Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How Accurate Are Paternity Tests?
When it comes to establishing the identity of a child’s biological father, DNA tests are one of the most popular and reliable methods of proving paternity. For this reason, courts regularly rely on these kinds of tests when paternity is contested, so it’s a good idea for those who are involved in paternity-related litigation,… Read More »
Common Florida Time-Sharing Schedules
What a family’s parenting plan will look like varies depending on the parties’ specific circumstances. There are, however, certain schedules that tend to get utilized more often than others and we’ve included some of the most common as a reference point. For help determining whether one of these schedules is right for you and… Read More »
Can I Expunge A Domestic Violence-Related Conviction?
Florida law allows some people to expunge their criminal records, a scenario that tends to arise most often when a person was a minor at the time of the offense, or when the conviction happened many years earlier. There are, however, certain types of criminal records, including those related to domestic violence arrests that… Read More »
Keeping Your Divorce Out Of Court
Contrary to popular belief, not all divorces have to result in litigation. In fact, couples are typically encouraged to try and work out divorce-related legal matters, with the assistance of their attorneys, in an out-of-court setting. This can be achieved through mediation, arbitration, or collaborative divorce, all of which aim to help parties come… Read More »
Appraising Art, Jewelry, And Collectibles During Divorce
Under Florida law, divorcing couples are required to divide all of their marital assets in an equitable, or fair, manner. This includes assets that are relatively easy to value, such as bank accounts or real estate, as well as property that is more difficult to appraise. Ensuring that your assets are properly appraised is… Read More »
Disposing Of Marital Assets Before The Finalization Of Your Divorce
Divorce proceedings can be time-consuming and expensive. For this reason, many couples find themselves wanting or attempting to sell marital assets that would normally be divided upon divorce. This is known as interim distribution and is possible in certain cases. Those who don’t follow particular rules, however, could end up being accused of hiding… Read More »
Using A Property Division Checklist Can Help Protect Your Assets
When going through a divorce, you may find yourself with a number of questions and concerns about how your assets and debts will be divided. While Florida courts distribute marital property according to the equitable division standard, the form that that division takes will vary depending on the specific circumstances of a couple’s case…. Read More »
The Consequences of Failing to Take a DNA Test in a Florida Paternity Case
There are a few different ways to establish paternity in Florida. The method that a person uses, however, will largely depend on the specific circumstances of the case. If a father wants to establish paternity, for instance, he can voluntarily do so by completing the proper forms at the child’s birth. If this isn’t… Read More »
What are Ex Parte Domestic Violence Injunctions?
In Florida, those who have been, or believe that they are in danger of becoming the victim of domestic violence, have the right to file a request for an injunction. These requests often take the form of an ex parte petition, which means that the petitioner doesn’t immediately need to attend a hearing. Instead,… Read More »
You May Owe Reduced Child Support
While many people think of timesharing and child support as two separate issues, the reality is that these matters are very interconnected. For instance, how much child support a parent owes is largely dictated by how much time he or she spends with that child. Although timesharing agreements are taken into account when child… Read More »
