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Florida Divorce Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I be charged with a crime I didn't commit based on hearsay?

I currently live in Hillsborough county Florida and my soon to be ex-husband and his Friend accuse me of having a weapon (knife) . I haven't been officially charged assault w/ deadly weapon. But the only thing is my husband (person that said I committed the crime) a couple of months ago went... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Oct 30, 2024

Hearsay is a statement made about what someone said to a testifying witness. If your husband were to tell the court that although he was blind, you told him you had a knife and that you were going to attack him with it, there is an exception to the hearsay rule because it would be something you... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Divorce q - Are all investments owned prior to marriage but since sold then re-invested considered marital assets?

I have been married for 7 years and likely filing for divorce. We have a 3 year old. My wife has not worked during this entire time. I handle all finances, though we keep separate accounts. I owned significant financial assets prior to the marriage (retired shortly prior) and have since actively... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Oct 9, 2024

The starting point for equitable distribution is 50/50. However, if you are able to establish the value of the assets on the date of marriage then you can argue that the premarital value should be subtracted off and that only the increase from the date of marriage forward should be divided 50/50.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Divorce q - Are all investments owned prior to marriage but since sold then re-invested considered marital assets?

I have been married for 7 years and likely filing for divorce. We have a 3 year old. My wife has not worked during this entire time. I handle all finances, though we keep separate accounts. I owned significant financial assets prior to the marriage (retired shortly prior) and have since actively... View More

Ira Markowitz
Ira Markowitz
answered on Oct 9, 2024

Did you have prenuptial agreement?

After you sold the property that you owned prior to the marriage,did you deposit the funds in a joint account or an account you had prior to the marriage ?

You can claim a Special Equity but if the purchase of the real estate property or properties...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My estranged husband has been sending harassing messages.

I've been separated from my estranged husband since December 2023. I tried to get the divorce earlier in 2024 but he refused to sign the paperwork out of spite; I paid for everything and only wanted his signature. He is an angry, abusive, and hateful alcoholic. After receiving harassing and... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 30, 2024

If you have filed for divorce then you have been assigned a judge. Schedule a hearing with the judge and explain what is happening. You may need to file a motion. It can be handwritten explaining why you want the hearing. Judges have a judicial assistant who you may be able to call on the phone for... View More

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: How do I know if I am actually divorced?

I got married in Florida in July 2005 after knowing my exhusband for only three months. After we were married I learned he is a criminal, has mental issues, and he became very abusive. He spent the majority of our marriage in and out of Jail & mental hospitals. I left multiple times but he... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 12, 2024

You may want to hire a private investigator for this. If the divorce happened in Florida then you should be able to find a record of it. If it in fact never happened then you can file a divorce now. In the final judgment you will need to include that he has no legal rights to any of your property.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Real Estate Law and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My wife and I are getting a divorce she's making me high a second mortgage that's for her in what I agreef to pay her.
Phillip William Gunthert
Phillip William Gunthert
answered on Sep 7, 2024

I would not be doing anything without a conversation with a family law/divorce attorney, that said, I would not give her anything until and unless you get it in writing that this is a post-nuptial complete agreement or similar, last thing you want is to pay out per agreement and find out soon... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Is there any laws for default jurisdiction?

My family lived in Florida for 1.8 years. We went to Mississippi to help wife’s family for 5 months and retained our residence in Florida. things got bad and I brought our children back home to Florida. We both filed for divorce in each state.

I dismissed her because we weren’t in... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Sep 7, 2024

You indicated that each of you "dismissed" the other spouse. A party to a case cannot dismiss a case filed by another party. Do you mean that the respective courts dismissed both cases? If so, when a motion to dismiss was filed, you should have responded that you "retained [y]our... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Is there any laws for default jurisdiction?

My family lived in Florida for 1.8 years. We went to Mississippi to help wife’s family for 5 months and retained our residence in Florida. things got bad and I brought our children back home to Florida. We both filed for divorce in each state.

I dismissed her because we weren’t in... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Every state has a jurisdiction requirement for filing lawsuits. In Florida (and many other states), in order to file for divorce one party has to have lived in the state for at least six months. Wherever you decide to file, you must meet the jurisdiction requirements. Speak with a local family... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Is a default judgement bad for the plaintiff in a divorce case?

I’m getting divorced and my ex wife and me may or may not have a kid together. I’m here in Florida and she moved to Tennessee and she refuses to do a DNA test or respond to my attorney. She’s been served and her 20 day response time expired 2 months ago. I’ve paid for mediation but the... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 2, 2024

The answer to your question depends on what relief you are seeking. If you just want to get divorced then a default can help end the case. If there is a child involved then the court cannot rule on children's issues with a default so those issues are reserved, but you still get divorced. If... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I am getting divorced and my ex started a business with a partner in 2020.

I joined the business and worked for over a year. When my husband wanted a divorce, he told me not to come back to work. Am I entitled to a portion of the business? He left me destitute with no job.

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Aug 13, 2024

Generally, any asset acquired or enhanced during the marriage, including businesses, is considered marital property. The business you and your husband started or worked for during the marriage is likely considered a marital asset if it was started or significantly grown during the marriage. The... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Hi my ex spouse continues to violate our agreement, Do I have to open a new case? or can I file under the old case?

We have not been in court in some time

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Aug 7, 2024

If your ex-spouse is violating a court-ordered agreement, such as a custody, visitation, or support order, you generally do not need to open a new case. Instead, you can file a motion or petition to address the violations within the existing case. Depending on the nature of the violations, you may... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I be required to provide transportation to and from school for my child during his mothers custody time
Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Jul 30, 2024

Carefully read through your current custody agreement or parenting plan. It may already include provisions regarding transportation responsibilities. Speak with the other parent to discuss and negotiate transportation arrangements. Sometimes, an amicable agreement can be reached without going to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Will my soon to be ex-husband be responsible for my house loan if not on the note or deed but mortgage?

We are in process of divorce, I close on a house before it is finalized. He is required to sign mortgage but not note or deed. Will he have any rights to my home?

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jul 11, 2024

Mr. Frick is substantially correct, although in Florida what he calls "widow's rights" is referred to as "homestead". The mortgagee can foreclose (as is normally provided in the mortgage), but the person who asked this question would have to be named as a defendant in the foreclosure action.

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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Will my soon to be ex-husband be responsible for my house loan if not on the note or deed but mortgage?

We are in process of divorce, I close on a house before it is finalized. He is required to sign mortgage but not note or deed. Will he have any rights to my home?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jul 11, 2024

It depends on the language of the contractual documents but it is not uncommon for a mortgage company to require a spouse to sign off on giving up his rights in favor of the mortgagor even when title and the loan are solely in the other spouse's name. In that particular situation, the spouse... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Separation agreement question

Good morning. In the state of Florida if i need to separate from my husband and he makes more than twice what I make,

can there be a legal separation agreement that will provide me with support for living expenses until the divorce can be processed and finalized?

Mary Elizabeth Quinn
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answered on Jun 25, 2024

There is no legal separation in the State of Florida. If you wish to seek support from your Husband without filing a petition for divorce then you would file a Petition for support unconnected with a dissolution of marriage and request alimony/support. The process is every similar to a dissolution... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Separation agreement question

Good morning. In the state of Florida if i need to separate from my husband and he makes more than twice what I make,

can there be a legal separation agreement that will provide me with support for living expenses until the divorce can be processed and finalized?

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Jul 11, 2024

During the process of a divorce, one party may be eligible to receive alimony from the other party if there is a significant disparity in their incomes. This support is designed to alleviate the financial burden on the lower-earning spouse during and after the divorce proceedings. While Florida... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I move out off my home until tells o I am divorced and not get in any trouble and not loose my half of me aets

My husband is calling me names and trying to make me miserable while we are living together being very mean saying he should of bashed my head in and calling me bad names he says he is going to make me miserable until I leave:he thinks if I leave he is going to get me for abandoned the home so... View More

Michael Ferrin
Michael Ferrin
answered on Jun 18, 2024

You can leave the home without affecting any marital rights you may have in the home other than possession and access. Once you leave the home and the divorce is filed, you will not be able to return to the home unless you have a court order or an agreement between you and your husband. Also, if... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can I move out off my home until tells o I am divorced and not get in any trouble and not loose my half of me aets

My husband is calling me names and trying to make me miserable while we are living together being very mean saying he should of bashed my head in and calling me bad names he says he is going to make me miserable until I leave:he thinks if I leave he is going to get me for abandoned the home so... View More

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on Jul 11, 2024

Moving out of the marital home while awaiting the finalization of the divorce does not automatically mean you relinquish your rights to the property. The home remains marital property regardless of who lives in it until the court issues a final decree in the divorce proceedings.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: In Florida, how likely would it be that an absent father would get custody and / or visitation? I need some legal advice

Sons dad resides in NY. My son & I reside in FL (son was born here) Sons dad has accused me of parental alienation since the birth of our child. He has always had a phone # to contact me & address. Ex has seen our 8 y/o son twice since he was born in 2015. I brought our son to NY in 2019... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 16, 2024

The legal standard in Florida is what is in the best interest of the child. If a parent has been absent for an extended period the court is not going to thrust them together. Reunification is possible but can be a lengthy process. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

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