Tavares Family Law Blog

Social media posts and custody disputes

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child custody on Friday, June 8, 2018.

If you have found yourself in a dispute over child custody, you could have many questions and areas of concern. In court, a variety of factors will be considered when it comes to determining child custody and it is critical for you to prepare yourself and understand how these issues influence custody decisions. Moreover, there are new considerations that were not present in previous decades, such as social media posts. Whether you share something online and it is used against you or your former spouse has posted something inappropriate on the internet, it is important to realize how social media can affect the outcome of a custody dispute as well.

After splitting up with their partner, some people may become emotionally unstable or turn to drugs or alcohol and share this information online. You should watch what you post, especially if it involves your child or your ability to raise a child. Moreover, some people notice that the other parent of their child has shared something concerning on the internet. Depending on the nature of the post, whether it involves an image, video or text, it may be necessary to bring this up in court.

Other consequences of back child support

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child support on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Our blog has provided information on some of the consequences of falling behind on child support payments, such as having one's tax refund intercepted and being unable to apply for a U.S. passport. However, there are many other reasons why it is crucial to pay child support on time and parents who are unable to fulfill these obligations may face a number of other ramifications. In this post, we will look into some of the other ways in which parents who owe back child support in Tavares and across the state of Florida may be adversely affected by their circumstances.

First of all, failing to pay child support can completely shatter a person's reputation. Even if someone is financially unable to stay current on their child support obligations because of the loss of a job or a medical crisis, many people will still look down on them and this can adversely affect a person's life in different ways. Falling behind on child support can also mean that one will eventually face significant financial strain in the event that they try to get caught up on what they owe. Moreover, someone may even be apprehended and spend time behind bars as a result of the child support they owe, resulting in a record that follows them around for life.

Marital breakup process in Florida involves several steps

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Instead of simply contemplating divorce, you are now ready to make it a reality. The question is, though, where do you start?

Divorce is a multi-step process that can understandably be confusing and overwhelming. Here is a look at what steps you need to take to complete the marital breakup process in Florida.

Going over some benefits of establishing paternity

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child custody on Friday, May 11, 2018.

For parents, various family law challenges can arise and lead to anxiety and uncertainty. Having said that, there are some things that are within a parent’s control. For example, some parents are able to establish paternity, which can offer a number of benefits. From being able to spend time with a child by establishing legal fatherhood to receiving child support payments from a non-custodial parent, both of a child’s parents may benefit from the establishment of paternity.

There are different ways that paternity is established, whether a DNA test is taken, a paternity form is filled out, or paternity is established at the time a child is born. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, paternity may allow a child to be able to access his or her father’s family medical information and other perks, such as veteran’s benefits and Social Security benefits. Moreover, simply establishing paternity can provide a child and both of his or her parents with peace of mind and a sense of security, which can be especially helpful following a difficult breakup.

Financial strain and high-asset divorce

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in divorce on Friday, April 27, 2018.

For virtually every couple, divorce can present challenges on a number of levels, from emotional struggles to financial concerns. With that said, some people have an especially difficult time during the process of ending their marriage, like those with a high net worth, for example. If you are considering high-asset divorce, you may be put off by the idea of ending your marriage because you worry about how your financial accounts and property will be affected. However, these concerns may be mitigated by carefully going over all options beforehand.

From the division of marital property to alimony and the amount of child support a person is obligated to pay, financial issues related to divorce can impact high net worth earners in all sorts of ways. If you go over the relevant state laws and consider different options that are available, you might be able to lessen the financial burden of divorce. Moreover, you can prepare yourself for what may lie ahead. You should not feel as if you are stuck in a toxic marriage solely because you worry about the financial ramifications of splitting up with your marital partner.

Child support and your tax refund

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child support on Friday, April 13, 2018.

People are aware of many of the different challenges that can come with child support, such as the risk of being arrested for failing to make payments and the social stigma that is attached to back child support. In a recent blog post, we discussed how child support delinquency can interfere with travel plans and passport applications. However, it is vital to keep in mind that falling behind may upend your life in even more ways. Many people have recently filed their taxes and are expecting a tax refund. However, some may be surprised to find out that back child support will interfere with their refund.

If a non-custodial parent owes a certain amount of back child support, the IRS might intercept their tax refund. This can be especially hard for people who were counting on their tax refund to fulfill various obligations, from getting caught up on back rent to making car payments. Unfortunately, this can result in a cycle of financial problems and it can be very upsetting to know that one's tax refund has been intercepted due to falling behind on child support payments.

Unpaid child support and passport applications

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child support on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

When a parent is not able to pay child support, for whatever reason, there is a long list of challenges they may have to work through. It is not uncommon for people in this position to have an incredible amount of anxiety over their circumstances, but they may also face harsh penalties. For example, some may even be taken into custody for failing to pay child support. With this said, there are many other hardships that parents who owe back child support may face. For example, if a parent owes a certain amount of unpaid child support, they may not be able to apply for a passport.

There are a multitude of ways in which being barred from obtaining a passport can make life challenging. Non-custodial parents who owe back child support may not be able to travel for leisurely purposes, of course. However, they may also have to miss out on very important business meetings or family events, such as a wedding taking place overseas. This underlines the importance of paying child support and staying current. If you have fallen behind, you should stay committed to becoming caught up and look into your options. For example, modifying your child support order could be a possibility.

Divorce mediation may make a marital breakup easier

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in blog on Friday, March 30, 2018.

When you finally make the decision to get a divorce, you may understandably feel that your life and future are out of your control. After all, you may feel out of sorts both emotionally and financially.

However, with divorce mediation, you and your future ex-spouse may be able to more confidently plan your lives and make wise decisions about your futures. Major benefits of mediation are that it is generally a faster, less costly and less acrimonious process compared with traditional divorce litigation. Here is a look at what mediation involves in Florida.

Considerations regarding divorce and bankruptcy

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in divorce on Friday, March 16, 2018.

For many people, the decision to end a marriage results in a fresh start, an opportunity to move beyond hurdles that have been lingering for years. Likewise, bankruptcy can also provide people with this sense of starting anew, allowing them to break free from financial shackles that have been holding them back for years. However, both of these issues can bring up a number of questions as well as concerns, so if you are preparing to file for divorce or have already split up with your spouse, you may want to think about the impact this could have on your bankruptcy case as well.

Sometimes, couples file for bankruptcy prior to their divorce, which can be advantageous in certain circumstances. On the other hand, some people file a bankruptcy petition after their marriage has already come to an end. In fact, some people even blame their divorce as the reason why bankruptcy became necessary. After all, divorce can create a multitude of financial hurdles and some people may need to file for bankruptcy in order to move forward.

Custody, relocation, and emotions

On behalf of Cauthen, Oldham & Associates, P.A. posted in child custody on Friday, March 2, 2018.

Child custody is one facet of family law that can be incredibly difficult for parents and even their kids. When a dispute over the custody of a child arises, there can be a great deal of uncertainty and emotions may run high. Moreover, additional issues that affect some parents, such as parental relocation, can lead to even more questions and challenges for custodial and non-custodial parents. If you are relocating with your child or are worried about your child’s other parent deciding to move, it is important to review all relevant legal considerations and try to maintain your emotions.

For some parents, the thought of a child moving away can be incredibly hard. Following a divorce, some parents decide to go ahead with the move for various reasons, whether they want a fresh start or are relocating for work. Parental relocation can complicate things further from a legal standpoint, which is why custodial parents who wish to move with their children should ensure that all legal requirements have been reviewed prior to the move. Non-custodial parents who feel that their rights have been violated should not remain silent, either.

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