Child Support & Contempt

Probably in large part because of the downward turn in the economy I am more apt to see cases involving non-payment of previously ordered child support. I have represented clients on both sides of this issue. Sometimes the paying party really cannot afford to pay the support because of job loss or wage decrease or illness or injury. Of course, the reality is the children's needs continue regardless of the economy or life's circumstances. Therefore the Courts often have to make the decisions regarding these difficult issues. There really is no easy solution because each family's needs are different and must be examined individually.

Affordable divorce

Now more than ever before there is a great concern among my clients to keep the fees and costs low in their divorce and custody proceedings. In these troubled economic times, I have heard many people ask, "Can I afford a divorce?" When the State of Florida and the Pinellas County budgets shrank, one way they tried to deal with their problem was by raising the filing fees. It now costs $418.00 to file for divorce and a similar amount to file a Counter-Petition. Used to be there was no fee for the Counter-Petition and the filing fee was a good $50.00 cheaper. To make matters worse, in this economic slump, it’s not just the government’s pocketbook that has shrank but all of ours too. Fortunately the way I practice law lends itself to efficiency. I have always been attuned to the best way to get to the end goal with the least amount of time, stress and money. With all strategic decisions in a case I give my client the potential costs so that can be weighed in the decision making process like all the other factors. Often I work out payment plans for divorce to help those clients that want to get started but are having a hard time with the initial retainer. As a good friend of mine recently said, maybe the silver lining of this economic downturn is the opportunity it gives us all to really help each other. Going through a divorce is often gut wrenching and emotionally draining so I do my best to narrowly define the legal issues and steer my clients on the most direct route to finalization.