In Corcoran v. Corcoran, the 5th DCA remanded the final judgment for required findings to be made on four separate issues where they were missing: alimony, attorney’s fees, equitable distribution, and shared parental responsibility. Corcoran v Corcoran
Category: Property Distribution
Berg v. Young
Berg v. Young concerns the interpretation of a prenuptial agreement. Ultimately the 4th DCA reversed the finding regarding a denial of attorney’s fees because the prevailing party should have been awarded his fees based upon a plain reading of the agreement. Also reversed was the award to the wife of attorney’s fees based upon section […]
What assets and liabilities are considered marital, and how are they divided under Florida law?
Florida Statute 61.075 sets out criteria for classifying assets and liabilities. The first step to understanding what you and your significant other have in the marital estate is to determine two key periods of time. First, you must determine the date of your marriage. That date will be the starting point for classifying marital versus […]
Dorworth v. Dorworth
Alimony and Equitable Distribution of marital assets and debts are tools that courts can, and often do, use to achieve equity. So long as there is competent substantial evidence supporting findings of valuation, and the required statutory findings regarding ED and alimony are made, courts have great discretion to fashion distribution and support schemes that […]
The Future of Alimony in Florida
On September 10, 2015, Florida Senator Tom Lee filed an alimony reform bill with the legislature for its consideration during the 2016 legislative session, which begins in January 2016. The bill, as filed, is largely identical to the alimony reform bill that Senator Lee filed before the 2015 legislative session. The 2015 bill never made […]
Alimony Reform – Senate Bill 250
Senate Bill 250 Please find enclosed Senate Bill 250 that Senator Lee filed on September 10, 2015. Also, you will find The League of Women Voter’s President’s, Pamela Goodman, informed letter to Governor Scott on the subject of alimony “reform.” As you can see from a review of Senate Bill 250, the Bill proposes a […]
Hooker v. Hooker
An interspousal gift is established by showing “ ‘(1) donative intent, (2) delivery or possession of the gift, and (3) surrender of dominion and control of the gift.’ “ Vigo v. Vigo, 15 So.3d 619, 622 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009) (quoting Mills v. Mills, 845 So.2d 230, 233 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003)). The burden is […]
Kyriacou v. Kyriacou
In Kyriacou v. Kyriacou, the appellate court roundly criticizes the trial court. The trial court made an unequal equitable distribution, but in so doing made no mandatory findings relative the statutory factors of 61.075. The only finding that the trial court made was that the parties had an unequal ability (in the Husband’s favor) to […]
Weaver v. Weaver
Weaver v. Weaver is an equitable distribution case. The trial court’s distribution was unequal, and granted the Wife partial interest in a non-marital asset of the Husband due to enhancement during the marriage because of the contribution of marital funds. This was error because there was no substantial, competent evidence supporting the enhancement of the […]
Kemp v. Kemp
In Kemp v. Kemp, the trial court ordered an interim partial equitable distribution in the absence of a motion requesting such a distribution, and in the absence of any indication that such distribution could be revisited at a later date. This was error. The only thing requested was temporary attorney’s fees, which was denied. The […]