Nightmares can occur even during waking hours. In fact, these nightmares are worse than the ones encountered in sleep. Waking nightmares are reality and you can't shake them off with a splash of cold water and a hot cup of coffee. This is what happened to Terry Power and his ex-wife Michelle Fournier as detailed in the Tampa Bay Times yesterday. The nasty divorce took five years to resolve and more than $400,000 to resolve. It was indeed a nightmare for both sides although the Times could … [Read more...]
Divorce Mistakes That Are Avoidable and Costly
Divorce is one of the most emotionally roiling experiences anyone can encounter in life. As a Florida divorce lawyer, I've witnessed my share of mistakes individuals make during the divorce process. Often, they are made emotionally and are entirely avoidable. Such mistakes may provide a temporary "feel good" moment but will prove costly when it comes time to explain the decision to a judge. Let's take a look at a few of the most common and costly divorce mistakes. 1)Withholding funds to … [Read more...]
Do It Yourself Divorce a Bad Idea and Potentially a Costly One
An old adage goes, "Someone who represents himself has a fool for a client." While this is often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, the saying is probably pre-dates Lincoln. Whoever coined the phrase made an important statement, especially in matters of divorce. Do it yourself divorces (DIY) can be very expensive especially if there are assets such as retirement accounts that need to be divided between the parties. Reuters relates one particularly harrowing tale. "How much could a … [Read more...]
If Adultery is a Crime in Florida, Why Doesn’t It Impact My Divorce Case?
Adultery is a misdemeanor in Florida. According to statute 798.01, it's a second-degree misdemeanor to be Living in Open Adultery: Living in open adultery.—Whoever lives in an open state of adultery shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Where either of the parties living in an open state of adultery is married, both parties so living shall be deemed to be guilty of the offense provided for in this section. Having said that, … [Read more...]
Divorce Rate Contributes to Florida’s Ranking As One of the Highest Stress States in Which To Live
Divorces in Florida outrank most of the other states in the country. Florida's rate of divorce is the third highest in the country. If you add that to the crime rate, affordable housing issues, work related stress, and overall health, Florida doesn't fare so well in comparison to other states. Roughly 50,000 couples file for divorce each year. More than 15 percent of the state's residents are divorced or separated. Of the 50 U.S. cities with the highest divorce rates, 11 are in … [Read more...]
