26 August

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What is the Role of a Forensic Psychologist in Child Custody Cases?

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

Before looking at the role of a forensic psychologist in child custody cases, it makes sense to look at the definition of a forensic psychologist and what their role is. As defined by the American Psychology Association, it is “the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena.” In other words, according to author Jane Tyler Ward, Ph.D., forensic psychology is “the physiological assessment of individuals who are involved in one way or another with the legal system.” She goes on to say the most important skills a forensic psychologist must have are solid clinic skills that include “clinical assessment,...

18 August

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The Importance of Choosing the Right Mediator During Litigation

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

Mediation is the agreeing of two parties to solving a legal issue such as a divorce or child support modification by the process of compromise. Each party is usually represented by their attorney, who helps the party look at all offers and consider if a compromise can be reached, and the issue solved. Reaching an agreement in mediation is less expensive than going to court, both in legal fees and court costs. Additionally, In mediation, the parties have control over the outcome of their litigation rather than a judge deciding for them. The mediation transcripts are private and cannot be...

06 August

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Should You Tell Your Children You Are Getting Divorced?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

The answer to this question is really more when you should tell your children you are getting divorced. Eventually, even a very young child will find out Mommy and Daddy do not live together anymore. What is important is to think about a number of considerations before sharing the sad news with your children. Here are some tips to help you think through and decide how best to share the news about the divorce. First and foremost, you should, as parents, work together to decide when it is best and when how to tell your children about the divorce. Hopefully,...

17 August

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If I Have Equal (50/50) Timesharing, Is Child Support Still Calculated?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Child Custody, Child Support, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

Over the past few years, in most states, parental timesharing has taken the place of ordering primary and secondary custody for minor children. Minor children are children from birth to l8 years, and any child past that age who is mentally or physically unable to provide for themselves. Having both parents involved in the care and nurturing of their children has been proven to be highly beneficial to a child’s healthy development. And, the best arrangement is when an equal or 50/50 timesharing agreement is reached. But what about child support? Will there still be a need to calculate child support...

10 June

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What is Income for the Purposes of Child Support (fla. stat 61.13)

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice

Child support in Florida is mandatory, whether the parents have been married and are getting a divorce, have lived together and are separating, or have never lived together longer than to create a child. Family law in Florida is very conscientious regarding the care and nurturing of minor children and stands by the phrase "in the best interest of the child." It goes without saying that it costs money to raise a child from birth to l8 years and beyond if the child has special needs and cannot care or provide for themself independently. In Florida Statute 61:13, which you...

22 November

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Factors for the Calculation of Child Support

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Child Support, Divorce Law News, Legal Advice

Factors For the Calculation of Child Support

In the state of Florida, the awarding of child support is mandatory whether the parents have been married or even have lived together. When paternity is proven, a child is born during a marriage, ora child legally adopted, the issue of calculating child support will become a part of a dissolution of marriage (divorce), separation of parents, or when a child is born to a couple. Child support can also be given to a third party who is given legal custody of a minor child when the court rules neither party is able to parent effectively. A side note, child...

16 September

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How is Paternity Established in Florida? Part One: What is paternity, and how is it established out of court?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Legal Advice, Paternity, Uncategorized

Definition of “paternity” as found in Merriam-Webster dictionary, “the quality or state of being a father”. In other words, the man who fathers a child is considered to have the paternity of that child. While this may seem obvious to a man who thinks he is the father of a child, there can sometimes be a situation when his paternity or fatherhood is called into question. Unlike the mother who bears a child and so is most definitely the mother, it can be unclear as to precisely who is the true father. Frequently, in the contemporary society of our modern...

04 October

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How a Parenting Coordinator Can Help

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice, Parenting, Paternity

How Does a Parenting Coordinator Help Florida Families Pre and Post-Divorce

In states like Florida, unless there are special circumstances, there is no longer a primary custody parent for minor children between ages new-born to 18years but rather a sharing of parental responsibility. This is termed “parental time-sharing.”Basically,this means parents will share equally the care and nurturing of any minor children born or adopted to them as a couple. (The parents do not have to be or have been married.)Additionally, as part of the parenting plan required by the court, all major decision making must be shared in the areas of education, medial, discipline, and religion. While all the above plans for...

06 September

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How Does Alimony Affect Child Support?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Child Support, Family Law

Going through a dissolution of marriage (divorce) in Florida when there are minor children, that is children under the age of l8 or who cannot take care of themselves, requires the awarding of child support. To calculate which parent will be the receiver and which parent the giver, and how much monthly payment will be ordered, Florida Family Law has developed a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. Such factors as income, health insurance costs, mandatory expenses (example special dietary food requirement), and special expenses such as the cost of travel to and from work will be taken into account. You can...