Wallace Law FirmWallace Law Firm2024-03-22T21:56:21Zhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1401048/2020/02/cropped-wallace-favicon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496532024-03-22T21:56:21Z2024-03-22T21:56:21ZNature of the offense
Unlike street drugs, prescription drugs are legal when you have a valid prescription from a doctor. However, possessing, selling or using these medications without a prescription is not permissible. Activities like sharing prescription drugs or using them in excess of the prescribed amount fall under this category as well. Medications with potential for abuse include stimulants, sedatives and painkillers.
Consequences and legal implications
In Florida, the consequences of prescription drug crime charges can be severe. Sentences depend on the type and amount of drug involved. The severity of the consequences often reflects the potential for abuse and addiction. Defendants with prior criminal records may face additional penalties. Legal punishments for prescription drug crimes include fines, probation and possible imprisonment.
Illicit drug cases are often more straightforward than those involving prescription medicines. This is because the substances possessed or sold are clearly illegal.
Prevention and awareness
Florida's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program aims to prevent doctor shopping and illegal sales. The PDMP lets pharmacists and prescribers access a patient's prescription history. They can do this before prescribing or dispensing controlled substances. This visibility helps healthcare providers make informed decisions about prescribing medications. It ensures that patients get proper care while reducing the risk of drug misuse.
Prescription drug offenses differ significantly from other drug-related crimes in terms of legality, enforcement and potential penalties.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496502024-01-12T15:48:10Z2024-01-12T15:48:10ZFlorida divorces
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.4 of every 1,000 women in The Sunshine State divorce. However, the United States Census Bureau states that in 2021, the Florida divorce rate was 7.5%.
Regardless of the figures you use, many marriages end in divorce, several because of these common mistakes.
Communication breakdown
Communication is the cornerstone of a healthy marriage. A breakdown in this aspect often leads to misunderstandings and resentment. Without open dialogue, emotional distance grows, making it a common precursor to divorce.
Neglecting emotional connection
Emotional intimacy is key to a lasting relationship. Neglecting it can lead to feelings of neglect and loneliness. Addressing emotional needs is paramount, but when this falls short, it can contribute significantly to the decision to divorce.
Financial strains
Money matters can strain marriages. Mismanagement, secrecy or disagreements over finances can lead to tension.
Lack of quality time
In the hustle of daily life, couples may neglect spending quality time together. A lack of shared experiences can result in emotional detachment, contributing to marital dissatisfaction and, eventually, divorce.
Failure to compromise
A successful marriage necessitates compromise. Stubbornness and an unwillingness to meet halfway can escalate conflicts.
Unrealistic expectations
Setting unrealistic expectations can strain a marriage. Expecting perfection or constant happiness may lead to disappointment.
Infidelity
Infidelity is a severe breach of trust, often leading to divorce. Rebuilding trust after infidelity is challenging, and in some cases, the best course may be to end the marriage.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is a grave mistake that can irreversibly harm a marriage, often leading to divorce. Protecting yourself and pursuing legal avenues becomes a priority.
When filing for divorce, it is prudent to document your spouse's actions. Keep a detailed record of relevant incidents, such as financial discrepancies or instances of infidelity. This documentation can serve as valuable evidence during legal proceedings.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496482024-01-08T21:23:01Z2024-01-08T21:23:01ZAssess your retirement accounts
Begin by taking stock of your retirement savings. Identify all the accounts you and your spouse have, including 401(k)s, IRAs and pensions. Knowing the full extent of your retirement assets will help you make informed decisions about how to divide them.
Understand the rules
Different retirement accounts have different rules for division during divorce. Familiarize yourself with these rules to ensure a fair distribution. For example, while a 401(k) may require a Qualified Domestic Relations Order for division, you can split an IRA without one.
Explore alternative assets
Instead of dividing retirement accounts, explore the possibility of trading other assets. This could include the family home or investments outside of retirement accounts. Be mindful of the tax implications and potential growth of these alternative assets over time.
Seek professional guidance
Navigating a silver divorce and protecting your retirement requires careful consideration and expertise. Consult with financial professionals who specialize in divorce-related matters. They can provide valuable insights tailored to your unique situation and help you make sound financial decisions.
Research shows that one in three people who divorce in the United States are above the age of 50. For these individuals facing the unique effects of a silver divorce, the matter of retirement is one that requires utmost care and consideration.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496412023-12-15T14:54:10Z2023-11-10T19:49:38ZThe law
Florida law acknowledges the right to self-defense, also known as the stand-your-ground law, granting individuals the ability to employ force, sometimes even deadly force, when they perceive an immediate threat to themselves or someone else. This allows them to use force for protection without the duty to retreat from the situation.
Legal use of self-defense
To successfully employ self-defense in Florida, an individual must meet several essential conditions. The person must:
In the case of using non-deadly force, have a reasonable belief that an unlawful use of force by another is imminent
In the case of using deadly force, have a reasonable belief that a forcible felony, great bodily harm or death is imminent
Use force in proportion to the perceived threat
Have the legal right to defend the location in which they are in (in the case of threatening to use or using deadly force)
Note that the law does not require attempting to leave the situation before employing self-defense measures.
In practical terms, this means that self-defense is not an automatic entitlement. It hinges on the circumstances and an individual's compliance with the legal criteria.
Not absolute
The stand-your-ground law is not absolute. In some situations, the use of non-deadly or deadly force can still result in legal consequences. For instance, engaging in unlawful activities or using excessive or unreasonable force can lead to legal repercussions.
Self-defense is a recognized legal defense in Florida, built on specific prerequisites and operating within the framework of the law. Understanding these criteria is pivotal.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496382023-10-04T15:32:11Z2023-10-04T15:32:11ZChoose a calendar that is easy to use
Start by selecting a user-friendly calendar app or tool that both you and your co-parent can access easily. Eliminating barriers to access will reduce the risk of conflict.
Set clear permissions
Ensure that both parents have access and editing permissions for the shared calendar. This transparency promotes accountability and reduces misunderstandings. Establish ground rules for making changes to the calendar, such as giving advance notice for schedule adjustments.
Share important information
Include details about your child’s school activities, medical appointments and visitation schedules as part of the calendar.
Update the information regularly
Consistent updates are crucial to the effectiveness of a shared calendar. Most calendar apps offer synchronization across devices, ensuring that both parents have real-time access to the most current information.
Respect each other’s boundaries
Respect the privacy and boundaries set as part of the co-parenting agreement. Keep grievances and disputes out of the shared calendar and keep the focus on parenting responsibilities.
Research indicates that only 70% of U.S. children live in a dual-parent household. Shared calendars help to facilitate co-parenting in other parenting situations, reducing the risk of forgotten or missed information. This creates a more positive and peaceful environment for your children.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496362023-09-22T20:34:13Z2023-09-22T20:34:13ZMaintain open communication
Communication is key to successful co-parenting. Maintain clear and open lines of communication with your ex-spouse regarding your children's schedules, school events and any issues that may arise. Regular discussions can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both parents are on the same page.
Create a joint calendar
Having a shared calendar makes it easy to avoid scheduling conflicts and ensure that both parents are aware of important dates. This calendar should include school holidays, parent-teacher conferences, extracurricular activities and any other events related to your children's education.
Unify discipline
Consistency in discipline is vital. Discuss and agree on disciplinary strategies, consequences for misbehavior and rewards for achievements. Children benefit from a united front, even when parents live separately.
Attend school events together
Whenever possible, attend school events together with your co-parent. This can include parent-teacher conferences, school plays or sporting events. This shows your children that both parents are actively involved in their education and extracurricular activities.
Consider professional mediation
If communication with your ex-spouse becomes consistently challenging, consider involving a family therapist or mediator. These professionals can help facilitate discussions and improve the co-parenting relationship.
Statistics suggest that approximately 50% of children in the United States will have divorced parents. For these families, it is important to make adjustments so that the children have the greatest chance of success at school and other areas of life.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496342023-07-11T19:19:58Z2023-07-12T19:19:51Z1. Major holidays and celebrations
Increased DUI enforcement coincides with holidays such as the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. These festivities often involve alcohol consumption and some individuals may leave gatherings while still intoxicated. Police officers often organize sobriety checkpoints, targeted enforcement operations and increased patroling during these celebratory periods.
2. Concerts and sporting events
Music festivals, concerts and large sporting events draw massive crowds. Crowdgoers often consume alcohol as part of the experience. Police presence increases around these venues to ensure the safety of attendees and the surrounding community.
3. Weekends
People tend to unwind after a long work week by attending parties, visiting bars and clubs or socializing, especially Friday and Saturday nights. During these evenings, police departments often allocate additional resources to detect impaired drivers.
4. Spring and summer breaks
Many individuals hit the roads for leisurely trips or party-filled excursions during the spring and summer months. Resorts, beach destinations and popular tourist spots witness a surge in alcohol consumption, leading to a potential increase in DUI incidents.
Officers may also use various campaigns or awareness weeks throughout the year to focus on combatting shared driving (e.g., Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over) and intensify their efforts.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496322023-06-28T23:56:06Z2023-06-28T23:56:06Zdriving drunk throughout the United States. Another forecast sees nearly 13,500 deaths this year alone.
From 2016 to 2021, DUI fatalities grew by 23 percent, numbers not seen since 2003.
Fridays through Sundays account for 60% of drunk driving deaths
Seasonal trends
Summer alone could account for nearly one-third of fatalities. While the fall represents a significant change in seasons, the time of year is not far behind summer, accounting for 27 percent of deaths. Spring is at 24 percent, and winter is least likely for fatalities at 21 percent.
New Year’s Day is the most dangerous holiday that sees drunk driving fatalities experience a spike of 117 percent above the baseline average, alarming considering that it is essentially a “one-day” event
Independence Day lags behind, with the possibility of coming in contact with a drunk driver being 77 percent over the trend.
Thanksgiving comes in third with 55 percent higher risks above the trend
Labor Day ranks fourth at 54 percent
Memorial Day is the fifth most dangerous for drunk drivers on the road, with risks 51 percent higher than average.
Christmas Day ranks near the bottom at nine percent, unsurprising due to people staying home.
Breaking down specific days of the week from 2017 to 2021 sees first place going to Saturday, with Sunday not far behind. Tuesday is the least likely to have drunk drivers on the road.
Drunk driving is a severe criminal offense that carries serious and life-changing penalties. Help from an attorney can help to even the odds and secure the best possible outcome.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=496252023-05-23T13:37:14Z2023-05-23T13:37:14ZGray divorces at a higher rate
Researchers recently reviewed 50 years of data on marital separations, with a focus on gray divorce. The studies found that the divorce rate for couples over 50 is steadily rising. One reason seems to be that people really do stay together for their kids and postpone divorce until the young ones grow.
Also, younger people are marrying at a lower rate. These couples often prefer to cohabitate for longer periods and are cautious about marriage. As a result, more people marry later in life, leading to more gray divorces.
However, a previous divorce does not seem to sour older people on the idea of marriage. In particular, baby boomers are the most likely to remarry. Some researchers attribute this trend to the values that the generation learned when younger.
Greater financial challenges from gray divorce for women
Unfortunately, a woman's average income often drops after divorce and can remain low for years. These economic challenges tend to hurt women in gray divorces more than others. The reason may be that older women sacrificed earning power to care for a home. If a spousal support ruling is not favorable to the female partner, she may struggle.
As people live longer, they want to do whatever is possible to live a happy and fulfilling life, and that can include divorce. An individual facing this change in life often benefits by handling the process carefully to avoid common pitfalls.]]>On Behalf of Wallace Law Firmhttps://www.denniswallacelaw.com/?p=493472023-04-03T20:29:17Z2023-04-06T20:29:07ZUnderstand what they need
Children need a variety of things from you during this time, including:
Frequent contact from both parents
A peaceful environment
A schedule that allows time for both parents
Parents speaking directly to each other
Kindness toward the other parent
Your child needs both parents in their life and a kind environment that allows them to grow and learn in peace.
Tell them about your divorce
A lot of parents are afraid to tell their children about their divorce. That said, this is a necessary conversation, and it helps to sit down ahead of time and write out what you will say. Then, anticipate tough questions and think carefully about what you will say to give them the best experience.
After talking with your children, pay attention to any red flags that they are not responding well. If you notice any of these, be sure to tell your child's teachers and doctor and consider taking them to a child therapist to help them cope.]]>