24 July

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Can We Settle the Case Without Conducting Discovery?

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

How to Prepare for When the Divorce is Over

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...

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

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...

Save Those Text Messages Electronic Evidence

22 July

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Why Hiring an Attorney Before Your Case is Filed is a Good Idea?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Why Hiring an Attorney Before Your Case is Filed is a Good Idea

Probably the reason most people wait until the last minute to hire an attorney is the cost. Many attorneys charge by the quarter-hour, and this can add up fast when having a conversation regarding a case not yet underway. While this is true, there are reasons it is a good idea to hire an attorney before your case is filed. Here are some of them: • An attorney can help you sort out the details of a case required to handle your concern such as a divorce, bankruptcy, or child support. • As detailed financial documents will be required, an attorney can...

09 July

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Why You Need a Prenuptial Agreement

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Before looking at why a prenuptial agreement is needed, it is a good idea to look at what a prenuptial agreement is. A prenuptial agreement is a written document drawn up by both parties who are intending to be married. The document is written and properly signed, witnessed and notarized before the marriage takes place, It remains in effect the entire marriage unless both parties agree to change the document in a postnuptial agreement or cancel the agreement. In all cases, both parties must be in complete agreement, without coercion or force, to the contents of the prenuptial agreement. If...

18 June

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Managing Stress and Anxiety During a Family Law Case

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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

Managing stress and anxiety during a family law case can become a serious issue. Depending on the type of case will, to a certain extent, determine the level of stress and anxiety and the manner in which they are handled. If minor children are involved the level of concern is higher and the need for careful planning for managing stress and anxiety increases. Looking at some of the most frequent family law cases can help with managing techniques. Divorce or as it is now called, Dissolution of Marriage: In most cases the emotional involvement of both parties is high. This is...

03 May

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Who gets the dog?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

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...