Parents may sometimes be responsible when their child causes injury or damages someone’s property. Florida law allows this in certain situations, especially when a child acts intentionally or when a parent’s actions contribute to the harm. When Florida law holds...
Family Law
Why establishing paternity matters for unmarried parents
Many people believe biological parents share the same legal rights. This is not true for unmarried parents. Under Florida law, biology alone does not give a father full parental rights. A father must establish legal paternity before asking for custody or time-sharing...
Can a parent change a child’s last name after divorce?
Many people (generally women) who took or added their spouse’s last name when they married take back their previous last name when they divorce. Some divorcing spouses (again, typically women) also want to change their children’s last names to match their own. If...
Can parents who share custody travel with their kids out of Florida?
Parents often want to create valuable memories with their children. Travel is one of the ways that parents bond with their children and enrich their lives. Many parents have the luxury of cooperating with one another to surprise their children and plan exciting...
Unmarried fathers: Unraveling paternity and building bonds
Unmarried fathers may encounter paternity challenges that married fathers don’t have to address. Thankfully, the law has ways of recognizing a biological father-child relationship regardless of whether someone becomes a father within or without a marital relationship...
Who should you tell you are divorcing?
If you have decided to divorce you clearly need to inform your spouse and any children you have. You’ll probably also want to let family and friends know, as you may need them to help you with the upcoming changes, or provide emotional support. Is that the complete...
Understanding grandparents’ custody rights in Florida
In Florida, grandparents' custody rights are recognized under specific circumstances. The state laws prioritize the child's best interests, often defaulting to parental rights. However, there are situations where grandparents can seek custody or visitation rights,...
Does marrying too young contribute to divorce?
Is there an ideal age to get married? While this question may not have a one-size-fits-all answer, some ages may be considered "too young" for marriage. Studies show that people who get married too young are more likely to get a divorce. So, why does this happen?...
What instances can stop the payment of spousal support?
Spousal support, or alimony, is often a vital part of a divorce settlement. When one spouse relies financially on the other during the marriage, they may require this support to maintain their lifestyle after the divorce. It's important to know the specific...
3 times Florida parents can ask for more time-sharing rights
Divorced or separated parents in Florida need to reach a time-sharing arrangement with one another. If they cannot agree to a division of time with their children, then a judge can make those determinations for their family. A Florida parenting plan approved by the...
