03 May

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Who gets the dog?

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

Who gets the dog, or any other treasured pet, when there is to be a divorce? One would think that, since most pets are treated as a part of the family, the courts would also consider them as such. This would mean that visitation rights or timesharing rights, as time spent with minor children is now referred to, would be granted by the courts at the time of the final dissolution of the marriage. Unfortunately, in only four states is the possibility of court-ordered timesharing still a reality. Florida is not one of these states. In Florida, pets are considered marital...

22 April

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Preserving Electronic evidence

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

With more and more states allowing evidence found on electronic devices such as computers and iPhones it is essential that persons needing such evidence to support their claims learn how to preserve evidence stored on their electronic devices. Of course, there is the other side of the coin where when someone does not want evidence found on their electronic devices to be used, they too need to be careful. For, if it can be shown that evidence was intentionally deleted to the point where even a computer forensic specialist could not retrieve it, the court will not be pleased and...

11 March

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How Do I Choose a Lawyer?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

“How do I choose a lawyer?” Is a question many people ask at some time in their life. It seems today that “going to court” for one reason or another is an everyday happening for a myriad of issues. In the United States crime rates are high, divorce rates hover near 50% and suing someone,or some organization has become the way to right a wrong, even a small one. So what things should a person consider if they need to hire a lawyer? The following suggestions will help: 1. First and foremost, check out several potential prospects in the area of your...

17 January

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How a Forensic CPA Can Help

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

There are sometimes, during the hearing of a case before a judge, when it necessary to use an expert witness. According to The Legal Dictionary.com. an “expert witness is a person who is a specialist in a subject, often technical, who may present his/her expert opinion without having been witness to any occurrence relating to the lawsuit or criminal case.” One type of expert witness is a Forensic CPA (Certified Public Account). A person using this title is someone educated, trained, and licensed to investigate and give qualified reports in the area of audits, accounting, and matters concerning the financial...

04 January

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Daubert is Dead (Supreme Court Ruling for Qualification of Expert Witnesses)

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

To begin with, what or who is Daubert? And what is an expert witness and why should he or she need to be qualified? As Daubert deals directly with the qualification of an expert witness asked to give testimony, this blog will start with a legal definition of “expert witness.” According to Legal Dictionary|Law.com, an “expert witness is a person who is a specialist in a subject, often technical, who may present his\her expert opinion without having been a witness to any occurrence relating to the lawsuit or criminal case.” In Family Law, an expert witness could include someone such as...

24 November

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Be Careful What You Post on Social Media

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Social media is fast becoming the way to communicate information ideas, and often pictures to further evidence the written word. Authors Marisa A. Tradatti and Anna C. Hore vary write “There’s a whole generation of people for whom tweeting is as natural as breathing, for whom the word “friend” has become a verb and for whom Web 2.0 is the only media platform they know”. Facebook alone has over 1 billion users, approximately one-seventh of the world’s population, with other social media such as Instant Message, Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, and just plain texting and e-mails adding countless more users to...

15 November

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Is Being Separated a Requirement for a Divorce in Florida?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

No, being separated is not a requirement for a divorce in the state of Florida. In fact, in Florida, as in five other states, Texas, Mississippi, Deleware, Pennsylvania, and Georgia,legal separation is not recognized.A couple can choose to live apart, in other words, “separate” but the Florida courts do not have a way to make this legal. However, particularly if minor children (children under 18 years of age or special needs adults) are involved the courts, usually with the help of mediation, can adjudicate issues including child support, child custody, visitation, and division of property. When determining child support payments,...

29 October

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When to Switch to a New Attorney

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Five Reasons to Consider Switching to a New Attorney

You have done your research, met with some attorneys specializing in handling situations involving your concerns, chosen the attorney you felt the most comfortable with and had confidence in, and your particular case is well on its way to being decided. Without intending there to be problems with your attorney, several issues have surfaced and it may be time to switch to a new attorney. Changing attorneys during a case can and does happen. Here are some of the reasons why: Lack of prompt and meaningful communication is probably the most frequent cause for concern. Of course, attorneys are busy...

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

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...

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

29 September

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Divorce Is Not an Ending but A Beginning

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice

Can You Make a Beginning From the Ending After a Divorce?

Divorce, or as it is now termed, dissolution of marriage, can for many seem the end of the road. This is particularly true in long-term marriages or in marriages where just one partner desires the divorce. And, if the reason for desiring a divorce is another woman or another man, the distress is usually multiplied many times over. Being rejected is probably one of the most hurtful of human experiences and one that puts a huge damper on a person’s ego. In our culture, divorce can be looked upon as “too bad,”and “it was likely your fault in the first...