Posts by Mary Lou Miller-Wagstaff
Domestic Violence – Laws Today & Historically
Since 1989, October has been nationally recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and as difficult a topic, Florida has made some progress in the past year relating to domestic violence law. However, considering that the national Violence Against Women Act was originally passed in 1994 and constantly has to be reauthorized, there is still…
Read MoreWhen Can Grandparents Be Awarded Custody in Florida?
Grandparent custody in Florida is quite common. However, it is not something that a grandparent can just request and be awarded. If you are a grandparent seeking custody, whether you are looking for temporary or permanent custody, there has to be a reason. And, you should work with a family law firm. Temporary Custody Temporary…
Read MoreUnderstanding Grandparent Visitation Under Florida Law
In most cases, time with grandparents is beneficial to both the children and the grandparents. However, there are circumstances where you would not want your child visiting their grandparents. Because Florida law has provisions for grandparent visitation, many grandparents think they can sue for visitation like a legal parent can. Whether you are seeking visitation…
Read MorePros & Cons of Collaborative Divorce
Although mediation and collaboration have some similarities, they are different processes. In our last blog, we covered the pros and cons of divorce through mediation. Today, we are delving into the pros and cons of collaborative divorce. If you are unfamiliar with this process, click here. If you are considering it, before making your final…
Read MorePros and Cons of Divorce Through Mediation
Divorce mediation is both a relatively new concept and one that people have been using for quite some time. People have been going back and forth, giving and taking, to get what they want in their divorce for ages, but only recently has it become something that is both a recommended and formalized process. For…
Read MoreTime-sharing: Quick Reference
One of the most difficult parts of a divorce that includes minor children is that both parents will not see their child every day. Custody agreements, known as time-sharing in Florida, can be many things, but there are a few facts you will want to keep in mind. Whether you are in the process of…
Read MoreParenting Plan VS Custody Agreement
We are often asked what the difference is in a parenting plan and a custody agreement (or time-sharing agreement as it is called in Florida). A parenting plan is the document that includes all the details about raising your children including the time-sharing agreement. These are not two separate documents, but rather a custody/time-sharing agreement…
Read MoreThings to Consider Before a Gray Divorce
“Gray divorce” is the common term for those over 50 divorcing. Although divorce is never easy, a gray divorce is often easier and less contentious than a divorce by those in their 30s and early 40s. However, there are often more things to take into consideration as an older couple divorcing. Social Security and Retirement…
Read MoreWhat Does a Probate Attorney in Florida Do?
This is not an uncommon question at all. If it is the first time you have been involved in the distribution of an estate, either as a beneficiary or personal representative, you may not know why you want to involve a probate attorney in Florida. Legally, not all estates are required to hire a lawyer…
Read MoreChoosing a Personal Representative for Probate
Part of setting up an estate plan is choosing your personal representative, or, more commonly known as the executor of your estate. For most married couples, the spouse or adult child is the logical choice. However, if you are unsure who is the right choice to handle your estate, here are some tips to help.…
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