How should I prepare for my mediation?
Depending on what issues you need to discuss or resolve, that’s going to depend on what you might need to bring. If financial issues are going to be discussed, I would bring the documentation of your finances. I would also bring maybe documentation of childcare costs or other things if you’re going to consider child […]
How much does family law mediation cost?
Typically it’s billed either hourly or by the amount of block of time it’s going to take, but the actual cost of a mediation is going to greatly depend on how much time is needed to resolve the issues. In a very few circumstances, based on your income, you may qualify for some assistance through […]
Can I use a lawyer at mediation?
Absolutely, and I would highly recommend that anyone at least consult with an attorney and preferably hire an attorney before going into mediation. A mediator can not advise you as to your legal rights, and so having an attorney present just for that, even just in a limited capacity for the mediation itself to be […]
Can the police arrest me for drug possession if they find drugs in a car I am in even though I am just a passenger?
Even though you’re a passenger in the car, you’re subject to the Florida drug possession laws. The police can lawfully arrest all of the occupants of a car if they find the drugs that are in, is in a place that’s accessible to all the occupants of the car. Ultimately, it turns on the fact […]
DCF has taken my kids. What happens now?
First, DCF is going to have to file a document with the court stating why they took your children, and you’ll go to a hearing on that. Later they will decide whether or not they’re going to file another document alleging that the child’s dependent on the state and in need of services. Dependency law […]
Do parties always meet together at mediation or can they meet separately?
Typically, you’ll all be within the same building as one another. There are times where it may be beneficial to even start the mediation in separate rooms, especially in cases maybe where domestic violence might have been an issue in the past. Regardless, throughout the mediation process, even if you started in a room all […]
How do I get out of jail after an arrest in Florida?
After an arrest in Florida, the state has 24 hours to bring you before a judge for what’s called first appearance. At first appearance, the judge will first decide if there’s probable cause to hold you based on the complaint that’s been filed with the court. If there is probable cause to hold you, then […]
How does a dependency case affect a divorce case?
The dependency case will basically put any issues relating to the children on hold. The dependency court has the superior authority to rule on those issues because safety’s an issues and because now the state has an interest in the safety of that child. While the divorce part may be able to proceed and the […]
How does juvenile court differ from adult court?
One of the first and major ways is that in adult court, you usually have the right to a jury trial. In juvenile court, there aren’t jury trials, so you go before a judge and the judge is both the trier of fact or the jury and the trier of law, so he also acts […]
How does the Stand Your Ground law operate?
The Stand Your Ground law in Florida operates to provide immunity from prosecution for a person that’s accused of a violent crime in circumstances that would support the claim of self-defense. If you’re in a legal place where you have a lawful right to be, and you’re not in the conduct of any sort of […]