Source: https://www.streetslaw.com/blog/?category=Divorce
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 06:44:24+00:00

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Parties are understandably emotionally invested in the outcome of their divorce case. Sometimes this leads to erratic and unpleasant behavior which can negatively affect both parties. In the case Rawson v. Rawson, No. 1D17-1413 (Fla. 1st DCA 2019), we see how such behavior can affect a judge’s ruling on issues such as alimony and equitable distribution.
Florida family law allows for the payment of attorneys’ fees and costs based on need and ability to pay. So even the “winner” of a family law case may be required to pay the other party’s attorneys’ fees and costs based on principles of equity. The playing field is leveled in this way so that one party does not have the ability to hire a lawyer while the other must proceed without counsel. However, before attorneys’ fees and costs are ordered to be paid, there must be findings as to a party’s need for them and the other party’s ability to pay them.
Disclosure of medical records in Florida divorce requires "calamitous event"
Can a party subpoena all medical records in a Florida divorce? The answer depends on what is at issue in the case, and whether or not the party requesting the records has a good reason for being entitled to them. Take the case Brooks v. Brooks, 239 So.3d 758 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2018) in which the wife subpoenaed the husband’s medical, psychotherapist, pharmacy and employment records based on her allegations of domestic violence and the husband’s angry tirades during custody exchanges.
Divorce can be a process that is filled with animosity. Adding adult children to the opposition no doubt adds to this animosity. The case Perez v. Perez, 238 So.3d 422 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018) presents a situation in which the former wife felt she had no choice but to sue her adult children over property that was at issue in her Florida divorce.
Florida divorce: "Courts won't interpret a contract in such a way as to render provisions meaningless when there is a reasonable interpretation that does not do so"
We see time and time again how language in a Florida marital settlement agreement can be interpreted in multiple ways. Ultimately, how the court interprets the language is what controls, and how the court arrives at that decision is based on established Florida law. In the case Wells v. Wells, 239 So.3d 179 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018), an issue arose regarding the interpretation of a clause of a marital settlement agreement which gave the ex-wife possessory rights over the marital home for what turned out to be a disputed length of time.
When a business interest needs to be divided in a Florida divorce, parties are usually required to hire a forensic accountant to provide expert testimony as to the value of the business, and the accountant usually values it based on the assets held by the business as well as the goodwill associated with the business. In the case Soria v. Soria, 237 So.3d 454 (Fla. 2d DCA 2018), the former husband appealed the trial court’s decision to value his business interest based on the par value of the stock in the business.
Florida divorces that include substantial assets and income often include claims for alimony and complicated equitable distribution. Such was the case in Burnett v. Burnett, 237 So.3d 447 (Fla. 1st DCA 2018) in which the former husband appealed a final judgment awarding permanent alimony, requiring him to maintain life insurance to secure the alimony award and requiring him to pay 100% of the former wife’s attorneys’ fees and costs.
A supportive relationship can affect an alimony award before it is even established. That is what happened in the case Bruce v. Bruce, 243 So.3d 461 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018) where at the time of trial, the former wife was residing with her boyfriend.
Discovery in a Florida family law case involves the exchange of documents and other evidence which each party uses to build his/her respective case. Generally each party is required to timely comply with discovery requests unless there is a valid objection raised. Failure to follow orders compelling discovery can result in a party’s defenses and claims being stricken, which means the party cannot request certain relief at trial.
Do mortgage payments count as child support in a Florida divorce?
Mistakes can happen in a Florida divorce which is why it is important to know the rules and to be vigilant in appealing. In the recent appellate case Julia v. Julia, 4D17-2261 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019), a litany of issues were appealed by the former husband which he argued were major mistakes made in his divorce case. He ended up prevailing on many of the issues.
Do I need a forensic accountant in my Florida divorce?
Divorce can be a very costly process if both parties are not in agreement with how to resolve their differences. In some cases it is more costly because experts such as real estate appraisers, guardian ad litems, and vocational evaluators are needed to make assessments in a case. Forensic accountants may also add to the bill. How do you know if you need one?
Who knew that Florida family law cases would allow attorneys to flex their math skills? One recent appellate case puts those skills to the test where a trial court apparently had difficulty calculating the marital portion of a retirement account.

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