Author Archives: Jay Butchko
How do Adult Children Deal with Divorce?
When children are young, they are dependent on their parents for the necessities of life, as well as emotional support while they figure out who they are and how to operate in the world. This support is especially needed if the parents divorce while the child is still a minor. Society tends to assume… Read More »
What Is Domestic Violence and How to Escape?
Domestic violence is a tragic reality for tens of thousands of Floridians every year. Most people automatically associate domestic violence with physical abuse, which is certainly one of the most well-known forms of aggression a spouse or intimate partner may use. However, domestic violence is much more expansive than solely physical violence, but those… Read More »
Biological Parental Rights in Florida?
The dynamics of family structure in America have changed drastically over the past 50 years. Families can no longer be assumed to contain married heterosexual couples with children solely from that union. Families are now blended, include many unmarried couples, and children who are not directly related to one another. This transformation of the… Read More »
When do Courts Award Sole Custody?
The default for divorced parents in Florida, and most other states, is that parenting time, formerly referred to broadly as custody, will be shared. While the ideal is that the child spends roughly equal amounts of time with each parent, typically one parent will have primary responsibility for childcare, with the other parent taking… Read More »
Hiring a Divorce Attorney
Divorce is often one of the more traumatic events in a person’s life, because it upends his/her vision of the future, and requires a reorientation of one’s life. Picking the right attorney to handle one’s divorce case is one of the most pivotal decisions related to this process, outside of the decision to get… Read More »
The Effects of Addiction on a Marriage
Most married couples will agree that, although it has its ebbs and flows, marriage is one of the more joyous, rewarding, and fulfilling endeavors one could embark upon. However, that means that, as problems arise, care must be taken to ensure that all issues are worked out and a return to normalcy occurs. If… Read More »
The Complications of Dividing Public Pensions in Divorce
Dividing property in divorce, particularly benefits that have not vested, and thus, will not be directly payable until a later date, present severe challenges. Spouses seeking divorce are expected, and, in most cases, required, to equitably divide marital property, unless a premarital agreement says otherwise. Spouses can disagree over which assets and liabilities should… Read More »
The Limits of Snooping on a Spouse during Divorce
If a married couple decides to get divorced, chances are the level of trust each spouse has for the other is pretty low. In many cases, this mistrust is justified based upon past actions of the other spouse that eroded confidence in the feasibility of continuing the relationship. The high level of emotional distress… Read More »
Dividing Military Benefits in Divorce
Time away from loved ones, and sporadic communication, are common features of military personnel serving on active duty. Times of separation are hard on any spouse, and an unfortunate side effect of this situation is the higher rates of divorce among those in the military. While military service typically pays less than one could… Read More »
Home Equity Lines, Mortgages, and Divorce
Distinguishing and separating financial obligations are one of the most difficult parts of divorce. The longer a couple is married, the harder it is to figure out when and how many items of property were acquired or which funds were used to maintain them. Family homes and real estate in general is particularly tricky… Read More »
