06 September

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Why Phone Consultations Are a Bad Idea

in Attorney Consultation, Board Certified Lawyer, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice

It is very likely that sometime during your life, you will need to use the advice and perhaps the representation of an attorney. For many years the Yellow Pages were where you would look for an attorney in your community along with asking for suggestions from family and friends. Not any more. Today the way to look for an attorney involves not only asking family and friends but using the internet and researching several websites. Once you have narrowed your search to, say, three possibilities, you will want to arrange a consultation for the final comparison. Attorneys will offer an...

Family Law attorney - client initial consultation

26 August

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

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

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,...

26 July

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How Are Marital Homes Handled in Divorce

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice

In a dissolution of marriage (divorce), Florida is an equitable distribution state for dividing marital assets and liabilities, including real estate, which includes marital homes. While a judge will often order a marital home sold and the equity divided 50/50, there are other ways the marital home asset can be handled. Equitable means fair rather than equal, so Florida Family Court has a variety of options. Before any option handling a marital home is presented, the true ownership of the home must be established. If the home belonged entirely to a party before marriage, he or she would continue to own...

Divorce,And,Dividing,A,House,Concept.,Man,And,Woman,Are

15 July

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How Can a Forensic Accountant Assist in a Dissolution of Marriage?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice

Before looking at how a forensic accountant can assist in a dissolution of marriage (divorce), it is important to understand the job qualifications associated with forensic accounting. A person using this title is someone who is trained and educated, and licensed to investigate and give qualified reports in the areas of accounting, audits, and issues involving the financial status of an individual or a business. A forensic account is considered by the court an expert witness, which, according to Legal Dictionary.com is “a person who is a specialist in a subject, often technical who may present his/her expert opinion without...

07 July

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How to Effectively Coparent DURING a Dissolution

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Dissolution refers to the now used term dissolution of marriage that replaces the term divorce. Dissolution comes from the word dissolve, which in effect is what happens to a couple’s relationship. When minor children are involved by virtue of the fact they were born to or adopted by the couple, there are dynamics involved requiring co-parenting. Minor children are children from birth to eighteen years or longer if a child is unable to support themselves independently for physical or mental reasons. When a dissolution, divorce, is final, there will be a shared parenting plan and parental timesharing schedule legally in...

28 June

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Florida Bars Board Certification Part 2

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Mediation

How does the Board Certification of a lawyer help the client? As mentioned in part one of the blog Florida's Bar Board Certification, in l982, a voluntary program to help the public select lawyers distinguished in their special area of law was organized to be officiated by the Florida Supreme Court and administered by the Florida Bar. The certification has become the gold standard for lawyers. It gives prospective clients the assurance a board-certified lawyer has gained expertise in their chosen area of law and a high-performance rating in ethical practice and professionalism. All this sounds impressive, but how does board...

21 June

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Florida Bars Board Certification Part 1

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Mediation

Description of the program and what it means to be Board Certified. For many years there was no way for the public to select lawyers distinguished in their particular area of law. Then, in l982, a voluntary program officiated by the Florida Supreme Court and administered by The Florida Bar was created called Board Certification. A lawyer must be in active practice for at least five years, be in good standing of the Florida Bar, and meet the standards subscribed by the Florida Supreme Court before he or she can begin the process of becoming board-certified in their area of practice....

15 June

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Florida is an Equitable Distribution State. What Does That Mean?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Mediation

One of the most difficult issues to mediate or for a judge to rule on is the division of assets and liabilities. In other words, how will marital monies, properties, businesses, and debts be divided between the two spouses? In some states, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Louisianna, all assets and liabilities coming under the heading of “marital” that are obtained since the marriage will be divided evenly or, as often termed, equally. These states are sometimes referred to as common property states. All the rest of the states (except Alaska, where a couple can...