Judge Heather Higbee’s Spring Fundraiser, hosted by the Umansky Law Firm, was an incredible success as the committee joined together with local citizens in support of Judge Higbee’s re-election.

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Jeffrey Feulner, Managing Attorney of the Men’s Divorce Law Firm, is featured in today’s Orlando Sentinel in the “Ask a Lawyer” section.  Read the full story

Whether to end your marriage is one of the most important and difficult decisions you will ever encounter. While this is an emotional matter, it is important to approach certain aspects of it with an analytical perspective.
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Divorce is one of the most emotional experiences you will ever face. The decision to end a marriage is not an easy one, and often it is accompanied by anger, fear and resentment. The negative emotions associated with divorce are responsible for more than hurt feelings; they affect the legal process and its outcome. Read the full story

Q:  My husband and I are getting a divorce. I have accepted a job out of state. I need to know, what are my rights as the custodial parent? or if we agree on join custody?

A:  If there is no court order in place, you are not “the custodial parent.” Florida no longer designates a custodial or primary parent. Moreover, if your husband objects to the relocation of the child out of state, you will need to get permission from the court before leaving with the child.

Q: A Mother and Father of Minor Child was never married, but as the Father in the situation I stayed close to my child and help support the child. Read the full story

Q:  My 16 yr old daughter that is pregnant, quit school & lives with her 28 yr old boyfriend with her moms permission(mom has full custody. I went to the law and they said the baby would have to be born first to prove paternity to have a case against the boyfriend). Do I still have to pay child support on her when she is not in the household that the money goes to?

A:  You need to bring this to the court’s attention and attempt to get an order terminating your child support obligation. Until then, you must pay.

Q: Do I need to hire an attorney?

A: It is not mandatory that you hire an attorney; you may represent yourself. You could, however, be putting yourself at a serious disadvantage. Unless you and your spouse have no marital assets, children or unsettled issues, the divorce can become complex very quickly. An experienced family law attorney who knows the laws of your state can be of great help during a divorce.

Q: What is the difference between maintenance and alimony?

A: Alimony, maintenance and spousal support refer to the same thing: one spouse providing court-ordered funds to the other. This happens while the couple is legally separated, divorcing and/or divorced. Each state has its preferred method of determining how much should be paid, to whom and for how long. Courts typically consider the standard of living during the marriage, the current circumstances of each spouse and the ability of each spouse to provide for his or her needs. Alimony may be awarded as a lump sum, for a limited period or for an indefinite period.

Q: How is property divided in a divorce?

A: Courts divide property between divorcing spouses using two different concepts, depending on the state: community property and non-community property. Community property states dictate that each spouse owns an undivided one-half interest in any property acquired during the marriage. Non-community property states, however, take an equitable (fair rather than equal) approach. Typically, property that was owned by one party before the marriage, or given to one spouse as an inheritance or gift at any time, is non-marital property (and not subject to division). Other property that was acquired during the marriage is subject to division. The laws in each state can vary greatly, so it is important to consult an attorney.