17 September

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Dissolution of Marriage During COVID

in COVID l9, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice

COVID has and is affecting the way we live our everyday lives. It seems there is no area left untouched by one regulation or another, and Family Court in Florida is no exception. For those couples who are seeking dissolution of marriage (divorce), there have been significant changes in the way things are done in order to complete the process of dissolution. The main thing to be aware of regarding a dissolution hearing is that as of May 21, 2020, an issue was ordered by the Supreme Court of Florida termed the Administrative Order AOSC20-23 Amendment 2. This amendment is in...

proceedings for Dissolution of Marriage during COVID l9

07 September

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Preparing for the Holiday Timesharing-Review

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

It’s hard to believe that another year, particularly such a difficult one, is fast approaching what is called the “holiday season.” These special times of celebration include Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All these events are traditionally family-oriented, and children play a large part in the celebrations. All ages of children, young and old, usually participate, but those children under the age of l8 and those unable to provide for themselves due to physical or mental challenges, have a particularly important role to play. And, of course, it is not unusual for both parents to want to spend these...

27 August

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Can We Settle the Case Without Attending Mediation?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

For a direct answer to the question, “Can we settle the case without attending mediation?” the answer is “yes.” Mediation, according to The Free Dictionary by Farlex, is “a settlement of a dispute or controversy by setting up an independent person between two contending parties in order to aid them in the settlement of their disagreements” For example, mediation is used in Family Law for such cases as dissolution of marriage (divorce), child support, parental timesharing, parenting plan, and modification of alimony, child support, and parental timesharing and parenting plan. In fact, in some states such as Florida, mediation is...

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...

07 August

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Will the Other Side Be Required to Pay My Attorney Fees?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice

Paying attorney fees, for most people, is one of the least popular parts of taking a case to a legal professional. And, one of the most asked questions is, “Will the other side be required to pay my attorney fees?” as hopefully getting help with paying attorney fees would be appreciated. In most instances, what is termed “The American Rule” is the standard by which attorney fees are paid? This rule dictates that each side pays its own attorney costs, whether they win or lose a case. But, as with most “rules” in life, there are exceptions which judges may impose...

24 July

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Can We Settle the Case Without Conducting Discovery?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women

First, before answering the question asked in the title, it is important to understand the definition of the word “discovery” as it pertains in the legal sense. While it is true discovery means to find out about, investigate, ask questions about, and explore information relevant to a topic, there is a deeper meaning when it comes to preparing a legal case for court. The following definition is found online from upcounsel “The formal procedure used by parties to a lawsuit to obtain information before a trial is called discovery Part of the pretrial litigation process during which each party requests...

28 January

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Modifying a Parenting Plan in Florida

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Parenting, Paternity, Time Sharing, Uncategorized

Time marches on, and so do people. No matter how much a person would like to look into the future and find out what will happen, this just isn’t possible. When a parenting plan is drawn up both parties do so with the limited knowledge of what will happen in the future and how each thinks the requirements of shared parenting, including timesharing, will work the best in their particular case. All seems to go well for a while and then there are changes that may occur which can make the parenting plan as written become unrealistic and sometimes even...

17 January

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Holiday Timesharing

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Parenting, Paternity, Time Sharing, Uncategorized

Holidays are, for most families, some of the best times of the year. This is especially true for young children unless their family is extremely poor, so they feel left out when compared to other children. Children and grownups alike look forward to spending time together, and as in the case of birthdays and December holidays look forward to the tradition of gift-giving. But what happens when there is a divorce? How do children and parents share those special days? In many states, Florida included, when there are minor children (children from birth to age l8) involved, the state requires a...

06 January

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How to Prepare for When the Divorce is Over

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Uncategorized

Divorce, or dissolution of marriage as it is termed in modern times, is never an easy or pleasant experience. In most cases, life, as it has been, will be disrupted and changed. Both parties, whether either wants the divorce or not, will be faced with a different way of doing things during the proceedings and even more so once the divorce is over. Fortunately, even in the best of circumstances, a divorce takes time to become final and thus allows a person time to prepare for what lies ahead. While no one wants to plan a future with so much...

How to Prepare for When the Divorce is Over

11 November

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Save Those Text Messages: Electronic Evidence

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice, Uncategorized

Save Those Text Messages Electronic Evidence

Electronic evidence is fast becoming a vital part of testimony in a courtroom. In fact, cases have been lost or won on the basis of electronic evidence. These facts may sound scary, especially to those over 60, but they are a reality and must be taken seriously. Evidence, once it has been authenticated, can be used in the court. However, if a judge deems that the e-mail or phone text message is not able to be authenticated, or is hearsay, the resulting messages will be ruled inadmissible. So what precautions should a person take to avoid having electronic evidence tossed...