have an offer that may make it easier to hire an attorney around the end of the year. The Law Office of David M. Goldman is offering to reduce any new retainer by $500 for representation for a felony or misdemeanor crime. For more information, you may review the Jacksonville Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog.

The Law Office of David M. Goldman has decided to do 12 great specials for our new and existing clients. Many of the specials will only be valid for the day they are mentioned, but we will honor this special as long as you contact us about it by December 25th and pay for it by the end of the year.

If you want to be the first to find out about the special offers by the Law Office of David M. Goldman for the remaining 12 Laws of Christmas, be sure to check this blog daily or subscribe to our blog updates.

December 6, 2011

Drug Testing in Family Law Matters

by David M. Goldman

Drug testing is a common issue in divorce and other legal proceedings involving children. Family Law Judges in Jacksonville have the authority to order a parent who is alleged to be using and or abusing illegal substances to submit to a drug test. This usually occurs upon motion of the other party or parent.

Reportedly, R&B star, Usher, is finding himself in this exact situation. Neontommy.com posted an article, which opens with, “In the heat of a custody battle, Usher’s ex-wife, Tameka Raymond, is practically begging for the judge to have him drug tested. She claims that the R&B superstar “pops pills” and “who knows what else” in front of their two boys.”

If you live in the Jacksonville area and are concerned that your ex-spouse or soon-to-be-ex-spouse is abusing drugs around your children contact a Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.