Blog | Family Lawyer Grant J. Gisondo in Palm Beach Gardens

14 April

Sticky

Legal Advice: Why It Can’t Be Given Away For Free

To begin with, let’s take a look at just what “legal advice” is. Going online it is interesting to note there are numerous definitions from a wide variety of sources. Each definition has similarities but there are some subtle differences. The following are several of the most complete: Wikipedia: “the giving of a professional or formal opinion regarding the substance or procedures of the law in relation to a particular factual situation.” State Definitions of the Practice of Law-American Bar Association: “Providing advice or preparing documents for another, which affect legal rights or duties.” Regarding Florida in particular it...

14 April

Sticky

Why Choose a Family Law Attorney Vs. a General Practice Attorney

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Child Support, Family Law, Prenuptial Agreements

Before answering the question as to why choose a family law attorney vs. a general practice attorney it is important to understand the areas of law practiced by each. A Family Law Attorney practices in the areas of law dealing directly with issues involving families in civil court matters. These issues include child support and its arrears and post judgment modifications, dissolution of marriage (divorce), parental time sharing (child custody) and its relocation and post judgment modification, spousal support (alimony) and its post judgment modification, equitable distribution of marital and non marital property and liabilities, pre and postnuptial agreements, bankruptcy, and...

16 March

Sticky

Imputation of income

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law

One of the most important and most difficult aspects of determining the final outcome of a dissolution of marriage (divorce) in the State of Florida is deciding on the income allotted to each spouse. This amount, will of course, determine how much spousal support (alimony) will be paid/received and, if minor children are involved, how much child support will be paid/received. Both parties are subject to the scrutiny of the legal guidelines for determining income found in Florida Family Law Statute 61.30 and include imputed income when either party is self-employed as well as imputed income when either party can...

15 March

Sticky

What is Voluntary Underemployment?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law

In plain English, voluntary underemployment is when an individual chooses to not work for pay or to work at a job that does not reflect that person’s skills, abilities, or education. But why would this make a difference in a Family Law case involving child support or alimony? As long as a person is managing on the income available to them, what difference does it make? In the state of Florida, for example, it does make a difference, which is spelled out in Florida Statute 61 covering dissolution of marriage (divorce), child support, and parental timesharing (custody). By looking at...

02 March

Sticky

All About a Self Employed Spouse and How to Impute Income

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Child Support, Family Law

In almost all instances, when a couple is going through a disillusion of marriage (divorce) probably the most contested and important item is the financial outcomes which will largely determine the future of each spouse. While it is true parental timesharing (custody), when there are minor children involved, probably ranks the highest concern, without adequate financial considerations both in child support and alimony, the ability to care adequately for a minor child can be severely hampered. Income and expenses of both parties are considered when determining how monies should be adjudicated. And, while this sounds simple to do, in reality...

18 January

Sticky

Why Minor Children Should Not Testify Against Their Parents – A personal Opinion

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law

The opinion presented in this blog is representative of Family Law Attorney Grant Gisondo who practices in West Palm Beach, Florida. Questions were asked to Dr. Julia Meldau, Ed. D, majoring in Child and Youth Studies, who has worked professionally with young children for many years both as teacher and school administrator. There were numerous times when minor children in her professional care were a part of a court litigation such as a custody dispute, divorce contention, and/or a child abuse or criminal allegation against their parent(s). While it would seem the best way to obtain first hand information regarding...

Minor Children Should Not Testify Against Their Parents

18 January

Sticky

What is a Forensic Accountant’s Role in a Divorce?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law

Most frequently a forensic accountant’s role in a divorce (now termed dissolution of marriage) is in the courtroom as an expert witness. As an expert witness the forensic account is allowed to testify in his/her area of expertise even though never having, been witness to any occurrence relating to the lawsuit. The areas of expertise of a forensic accountant include accounting, auditing, and investigative skills involving monetary considerations and concerns. And, when it comes to a divorce, there are a number of monetary considerations and concerns where the expertise of a forensic account can often prove or disprove an issue...