Jul
At What Age Can a Child Choose Who to Live With in Florida?
Can a Child Influence Custody Choices? Any custody case involves some significant emotional challenges for everyone involved. While many parents aim for shared custody arrangements with fair parenting plans, this isn’t always possible. Alongside the various considerations for which party will have primary custody, one of the most common questions Florida parents ask is: at what age can a child choose who to live with? Naturally, you want what’s best for your child and that includes taking their wishes seriously. Nevertheless, there are legal considerations that go into formalizing this arrangement. Not to mention that the matter of what is best for a child and what a child’s choi ...
Mar
12 Signs of an Incompetent Attorney
Choosing the right attorney can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already navigating challenging legal issues. Regardless of the particular practice, we've all heard stories of lawyers who fall short, leaving their clients frustrated, disappointed, or even financially worse off. To help you avoid becoming another cautionary tale, here's a straightforward guide to spotting an incompetent lawyer before they negatively impact your case. Knowing these signs can help ensure you receive quality representation and the peace of mind you deserve. 1. Ineffective or Poor Communication Communication is arguably the backbone of a successful attorney-client relationship. An effective lawyer ke ...
Mar
What is a Minute Order?
In simple terms, a minute order is a brief summary or written record of a judge’s decisions made during a hearing or court proceeding. Instead of waiting days or weeks for a detailed written order, a minute order allows the parties involved—especially in sensitive family law cases—to quickly understand what the court has decided. Typically, the judge announces the decision verbally, and a court clerk immediately records these details into the court’s official minutes. Even though they're concise, minute orders hold legal weight, impacting issues like custody arrangements, visitation schedules, or financial responsibilities right away. When Do Minute Orders Happen? Minute orders are espec ...
Dec
Your Guide to Status Quo Orders in Florida
What is a Status Quo Order in Florida? A status quo order is a court mandate issued in family law cases to maintain the existing conditions or arrangements between parties while a legal dispute is ongoing. In Florida, these orders are most commonly seen in divorce or child custody cases, where they aim to prevent any sudden or unilateral changes that could disrupt the stability of children or financial obligations. For instance, if one parent tries to suddenly move a child to a new school district or withhold access to joint accounts, a status quo order could step in to keep things as they are until the court makes a final decision. These orders protect both parties by ensuring fair ...
Sep
How to Prove You Were Not Served Properly
When you’re hit with a lawsuit, one of the first things the court must do is make sure you’re notified. That’s what service of process is for—it’s the legal way of letting you know you’re being sued. But if the service wasn’t done right, it can throw the whole case into question. In Florida, this is a big deal because improper service can cause a case to be delayed or even dismissed. For example, in Kozinski v. Phillips, a $450,000 judgment was thrown out because the service wasn’t done properly. This shows that if you weren’t served the right way, the courts might not even have the authority to rule on the case. What Does &apos ...
Sep
A Domestic Partnership vs Civil Union in Florida
While most relationships are defined and driven by deep personal connections, it’s important to recognize that the shape of your relationship can also have legal implications. In Florida, many rights and benefits are reserved for those couples who take the step of getting married. Making medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, sharing health benefits, and even dividing assets can be quite complex matters when there isn’t a marriage certificate involved. Yet, there are situations where marriage in Florida isn’t practical. The state still doesn’t legally recognize same-sex marriages. Indeed, a lot of couples today prefer not to get married, seeing it as an outd ...
John DeGirolamo has a heartfelt passion for representing the underdog in an environment that is often unjustly stacked against his clients. He’s earned the trust of tens of thousands of Tampa men seeking a divorce, working with them to create a smooth, fair outcome of their years spent as dedicated husbands & caring fathers.
At What Age Can a Child Choose Who to Live With in Florida?
Community Property vs. Equitable Distribution in Florida
