Family Law

Making the decision to adopt is an important one. Picking the right attorney to assist with the matter is just as important. Navigating through the process with the court, birth family, social worker, and etc., can be quite daunting. However with the proper assistance from our experienced staff, it can be a smooth process. JP Law Group has helped families through the adoption process and we would love to help you as well. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to review your case.

It is not uncommon when a family is going through a divorce that money and affordability of the current debts can become an issue. Alimony was created to address the needs of the homemaker versus that of the breadwinner. While there are still families with a homemaker and a breadwinner, more families have both parties work, with one party earning significantly more than the other party. In these times it is not just the Husband providing alimony to the Wife, it can be the Wife providing alimony to the Husband.

When parents separate, child support is an essential need. Child support allows the child to live in the same or similar financial circumstances as if the parents had remained and/or resided together. The Courts believe the child cannot control whether the parents remain together, but the most vulnerable party, the child, should not have to suffer. Therefore, the courts created a child support guideline that will determine child support based on a few factors, including but not limited to (a) the incomes of the parents and (b) how many overnights the child spends with each parent.

Going through a divorce is a very difficult and personal decision. This firm is committed to providing an alternative approach to the traditional high conflict divorces through a collaborative law process, because we know that one size does not fit all. We personalize our approach to you and your family’s needs.

"Paternity" refers to the legal establishment of who is the father of a child. Paternity issues often involve child support, but they can also be important in relation to adoption, inheritance, custody and visitation, health care, and other issues.

In Florida, divorce is called Dissolution of Marriage. Florida is a no-fault "divorce" state, which means that the Courts do not look for abandonment or infidelity, or the numerous "fault" reasons for a divorce. The Courts just look for the most equitable solution for the spouses. Divorce can be an amicable process and be resolved through mutual divorce agreement if the parties know how to communicate well. The parties can obtain a simplified divorce if they have no minor children and if they have already divided their marital property.

Many divorcing or separating couples utilize mediation to resolve their issues. Utilizing mediation during the case can make reduce the cost of litigation if the parties come to an agreement before the final hearing (also known as trial). Some spouses choose to use mediation even before the case commences. This option can save a party a lot of time and money.

Modification of Agreements

Before you can file for a modification of alimony in Florida you must qualify by having a “Substantial Change in Circumstances.” If you do not satisfy that requirement you cannot open a modification case. A “substantial change in circumstances” means a change that was unanticipated at the time the alimony was ordered by the court. The change must be permanent, involuntary, and material (more terms to define and argue over).

Postnuptial agreements and prenuptial agreements are very similar in nature, with the exception that a postnuptial agreement is drafted after marriage. This agreement still requires spouses to fully disclose their financial situation, and outlines the protection of certain assets in case of divorce.