Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Alimony Changes on the Way in Florida?
Florida Alimony Reform Movement According to a recent article in the Jacksonville Daily Record, the remaining months in 2014 may bring some changes to Florida laws that will impact divorces and family law attorneys. In addition to potential changes regarding same-sex marriage and alterations to the Rule of Procedure (which may involve integrating the… Read More »
Inherited Assets and Equitable Distribution in Florida
Many couples considering divorce have questions about the division of marital assets, particularly in cases where one of the spouses inherited a significant amount of money during the marriage. Before we turn to inherited assets, it’s important to understand how marital assets typically are divided in our state. Dividing Property in Florida During Divorce… Read More »
Military Divorce: Division of Military Pensions
Military divorce is defined as a divorce where one of the parties is either active duty military, a reservist, National Guard member, or retired from active duty military, the National Guard, or Reserves. A military divorce can be quite complicated, for example, when considering the division of a military pension. There are many roadblocks… Read More »
Child Support: Florida Guidelines and Calculations
When it comes to child support, each state has different standards and guidelines. But generally speaking, child support guidelines are uniform throughout the State of Florida, and the guidelines provide standards to calculate the support needed for a child, and the amount of each parent’s responsibility. Section 61.30, Florida Statutes, governs child support in… Read More »
Condo Arbitration: Non-Binding Arbitration in Florida
What is a condo arbitration? Arbitration is an alternative to a court proceeding where a neutral third person, called an arbitrator, considers the facts and arguments presented by the parties and renders a decision. An arbitration proceeding may involve a hearing if there are disputed issues of material fact. If a hearing is held,… Read More »
What’s Mine is Mine; What’s Yours is Negotiable – Property Division in Florida Divorce
Unfortunately, divorce is a cruel reality for many people. Probably the most arduous part of the divorce proceeding is determining who gets what property. It should be noted that most property distribution is often addressed and settled between the parties in a marital settlement agreement outside the courtroom. In the event the parties are… Read More »
How to Run a Condominium Board Meeting in Florida – What to Do; What Not to Do
All condominiums, cooperatives and homeowners associations have a board of directors or some equivalent group, such as a council, which has the responsibility of running the community’s association on behalf of the property owners. It is the duty of the board to maintain integrity, respect for others, and to uphold property standards and financial… Read More »
Bulletproof Prenuptial Agreements in Florida
A prenuptial agreement, also referred to as a premarital agreement, antenuptial agreement, marriage contract or simply a prenup, is a legally binding document agreed upon and signed by the couple in contemplation of marriage. It is one of the most commonly used methods to protect one’s assets prior to the “big day,” in the… Read More »
What Is Probate & When Is It Necessary In Florida?
In the midst of emotional grief following the passing of a loved one, family members are forced to deal with the confusing legal process called probate. Many people have misunderstandings on how this complex legal proceeding takes place. Probate is a court-supervised process for identifying and gathering the assets of a decedent, paying the… Read More »
