Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How is Property Divided in a Florida Divorce?
In a Florida divorce, assets and debts acquired by the couple are divided fairly between the two spouses. If the two parties can come to an agreement on their own and it is fair, a judge will likely approve that agreement. When the couple cannot agree how assets and liabilities are split, a judge… Read More »
What Are Criminal Mischief Laws in Florida?
Criminal mischief in Florida, also sometimes referred to as vandalism, occurs when a person intentionally and maliciously destroys the property of another person. Criminal mischief is charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of property damage done. Many people think criminal mischief is a relatively minor crime. However, the… Read More »
Is that Money from Your Ex’s Family a Gift or a Loan?
Helping out family financially is a common way of supporting loved ones. When a couple first marries, this support may be especially necessary to set up a new household or get settled into married life. These exchanges are usually given and received with appreciation and gratitude, and the specifics of how the giver views… Read More »
What Is the Purpose of a Deposition in Divorce?
The divorce process is scary and overwhelming for many spouses because they do not understand the legal procedures that go along with moving a petition through the court system. The mysteriousness of the legal process often increases during the discovery stage of a divorce case, which is the period each side is allowed to… Read More »
What Happens If You Miss Your Court Date?
The divorce process can seem to last forever for those involved, and both spouses often anticipate the day of the final hearing as the culmination of everything that went into reaching the end of the case. Many preliminary issues must be addressed before reaching this point, and most spouses have to contribute a considerable… Read More »
The Role of DNA in Paternity Cases
With more couples choosing to skip the bonds of marriage in favor of living together in a less formal arrangement, more children are born outside of wedlock. This situation does not have the stigma formerly imposed on the children of unwed parents, but it can create some legal difficulties that need to be addressed…. Read More »
When to Consider a Prenup
As people are routinely getting married later in life, they bring more assets into a marriage they may want to protect in the event of divorce. Further, it is now more common to have children outside of wedlock, leading to some newlyweds to have children from previous relationships who need consideration as well. These… Read More »
How Digital Currency Can Complicate Divorce
The way money moves around the world has changed dramatically over the past few decades, and nowhere is this technological advancement more evident than in the area of digital currency. Bitcoin is the most well-known and exists solely online without any regulation. This means the value can fluctuate wildly, but also that it is… Read More »
Is Your Spouse Hiding Money in Advance of Filing for Divorce?
Filing for divorce starts a long and complicated road of decisions that will affect the rest of a couple’s life, much of which is driven by the fact that marital property must be divided. No one enjoys giving up their property, least of all a spouse who wants out of a marriage, but avoiding… Read More »
Cooperating Through the Divorce Process
The traditional approach to divorce is entirely adversarial, and more often than not, sows the seeds of increased emotional pain, fear, and bitterness that the end of a marriage can produce. This dynamic complicates making rational decisions during the divorce process, moving on once things are finalized, and having any hope of retaining a… Read More »
