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Modify Your Previous Family Law Judgments

Sometimes, divorce settlements include issues such as child support or visitation that may need to be changed on behalf of one or both parties due to specific circumstances. Such circumstances might include, loss of job, illness or injury, relocation in state, relocation out of state or other change in employment.

With more than 100 years of combined experience in family and criminal law, we at Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda Attorneys At Law are capable of reviewing and renegotiating your divorce agreement in order to form a new settlement that satisfies your unique and changing needs.

At Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda Attorneys At Law, we are committed to taking every legal step possible to see that our clients and their children are safe and able to succeed. This includes seeking immediate orders of protection and other types of relief when a threat of domestic violence exists. Our attorneys also work with parents to establish paternity when it is in doubt so that children are able to grow up with the emotional and financial support they require.

Key Things To Know About Paternity

  • Paternity Cases: These cases determine timesharing, establish a parenting plan and calculate child support for parents who are not married but have a child together.
  • Residency: You must be a resident of Florida for six months prior to filing for divorce in Florida.
  • Petition: A paternity case starts with the filing of a Petition with the court, but can also be negotiated behind the scenes before the court is involved.
  • Attorney’s fees: These fees may be requested in Paternity cases by the party who earns a lesser income.
  • Mediation: Mediation is mandatory in many counties and is a voluntary process to assist parties in resolving paternity cases amicably.
  • Final judgment: All agreements must be accepted by the court and a final judgment entered to properly establish parental rights and enforce the terms of any agreement.

We Can Assist You With All Types Of Family Law Modifications

Frequently, after a settlement agreement or court order is entered in a family law case, circumstances change. Because significant changes in one’s life can make it virtually impossible to comply with a previous agreement or court order, Florida law allows relief under specific circumstances. Generally, Florida courts will permit parties, based on a substantial change in circumstances and other factors, to modify alimony, child support and time-sharing orders. An experienced and knowledgeable marital trial attorney is essential to navigate through these issues as Florida law does not permit a modification under all circumstances.

Modifications Of alimony

Modifications of alimony may be obtained by either the party required to pay or receive alimony. A substantial change in the financial status or income of either party may warrant an increase or decrease in spousal support. Additionally, the re-marriage of the party who receives alimony may justify a complete termination of alimony as opposed to the parties’ involvement in a “supportive relationship” which may justify a termination or merely a decrease in alimony. Again, the specific facts of each case must be thoroughly examined in order to determine if a modification of alimony is warranted.

Modifications Of Child Support

Modifications of child support may be obtained by either party if the income of either party substantially changes, the time-sharing arrangement is altered or the health insurance costs change from the date of the original child support order. Florida statutes provide the court with child support guidelines that increase or decrease original child support orders based on any of the aforementioned factors.

Modifications Of Time-Sharing

If a substantial change in circumstances that affects the best interests of the minor children arises, a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule may be modified. The primary focus that Florida courts rely upon when evaluating a modification of a parenting plan is the best interests of the minor children. A time-sharing change may include a relocation by one parent to another state and requires scrupulous compliance with the detailed requirement set forth in Florida Statutes.

Domestic Violence Injunctions

There are few things as disturbing to your physical or mental wellbeing as facing domestic violence. You shouldn’t have to face the increasingly complicated legal procedures that come with a domestic violence court case on your own. Fortunately, our legal team has extensive experience dealing with the unique issues that accompany domestic violence in the state of Florida. Penalties in domestic violence cases are far more severe than those in non-domestic cases, often resulting in increased attention and mandatory prison sentences.

Furthermore, victims of domestic violence can file a domestic violence injunction – a special injunction that forbids individuals to take certain actions against another individual. Such circumstances might include, verbal threats, physical beating or harassment. If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is time for you to take action. With our experienced family law attorneys on your side, you can successfully fight domestic violence in court.

Contact An Experienced Florida Family Law Attorney To Protect Your Rights

The attorneys of Jacobson, Chmelir & Ferwerda Attorneys At Law represent Florida residents in divorce, custody and other family law disputes. Throughout our extensive history representing victims of domestic violence, we have striven to represent them diligently to the best of our ability. Let us protect you today! Call our office at 407-327-8899 or send us an email with a brief description of your case.