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Punta Gorda Family Law Blog

Making child custody work from a distance

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in child custody on Thursday, December 26, 2019.

One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce is figuring out what will happen to the children. Florida parents want to provide the best possible child custody arrangement for their kids, and sometimes, this means making custody work long distance. With a thorough custody order and a commitment to protecting the best interests of children, it is possible to make this work well.

Parents can maintain good relationships with their children by taking advantage of technology in various forms. Skype allows people to remain in touch when they are not close together, even letting them to have face-to-face conversations. There are also various apps that are appropriate for kids to use that will allow for parents to speak with their children on a regular basis. 

Challenges women face during the property division process

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in property division on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

Women in Florida who are getting ready to divorce likely know that they may face certain financial challenges in the weeks and months ahead. Statistics indicate that women fare worse than men do in the property division process and post-divorce income levels. This makes it especially important for a woman to prepare well and be intentional about pursuing fair terms in their divorce order.

One way that women can prepare well for divorce is to start gathering and organizing important financial documents. This will allow her to start identifying and valuing marital assets, all of which are eligible for division in a divorce. She can also close jointly held credit cards and start taking steps that will allow her to improve her credit. A woman may also find it beneficial to start setting aside money as soon as possible to start rebuilding her own personal savings. 

Can 2 parents who don't talk make child custody work?

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in child custody on Monday, November 25, 2019.

When Florida parents go through a divorce, they find that some of the most difficult issues to resolve are those affecting what will happen with the children. For some families, co-parenting is a type of child custody plan that allows both parents to have a strong relationship with their kids, but it can be difficult to make this type of arrangement work when parents don't get along. Is it possible to make co-parenting work if two parents don't talk?

For most co-parenting arrangements, communication is the key to making it work well. Parents will need to be able to discuss changes in schedules and things that the kids need. Co-parents will also want to avoid talking badly about each other and be willing to remain amicable when attending things for the children. While it's not easy to keep open dialogue and stay in touch, it's in the interests of the children for parents to do this.

How the property division process can impact a small business

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in property division on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Divorce will bring significant changes to a person's life, and his or her finances will change as well. For a Florida business owner, the property division process may also impact the business as well. Because of the complicated way that divorce and business sometimes overlaps, an owner would be wise to work diligently to protect his or her financial interests and the future of the company when going through a divorce. 

Many small businesses are also family owned, and a spouse may have a rightful share to ownership or profits. Depending on when the business was started and how the two spouses handled their finances, this may actually be the case. Assets bought or accumulated during the marriage may be considered marital property, which is subject to division during a divorce.

Baby boomer divorces are increasing at an alarming rate

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm on Friday, November 15, 2019.

If you were born between 1946 and 1964, then you can consider yourself a baby boomer. The peers of your age group, as well as those born earlier in time, are part of a developing trend regarding divorce. Current data shows that, in the past 20 or so years, the divorce rate among baby boomers, and spouses who are older than 55 as well, has more than doubled. This is an interesting fact, especially considering that the overall rate of divorce across the country has been on a steady decline.

If you're currently considering filing for divorce, you might be able to relate to other spouses who have chosen a similar path later in life. There are numerous issues that appear to be common among individuals who are age 55 and older, issues that often lead to marital break-ups. Going separate ways after 20, 30 or even more years together can be a legally complex process, which is why it's important to build a strong support network from the start.

Making smart choices during the property division process

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in property division on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

The choices made during divorce will have widespread implications for a person. No matter how many assets are at stake or how long a Florida couple has been married, making good decisions during the property division process is crucial. This is not always easy, which is why a person will find it beneficial to think about the future when weighing his or her options or thinking about the terms of an agreement.

One of the most important steps for any person facing the possibility of a divorce is to protect personal interests first. This may mean changing passwords, taking financial inventory of accounts and assets, and moving forward with other preventative steps. It may also be prudent to change passwords, PIN numbers and carefully document anything that seems off, especially if one spouse may be trying to hide assets.

Protecting investments during the property division process

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in property division on Monday, October 28, 2019.

Divorce will certainly bring financial changes and adjustments to both parties. It requires both spouses to get used to new circumstances, make changes to lifestyle expectations and adjust to different future prospects. One primary concern for many in Florida as they approach the property division process is how to manage and protect their finances during this time. 

One concern a person may have when facing a divorce is how he or she could protect investments. There are certain steps that can be useful to help a person remain in control of these accounts and protect long-term financial well-being. One important step is to update the designated beneficiaries on the account by removing a former spouse. It may also be necessary to gain access to certain investments or to find out how much of an account could be subject to division.

Property division and its impact on future finances

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in property division on Monday, October 21, 2019.

The choices made during divorce will impact a person for years to come. For Florida couples, it may be better to set aside the temporary emotions that come up during this process in order to focus on securing terms that allow for a strong financial future. Property division can have a significant impact on retirement, but there are ways a person can rethink his or her long-term plans in a way that allows for full enjoyment of the golden years.

The choices made during divorce matter. One important step is to be sure that a person gets a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), which is necessary for the division and proper distribution of certain types of retirement assets. First, however, a Florida spouse will want to take careful inventory of all assets, accounts and investments that are marital property. This is a practical way to ensure that he or she does not leave money on the table. 

When is co-parenting the right child custody choice?

On behalf of Dennis R. Wallace of Wallace Law Firm posted in child custody on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.

Children can suffer significant emotional harm when their parents make the choice to go through a divorce. Florida parents understand how important it is to make choices that allow for their kids' long-term success, which may influence the choices they make for child custody. In some cases, families find that co-parenting is a good way to provide their kids with stability and security.

Co-parenting has many benefits as it allows for kids to maintain a strong relationship with both parents. However, this is not always easy for the parents. It requires that both of them remain in communication and commit to preserving the needs of the kids above all else. Some families find that working in conjunction with a psychologist or family therapist can also be useful.