Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Do Divorce Lenders Discourage Divorce Settlements?
In many relationships, one spouse chooses or is able to stay home because the other spouse has a much larger earning capacity. This is particularly the case in situations in which one spouse makes a significant amount of money, such as a multimillion dollar annual income as a TV producer or real estate broker…. Read More »
The Rise of Technology and Parent-Child Communication
Along with the rapid rise in technology has come the potential for different types of communications between parent and child that stretch far beyond the traditional in-person visits, letter, and phone calls. Many states, including the state of Florida, are increasingly enacting specific legislation that includes electronic forms of communication between parent and child… Read More »
Federal Judge Strikes Down Florida Gay Marriage Ban
Despite the fact that gay marriage became legal in Florida and nationwide last year, Florida government officials and legislators have been slow to accept the change in state law. More specifically, Florida Department of Health officials have refused to administer birth certificates to same-sex couples that reflect their legal marriage, and benefits have not… Read More »
How Gray Divorce Can End in Retirement Losses for Baby Boomers
Not only are Americans living longer, but they also are divorcing later in life. One study found that the divorce rate for individuals who are aged 50 or older has doubled between 1990 and 2010. At this point, 25 percent of the individuals who are getting divorced in the United States are over the… Read More »
Florida Enacts Collaborative Divorce Law
Florida Governor Rick Scott signed HB 967, which is entitled “Collaborative Law Process Act,” into law on March 24, 2016. In doing so, Florida joins an increasing number of other states who already have enacted legislation permitting collaborative divorces. Before the Act becomes effective, however, the Florida Supreme Court must approve and adopt Rules… Read More »
Avoiding Conflict With Your Ex During Summer Vacation
While children who attend school look forward to summer break with great anticipation, most parents do not, particularly if they are divorced or separated. Aside from juggling child care and finding things for kids to do, you also must deal with your ex in terms of sharing parenting time with your children. Luckily, there… Read More »
Divorce and Your Family Business
Divorce is messy enough on its own without the added stress of figuring out what to do with the business that you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse have run for the last several years. At the time you started your business, you and your spouse/partner probably didn’t even think about what would happen to the business… Read More »
Manatee County Parenting Program Goes International
According to a recent article in the Bradenton Herald, a local parenting coordination program that operates in the 12th Judicial Circuit has gone international. Debra K. Carter, a licensed clinical psychologist, Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator, and qualified parenting coordinator, operates the Carter Psychology Center, as well as the National Cooperative Parenting Center, which… Read More »
SupportPay App Helps Divorced Parents Share Costs for Child
In many cases, divorced parents must deal with financial issues regarding their children for many years after their divorce becomes final. Expenses like private school tuition, book fees, and extracurricular activity uniforms and gear only seem to grow as a child grows, and parents often are unprepared to deal with costs that aren’t specifically… Read More »
Controversial Alimony and Child Support Proposal Heads to Governor for Approval
Three years, ago, Governor Rick Scott vetoed the Florida Legislature’s previous attempt to revamp Florida’s divorce law with respect to the calculation and duration of alimony. Last year, a similar measure failed to make it out of the Legislature due to a dispute between GOP lawmakers about the proposed time-sharing provision. Now, the Legislature… Read More »