Family Law & Life Lessons From the Tiger Woods / Elin Nordegren Divorce

News that a divorce decree was signed in a North Florida courtroom, ending the high-profile marriage of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, provides many lessons to many couples – regardless of their celebrity.

elin-nordegren-tiger-woods-divorce via sassyqarla.comThe key message, one that most family law attorneys try to tell their clients, is that both parties continue to work very hard to keep their problems out of the public eye. This divorce was effectuated with almost no fanfare – given the notoriety it gained at the beginning.

What’s more, as is common with many celebrity divorces, Elin apparently was offered a significant pay-off for a tell-all tale. She declined. This is an example of a family truly putting the children first.

Among the other lessons: (more…)

Florida Divorce Attorney: Beware Social Networking, Divorce & Child Custody

Fort Lauderdale / Florida family law attorney Barry Finkel discusses the implications social networking / media can have on divorce and child custody / time sharing issues.

The key message: Use caution when writing status updates and other social media content. What you say online can come back to haunt you in court. (Finkel appears at 1:53 in the video)

Family Law Attorneys Support Fort Lauderdale YMCA

Barry Finkel and Angela Neave (on right in image beneath YMCA caption) support Safe Swim.

Barry Finkel and Angela Neave (on right in image beneath YMCA caption) support Safe Swim.

Fort Lauderdale family law attorneys Barry Finkel and Angela Neave of B. Finkel P.A., appeared in Weston Lifestyles magazine as they took time out from the divorce and family law practice to support the YMCA of Broward County (Florida) Safe Swim Happy Hour along Las Olas Boulevard.

The event was created to support drowning awareness initiatives, which serve more than 7,000 children each year. According to the YMCA, children as young as six months of age can be taught to swim – and no child is too old to start learning.

“In South Florida, pools, lakes, canals and the ocean are fixtures on the landscape and our daily lives,” Finkel said. “It’s important that adults support these causes, and everyone takes the time to make sure children are safe in or near the water.”

How to Handle Domestic Violence or Threats

Attorneys who have worked in family law, divorce or domestic abuse issues know that violence doesn’t mean actual battery – or hitting, kicking, striking or even sexually assaulting a spouse or partner.

But if your spouse, partner or boyfriend has committed a first act or threatened an act, act quickly to protect yourself and your children. Start by…

- Asking him to seek help. This can be in the form of anger management or marital counseling.

- Removing yourself from the home until help is sought. Sometimes, getting out of the violent situation can help diffuse it – at least momentarily.

- Call 911 and report the domestic violence to the police. Not only can the police also help diffuse a situation, the incident will be on record.

- File a Petition for Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence. This is done if you are in fear for your safety that he will perpetrate another act of violence against you or your minor children – or if he is threatening to do so. In Broward County, this can be done on the second floor at the Courthouse located downtown on 6th Street. Do not hesitate to do this. This should be done immediately after the threat or act of violence.

NEVER exacerbate the problem by taunting or teasing the batterer. Do not say things that your know will get him upset. Try to remove yourself from the situation and do not return home without an escort to help you retrieve your belongings and personal items.

Most importantly, DO NOT HESITATE TO TAKE ACTION. DO NOT BELIEVE HIS PROMISES TO CHANGE.

Fort Lauderdale Family Law Attorney: How to Handle Domestic Violence

In South Florida and around the country, Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin served as two high-profile examples of partners and parents who displayed eerie if not frightening examples of domestic violence and mental abuse.

In Mr. Baldwin’s case, his voicemail message left for his daughter struck many as excessively harsh words directed toward a young child. Mr. Gibson’s words were scary and unsettling – especially when combined with reports of his battery upon the mother of his child.

Domestic abuse and violence doesn’t have to include battery – or being hit, kicked, struck by thrown objects, or even sexually assaulted unwillingly by your spouse or partner. It can be mental abuse that over time demeans or demoralizes you.

How should women handle domestic violence or threats of violence? (more…)

Florida Divorce Lawyers See Baby Boomers Turning to Pre-Nups to Protect Existing Estates

Before they say, “I do,” some couples are asking, “Will you?”

A recent Wall Street Journal article on the place of prenuptial agreements among Baby Boomers — and others looking to protect existing assets — raises important questions.

As the article stated, “Baby boomers looking to protect their assets are increasingly turning to prenuptial agreements — legal contracts drawn up before a marriage that dictate what happens to assets in the event a couple should part ways, either by divorce or death.”

An interesting point about Baby Boomers who lost significant assets accumulated throughout a long career is that second marriages tend to bring up the subject, especially if one party has significant assets and adult children to whom they intend to leave their estate. (more…)

Late-Stage Divorce: Florida Attorneys & National Experts Advise on Coming to Terms

As experienced family law attorneys and South Florida divorce attorneys, we’ve counseled many couples facing late-stage divorce. So news of Al and Tipper Gore’s split wasn’t so surprising. Click here to read our insights.

Yet, experts continue to offer advice and counsel. The Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio yesterday devoted an hour to the topic. The segment, entitled “Starting Over After Late-Life Divorce,” included interviews with Andrew Cherlin, a Professor of Sociology and Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University and author of “The Marriage-Go-Round: The State of Marriage and the Family Today”; Janice Green, a family law practitioner in Austin, Texas, and author of the book, “Divorce After 50: Your Guide to the Unique Legal and Financial Challenges”; and Abigail Trafford, a journalist, columnist, and former health editor at “The Washington Post” and author of “Crazy Time” and “My Time.”

The piece focused on how “many long-term married couples are making the decision to go their separate ways — possibly for another two or three decades.” The hour explored “the unique challenges and opportunities of late-life divorce.”

The lesson: As people live longer, late-stage divorce should not be such a surprise — and often comes with less acrimony. But planning remains important to ensuring everyone’s rights are protected.

Divorce and College: Who Has Custody of the College Savings Plan?

Conventional wisdom tells us and our clients that parents should begin saving money for college soon after the birth of a child.

There are many options when it comes to saving for the expense of college, including prepaid college programs, 529 plans, other qualified tuition plans, or other investment or savings vehicles such as custodial accounts and trusts.

But as a South Florida divorce attorney and family law practice, we’ve learned there’s more to college plans. In this article, I look at how divorce affects the family’s college savings plans. Read more here in College Savings Plans – DadsDivorce.com.

New Book: What are the 7 Deadly Sins of Divorce?

Across South Florida and the nation, we’ve been told that 50% of all marriages will end in divorce. As family law attorneys and lawyers skilled in divorce, we’ve heard the statistic. But is this really true?

According to a new book and its review on MSN, “Whether you are happily married now, or hoping to be one day, there’s one topic you’d probably rather not think about: divorce. Yet, most of us know at least one wedded couple who has split up. And then there’s that ominous 50 percent statistic, which often scares us into believing that a marriage’s survival is as subject to chance as whether a coin will flip heads or tails.”

The MSN writer spoke with licensed marriage and family therapist Shannon Fox and divorce attorney Celeste Liversidge, who authored the book Last One Down the Aisle Wins: 10 Keys to a Fabulous Single Life Now and an Even Better Marriage Later. In the story, they offer guidance on the seven worst deeds a divorcing couple can commit…

Read the entire article here.

Fort Lauderdale / South Florida Divorce Attorney Named Super Lawyers ‘Rising Star’

Fort Lauderdale family law attorney Angela R. Neave has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers for this award,” said Neave, an associate at The Law Firm of Barry I. Finkel P.A. [ insert link www.bfinkelpa.com ]. “Receiving such an award is never about the award itself. It’s about the work that helped me gain the recognition. That’s where my focus lies – on achieving positive outcomes for my clients.”

Neave works closely with each client. She seeks to identify and analyze the issues and strategies vital to a successful outcome. A native of Southern California, Neave graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She earned her Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law. Neave decided to pursue the practice of law with a single goal in mind: To become a family and divorce lawyer focused on helping those facing the difficult challenges of failed marriages and a confusing legal system. (more…)

Divorce Newsfeed

- The Sun-Sentinel – Fort Lauderdale, Florida – May 5, 2010 - Angela Neave Co-Chairs Legal Aid Service of Broward County Annual Fundraiser on May 14 “You've Been Served" is the theme for Legal Aid Service of Broward County's 9th Annual "For the Public Good" celebrating 36 years of securing justice and changing lives. The event committee co-chairperson is Angela Renee Neave, Esq., of the Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel, P.A. The event will take place at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina located on 1881 SE 17th Street Causeway on May 14. The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails and silent auction followed by dinner and awards.

- The Huffington Post – February 28, 2010 - Committing Adultery? You Could Go to Jail So, did you notice what I noticed as Tiger Woods delivered his 14 minute nationally televised mea culpa last week? While he was busy admitting, "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated ..." What jumped out at me was what Tiger didn't mention. He confessed he'd broken the law. Adultery is a crime. I know that sounds odd and old fashioned. But the truth is that more than 20 states, including Florida where Wood's keeps his primary residence, still have laws on the books against cheating on your spouse.

- The Tampa Tribune / Tampa, FL – February 18, 2010 - Facebook Plus Divorce Equals Flammable Situation If eHarmony is the Web site bringing lovebirds to the threshold of marriage, Facebook is the one showing up for the divorce. The world's most popular social media site is revolutionizing the divorce experience, pouring toxin into virtually every stage of a collapsing marriage and rekindling old flames into blazing affairs.

- USAToday – January 19, 2010 - Marriage Benefits Men Economically, Too If you think women still reap more economic benefit than men do from marriage, you may be living in the past. Today, men are better off economically because their wives are, too, suggests a new study on the economics of marriage by the Pew Research Center.

- People – January 12, 2010 - Why Did Chris Evert and Greg Norman Divorce? The split between tennis star Chris Evert and golfing great Greg Norman, whose 15-month marriage ended in divorce last month, was a result of stress and strain over her teenage boys needing their mother, according to someone who observed the situation. 

- Fox News Online – January 11, 2010 - How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce With roughly 50 percent of all marriages ending in divorce in the United States, it is all too common for children to endure all that comes along with families breaking up. Divorce can be scary and sad for all involved, but it can have a particular and lasting effect on children. Therefore, it's important to approach the subject delicately. We spoke with rabbi and psychotherapist M. Gary Neuman, who created the widely successful "Sandlecastles Program". He gave his tips on how to inclusively talk to your children to ensure they cope with divorce in a healthy and productive way. 

- Daily Finance – December 28, 2009 - Courts in Crisis: Recession Drives Caseloads Up, Budgets Down Court systems nationwide are facing two forces that could collide and create a major crisis in 2010. Caseloads driven by the recession are flooding the courts at the same time as judicial systems around the country are dealing with budget cuts. In some states, those budget cuts could slow the flow of paperwork and possibly even result in postponement of some trials. Courts are starting to see the full brunt of cases involving recession-related issues…Increasingly, what the courts are seeing are cases in which the root causes are families in crisis after losing their homes and jobs.

- New York Daily News – December 28, 2009 - NJ dad David Goldman will 'never understand' Brazilian family that fought him The New Jersey father reunited with his 9-year-old son after a bitter divorce and custody battle in Brazil says the boy has been adjusting well to his return to America – despite video footage taken before their reunion showing Sean Goldman crying in the arms of his stepfather.

- Boston Herald.com – December 27, 2009 - Will prenup stand up in Tiger divorce case? I hate to sound shallow, but do you think Tiger’s prenup will get thrown out because he was messing around? In order for a PMA to be enforced, Tiger had to make a full and fair disclosure of all of his assets and liabilities. That’s because Elin cannot waive her rights to something she did not know about...

- The South Florida Sun-Sentinel – December 15, 2009 - Report: Elin Nordegren plans to leave Tiger Woods People magazine is reporting that Elin Nordegren plans to divorce Tiger Woods. In its issue that arrives at newsstands on Friday, the magazine quotes a source close to Nordegren as saying, "She plans to leave Tiger." It cites another source as saying, "She's made up her mind. There's nothing to think about: he's never going to change."

- Daily Business Review – November 12, 2009 - Text Messages Can Spell D-I-V-O-R-C-E Divorce lawyers have found a new smoking gun to wave around in court: Text messages. Infidelity, bad parenting and threats - you name the issue in marital disputes, family law attorneys say, and the evidence can be found in text messsages sent over handheld gadgets.

- Earth Times – November 3, 2009 - Avoid Texting Marital, Extra-Marital or Negotiation Details - Or Risk Texts Becoming Evidence In the age of digital media and communications, there now are three sides to every divorce story: His, hers, and what's being stored by the phone company.

- Florida Today / Melbourne, Fla. – October 26, 2009 – Experts: Poor Economy Leads to violence Experts say tough economic times in general tend to introduce additional stressors in an already tense domestic situation. When abusive partners are laid off from work, experts say the severity and frequency of violent assaults tend to jump because the abuser is home more often.

- The Huffington Post – May 2008 – Nine Signs of a Cheating Spouse Financial infidelity is bad, but it's even worse when it is used to engage in an extramarital affair. Ruth Houston, the author of "Is He Cheating On You? 829 Telltale Signs," says to look for nine behaviors that may be indicators of a spouse's infidelity, starting with credit card statements that reflect charges for flowers, jewelry or other gift items that the spouse did not receive; unauthorized or surprise withdrawals from joint bank accounts; or deposit slips or bank statements that indicate the existence of a previously unknown checking or savings account in the wife's/husband's name only.

- Squidoo – How To Leave Your Husband Everyone has different reasons for contemplating something so drastic as leaving a spouse. It could be due to abuse, infidelity, lack of respect, or it could have been a mistake to just get married in the first place. If you are finding yourself asking the question of how to leave your husband, know you are not alone. Read here to learn more…

- MSN Money.com Get Real: Marriage is a Business Put aside the romantic notion that love conquers all -- and pull out your calculators. Successful partnerships require a plan, a CFO (usually) and regular progress reports.

Archives