Blog

4 Reasons to Hire a Family Law Attorney

May 10, 2018

Why You Need to Hire an Attorney in Florida

It is not unusual for those facing an impending divorce or custody dispute to decide not to hire an attorney. Common reasons people chose not to hire a lawyer include trying to save money, collaborative separation or the assumption they can handle it themselves (often with the help of online resources).

Unfortunately, while this thought process may make sense at the time, there are serious risks when you decide to proceed with divorce or custody proceedings without an attorney.

Adultery and Divorce

March 30, 2018

Adultery and Divorce

Does Infidelity Effect Divorce in Florida?

Florida is considered a “no-fault” divorce state, which means that to end a marriage, the court does not require a full disclosure of why you are getting a divorce. This also means that adultery does not affect most decisions regarding divorce. “No-fault” allows either party to ask the court for a divorce based only on the incompatibility between the couple.

Adultery is defined as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and another who is not their spouse. In Florida, adultery is considered a misdemeanor of the second according to the Florida Statute 798.01. A couple is still considered married until they are pronounced divorced by the court. Since Florida is a “no fault” divorce state, parties will not have to prove that adultery is evident. They will only have to tell the court that they are no longer compatible.

2018 Calendar of Needs

March 13, 2018

Calendar icon representing 2018 scheduling needs for family law

There are ways that you can help the Voices for Children (VFC) and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) throughout the year. You can donate items directly to the children that we serve with the help of the Calendar of Needs. Simply host a collection throughout the month and then drop off items to the VFC office between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the last work day of the month (March’s drop off day will be Friday, March 30th). The donations will be available at the GAL office for the kids that need them.

Voices of the Children is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving a voice to children in need, empowering them through advocacy and support. Our mission is to uplift and protect the rights of vulnerable children, ensuring their voices are heard in legal proceedings and other critical life situations. We provide essential services like mentorship, guidance, and resources to help children navigate challenging circumstances. By working closely with legal professionals, educators, and community leaders, Voices of the Children aims to create a supportive network that fosters healing, resilience, and hope for every child. If you’re interested in learning more about how guardianship can help protect a child’s best interests, explore our guardianship in Florida services.

Thank you for your generosity!

How Pet Custody in Divorce Works

February 12, 2018

How Pet Custody in Divorce Works

Pet Custody in Florida

At LaFrance Law we love our family dog, Roxy, and know how important pets are to their owners. Pets have started to play a larger role in the everyday lives of people and families. You may be wondering what will happen to your pets if you are getting a divorce. In the past, Florida courts would assist in determining a fair solution regarding the custody of pets but the Bennett v. Bennett case in the mid-1990s changed the way such matters were handled.

This case revolved around the Bennett’s family dog, Roddy, in which each spouse wanted custody. The judge awarded custody to the husband and gave the wife visitation rights for every other month. The Bennetts’ filed motions seeking different modifications to the custody and visitation. When the case reached the Florida appellate court, it was decided that the courts were overwhelmed with child custody and visitation cases for children and that they could not also undertake animal custody.

How to Move on After Divorce

January 12, 2018

How to Move on After a Divorce

What to do After Divorce

Moving on after a divorce can be difficult when transitioning to the single life. It helps to avoid overthinking about what happened in the past and be willing to move forward in all aspects of your life. Taking care of yourself from the inside out will allow you to live your best life with new changes developing.

We in Lafrance divorce attorneys compiled a list of suggestions to help you move on after divorce.

Setting Personal & Relationship Goals in 2018

January 2, 2018

Personal and Relationship New Years Resolutions

January not only kicks off the new year but it’s also the month that troubled couples begin to seriously debate getting a divorce. Issues that were ignored or pushed to the side during the holidays resurface and can often be the final straw for a relationship teetering on the brink of divorce.

Whether you’re debating moving forward with divorce proceedings or are currently in the middle of a divorce, creating personal goals provide you with something to strive for throughout the year and following a self care plan can not only improve your own situation, but also current and future relationships.

Understanding Divorce in Florida

November 14, 2017

What to Expect When Getting a Divorce

If you and your spouse have decided or are thinking about getting a divorce, it can be a confusing and long process. In Florida, divorce is known as dissolution of marriage and there are different types of dissolution dependent on your circumstances. The process for each type and the outcomes are different. Below is a summary to help you understand the basics of getting a divorce and what options are available to you.

Petitioning for Dissolution of Marriage in Florida requires at least one person from the marriage to be a Florida resident for at least six months. The average cost of divorce in Florida can vary depending on the type of divorce and the circumstances between the divorcing party. Navigating these requirements alone can be daunting. We encourage you to meet our attorneys to understand how local statutes apply to your specific assets and family dynamic. We also provide a comprehensive checklist of things to do when filing for divorce—from updating beneficiaries to documenting marital debts—to help you prepare for your initial consultation.

5 Back to School Co-Parenting Tips for Divorced Parents

October 2, 2017

Back to School Co-Parenting Tips

How to Co-Parent with School Aged Children

Sending your children back to school as a divorced parent requires a bit more preparation than it typically would as a couple. Not only do you have to keep track of you and your children’s agenda, but you’ll have to be aware of your co-parents’ schedule as well.

Effective co-parenting involves a great deal of communication, setting expectations, and building a network of support for your child. These co-parenting tips for divorced parents will help you accomplish all of this as well as get you and your child on the path to success for the new school year. If you need the help of a family lawyer, contact Lafrance Law today.

The Effect of Substance Abuse on Custody

May 31, 2017

Effects of Substance Abuse on Child Custody

How to Navigate Substance Abuse in a Child Custody Case

Creating a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule that both parents agree on can be challenging. If parents cannot come to an agreement, the matter can be taken to court to be resolved. While in court, accusations of substance abuse may be brought up. Often, these allegations are made in an attempt to sway a judge’s ruling in the accuser’s favor.

Whether it’s ultimately founded or fabricated, the state of Florida court system will take the accusation seriously to make sure that no children are being put into a potentially unsafe situation.