“It’s been a long, long process and to finally get this part behind us. I feel great, even though we still have more to get done.”

Judge Marya Nega said Dwyane Wade had proven irreconcilable differences with Siohvaughn, even though it may already have been apparent in the court of public opinion. But child custody of the couple’s two sons and the division of marital assets still have to be worked out.

Dwyane Wade still retains physical custody of his children until further proceedings determine a final ruling, according to the judge’s order. Michael Kalcheim, the tenth divorce attorney in Chicago to represent Siohvaughn Wade, said he plans to file an appeal.

He told reporters that it was improper to finalize a divorce without also finalizing child custody and financial matters:

“The judge made a mistake.”

Even though this saga may very well have another chapter, Dwyane Wade is now looking forward to charting his future in the NBA. He will become a free agent as early as this week and may very well command a $100 million contract.

The couple, who first become romantically involved at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, had been separated for nearly three years before the recent dissolution of their marriage.

James Pritkin, Dwyane Wade’s Illinois family law attorney, took the opportunity to rattle off a basketball metaphor:

“Mrs. Wade has committed her final flagrant foul. Her game is over.”

Well, maybe not quite. This could go into overtime.

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Susie Sprague filed for divorce on Oct. 22 after seven years of marriage and is seeking sole custody of their son, Zen, 5, with visitation rights for Feldman. She’s also seeking spousal support. Feldman is “hopeful that he and Susie can work to resolve this quickly and amicably, and he is fully committed to doing what is best for the welfare of their son,” the statement adds.

Feldman, 38, and Sprague were married in October 2002, nine months after meeting in a nightclub, on the set of VH1’s The Surreal Life in a ceremony officiated by MC Hammer and a rabbi.

Article by Ken Lee | www.people.com

Florida custody laws took a positive change for Fathers this past October when a new statute was enacted that removed the words custody, visitation, and primary and secondary parent from Florida law. The new designation for both the Mother and Father is “parent,” a change that our firm views as a long overdue attempt at equalizing the parents in a divorce. Additionally, the new law requires that divorced, separated, or never-married parents develop a detailed parenting plan for raising and sharing time with their children. The plan is to specify when each parent will spend time with the children as well as outline how decisions that affect the children’s lives are to be made. The parenting plan requirement eliminates interpretation and should minimize disputes among parents allowing both a more meaningful role in their children’s lives.

At the Men’s Divorce Law Firm, we view this change as a gateway in the Courtroom to give father’s equal rights to their children. Because there is no longer a legal requirement to name one parent primary, the logical starting point is equal time and rights for both parents – a dramatic step in the right direction for fathers who have historically been awarded “standard visitation.” To our firm, this change is an opportunity to deviate from the norm of the “every other weekend” father and afford children sufficient and meaningful time with both parents. Obviously, if a specific case is not suited for shared and equal parental responsibility, the law still affords the option for sole parental responsibility or less than equal timesharing and authority for one parent.

These changes in the law began over a decade ago when the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar began considering new vernacular that would recognize that a child’s relationship with both parents must be protected. The new parenting plan requirement allows decisions to be made collaboratively as it eliminates the notion that one parent is inherently better suited to do so. This move towards equal footing is long over due. However, as with any change in the law, it will be years before the judicial system fully adjusts to this revision. For the next several years, the judiciary will contemplate the application of this rewrite to their cases while attorneys will argue on what the correct interpretation will be.

[ Article By | Men's Divorce Law Firm ]

The ultimate purpose of alimony is to level the playing field post divorce in long term marriages. In determining whether alimony should be awarded, the Court will first determine whether your marriage was a short term marriage or long term marriage, or a grey area marriage. While there is no bright line rule, marriages of fifteen years or more are considered long term and there is a presumption of alimony.

It should also be noted that there are multiple types of alimony including rehabilitative alimony, permanent periodic alimony, and temporary alimony. The ultimate purpose of alimony is to ensure that both parties are able to provide for themselves post-separation.

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.

Click here to read the full story from [MSNBC]

Winter Park, FL (PRWEB) July 9, 2009 — The world said goodbye to Michael Jackson today. His sudden death left behind a legacy of fans and music. His death also left behind three minor children and an inevitable custody battle that will likely turn into one of the most complex custody disputes this country has ever seen. Jackson’s two eldest children, Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Michael Katherine, 11 were both born to his ex-wife Deborah Rowe, while the third, Prince Michael II, 7, was born to an unidentified surrogate mother.

Click Here to read the entire press release