Blog Posts in 2019 Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 25-Nov-2019 The Benefits of Establishing Paternity in Florida When an unmarried mother gives birth, either parent must take several legal steps to establish paternity. Not only does this name a biological parent as the child’s legal father, but it also gives the father certain responsibilities and rights, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 18-Nov-2019 How a Divorced Parent Can Enjoy the Holidays Without the Kids Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, the holidays are a time to spend surrounded with loved ones. However, enjoying this festive season is quite difficult in the event of a divorce. The children may spend one holiday with one parent and then ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 11-Nov-2019 Common Holiday Crimes in Florida Not only are the holidays a merry time of the year, but it is also the season that experiences an increase in criminal activity every year. While many people are attending festive events or buying gifts, others are making mistakes that result in ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 4-Nov-2019 What You Can Do to Avoid a Holiday DUI Festive celebrations during the holidays are commonly associated with alcohol consumption. That is why fatal drunk driving collisions and DUI arrests typically increase when it’s this time of year. In order to arrest suspected drunk drivers and ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 29-Oct-2019 What Elder Couples Need to Know About Gray Divorce Gray divorce occurs when a couple over 50 years old end their marriage. According to the Pew Research Center, gray divorces have almost doubled in the last two decades. While divorce can be challenging for all couples, ending a 20- or 30-year ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 22-Oct-2019 Helping Your Child Adapt to a New School After Divorce Divorce can bring about many changes for both parties and their children. When the end of a marriage results in relocation and changing schools, the transition can be quite difficult and frightening for the kids. Parents must do their best to help ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 15-Oct-2019 Can You Go to Jail for Missing Jury Duty in Florida? What is Jury Duty? When a person becomes 18 years old in Florida, he/she is eligible for jury duty once a year. Jury service is a mandatory civic duty that is required by law. The main objective of a jury summons is to select 12 jurors from different ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 8-Oct-2019 Florida Laws Taking Effect in October As of October 1, 2019, there are 27 laws now in effect. From texting while driving to hazing, there are many new and updated laws Florida residents must know about. Here are several criminal laws that are now effective immediately: Texting while ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 30-Sep-2019 Volusia County Pretrial Services Part 4: Veterans Court U.S. military veterans are trained to selflessly serve their country, respect authority, and even perform missions and tasks in warzones and other hostile environments. Unfortunately, the rigors and stress of military service can lead to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 23-Sep-2019 Volusia County Pretrial Services Part 3: Teen Court If a minor commits a crime in Florida, he/she will often be subject to the juvenile court system. Unlike the criminal court system that is designed to punish adults, the purpose of the juvenile court system is to rehabilitate juvenile offenders to ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 16-Sep-2019 Volusia County Pretrial Services Part 2: DUI Court A conviction for a first-time DUI offense carries a jail sentence of up to six months, a maximum $1,000 fine, and driver’s license suspension for up six months. A second or third DUI offense can lead to harsher penalties and even a felony ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 9-Sep-2019 Volusia County Pretrial Services Part 1: Drug Court Criminal offenses in Florida can lead to serious penalties, whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony offense. A conviction is punishable by a long jail or prison sentence, costly fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. Since most ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 30-Aug-2019 What is Contempt of Court in Florida? Whether a judge awarded you alimony or ordered you to pay monthly child support, each party is obligated to follow the court orders associated with a divorce. Unfortunately, there are many cases where an ex-spouse refuses to honor a court order by ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 27-Aug-2019 Can a Victim Drop a Florida Domestic Violence Charge? Whether it’s a spouse or a family member, people who love each other sometimes do not get along. Sometimes, an argument can quickly turn into a physical altercation at the heat of the moment, which may cause the victim, another loved one, or a ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 23-Aug-2019 Estimating the Market Value of Marital Assets during Divorce Property division is one of the most important aspects of a divorce. Since Florida is an “equitable distribution” state, the courts will assess the value of significant assets (e.g. houses, motor vehicles, retirement plans, and valuable ... Continue Reading
