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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I am going through a divorce, I bought myself a car and he is trying to take it for alimony. Can he do that?

He left 6 yrs ago he has been fighting child support in courts haven’t finalized divorce.

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Sep 26, 2024

Probably not. In a Florida divorce, typically the asset (car) division is handled first and then the issue of alimony is addressed. Also, if you purchased the car after the filing date, then it would be considered your separate, non-marital property. Sounds like you need a lawyer to finalize your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: What rights do I have if wife has abandoned our marriage and seeking divorce? She has no income. I receive a pension.

Her name is on the deed to the home. She's listed as beneficiary on pension.

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Jul 27, 2023

Florida is a no fault state so "abandonment" is a non-issue for the most part. As to your rights, the answer depends upon many factors including the length of the marriage and the number of overlapping years of employment where you earned your pension. Typically all property acquired... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: If we bought a house during our marriage and got divorced and remarry each other and one of us dies, who gets the house?

When we bought the house it was tenants in common with right of survivorship after we divorced it automatically converted to tenants in common with 50/50 ownership. Now that we remarried each other will it reconvert to tenants in common with right of survivorship!

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on May 27, 2023

Interesting question. In my opinion as a family law attorney, remarriage does not automatically "reconvert" the property title. You might consider executing a Quitclaim Deed - both as grantors and both as grantees to give you both equal rights as "Tenants by the Entireties,"... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can a motion be amended after its hearing from the plaintiff has been heard and respond.. hasn't answered yet. DRcase

I had a hearing on a motion. During that hearing respondent wasnt given time to respond so the hearing is continuing at a later date. but before the date came. the plaintiff submitted a amended motion. is that legal ? It is a Family Case (divorce) in Florida

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Feb 20, 2023

Sounds like the "hearing" did not address the merits of the original motion and the motion hearing was was rescheduled to allow time for a responsive pleading. In that case, I don't see an issue with an amended motion assuming you have sufficient time to respond and prepare for the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Florida on
Q: My wife filled divorce we got 3 kids
Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Dec 8, 2022

You have 20 days to file your Answer to the Petition once you are actually "served" by the process server. It is usually recommended that you also file a Counter-Petition to include your requests for timesharing with the children, alimony, child support, etc... to preserve your rights.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: How do I fill out a financial affidavit in a FL child support divorce case if I am unemployed (stay at home mother)

The husband is also unemployed.

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Sep 26, 2024

Just check the box that says "unemployed" and mark "0" on the income section. You can still complete the expenses, assets, and liabilities portion of the form.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: On a quit claim deed in a divorce , what is "legal description of property" ? What are they asking for ?

Mutually agreed upon to do it this way

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Apr 7, 2020

The legal description of the property is the technical description (not just the street address) of the parcel. It is usually contained on the previous/current deed, but you should verify it with the Property Appraiser's website or Clerk of Court depending in the county where the property is... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: How long before a husband with a substantial involuntary income decrease can take ex wife back to court

My husband pays $2000 alimony monthly in which he voluntarily agreed to, she kept the house and majority of assets. His pay has decreased substantially involuntarily (same job- (he makes maybe 3200 a month now leaving him nothing to live on, he has moved out of his rental, sold most of his... View More

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Mar 8, 2018

No specific time requirement. Just need to file based on substantial, unanticipated, and permanent change in circumstances. Sounds like you have grounds to file a petition.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: If my husband files for divorce can I request counseling
Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Feb 26, 2018

Counseling by the parties would be on a voluntary basis only. The Court won't order him to counseling.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: if your spouse of 30+ years cheats on you, what are you entitled to?

Everything you own has both of your names on it, (mortgage, car, rental property, etc). Would everything be split 50/50 or would the judge lean more towards the woman since the husband is the one who decided he wasn't happy any longer and cheated instead of talking to his wife to try and fix things?

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Feb 23, 2018

Florida is a "no fault" divorce state so you do not need to prove adultery in order to obtain a divorce. Generally an equitable distribution of property is "50-50." If your spouse has "dissipated" marital assets on this new relationship, then the Court may award an... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: If my ex has temporary custody of our two kids do i still have to pay him 1/2 of expences per the MSA/PP?

He filed for temporary custody and i have not had regular visitations, yet he is holding me in contempt for not paying my half. Is this legal? We used to do one week on one week off, but 9/26/2017 he got temporary custody. He continues to ask me for money, yet i do not see them. Help! Thank you.... View More

Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Jan 17, 2018

Review the Order MSA/PP to fully understand the obligations of the parties. If he is in breach, then file your own Motion for Enforcement and/or Contempt against him for violating the Agreement and/or Order.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Would my husband get money from me if I have our child?
Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Jan 11, 2018

It depends on what you mean by "have." Florida Child Support calculations are based on the income of both parties and the amount of overnights each parent has. You would have to provide me the amount of overnights each parent has to determine the answer.

3 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: is my current wife entitled to any of my pension if I was receiving it before we met and were married?
Paul Michael McDermott
Paul Michael McDermott
answered on Jan 11, 2018

Probably not. Pensions are a "property" interest in divorce law. The first step in an equitable distribution analysis is to determine whether the property item is marital or non-marital. If the pension was earned entirely prior to the marriage, then it is unlikely that your spouse... View More

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