• Annulment:

    An annulment is a legal action that declares that a marriage was invalid when it occurred generally because one party lacked the legal capacity to marry (for example, he or she was married to another on the date of the subsequent marriage, the parties were intoxicated at the time of the marriage, or the marriage was never consummated).

  • Divorce:

    A divorce is a legal action that dissolves the bonds of marriage between a husband and wife who had a valid marriage at the time the marriage was made.

  • Child Custody:

    The term "child custody" are now an archaic terms which refer to the specific timesharing arrangement that each parent had with each child. Originally, child custody was a sort of "possessory" claim that a parent had over a child. In Florida's more enlightened world, the parents now enter into a "parenting plan" where neither party is designated as having "child custody."

  • Parenting Plans:

    A parenting plan is a legal document that governs how parents will share time with their children from the time it is approved by the court until the time that the plan is modified by the court. Parenting plans are always modifiable based on a permanent and substantial change in circumstances based upon the best interests of the minor child(ren).

  • Mediation:

    Mediation is a process of self-determination where the parties, with or without their lawyers, meet with a disinterested third party for the purpose of resolving some or all of the issues in their cases. Mediation is required prior to the court hearing any matters relating to temporary relief and prior to trial.

  • Prenuptial Agreement:

    As its name implies, a prenuptial agreement is an agreement entered into between the parties prior to their wedding that may govern some or all of the parties' rights in the event of divorce or separation. It may not govern matters related to an unborn child's right to be supported by the parents or the rights of the child to have access to both parents.

  • Postnuptial Agreement:

    As its name implies, a postnuptial agreement is an agreement entered into between the parties after their wedding that will govern some or all of the parties' rights in the event of divorce or separation. It may govern matters related to an unborn as well as born children's rights to be support by the parents or the rights of the children to have access to both parents. It also may govern matters related to the identification, value and distribution of all property accumulated before, during and after the marriage.

  • Paternity:

    Paternity is an action between unmarried persons to establish parentage (that is, fatherhood) of a child. A paternity action also deals with each parent's rights to access with their children as well as all financial issues between the parties.

  • Dependency:

    Dependency is a legal process that establishes that a child is in imminent danger of or has already been abused, abandoned or neglected within the meaning of Chapter 39, Florida Statutes.

  • Attorney ad Litem:

    An attorney ad litem is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, who is appointed by the court to represent the legal interests of a child. Frequently, an attorney ad litem is appointed to determine whether a child should waive his or her right to confidentiality regarding the child's mental health records.

  • Guardian ad Litem:

    A guardian ad litem is a person appointed to act as the child's representative in a legal proceeding and is charged with the responsibility of gathering information, providing a report to the court and testifying, if necessary. A guardian ad litem is a party to a proceeding.

  • Modification:

    A modification is a legal action that permits a court to change the terms of a final judgment that govern child support and parenting plans. A modification is only proper where there has been a permanent and substantial change in the circumstances of one or both parties. For example, a parent who is providing child support to a child may have lost his or her job though no fault of his or her own, in that case the court may find it proper to alter, that is, to "modify" the original terms of a final judgment regarding the amount of child support owed from one parent to another.