There are many things to consider when contemplating a divorce – the impact of a change in the law is one of them. Click on the link below to read a recent New York Times article about possible effects that the Tax Cuts and Job Acts of 2017 may have for divorcing couples. The attorneys of Sessums Black stay abreast of changes in all types of laws that can impact their clients. LEARN MORE
Caroline Black Sikorske is honored to be selected to present at the AAML 40th Annual Institute in Orlando, FL on May 4, 2018. Caroline will be speaking on “Psycho-Social Issues as They Impact Co-Parenting and Attorney Case Management.” Her co-presenters include two nationally recognized experts in the field of Psychology, Dr. Debra Day, Psy.D., and Dr. Jan Faust, Ph.D.
Did you miss the May 25, 2017 AAML Facebook Live presentation on Alimony with Attorney Caroline Black Sikorske as a co-presenter? Not to worry! A video of the presentation is still available for viewing. Click on the link below to watch. The attorneys of Sessums Black practice exclusively in the area of marital and family law to offer clients superior, personalized, and high-quality legal services.
On May 25, 2017, Attorney Caroline Black Sikorske will be co-presenting at an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers seminar on what alimony looks like in the modern era. You can find out more about the event by clicking here. The attorneys of Sessums Black practice exclusively in the area of marital and family law to offer clients superior, personalized, and high-quality legal services.
On May 18, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion amending the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar effective July 1, 2017 to accommodate the collaborative law process. Click on the link below to read the Florida Supreme Court opinion. Collaborative law is an alternative dispute resolution process which normally costs less time, money, and stress and affords participants increased opportunities to creatively resolve their differences. Click here to read more about collaborative law. Although the attorneys of Sessums Black continue to practice and are experienced in traditional litigation, they recognize the benefits, both financial and emotional, of not going to court.
There is pending legislation to significantly modify Florida’s alimony laws in both the house and the senate. However, it appears that both bills have died or are about to die in legislative committees. Click on the links below to read an article summarizing the current status of each bill and also to read the contents of each bill. The attorneys of Sessums Black pride themselves on staying abreast of pending legislation which may affect their clients.
On April 15, 2016, Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoed Senate Bill 668 titled “An act relating to family law.” Had SB 668 become law, it would have made changes to Florida’s laws relating to alimony and timesharing. Click on the link below to read the Governor’s letter regarding his veto. The attorneys of Sessums Black PA stay abreast of the latest changes to laws affecting their clients.
On March 24, 2016, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 967 titled “Collaborative Law Process Act” into law, making Florida the 14th state to offer Collaborative Divorce as an alternative to traditional litigation. Collaborative Divorce is a method of reaching a resolution through cooperative strategies rather than adversarial techniques and court proceedings. Although the attorneys at Sessums Black PA continue to practice and are experienced in the traditional litigation-based dissolution of marriage, they are also trained and experienced in handling matters through Collaborative Law. Florida’s new Collaborative Law Process Act and more about Collaborative Divorce are available by clicking the links below.
As April 18, 2016 quickly approaches, many people’s focus turns to taxes. For people who have divorced at the start of 2016 or have a divorce proceeding pending, deciding how to handle the filing of 2015 taxes can be daunting if not overwhelming. Click on the link below to read one author’s tips as to how to navigate the tax season as a new or soon-to-be divorcee. The attorneys of Sessums Black PA are skilled at representing clients facing all types of family law-related legal issues.
On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage. Click on the link below to read more. The attorneys of Sessums Black PA pride themselves on staying abreast of changes in local, state-wide, and national laws which affect their clients.
May 1, 2015 marked the end of Florida’s 2015 legislative session and the end to two pending family law-related bills: one which proposed major changes to the current alimony laws and the other which would have standardized the practice of collaborative law in Florida. Click on the link below to read an article discussing the bills and their statuses as of May 1st. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on staying abreast of legislation which may impact its clients.
Bills are pending in Florida’s legislature which, if pass, would establish collaborative divorce throughout Florida. Click on the link below to read an article about the pending legislation. Sessums Black, PA has extensive experience in collaborative divorce.
A bill modifying Florida’s existing alimony laws is expected to be filed within the next two weeks. Click on the link below to read an article describing the latest events in Florida’s alimony reform movement. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on staying abreast of current events likely to impact its clients.
Statistics show that, in 2014, people over the age of 50 are twice as likely to divorce as people of similar age in 1990. This trend could carry a significant cost not only for the parties but their families as well. Click on the link below to read an article about the phenomena. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are experienced in representing clients of all ages whose are parties to dissolution of marriage proceedings.
While it is common to spend months – or longer – planning a wedding, it is generally uncommon to spend any time planning a divorce. Nevertheless, a little planning can help ease the transition from married to unmarried life. Click on the link below to read six suggestions on how to plan for a divorce. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on providing personalized legal advice and representation to clients anticipating or facing all types of family law issues.
A man in Sacramento County, California who declared bankruptcy and hid his assets to avoid paying child support and alimony, was recently sentenced to a prison term of over 17 years. Click on the link below to read the article. Sessums Black, PA’s attorneys are skilled at representing clients with support-related issues.
When a divorce occurs at or near normal retirement age, some unique financial challenges may emerge. Click on the link below to read one author’s five suggested issues individuals divorcing after the age of 50 should contemplate. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on its superior, personal service to its clients of all ages.
Individuals divorcing later in life have unique concerns, including whether they may claim a portion of a former spouse’s social security benefits. Click on the link below to read answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the possible effect of divorce on social security benefits. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA pride themselves on their knowledge of topics of concern for clients of all ages whose marriages are dissolving.
Multiple attempts have been made over the past few years to revise Florida’s alimony laws. Florida’s house and senate passed a bill last session that would have, among other things, modified existing alimony laws; however, the governor ultimately vetoed the bill. Advocates for alimony reform are already working on proposed legislation for the upcoming legislative session. Click on the link below to read an article discussing the efforts to reform alimony in Florida. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on staying abreast of changes in Florida law and providing superior legal representation to clients with spousal support or alimony concerns.
Discussions continue in Florida and throughout the United States regarding the continued relevance of alimony (also known as spousal support) in contemporary society. Click on the link below to read a recent news report regarding the ongoing debate. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are skilled at representing clients with concerns about alimony.
Although the 2013 legislative session has ended, discussions and debates continue over alimony reform. Click on the link below to read one author’s comments and observations about the alimony reform movement and its potential effects. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are skilled at representing clients with spousal support or alimony concerns.
On May 1, 2013, just four hours short of the midnight deadline, Governor Scott vetoed a family law legislation known as Senate Bill 718 which would have made many changes to Florida law including: changes to alimony, presumptions regarding timesharing schedules, calculations affecting equitable distribution, and retroactive application of certain changes. Click on the links below to read a news article about the legislation as well as Governor Scott’s letter to the President of the Senate explaining his veto. The Attorneys of Sessums Black, PA take pride in staying abreast of recent events in marital and family law.
The pending family law legislation that recently passed Florida’s House of Representatives and Senate has been getting a lot of press. The legislation makes many changes to Florida law including changes to alimony, presumptions regarding timesharing schedules, calculations affecting equitable distribution, and retroactive application of the changes. Click on the link below to read a comprehensive summary of the new legislation. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on providing superior legal representation to clients with all types of family law issues.
Senate Bill 718 passed the Florida Senate and the House of Representatives recently. It is now slated to head to the governor. The pending legislation would not only create significant changes to alimony in Florida, but it also provides for things such as a presumption for 50-50 timesharing with children. Click on the links below to read two news articles about the pending legislation and related debate.
Family law has been at the forefront of discussions during the current legislative session. Senate Bill 718 has passed the Senate and is currently pending in the House of Representatives. The bill, among other things, makes drastic changes to alimony, creates a rebuttable presumption of 50-50 timesharing, redefines lengths of marriages and how that impacts a request for alimony, creates a coverture fraction to compute the marital portion of appreciation of non-marital real estate for which marital funds were used to pay down a mortgage, outlines when issues may be bifurcated, and creates a schedule for applying for retroactive modification of previously entered alimony awards. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA pride themselves on staying abreast of the latest trends and changes in marital and family law.
Click here to read the version of the bill pending before the house as of April 18, 2013.
At times couples choose to have one person focus their time on domestic responsibilities while the other is employed outside the home. It can be difficult to conceptualize the economic rewards of such a decision. Click on the link below to read one person’s attempt to estimate the monetary value of a homemaker’s services. Sessums Black, PA has experience providing superior legal representation to clients who have served various roles in their relationships.
Stereotypes become increasingly antiquated as society changes over time. As the news article below discusses, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers recently reported that about 56% of divorce lawyers nation-wide have witnessed an increase in the number of women paying child support and roughly 47% have witnessed an increase in women paying alimony. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are knowledgeable of Florida’s alimony laws and their potential impact on each client’s case.
Even after a divorce has been finalized, there are several considerations former spouses should make – particularly once they reach retirement age. One of the considerations should be ensuring social security benefits are accurate. This article discusses how a divorce may influence a former spouse’s social security payments. Former spouses who think there are inaccuracies in their social security benefits should consult with a social security attorney. The attorneys at Sessums Black, PA are skilled at assisting clients of all ages consider the areas that a dissolution of marriage may impact.
Florida’s Senate and House of Representatives are each considering bills that propose changes to, among other things, Florida’s laws governing alimony. The links below are to Florida’s Senate and House of Representatives websites which provide the latest news on each bill’s status. As each person’s situation is unique, it is always best to consult with a licensed marital and family law attorney on how Florida’s alimony laws may affect your situation. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are well-informed of the current status of Florida’s alimony laws and the impact they may have on each client’s case .
On September 26, 2011, Massachusetts’ Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill which, among other things, generally eliminates spousal support payments when either the payor reaches retirement age or the recipient begins cohabiting with a romantic partner. Click on the link below for the full story. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on skillfully defending the rights of its clients facing all forms of support issues.
Florida’s alimony law has been changed effective July 1, 2011. Some of the changes include the ability to award durational alimony after a long-term marriage if there is no ongoing need for permanent support, the requirement of clear and convincing evidence for the award of permanent alimony after a moderate-term marriage, the requirement of specific written findings for permanent alimony awards, and the new provision that alimony awards may not leave the payor with significantly less net income than the recipient’s except in exceptional circumstances. For the full text of the changes, please click on the link provided here regarding Sections 79-80.