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Questions Answered by Michael Ferrin
1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I have a 20 year old divorce decree that states i will be responsible for 1/2 payment of my childrens' student loans.

Loans are all in exwife name and over the years have been paid off and on- going into deferrment a few times.i have remarried and moved to Florida and am 73 years old. The original loans were for $53000 and now with interest is way over $150000.My ex has now sued me in a Pennsylvania court for 1/2... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on May 11, 2023

Being your case is from Pennsylvania and there was recent litigation that took place there, you would need to contact an attorney in Pennsylvania to address those issues. As for the order being enforceable in Florida, the opposing party would need to domesticate the order in Florida for it to be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: The address listed under an LLC received divorce papers sent by my wife.

My wife sent me divorce papers ( Notice of Case Management Conference) to the address listed under an LLC in Florida ( I am one of the people on the LLC,) however the address that is listed under my name is the registered agent address for the business. I did not personally sign for the documents,... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Service of process is only required for the initial petition. After that, documents can be sent either through the court's eportal (via email) or they can be sent via regular mail wherever you may be. What is important is that you received the documents. If there ever was an issue where you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: If you are doing an uncontested divorce. You’ve been married 18 years. Your spouse owns the house, but you’ve both been

Making the payments. He wants to keep the house. Do I have any rights to compensation for helping pay the mortgage the past 18 years?

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Feb 22, 2023

Generally, assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered marital regardless of whether just one spouse is on title. Therefore if the home was purchased during the marriage you would most likely have an interest in it.

If the home was purchased before the marriage it would...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: I am going through a divorce and And left the house 6 months ago and the wife is being difficult not letting me in the

The divorces in Florida The wife is being difficult and not letting me back into the house and I wanna know if I have any legal standing to just go to the house and make my way into the house somehow to get my equipment out of the house and if I do that and would I get in any trouble pork arrested

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Dec 12, 2022

If a divorce has not yet been filed, and no orders of exclusive use and possession have been issued, you have right to go back to your house so long as you are on the lease or are on title to the property. This sort of issue is common at the beginning stages of most divorces and you must be careful... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Divorce for Florida on
Q: My wife filled divorce we got 3 kids
Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Dec 9, 2022

As stated in the prior response, you have 20 calendar days to respond to the petition once you have been properly served. We also recommend that you file a counter petition along with your answer assuming there are not personal or subject matter jurisdiction issues (same goes for filing the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Is it possible make a write agreement with my ex husband before get divorce . ,

We have a restaurant business together

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Dec 1, 2022

There are two types of agreements that may pertain to your situation. If you do not intend to file for divorce, but are planning just in case of divorce in the future, you can enter into a post nuptial agreement to address certain issues. Post nuptial agreements are similar to prenuptial agreements... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Estate Planning for Florida on
Q: My wife and I are both disabled I am on sddi she is on ssi we are considering divorce so she can draw a higher amount

We can't make it on our current income with food and gas prices rising we have no children or property

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 26, 2022

I cannot give any insight on what benefits will be available while married or after divorce, but if you are both in agreement to get divorced you can file an uncontested or simplified divorce. You should speak with a professional specializing in social security benefits to assist you before making... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Spouse filed and served a petition for Annulment of marriage. I have received papers. He has passed before my response.

What do I do? Do I still have to respond, and file with the court house? There is no more marriage to annul, though it is a summons.

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 13, 2022

If your husband passed way the case needs to be closed as the divorce is no longer possible. You should obtain a certified copy of his death certificate and file it with the court and request for the case to be closed/dismissed.

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3 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: evidence husband has cheated the entire marriage, do you have to do marriage counseling during the divorce process?
Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 9, 2022

Florida law does not require parties to complete marriage counseling. Florida is also a no fault state, so unless your husband used a significant amount of marital funds in furtherance of his affairs, the fact that he was unfaithful during the marriage is not relevant.

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: How can I get my house in the divorce if I paid the downpayment but the mortgage is in both names?
Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 9, 2022

If your home was purchased during the marriage, and both you and your husband appear on the title, the home appears to be a marital assets and will be equitably divided by the court. If you used nonmarital funds to make a down payment on the home you could have an argument to seek an offset. The... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: My spouse and I agreed on a separation. If I move out but continue to assist financially 50/50 as normal with mortgage

Assist financially with kids schooling and activities can she say I abandoned her and in turn I lose any rights to our house

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 6, 2022

You moving out of your home does not affect your marital interest in the home. It could however affect your access to the home given that you have chosen to leave and live separately. We would recommend that you speak with an experienced family law attorney to assist you.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Any laws prohibiting what can be expensed/excluded from selfempincome in Fl in regards to income calc. for child support

My ex is a realtor so he can expense everything and reduce his income to almost nothing to avoid paying child support. Any laws to prevent this? What business expenses are allowable? Is gross income not used to calculate child support in this case?

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Nov 3, 2022

You may want to consider hiring an accountant to go through his personal and business financials to determine what expenses are personal or inflated. The short answer is that any expenses that are personal in nature you should have a good argument to have them included in his income for purposes of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: Will I lose my permanent alimony if I move in w/my boyfriend? I am 2 yrs post divorce of 29 years.

Will I lose it if I move out of state also with my boyfriend?

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Oct 31, 2022

Unless the final judgment states that the alimony is non modifiable, if you are found to be in a supportive relationship it could affect your permanent alimony. To be clearer, if your boyfriend is contributing towards your living expenses (groceries, gas, car payment, rent, mortgage) or you are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: Separated under duress’ A year later - files for divorce in nyc. I moved to Florida. I have no money , I need help -

There is undisclosed $$ accounts and rental property income .

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Sep 16, 2022

If you and your husband lived in NYC when you were married it may be appropriate for him to file the case in NYC but more information is needed in order to provide you an appropriate response. Given that he has filed a case in NYC it would be prudent to contact an attorney in NYC to assist you with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: My husband and I bought a house in October 2021. He used $ from his 401k; Does that mean the house is his?

We moved from IL. I worked at a school, received unemployment which paid off all credit cards, his car, moving box, loan, his air b&b (he moved down in August/family in Nov) I am now contemplating divorce. Been married 7 years.

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Sep 7, 2022

The general rule is that everything that you acquire during the marriage, both debts and assets, are considered marital. The home, being it was purchased during the marriage would most likely be marital but we would have to do a complete assessment of your case to say for sure.

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: My husband recently abandoned me and our daughter and took our son 1200 miles away and left us with nothing.

How do I apply for spousal maintenance until I am able to afford the bills he left me with him bring sole provider in our household

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Sep 5, 2022

You can either file for divorce (recommended) or file a petition for support unconnected with divorce. The divorce would handle all the issues pertaining to your marriage including the custody of the children, division of assets and debts, as well as both alimony and child support. The petition for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Child Support for Florida on
Q: I want to know what my husband after 16 years supporting me & would not allow me to work can & can't do

I would like to know what my husband can & can't do after 16 years of marriage and not allowing me to work & has supported me and my way of living for the past 16 years.

1.An attorney said he could open a new bank account with no obligations to maintain money to me is that... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Aug 23, 2022

While you are married, generally, each of you are free to do what you want. It is only when a divorce is filed that you can receive the protections that I believe you are seeking. Alimony is based on several factors but the focus is based on two main factors which are need and ability (your need to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: How much does a divorce cost, including division of a home that is paid for? Does any lawyers accept payment plans?
Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Aug 14, 2022

The cheapest route is if you and your spouse are in agreement with all the terms and can file an uncontested divorce. If you cannot come to an agreement on all the terms a contested divorce will need to be filed which is alot longer and more expensive. As for the cost, you would need to reach out... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: How do I get a divorce when I live in Florida, and my spouse is incarcerated in an Oklahoma prison.

All 3 of our children are 18 and older. We have no property or any type of assets that need to be split. I have not had any contact with this man in 6-7 years and I just don't want to have anything else more to do with him. He has also cheated on me during our marriage and supposedly had 2... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Jun 21, 2022

So long has you have been residing in Florida for 6 months or more you can move forward with filing for the divorce in Florida. You would need to have a process server or the sheriffs department in Oklahoma serve your husband in prison. Note that because your husband has been out of the state of... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Rand Scott Lieber the answer to your question

He has primary custody per our divorce papers as the judge said we got a divorce in 2018 and that’s what it was decided then but Now ge wants full custody because he wants to take kids to another state. Yesterday he told me I was not allowed to pick them up because his lawyer advices him not too... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Jun 8, 2022

Until there is a court order stating otherwise, the parenting plan ordered by the court would still be in effect. If you are being denied timesharing you should file a motion for contempt and enforcement. As a remedy for the contempt you can seek make up timesharing and your attorney fees for... View More

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