After a recent divorce proceeding, Courtney Irby left the Polk County courthouse to go home. In the parking lot, her estranged husband allegedly rammed his car into her vehicle and ran her off the road. Joseph Irby, 35, was arrested on a domestic violence aggravated battery charge and released on $10,000 bail the next day. While Mr. Irby was in jail, Courtney broke into her former husband's home and took his assault rifle and a handgun. She brought the weapons to the Lakeland Police … [Read more...]
How Domestic Violence Affects a Divorce Case in Florida
While shared parental responsibility in the aftermath of a divorce is the best possible outcome, if there are allegations or charges involving domestic violence, the equation will lean in favor of protecting and securing the best interests of the child. In Florida, domestic violence is defined as any assault, battery, sexual abuse, stalking, kidnapping, or any other criminal offense by one household or family member to another that causes injury or death. Even if a couple is not married or no … [Read more...]
Florida Alimony Reform Will Have to Wait Until Next Year
Florida's legislative session has drawn to a close without any significant reform to alimony laws. There were proposals to make significant changes to how alimony is awarded in divorce cases but they died in committee. Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell filed SB 1596 on March 1st, hoping to create a fair and balanced approach at determining how much and how long alimony should be awarded to recipients. HB 1325 was filed by Republican Rep. Brad Drake, echoing alimony reform efforts and … [Read more...]
Affair Sours, Mistress Sues, Wife Threatens Divorce-the Life and Times of Baseball Star Miguel Cabrera
A Florida court has ordered Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera to pay $20,000 a month in child support to an ex-mistress he fathered two children with and pay off her nearly $1-million mansion by July. He'd had an ongoing affair with the woman and supported her financially for years. When the wife found out, Cabrera balked at his financial commitment to the other woman. That's when it turned ugly for him and the matter ended up in a Florida court. According to Florida court documents … [Read more...]
In Florida Divorce Are Pets People or Property?
Sound like a crazy question? It's not. Presently, Florida divorce law holds that a pet is property and part of an equitable distribution settlement at the finalization of a divorce. Why do I bring this up? On January 1st, California introduced a new law that places pets in the people category subject to visitation rights, feeding and care issues, even health related questions. A party to a California divorce or separation may also ask the court to order who will care for a pet during the … [Read more...]
