Recent Posts in Divorce 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 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 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 Posted By Stepniak & Park 19-Jun-2019 Florida's Deadbeat Dad Law When a child support order is established by the court, the noncustodial parent is responsible for making monthly payments to the custodial parent to support your children. The majority of noncustodial parents are men. Florida Deadbeat Dads While ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 9-May-2019 How Adultery Can Affect a Florida Divorce Florida is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning that either spouse doesn’t need a reason—even if adultery was the main cause—for the separation besides stating the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” However, ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 24-Apr-2019 When Does Child Support in Florida End? If you have been ordered to pay child support or anticipate doing so, you may be wondering when will the payments stop. In Florida, monthly child support payments stop once the child becomes 18 years of age and graduates from high school unless the ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 19-Apr-2019 How Alcoholism Affects a Divorce A divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming situation, especially if your spouse has an addiction. Whether the addiction is the main reason for the divorce or a habit that recently developed due to the current situation, separating from a spouse ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 27-Mar-2019 Can I Legally Separate from My Spouse in Florida? There are there main ways to leave your spouse: divorce, legal separation, and annulment. Although most states recognize all three, there are others that don’t. There is no such thing as legal separation in Florida. This is unfortunate for who ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 25-Mar-2019 4 Co-Parenting Tips for Spring Break Spring break means no school and fun times with family and friends. However, vacations can sometimes lead to drama, especially for divorced parents. In general, child custody orders determine how school breaks and vacations are handled. But there are ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Feb-2019 5 Things That Should Be in Your Prenuptial Agreement Before two people get married, they may enter a prenuptial agreement which establishes the rules and guidelines for dividing assets and debts in the event of a divorce. Although bringing up a prenup to your fiancée isn’t the most ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 21-Feb-2019 5 Apps to Help You Co-Parent Better Co-parenting can be quite challenging, especially if you and your ex do not get along. While your marriage may be over, being a parent is a lifelong commitment. In order to successfully co-parent, you must learn how to effectively communicate with ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 29-Jan-2019 8 Common Signs Your Marriage is Headed Toward Divorce Experience issues in your marriage are common—and overcoming those problems can encourage growth and make your marriage even stronger. However, there are some problems that indicate you are well on your well toward a divorce. The following are ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 31-Dec-2018 What are the Most Common Divorce Myths? If you are interested in filing for divorce, it is common to have many questions about the legal process. While it is natural to seek advice from friends and family, especially those who have experienced divorce for themselves, there are popular ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 30-Nov-2018 How a Personal Injury Award is Divided in a Florida Divorce Suffering an injury caused by a negligent party often results in a substantial personal injury settlement to cover medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. When an injured party is going through a divorce, the most common question that ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Nov-2018 Should I Move Out of the Family Home During Divorce? Divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming process, which means sharing a house with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse can seem like a torturous undertaking. While Florida law allows either spouse to move out of the family home without being punished for ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Oct-2018 5 Tips for Co-Parenting During the Holidays While co-parenting is often quite a challenge, the holiday season can make the situation more complicated. Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day are a time for joy and family togetherness. But for many separated families, ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 18-Oct-2018 Getting Through the Holidays After a Divorce The first holiday season after a divorce can be emotionally overwhelming, especially if children are involved. Many families celebrate traditions (i.e. visiting extended family, travel, rituals, decorating, etc.) they highly anticipate year after ... Continue Reading Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak 25-Sep-2018 Is Divorce Mediation Right for You? Divorce can be a long and expensive process, especially if one or more issues (i.e. alimony, child custody, property division, etc.) are hotly contested. However, couples who are willing to end their marriage on amicable and respectful terms can ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 31-Aug-2018 How Remarriage Can Impact Your Divorce Settlement Although reaching a divorce settlement means the end of your marriage, you may still continue to pay alimony and child support to the other party. However, what happens if you or your ex-spouse get remarried? The following are the common financial ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 27-Aug-2018 How to Help Your Child Cope with Divorce Over one million children are affected by divorce each year, according to Family and Children Services. When parents’ divorce, kids must make a wide range of adjustments and may suffer psychological effects, such as depression and loneliness. ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 17-Jul-2018 Post-Divorce Checklist Finally, the divorce papers have been signed and the judgment has been entered. Now you can start rebuilding your life after the arduous ordeal. However, there is still some work remaining. Even after the divorce is finalized, there are certain steps ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 29-Jun-2018 How to Discuss Divorce with Your Kids Divorce is devastating for everyone involved, especially children. One of the most difficult conversations you'll ever have is breaking the news to your kids. Even if the announcement isn’t a complete surprised—whether it’s ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 25-Jun-2018 What Happens When You Don't Pay Alimony If you are ordered by the court to make alimony payments, you may feel that owing payments is unjust. While you have an opportunity to appeal the decision or seek modification later on (due to a significant change in circumstances), intentionally ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 31-May-2018 Why Staying Together for the Kids is a Bad Idea One of the hardest decisions you can make is deciding when to divorce. Many years have been spent and dedicated to building a home, family and future and the thought of ending it all is scary. Many couples choose to forgo getting divorced because of ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 24-May-2018 Military Divorce Laws in Florida The divorce process is complicated; however, it could be more complex if it involves the military. If you are a service member or married to one, you need to understand the nuances of a Florida military divorce to be better prepared for the divorce ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 17-May-2018 Your Right to Remain Silent On practically every episode of a police-related television show or movie, someone is read their Miranda rights, reminding us that we have the right to remain silent, the right to consult with a lawyer, the right for an attorney to be present during ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 10-May-2018 Divorce & Tax Issues Not only can divorce change your lifestyle, but also how you file your taxes. Ignoring the tax implications can consequences of divorce can make the divorce process more painful. The following are the most common tax consequences of divorce: Tax ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 2-Apr-2018 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Getting Divorced Divorce is often one of the most emotionally overwhelming processes of people’s lives, whether or not they have the legal assistance of a divorce lawyer. From dividing property and assets to potentially losing the custody of your children, the ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 2-Mar-2018 How the New Tax Law Will Affect Alimony When couples get divorced in Florida and in other states throughout the country, the spouse that is not the main breadwinner of the family often seeks spousal support, also known as alimony or maintenance. Alimony is a form of financial assistance ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 15-Feb-2018 How Social Media Can Impact Your Divorce Case Social media has changed the way we communicate and share information with each other. Various platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, enables us to learn more about the people you associate with and the world around you. However, this ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 8-Feb-2018 Is It Okay to Date during Divorce? Divorcing clients are often lonely and frustrated, waiting for the opportunity to rediscover love. But as much as you might think that you are ready to move one, dating during divorce can have serious consequences. There is a chance that a new ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 15-Jan-2018 Preparing for a Divorce Deposition If all other negotiations fail and your divorce appears to be headed for a litigated clash in court, there is a great possibility that you must face a deposition. A deposition is testimony given prior to trial, typically recorded in a transcript or ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 11-Jan-2018 5 Stages of Grief in Divorce Denial – Spouses cannot believe that they are getting a divorce to the point that they flat-out deny it's even happening. Once it all sets in, a spouse may feel like it will all go away and the other spouse will eventually come around. ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 5-Jan-2018 How to Mishandle Retirement Plans in Divorce Aside from the family home and vehicles, retirement plans (401k plans and defined benefits plans) are considered one of the significant source of assets in a marriage. It is important to properly handle these assets when divorce arises, since ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 21-Dec-2017 3 Benefits of Prenuptial Agreements Prenuptial agreements (or prenups) are contracts you sign with your significant other before you marry. This contract is designed to organize your financial situation in the event of your divorce or in case one of you dies. Many people stigmatize ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 4-Dec-2017 Do Same-Sex Couples Face Any Unique Challenges in the Divorce Process? In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. This was a pivotal moment in civil rights for LGBT individuals, but it also paved the way for further legal complications. Almost half of all marriages end in divorce, and ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 16-Nov-2017 What You Need to Know About Moving After a Divorce After a divorce your life may change drastically, and sometimes it’s necessary to start over with a move. A new job, family obligations and other factors can lead you to relocate, but if you have children, packing up your bags and leaving ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 2-Nov-2017 Will My 401k Be Affected by My Divorce? Retirement accounts, such as 401ks, that include money that was earned during marriage are considered marital property in Florida, and can be divided up or awarded all to one spouse during property division. Let’s take a look at how your 401k ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 23-Aug-2017 What Can a Lawyer Do to Ensure My Spouse Doesn't Hide Assets? If you are going through a divorce, you might have to face the possibility that your soon-to-be ex-spouse might attempt to hide assets. This not only unethical but illegal and can result in serious consequences. However, it can be difficult to keep ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 19-Jul-2017 Getting an Annulment in Florida Annulments are frequently misunderstood, due to the way they are represented commonly in media. When it comes to the difference between divorce and an annulment, there is a very clear one. A divorce is the dissolution of a valid, existing marriage. ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 4-Apr-2017 What Happens to Pets After Divorce? Pet lovers will be dismayed to learn their beloved furry friends are considered property in the eyes of the state of Florida. If you are currently in the midst of or approaching a divorce, you may be wondering what will happen to your pets following ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 4-May-2015 You've Been Served by Facebook Social media isn’t just a way to pass the time anymore; it has become so involved in most people’s daily lives that it is replacing face-to-face contact in many situations. A relatively new advancement in the social media world is the ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 20-Apr-2015 Don't Want a Divorce? Try BBQ Sauce. Recently in the news, a Florida woman was arrested after things got a bit chaotic between her and her husband. According to the arrest report, the police were called after a man was heard yelling for help. The police arrived to find the man covered ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 17-Dec-2014 Why Don't More Men Receive Alimony? Why does it seem like so many men don’t receive alimony following a divorce? If you’ve ever pondered this yourself, the statistics actually support such preconceived notions. It may boggle your mind to know that of the 400,000 individuals ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 2-Nov-2014 When It's Time to Leave Why do people stay in abusive marriages? Is it simply a matter of lack of willpower or is there more to the story? It’s a difficult situation for individuals who’ve never experienced abuse firsthand to comprehend – why ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 26-Oct-2014 Why Do Fathers Struggle for Custody? It’s hardly any surprise that a father would wish to have his rights properly represented in the circumstance of divorce. The reality of the situation is that these rights are not always respected without a legal battle. Why do so many capable ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 26-Aug-2014 Answering FAQs About Divorces in Florida Are you and your spouse heading for divorce? This difficult transition certainly arrives with its own share of questions – how long until it’s final, how much will the process cost, what are your visitation rights. We can help shed some ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 20-Apr-2014 Do-It-Yourself Divorce Kit: "I Got It On the Internet" A nice post from Las Vegas, on the pros and cons of googling up DIY divorce forms. How can that go wrong? (You don’t want to find out.) The post says that Google reports: 72 million searches for “do it yourself divorce” 20 million ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 18-Aug-2012 Divorcing Parents Should Formulate a Plan for Children For some, a divorce is the end of a road that has been filled with arguments and fights. Unfortunately for some, however, divorce can merely be a step towards a peace that will never be attained, due to custody issues and visitation rights. According ... Continue Reading Posted By Stepniak & Park 3-Jun-2012 Divorce in the Technological Age Divorce has a new look in this age of technology. We have become a society driven by cell phones, computers, e-mail, and social networking, and those changes are quite apparent in today’s divorces. In an age where everything is visible and ... Continue Reading
