Resolving Divorce Issues Through Mediation

Many couples going through a divorce cannot afford the cost — either the emotional or the financial cost — of a family court battle. Many people want a faster, less-hostile, and less-expensive method of resolving their divorce.

Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in which a mediator facilitates settlement discussions between the husband and wife. The mediator does not create the settlement, but assists the parties in arriving at a consensus to the element of their eventual settlement agreement. Mediators are usually retired family law judges or independent lawyers with a long professional career in family law.

Divorce mediation can be a successful tool for spouses who need help reaching a divorce settlement agreement and don’t want to go to court. If you want more information about the benefits of a divorce mediation, call our Orlando law firm at (407) 786-2900 or contact our divorce lawyers to schedule a consultation.

Protecting Your Rights During Divorce Mediation

At Znosko & Reas, in Orlando, Florida, we are knowledgeable divorce lawyers with significant experience representing clients during mediation. We are familiar with the family law mediators in the area and work with them regularly. Our law firm can be involved as much, or as little as you want. Whether you want advice on how to prepare for mediation yourself, or you want ongoing advice every step of the way, we can help.

Is Mediation Right for Your Divorce?

If you are considering mediation, we help you assess whether it is right for your situation. While mediation has many benefits, it may not be right for every divorce. However, in Florida, a meditation usually required before being able to go to trail on your case.

Where one or both spouses have unreasonable expectations or refuse to compromise on their positions, mediation is unlikely to work. Mediation may be unsuccessful where there is an imbalance of power or a history of domestic abuse during the relationship.

Mediation is especially beneficial for couples who want to avoid the negative effects children experience in a high-conflict divorce. It can also help parents maintain a civil relationship which is so important to successful future co-parenting.

The Benefits of Divorce Mediation in Florida

• Mediation can be a less expensive and more cost-effective method of resolving a divorce or other family law issue.
• You may be able to resolve your divorce much faster through mediation. The family court dockets are crowded and the average wait for a contested trial date is about 6 months.
• By avoiding the win-lose mentality of a court battle, you can protect your children from prolonged conflict and hostility.
• People are usually happier with a mediated divorce agreement. You know the needs of your family and the child custody and visitation arrangements that will work best in your situation.

Contact our law firm today to schedule a meeting with one of our family law attorneys. We provide you with experienced legal representation for divorce mediation and litigation.

For more information about the issues in a divorce, visit our Divorce Information Center.

Do You Need a Premarital Agreement Before You Get Married?

Are you wondering whether you should have a prenuptial (premarital) agreement before you get married? Has your fiancé asked you to sign a prenup, and you’re not sure you should sign? Are you considering divorce and want to know if the prenuptial agreement you signed or intend to sign is valid in Florida?

At the law office of Znosko & Reas, in Orlando, Florida, we provide skilled legal representation related to prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Our family lawyers can help you decide whether you need a premarital agreement, as well as draft, negotiate, and review your agreement. We have years of experience helping individuals protect their individual property.

If you have questions about prenuptial or postnuptial agreements call us at (407) 786-2900 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

Are Prenuptial Agreements Valid in Florida?

Premarital agreements allow individuals to enter into a contract with their future spouse, which governs certain financial issues in the marriage and in any future divorce. In Florida, premarital agreements are governed by statute. If the parties have fully and fairly disclosed their assets, income, debts and other financial information, and the agreement is correctly drafted and signed, the agreement is most likely valid and enforceable.

Careful Drafting and Review of Prenups Is Essential

A prenuptial agreement can help avoid future disputes over the division of property in a divorce. It can also meet estate planning goals, such as ensuring that certain assets or property will be inherited by your children from a prior relationship.

While premarital agreements are generally enforceable in Florida, they can be challenged if they don’t meet certain legal requirements. That is why it is important to work with an attorney who has considerable experience in this area and knows what makes an agreement enforceable.

Terms of a prenup relating to spousal maintenance and the division of property and assets in a divorce will generally be enforced by the court in a future divorce. However, terms dealing with child custody, parenting time or the payment of child support will usually not be valid or binding.

Whether you are involved in a divorce or not, as a parent you are thinking constantly think about your children. For all parents, the safety and health of their children is their first priority, and this is no different during a divorce. The biggest priority for parents undergoing the process of divorce is usually the issue of child custody, also known as time-sharing under Florida divorce law. Child timesharing has many aspects, all of which are familiar to the attorneys at Znosko & Reas family law firm. Among these aspects, there are shared parental responsibility/equal timesharing, sole parental responsibility/timesharing, timesharing and parental responsibility evaluations, and even modifications. Our attorneys provide expertise, advice, and skillful representation for you in the event of outlining parental responsibility and timesharing terms. We can help you whether you are pursuing timesharing in the context of divorce, or any other context. We will provide you with all the information and guidance you need to make educated decisions regarding your case.

Our attorneys know that nobody can make better decisions for your children than you. We encourage all parents to come to mutual agreements and settlements through collaboration and mediation, but we know that this is not always possible. Trials can be extremely expensive and time consuming, and do not always represent the wishes of both parents. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, a decision will be mandated by a court through trial. This decision will be official, and the parents will have to follow it. If this is the case, our attorneys are extremely skilled at presenting their client’s wishes and arguments in court, in order to make sure they and their children’s best interests are fully represented.

To establish timesharing outlines and parental responsibilities, the court will determine the residence of the child or children, the type of contact that is appropriate (if any), what the schedule for contact will be, and whether or not decisions will be shared.

Though some clients may want to receive sole timesharing, Florida courts generally do not grant such a condition unless there are extenuating circumstanced such as abuse or instability. Most likely, shared parental responsibility will most likely be ordered, however this is not the same as joint custody. The divorce attorneys at Znosko & Reas can help you understand how all the factors involved with timesharing and parental responsibility will affect your case, as well as your family. If you choose us to represent you in your case, we will fight to help you reach your goals for the end result. We know that your children are of the utmost importance, and that having a fitting timesharing/parental responsibility plan is the most beneficial for their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We are ready to provide guidance and assistance to new clients, as well as those we have previously represented. We offer a free initial consultation, as well as accommodating appointment times for the convenience of all our clients. To schedule a consultation, call our office or submit a request through our convenient online submission form.

Whether they are involved in a divorce or not, parents constantly think about their children. For all parents, the safety and health of their children is their first priority, and this is no different during a divorce. The biggest priority for parents undergoing the process of divorce is usually the issue of child custody, also known as time-sharing under Florida divorce law. Child timesharing has many aspects, all of which are familiar to the attorneys at Znosko & Reas family law firm. Among these aspects, there are shared parental responsibility/equal timesharing, sole parental responsibility/timesharing, timesharing and parental responsibility evaluations, and even modifications. Our attorneys provide expertise, advice, and skillful representation for you in the event of outlining parental responsibility and timesharing terms. We can help you whether you are pursuing timesharing in the context of divorce, or any other context. We will provide you with all the information and guidance you need to make educated decisions regarding your case.

Our attorneys know that nobody can make better decisions for your children than you. We encourage all parents to come to mutual agreements and settlements through collaboration and mediation, but we know that this is not always possible. Trials can be extremely expensive and time consuming, and do not always represent the wishes of both parents. In the event that an agreement cannot be reached, a decision will be mandated by a court through trial. This decision will be official, and the parents will have to follow it. If this is the case, our attorneys are extremely skilled at presenting their client’s wishes and arguments in court, in order to make sure they and their children’s best interests are fully represented.

 To establish timesharing outlines and parental responsibilities, the court will determine the residence of the child or children, the type of contact that is appropriate (if any), what the schedule for contact will be, and whether or not decisions will be shared.

 Though some clients may want to receive sole timesharing, Florida courts generally do not grant such a condition unless there are extenuating circumstanced such as abuse or instability. Most likely, shared parental responsibility will most likely be ordered, however this is not the same as joint custody. The divorce attorneys at Znosko & Reas can help you understand how all the factors involved with timesharing and parental responsibility will affect your case, as well as your family. If you choose us to represent you in your case, we will fight to help you reach your goals for the end result. We know that your children are of the utmost importance, and that having a fitting timesharing/parental responsibility plan is the most beneficial for their mental health and emotional wellbeing. We are ready to provide guidance and assistance to new clients, as well as those we have previously represented. We offer a free initial consultation, as well as accommodating appointment times for the convenience of all our clients. To schedule a consultation, call our office or submit a request through our convenient online submission form.

When a divorce occurs involving children, both legal parents are required to provide financial support to their children until the age of eighteen, or until they become self-sufficient. In the United States alone, there are millions of divorced parents who have been awarded sole custody of their children, or have majority time-sharing privileges. The federal laws that exist for enforcement of child support collection make the process much simpler than without such legislation, but the process can get confusing due to individual laws of each state. An experienced family law attorney in your state can help you understand the legislation, and guide you through the process. At Znosko & Reas, our divorce attorneys are fully versed in Florida custody and child support laws. We want to help you with the legal proceedings, while keeping your goals in mind. We strive to keep parents educated, and help them calculate the necessary support, based on factors such as the income of both parties involved, health insurance costs, child care expenses, and custody circumstances.

Generally, child support is ordered by a court during the proceedings of a divorce, separation or paternity. Child support payments are different from alimony payments, and both can be mandated simultaneously in a divorce. The financial support is ongoing throughout the time that the child is a minor. The payments can only be used to benefit the child through health costs, education, and other necessities. It cannot be used as pocket money for the child or custodial parent or guardian the payments can be given directly or indirectly to the child, but may be given to the custodial parent or guardian to provide for the child. Typically, child support is paid by one parent, to the other parent; though factors of income and quality of life. In the case of equal time share, the parent with the lower financial income will most likely be awarded child support payments to be made by the other parent.

At Znosko & Reas, we are aware that divorces tend to be difficult for everyone involved, especially kids. Although the guidelines of children can be decided by a court, we aim to utilize mediated settlements for decisions that are fair and beneficial to both parents, as well as, their children. With one of our experienced Orlando divorce and family law attorneys, you can give your child the financial support and high quality of life that they need, while maintaining your bowls in the process.

Our Family Law Attorneys have extensive experience in identifying assets to aid the initial proceedings, settling issues of legal paternity, and highlighting important issues in court, to achieve a result that our clients and their children feel happy and comfortable with. Child support can give a child the ability to retain the quality of life they experienced during their parents’ marriage, without the turbulence and instability some divorces can involve. Child support payments cover medical bills, education, and more. Our attorneys are ready to dedicate the time and effort to you, so that you can secure the child support payments and parenting plan that you need.

After an initial family law case has ended, an individual may discover that a modification to timesharing, child support orders, or child custody orders may need to be made. Modifications of these Court Orders are always made when there is a substantial change in circumstance and according to the best interests of the children. In fact, the interests of the parents are always considered secondary to those of the child.  Modifications involving support orders are often highly contested issues. The Courts often demand documentation that provides insight as to why the standing Order should be changed. Under Florida law, child support can only be increased or decreased due to substantial changes in circumstances, including, but not limited to, timesharing, income of the parents, or emancipation of the minor. Changes in the income of the former spouse can also affect the size and frequency of alimony/spousal support payments.  Znosko & Reas is dedicated to confidently handling modifications and other family law matters. We strive to help clients understand their rights and options regarding modifications.

At Znosko & Reas, we can help gather all of the necessary documentation in support of, or opposing these modification requests.  We provide guidance and assistance to new clients throughout the State of Florida, as well as, those clients whom we have previously represented. A free initial consultation and flexible appointment times are available for your convenience. Simply click on the contact link to obtain more information on scheduling your consultation today.

Any divorce case can be complicated but divorces involving high net worth couples or wealthy individuals are more complex and require an experienced attorney on their side. It’s critical to obtain an accurate valuation of a family business, important assets, to uncovering hidden assets/income, our firm will carefully analyze your situation and help you determine the best resolution to help you successfully divide marital assets. At Znosko & Reas, located in Orlando, Florida, our team of family law attorneys has more than 40 years of combined legal experience. We have helped many wealthy couples get through the divorce process so they can move on to the next stage of their lives.

Please contact our high-asset divorce lawyers online today to schedule an initial consultation. You may also call our firm directly at (407) 786-2900

Property Division in High Net Worth Cases

In all instances, it is critical to obtain accurate valuations to ensure all marital property is distributed equitably. Znosko & Reas helps their clients with complex issues such as:

• Business ventures
• Real property values
• Value of company assets
• Future earnings
• Patents and other intellectual property
• Income tax capital and income tax charitable contribution carryforwards
• Collectibles and antiques
• Trusts
• Life insurance cash values
• Retirement assets (401(k)s, IRAs, annuities, stock options, etc.)
• Investment properties
• Stock options

When a parent remarries, whether after the death of a former spouse or after a divorce or separation, the new spouse may desire to formally adopt the child or children of their current spouse. A step-parent may choose to formally adopt a spouse’s child from a prior relationship, but the natural parent must receive notice of the adoption proceeding (unless deceased), and must consent to the adoption or else must be determined “unfit” before a step-parent adoption will be finalized. A similar protocol applies when a child is born outside the marriage and the birth parent later remarries, and the stepparent wants to adopt the child.

According to Florida Adoption Law:

A stepparent may adopt without his spouse joining in the adoption, as long as the spouse consents to the adoption. A married person may adopt without the other spouse if the spouse’s failure to consent is excused by the court.  No person can be prohibited from adopting, solely because he or she is handicapped, unless the Department of Children and Families determines that the handicap makes him or her incapable of being an effective parent.  Florida law does not indicate an age limit to adopting, it indicates an “adult” is allowed to adopt.

For all legal intents and purposes, the child will be considered the natural child of the adoptive parent.  Further, the adopted child will stand on an equal footing with all other children that may then be, or later be, conceived to the adoptive parent, regardless of whether the other children are biologically born or adopted to the adoptive parent. This is true with respect to wills and estates, or later, if the adoptive parent and biological parent divorce. Thus, except for the biological realities, it is as though the child was born to the adoptive parent initially.

Znosko & Reas can help you gather all of the necessary documentation to initiate your Step-parent Adoption, providing guidance and assistance to you throughout the State of Florida. A free initial consultation and flexible appointment times are available for your convenience. Simply click on the contact link to obtain more information on scheduling your consultation today.