Posts by Mary Lou Miller-Wagstaff
Paternity and Inheritance Rights in Florida: What You Need to Know
As a father, you have certain rights. And, your children have certain rights. Although many of these are similar from state to state, you and your child are not guaranteed these rights unless paternity is established. Of course, if you were married to the mother of the child at the time of the birth, you…
Read MoreLegal Rights and Responsibilities of Unmarried Fathers in Florida
When a woman and man are married and a child is born, the state assumes that he is the father. However, when a woman has a child out of wedlock, there is no presumption of fatherhood. In many cases, the woman names the father on the birth certificate giving the father the rights he is…
Read MoreThe Role of a Guardian Ad Litem in Florida
Although many people think that a guardian ad litem in Florida is only used in a custody case during a divorce, that’s not always the case. The role and purpose of a guardian ad litem (GAL) is to advocate for a child’s best interest in any court proceeding. Not, as many people believe, the child’s…
Read MoreSimilarities & Differences of Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Divorce
If you and your spouse are at the point where divorce is the only option, there are several paths to that end point. Likely you will both hire a divorce attorney. During your initial consultation, they may talk to you about divorce mediation and collaborative divorce as two methods that couples use to come to…
Read More3 Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Because it is Financial Literacy Month, we thought we would share some common estate planning mistakes families in Pinellas County and throughout Florida make. Estate planning is important so your estate does not go into intestate, a process that takes time and complicates the process of estate distribution for your loved ones and beneficiaries. 1. Not…
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Extends to Your End of Life Plans
Financial literacy is much more than understanding not to spend more than you make and to pay your bills on time. True financial literacy includes an understanding of income, investments, retirement, tax implications of your income and investments, and even what will happen to your wealth upon your death. As an estate attorney we help…
Read MoreUnderstanding What Can Be in a Prenuptial Agreement
Too many people think of a prenuptial agreement as something they need only if they are very wealthy or do not entirely trust their future spouse. In reality, a prenup can protect each party. However, there are limits as to what can and cannot be included in one. Before you meet with your family law…
Read MoreWhy You Should Contact a Family Law Firm When You Marry
No one ever thinks that their lives will end tragically. However, it seems that every time we turn on the news there is another tragic death in Clearwater, Largo, St. Petersburg, or the Tampa Bay area. There is always someone left behind who has to take care of the deceased person’s belongings and more. When…
Read More5 Things You Should Do Post Divorce
No matter how long and complicated or quick and simple your divorce, there are things you need to do once it is finalized. Some things you can do yourself, other things are best done with the help of a family law attorney. These things protect you and your family in the future. 1. Change Your Beneficiaries…
Read MoreCan a Divorce Decree Be Amended or Changed?
During the divorce process you likely asked for some things that you did not get. Compromise is often part of a divorce. However, there are cases where the marital settlement agreement was based on partially inaccurate information. Or, worse yet, fraudulent information. Oftentimes, circumstances of one party changes. All of these are valid reasons for…
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