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.”

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…)

Gore Divorce: No Surprise For Some. An Expected Reality Among Late-Marriage Couples

When Tipper and Al Gore announced recently that after 40 years of marriage they were getting a divorce, pundits, politicians and everyday people expressed shock and dismay.

They seemed like the model couple. They’d lived a life together that many married (and, honestly, divorced) people seemingly can only dream of. Of course, they’d had tragedy and illness. But they have money. They raised their children. They enjoyed politics at the highest echelon of the American system. They were ready to coast into their Golden Years – together.

Al & Tipper Gore in happier times.

Al & Tipper Gore in happier times.

The Wall Street Journal wrote how the Gores “have spent virtually their entire adult lives in the public eye and they have done it together. They presented themselves as a package,” the Speakeasy columnist wrote, “and the idea of their brand was sealed with a public kiss on the stage of the Democratic Convention in 2000.”

Then, in a not-too-uncommon and increasingly modern occurrence, they split.

Marriage therapists who work with older couples aren’t as surprised as the rest of us seem to be. We’re living longer. Many have the security of dual-income economics to now enjoy life apart. And desires that were stifled in deference to the family unit are more easily pursued and fulfilled once the nest has emptied. Therapists told the Journal, “…they’re less willing to spend their last decades with someone who leaves them unfulfilled. At the same time, working wives are less dependent on husbands for financial support, and husbands have Viagra and other new incentives to find other romances.” (more…)

Sandra Bullock, Divorce & Adoption: The Implications for Timesharing

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, family law attorney Barry Finkel was interviewed on local television for a story related to actress Sandra Bullock and her adoption, her planned divorce from Jesse James, and the implications related to timesharing and custody of her newly adopted child.

Watch and learn how this important element of family law may affect Ms. Bullock and other adoptive families facing divorce.

Florida Divorce Attorney: Adoption May Help Sandra Bullock Heal Amid Jesse James Split

NY Daily News Sandra Bullock Adoption DivorceWhether Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock finds a stress-free adoption depends on where both the adoption and her divorce from Jesse James were in their respective timelines, Fort Lauderdale family law attorney Barry Finkel told the New York Daily News in a cover story on the issue.

“It depends on what stage the adoption is in,” Finkel told the Daily News. “It may be that he would have certain rights to that child, depending on where the adoption process is at this point.”

Click here read the entire story online.  Or click here to download a copy.

If James makes timesharing or custody claims down the road, Bullock and her attorneys could have another argument: His fitness as a parent, Finkel told the Daily News.

“And there is nothing to stop her from arguing in court that Jesse may be unfit or that there may be other reasons why he is not equipped to meet the needs of the child,” Finkel said.

South Florida Family Law Attorney Discusses Facebook, Social Media and Divorce

South Florida divorce and family law attorney Angela R. Neave, of the Law Firm of Barry I. Finkel P.A., was interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers regarding the implications of social media and divorce.

Watch as she highlights some of the trends — and warnings — related to social media like Facebook, texting and other applications.

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