Author Archives: Barry
Florida Family Law Attorney: Alimony Reform Requires Collaboration, Cooperation
Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton family law attorney Barry Finkel has spent his career helping individuals through separation and divorce and other family law matters. His keen insight provide a unique perspective on changes some believe are needed in Florida’s alimony reform movement. In this letter to the Sun-Sentinel, Mr. Finkel discusses how those changes [...]
Fort Lauderdale Family Law: How Do Courts Determine Timesharing & Child Custody in Florida Divorce Cases?
In a typical Florida divorce case, parents will argue before the court why they are suited to have certain periods of timesharing or custody of minor children. Sometimes, the parents are in agreement; other times, each argues for more time or custody than the other should receive. Yet, assuming their arguments are based in fact [...]
Florida Governor Rick Scott Vetoes Bills to End Lifetime or Permanent Alimony
From Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton and across Florida, family law attorneys and divorce lawyers watched with keen interest this week as the Florida Legislature passed sweeping changes to the state’s long-standing laws affecting lifetime or permanent alimony. All the bills needed were Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s signature. Gov. Scott vetoed this week the highly controversial [...]
South Florida Family Law Attorney Discusses Alimony Reform on Channel 2′s ‘Issues in the Media’
South Florida family law attorney Barry I. Finkel recently was a guest on WPBT Channel 2′s “Issues in the Media. The topic: Florida alimony reform wending its way through the Capitol in Tallahassee. Proponents hope to ban permanent alimony or “lifetime” alimony. Objectors believe the system works in its current form. It currently awaits Gov. [...]
Fort Lauderdale Family Law Practice Finding Success with New Boca Raton Divorce Office
Just months after opening the new Boca Raton family law office, The Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel P.A., has enjoyed success with new divorce cases beyond its traditional Fort Lauderdale family law market. In February, The Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel P.A., opened its new divorce and family law practice in Boca Raton. [...]
‘Anti-Sharia’ Laws Have Other Religions Wondering About Divorce & Family Law Fall-Out
An anti-Sharia bill gaining momentum in the Florida Legislature would prohibit Islamic religious law from trumping state law in matters of divorce and family law. Yet in an example of the “law of unintended consequences,” the law could also affect the laws or complicate the practices of other religions, including Judaism. Then again, this may [...]
Fort Lauderdale Divorce Lawyer: Attorneys Watch as Lifetime Alimony, Permanent Alimony and Some Timesharing Practices Near the History Books
Lifetime alimony, or permanent alimony, as it’s commonly referred to, may be referred to “history” before the month is through. Aggressive lobbying and legislative efforts have several bills wending their way through the Florida Legislature that would end the viability of permanent alimony in Florida. While many argue for and against lifetime alimony, or the [...]
South Florida Family Law, Divorce Attorney Named Huffington Post Columnist
Barry Finkel, a long-time Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and South Florida divorce lawyer and family law attorney, has been named a contributor to Huffington Post. Finkel will occasionally provide to the site articles regarding family law and divorce, as well as commentary or insights on news on those issues. His debut column is on Infidelity [...]
Florida Legislature Advances Bill to Ban ‘Permanent’ Alimony
Ending what some called an “outdated” system with possible laws that would give judges more flexibility in allocating the amount and duration of alimony, both the Florida House and Senate have advanced measures to end what many have called, “permanent alimony.” Supporters say the change would mirror changing American culture. “Alimony laws have been on [...]
South Florida Family Law Blog: Senior Divorce – No Minor Kids, No Problems? Boomers Facing Divorce Still Must Navigate Issues
At The Law Offices of B. Finkel P.A., we’re not just family law attorneys and divorce lawyers. We’re long-time residents of the South Florida community. We’ve watched our friends and their families grow older. One of the pleasures of a married couple growing older is growing old together. The kids grow up and the couple [...]
South Florida Grandparents and Divorce: Rights Are Few, Roles Can be Great
Any South Florida divorce lawyer or family law attorney knows that for families in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami and Palm Beach facing divorce, grandparents can play important roles. They can help maintain normalcy in the children’s lives – even as the parents endure the difficult trials of divorce. Children of a family torn apart [...]
South Florida Family Law Attorney: With April 15 Coming, Consider Taxes and Divorce
In the rush to gather receipts, statements and other financial documents so your accountant or financial advisor can help prepare your tax return, those in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Hollywood and throughout South Florida who recently had a divorce have another key consideration: When did the marriage end? This is an important consideration for personal [...]
Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney: Cheating Spouse Can Affect Alimony or Financial Settlements
You catch your spouse in an affair. The marriage is irreconcilably broken. Divorce is imminent. But can infidelity or the presence of an affair lead to more alimony or a larger financial award when the case is settled? That depends. The short answer is, No. As a No Fault state, Florida courts generally do not consider [...]
Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney Discusses Florida Alimony Reform on WLRN Radio
Fort Lauderdale family law attorney and divorce lawyer Barry Finkel was a guest expert recently on WLRN Public Radio’s Topical Currents. The show looked at the nationwide campaign for alimony reform. Most states—including Florida—haven’t had a meaningful review of alimony since the 1950s. Reformers say times have changed: many women now lead the way in the [...]
Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney to Open New Boca Raton Family Law Practice
In February, The Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel P.A., which has operated in Fort Lauderdale for more than 20 years, will open a new divorce and family law practice in Boca Raton. The new office will be located in the UBS Bank Building at 1800 North Military Trail., Suite 470, in Boca Raton, 33431, [...]
With South Florida Spring Break and Summer Vacation Approaching, Divorced Parents Must Make Travel Plans Soon, Fort Lauderdale Family Law Attorney Advises
Spring break and summer vacation are big holiday travel times for South Florida families – including those facing or with settled divorces. Depending on what parenting plan and a time-sharing schedule for minor children stipulate as far as each parent’s travel schedules, it’s never too soon to approach the other parent to plan a vacation [...]
South Florida Family Law Attorney: Hefty ‘Infidelity Clause’ Penalties Not Uncommon; Proving ‘Affairs’ a Challenge
Tiger Woods is attempting to win back ex-wife Elin Nordegren with a $200 million prenuptial agreement, according to news reports. She reportedly countered, demanding an infidelity clause with a $350 million penalty should he stray. Though Woods had sought reconciliation in March 2010 – months after news broke of his numerous extramarital affairs – this [...]
Why Timesharing / Custody Agreements Are Vital to Successful Post-Divorce Parenting
Any South Florida family law attorney or couples seeking separation or divorce who read a recent article in the Huffington Post would have been aghast at the tale. A divorced couple who shared custody of their son did so without any formal timesharing agreement. They agreed the son would live with his Mom, and spend [...]
South Florida Family Law Attorney Quoted on ‘Holidays, Divorce & Managing It All’
“As a child of divorced parents, I remember my mom and dad arguing every holiday season over how they will make their work schedules fit in with who gets us kids on which holidays,” a Miami Herald columnist wrote recently. Her comments introduced those of guest blogger, Barry Finkel, who shared his wisdom on how [...]
Pro Se Divorce Debate: Hire a South Florida Family Law Attorney – or Risk the Perils of Do-It-Yourself Representation
When facing divorce, couples have options. They can hire an experienced family law attorney who will protect his or her client’s best interests; or the sides can download fill-in-the-blank documents and handle their divorce case pro se, or “for one’s own behalf.” In this do-it-yourself strategy, the individuals advocate for themselves or on their own [...]
Fort Lauderdale Family Law Attorney: South Florida Women Facing Divorce Must Be Financially Prepared
It’s long been the lament of family law attorneys representing wives in separation and divorce cases. All too often, women arrive to this place in their lives with little to no knowledge of the family’s finances. Many have been homemakers and mothers to the children – with no involvement in earning an income or managing [...]
Fort Lauderdale Divorce Attorney: For Florida Alimony Reform to Succeed, Florida Needs Judicial Guidelines
Alimony reform has garnered much attention in recent years from family law attorneys and divorce lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton and throughout Florida. Attorneys for breadwinners ordered to pay ongoing alimony to ex-spouses have grown frustrated with seemingly unending payments. Some such breadwinners call themselves “slaves” to alimony. As long as they’re gainfully [...]
Social Media: Foe – or Friend – In South Florida Family Law, Divorce Discovery and Negotiations?
Much has been written by this South Florida divorce lawyer and family law attorney about the use in divorce discovery and negotiations of texting, Facebook, Twitter and other communications or social media services. Here’s how the scenarios typically play out: A married man texts a lover with whom he’s having an affair, or a married [...]
Leading South Florida Divorce Firm Adds Listings of Family Law Practice Areas
For Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami and other South Florida residents hoping to learn more about family law and specific divorce practice areas, The Law Offices of Barry I. Finkel P.A., recently updated its website to provide just that. The Services page on the firm’s site now offers in-depth explanations of various common practice areas. [...]
Plantation Forum: Prominent South Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton Divorce Attorney Earns Nods
News that prominent South Florida divorce lawyer and family law attorney Barry I. Finkel was lauded by trade and business publications was covered by area media. Plantation Forum cited Finkel for the media recognition, which included Florida Super Lawyers 2012, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and the Wall Street Journal and Miami Magazine. Read the write-up [...]
