Family Law

Orlando family law attorney AJ Grossman

Home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and we can love. – Marvin J. Ashton

Unfortunately, sometimes family is not what we thought it would be. Your home is not an anchor, a refuge, or a happy place. So, tough decisions need to be made about what your family’s future might look like.

Legal issues involving family problems is all we do at Leap Frog Divorce. We devote a 100% focus on helping people like you resolve family issues like divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity, custody, visitation, and spousal support.

Two clasped hands

EMOTIONAL AND COMPLEX

Family law problems are emotional and complicated. They impact not only a husband and wife or father and mother, but also other family members, friends, and co-workers. The intense emotions people often experience with family law problems often hinder rational decision-making.

 

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT AND FAMILY LAW PROBLEMS

In 1991, the Florida Supreme Court required each circuit to establish a family division for divorce, domestic violence, name change, adoption and paternity matters. It emphasized that the goal of a family court was “to establish a comprehensive approach coordinating all judicial efforts in cases affecting the same family.”

The Florida Supreme Court also emphasized that courts must coordinate and maximize resources like Guardians Ad Litem and Mediation for the benefit of children and families in litigation with links to community-based resources, such as substance abuse treatment counseling, parenting courses, and social services.

Florida courts follow model family principles such as:

  • Children should live in safe and permanent homes
  • The needs and best interests of children should be the primary consideration of any family court
  • All persons should be treated with sensitivity, dignity, and respect
  • Courts should craft solutions that are appropriate for long-term stability and minimize the need for subsequent court action.
  • Courts should be available at a reasonable cost and accessible without economic discrimination

Being represented in your family law matter by Leap Frog Divorce means that we will:

  • Encourage reasonable settlement from the start of your case and will begin to use alternative dispute resolution options as quickly as possible
  • Use interventions to minimize emotional barriers to settlement
  • Focus on reasonableness and interests rather than hardline positions
  • Work to minimize the cost of protracted fighting that wastes your family’s valuable financial resources leaving less for the family and the children

Words and actions in family law matters have a long-lasting impact on families. As your lawyer, counselor and problem-solver, we will work together always considering the well-being of your children, family peace, and economic stability.

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IN FAMILY LAW PROBLEMS

Family law problems almost always involve issues beyond divorce, custody, and support. Often, they involve property, tax, and business entities like corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies.

Moreover, they involve trusts and estates, bankruptcy, and pensions. Many custody problems require knowledge of child development, mental and emotional disorders, trauma, and substance abuse.

 

DIVORCE COURT AND TRIAL IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION

A cooperative resolution of family conflict is always preferrable over intense, costly, protracted litigation. However, it is not always possible depending upon the level of animosity.

Family law is not about winning or losing. Rather, a fair resolution for all involved, including children, should be the ultimate result. If your case does need to go to trial, we have the experience and the skill necessary to provide you with aggressive representation to maximize your legal outcome.

Only about 5% of all family law cases go to trial. So, it is highly probable that your family law problem will be resolved by negotiating a fair settlement.

It has been demonstrated over and over that husbands, wives, domestic partners, mothers, and fathers are more likely to follow their own private agreements than decisions imposed on them by a court.

Family law problems are complex that often require trade-offs and creative problem solving that people, working together, are better able to implement to address their values, needs, and beliefs than a court.

Woman taking wedding ring off with divorce paperwork on the table in front of her

FAMILY LAW PRACTICE AREAS

DIVORCE – The breakup of a marriage is filled with emotion, stress, anxiety, and fear. Divorce includes things such as custody, visitation, division of property, spousal and child support. Fortunately, there are many options for divorce, such as Collaborative Divorce, Uncontested Divorce, Simplified Divorce, Mediated Divorce, Kitchen Table Negotiated Divorce, Cooperative Divorce, and Litigated Divorce. Depending upon your situation, your divorce could be completed in as little as 2 months.

PATERNITY – Pregnancy and childbirth happen whether planned or unplanned. For those who are not married and have children, getting child support or establishing legal rights to your child may be desired or necessary. Every child deserves to have parents who love them and support them. For mothers, establishing paternity is the first step in getting the child support you need. For fathers, establishing paternity is the first step to getting the legal rights you want.

CUSTODY – If you are married and don’t want to get divorced, you can apply to the court for a formal Parenting Plan to determine custody, also known as “Parental Responsibility.” Maybe you and your spouse are struggling and one of you decided to move out of the home. As a result, the other parent is refusing to allow you to see the children or make any decisions for the children. Asking the court to establish custody and implement a formal Parenting Plan might be a good option for you to regain contact with your children.

Dad hugging small child outside

VISITATION – Every parent is entitled to frequent and continuing visitation, also known as time-sharing, with their children. Your Parenting Plan will detail your visitation schedule during the year, including and not limited to during school year, school breaks, and holidays.

MODIFICATIONS – The only constant in life is change! So, when things change after you have received a court order regarding divorce, paternity, child support, or custody and visitation, you can ask the court to for changes. There are important rules regarding the kinds of changes that will qualify for a modification. Not every type of change will entitle you to a modification.

SPOUSAL SUPPORT – You don’t have to get divorced to request spousal support. If your spouse has the ability to contribute to your financial support and fails to do so, you may apply to the court for spousal support, also known as alimony. There are different types of spousal support. Each type is designed for a specific purpose.

Hands of woman and child holding small red heart

CHILD SUPPORT – If you are married and don’t want to get divorced, you can get child support. You don’t have to get divorced to request child support. If your current visitation schedule with your minor children entitles you to child support, and your spouse has the ability to contribute to the financial support of your minor child and fails to do so, you can apply to the court for child support. Depending upon your circumstances, you may be able to get child support beyond your child’s eighteenth birthday.

PRENUPTIAL AND POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS – Sometimes it is important to put protections in place either before or after your wedding day that will determine how things will happen in the event of a future divorce. These agreements can protect assets and can eliminate or limit things like spousal support. Whatever your goal is, having a well-crafted marital agreement prepared by a lawyer can make the difference between it being enforceable or not.

MEDIATION – This private, confidential alternative to courtroom litigation can save time and money and result in a better outcome for families than a decision imposed by a court. Mediation can be used for any family law problem. A Mediator is a neutral person that tries to help you resolve your family dispute in an amicable way that results in an informed, voluntary settlement. Your Mediator is not a judge and will not render any decisions. You keep full control over what you will and will not agree to.

What is a Divorce Consultant?

CONTACT A SKILLED, COMPASSIONATE AND EXPERIENCED ORLANDO DIVORCE LAWYER AND MEDIATOR TODAY

Family Law problems are the only kind of legal problems we solve every day here at Leap Frog Divorce. We are available and ready to help you today, and we have financing options as well.

Call us today at 407-377-7108 or send us a message. Just let us know what you need help with, and we will contact you quickly!

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