Palm Beach County Divorce And Family Law Blog

From divorce cakes to ring coffins, it appears that becoming divorced does not carry the same stigma that it once may have possessed. Divorcing spouses across Stuart, Jupiter, and Wellington no longer need to feel shame for the failure of their marriage. Instead, experienced family law attorneys have noticed the new trend for divorcing spouses to celebrate their new found freedom. Japanese trend setters recently have initiated a new practice of hosting divorce ceremonies to celebrate the end of an unhappy or unsuccessful marriage. Similar to a wedding, where the happy couple walks down the aisle and says “I do” in a divorce ceremony, the divorcing couple says “I do” to the termination of their marriage. This ritualistic service allows individuals a fresh start and a sense of renewal in their newly single lives. Divorce ceremonies typically end with the couple smashing their wedding rings with a judicial gavel. This is arguably the most obvious symbol of the conclusion of the partnership. As these ceremonies become more widespread, many event planners are attempting to fill this niche market by presenting themselves as divorce ceremony planners. While divorce ceremonies are common in Japan, it may be a matter of time before people begin organizing their very own divorce ceremonies across Palm Beach County and throughout Florida. For specific information about divorce ceremonies, please click here .

During divorce proceedings, marital assets are commonly completely divided among the participants.  This division is not necessarily equal or equitable.   A chunk may go to each respective attorney.  A small portion goes to the courts and justice system. And, whatever is left (sometimes large and sometimes small) is divided between the spouses. For many divorcing or divorced couples from Stuart to Wellington this process means they may have to sell their largest marital asset, the family home. Divorce attorneys throughout Palm Beach Countyand the rest of Florida recognize that sometimes divorcing couples can decide together that selling the house would be best, both emotionally and financially. Living in the home without one another may prove too unbearable and splitting up the proceeds of the home can help cover the costs of the divorce. However, many family law attorneys have witnessed how the courts deal with spouses that cannot collectively come to a decision. In situations where couples fight every last detail, judges may be granted the ultimate power to decide the fate of the family home. Court orders can recommend whether the home should be sold and the equity should be split equally or whether one parent should reside in the home until children reach a certain age before the home is to be sold. Regardless, once the house is to be sold, it is important to seek an experienced real estate agent. Undervaluing the home for a quick sell can cost both spouses a great deal of equity. For more information on waiting for the sale of the home and properly listing the marital residence, please click here .

Although the majority of residents across Palm Beach County and throughout actively engage in social networking sites, many are unaware of the potential evidence that could be used against them in their divorce cases. Whether you use social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or Twitter, you should assume that anything you state or place on these social networking sites can and will used against you in a court of law. Experienced family law and divorce attorneys have observed the increasing use in divorce cases of evidence such as photo uploads, wall posts, or tweets for the benefit and to the detriment of their clients. Recent statistics show that 81% of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers claim to cite social networking activities in their cases over the last five years. While online evidence is being exploited in divorce cases, many separating spouses do not realize how their behavior can incriminate them in their upcoming hearings. Parents requiring their children to de-friend the other parent to prove parental alienation or explicit photos of a parent using illegal substances to prove they are unfit for custody or time sharing is revolutionizing the way social media evidence is being used in divorce cases. Couples in cities such as Boca Raton Wellington, Jupiter, and Stuart would be wisely advised to take advantage of privacy settings and be extremely cautious about what they post. For more information and other tips on how to avoid your social networking behavior from becoming incriminating evidence in your divorce case, please click here .

Caught in the heat of the moment, many find the “John Smith Forever” tattoos to be a romantic gesture. However, divorced spouses from Jupiter to Boca Raton may beg to differ. Caught in an emotional high, they never thought their marriage would end in divorce when they tattooed the name of their true love on their body. The “name” tattoo is definitely a tradition to be avoided by those contemplating marriage as the divorce rates continue climbing. Despite the warning signs, some hopeless romantics continue to follow this custom. Divorce attorneys in West Palm Beach and across Palm Beach County can assist individuals legally terminate a marriage, but the name tattoo can serve as lifetime brand. Removing the tattoo of an estranged lover’s name may be the next step once a divorce has been decided upon or the expense of removing a name tattoo can become a negotiated term in a divorce settlement agreement. Tattoos can be extremely costly and painful to remove. Other options for removing the name may be to cover it with a larger tattoo. In order to avoid the additional inconvenience, cost, and potential embarrassment of removing or hiding the tattoo, just not getting it may be easier and less expensive. If you have been a voluntary “victim” of the name tattoo and read this excerpt too late, find out more about tattoo removal by clicking here .

After a bitter divorce, the temptation to cut your ex out of your life may feel overwhelming.  While deleting their number from your cell phone may erase them from your SIM card, they are still an important part of your pre-divorce life and your future, especially when children are involved. Family law and divorce attorneys across Palm Beach County and throughout Florida have noticed a new trend of divorcees to de-friend their ex-spouse from their Facebook network. Although couples from Stuart to Wellington may want to consider un-tagging romantic photos, there are good reasons for divorced couples to stay “friends” on Facebook. Five reasons not to defriend your ex:

1. To Keep in Touch: Although communicating with your ex during the divorce or directly after may be upsetting, bitter feelings may subside after time has passed. Recognize that your families are intertwined and maintaining an amicable relationship in the future may be best to continue mutual friendships.
2. It’s Immature: Removing your ex-spouse from your network of friends is childish. By stooping to juvenile behavior, you inadvertently inform your ex that you are hurt and upset. Hold your head up high and avoid defriending your ex-spouse to show you can handle the divorce confidently.
3. It Won’t Erase Your Past: While removing your ex from your friends list may prevent him or her from viewing your most recent feeds and photos, it will not erase the past. Embrace your past by realizing you would not be who you are today without having them as an integral part of your past life.
4. To Show Off: Avoid defriending your ex so you can flaunt your chic haircut, trendy clothes, and free attitude across your Facebook site after your divorce. Let your ex know you have moved on with a new found identity when they coincidentally scroll onto your page.  Sometimes success is the best revenge.
5. To Keep Tabs: Everyone is guilty of the occasional Facebook stalking. After the divorce, your curiosity about your ex may drive you to sneak a glance at their wall posts or latest photo uploads. Once you remove them from your network of friends, privacy settings may prevent you from viewing their site.

So, divorced people from Jupiter to Boynton Beach may want to think twice before defriending their former spouse.  For more information on the reasons to maintain your ex as a “friend” on Facebook, please click here .

While husbands from Jupiter to Wellington may occasionally claim they feel imprisoned by their wives, most would agree that a bad marriage is better than prison.  However, this was not true for one man who felt jail presented itself as a better alternative than a life sentence with his wife.  In order to escape from his unhappy marriage, a Pennsylvania resident held up a bank with a BB gun.  After the robbery, this convict politely waited in front of the bank for police to arrive.  He told officers he was afraid to leave his wife after years of her abuse and could not bear the idea of her following through with threats to commit suicide.  Consequently, the robber was sentenced to serve three to six years in prison.  After his incarceration, the couple decided to split. Marital and family lawyers in West Palm Beach and elsewhere know of clients who are desperate to leave their spouses. However, these lawyers and the majority of the residents of Palm Beach County would agree this man should have consulted with an experienced divorce attorney before he decided to commit a felony just to escape a marriage he felt trapped in.  To read the full story on the man who was jailed by his relationship and would stop at nothing to leave his wife, please click here .

Experienced divorce attorneys from Palm Beach Gardens to Boca Raton have seen many clients and their opposing spouses act inappropriately in the court room.  However, even the most jaded attorney would shake his or her head in surprise when learning about the recent “fowl” play that occurred during a child support hearing.  Enraged at the judge’s decision concerning the amount of child support, the man took it upon himself to take action. To show his discontent with the hearing and the judge’s rulings, he egged the judge with a raw egg.  As anticipated, this type of behavior does not help one win a case in any court. The man was immediately taken into custody and held in contempt for the egging. How the man snuck through security with this “weapon of mass destruction” has not yet been determined. Family law and divorce attorneys across Palm Beach County can help determine what “weapons” will actually work in court or persuade a judge regarding child support and custody issues.  For the full story of the egger-on, please click here .

Whether couples are still together or divorced, concern for the safety of their children is still a major priority. Parents across Palm Beach County have relentlessly been pushing their legislatures to put a stop to one of the most dangerous activities their child can partake in: driving while texting. Although many adolescents believe they are expert multi-taskers, texting behind the wheel is one of the leading causes for car accidents today. Concerned parents (divorced, separated, and married) from Stuart to Wellington have gained hope and additional motivation with the recent announcement of Georgia’s new law regarding texting and driving. With the approval of the texting bill in Georgia, the Georgia State Patrol will now be allowed to issue warnings to those that text while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers will be allowed a grace period until August 1, 2010; thereafter, tickets will be issued fining drivers $150 and 1 point on their driver’s license record. Family law and divorce attorneys have raised interest in how troopers will determine whether an individual was simply making a telephone call, accessing their GPS or other apps, or if they were, in fact, violating the law by texting. Regardless, parents are hopeful that Florida law may begin to reflect the laws of surrounding states with respect to texting while driving. To find out more about the Georgia law that bans texting behind the wheel, please click here .

To learn more about our firm and practices, please go to www.cjamiesonlaw.com .

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Everyone has established a plan of action in their head for when they win the lottery. Boca Raton dwellers may say a much needed vacation is high on the list. Jupiter Beach inhabitants may argue a new boat is a high priority. Wellington shopping enthusiasts would declare a shopping spree. But would a divorce make it onto this list? Most people do not think a divorce goes hand in hand with a winning lottery ticket. However, experienced family lawyers in West Palm Beach may have a different opinion. When a postal worker won the lottery, and later lost his ticket, he darted off to a divorce attorney instead of the bank. Already on the brink of a financial crisis, the family simply could not cope with him literally throwing out his fortune. Family law attorneys are well versed in the obscure and unusual happenings that often lead to divorce. Moral of the story: if you throw away a winning lottery ticket, you may end up getting a divorce.  Learn more about this story please click here .

While America’s Independence Day has come and gone, divorced and divorcing parents across Palm Beach County and throughout Florida should remember that another important event also occurs this month.  July marks the fourth annual National Child-Centered Divorce Month which was created to help divorcing parents make decisions in their child’s best interest during or after their separation and/or divorce. Divorced parent and noted author, Rosalind Sedacca, founded National Child-Centered Divorce Month after working closely with families transitioning through divorce. Sedacca recognized the importance of informing parents on all issues related to divorce in order to promote positive outcomes for the children. Family law specialists, divorce attorneys, and other professionals from Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, and Stuart will host events throughout the month of July to educate parents about the choices they must make for children experiencing their parents’ divorce. Supporters of the child-centered divorce program aim to prevent children from experiencing the negative consequences commonly associated with a divorce by discussing topics such as parental alienation, respectful co-parenting, and valuable communication skills. Professionals will also provide valuable insight and crucial advice on the financial implications of a divorce, legal proceedings, and mental health issues. Concerned parents looking to access free educational presentations, services provided by family law professionals, and find local events should visit the website Child Centered Divorce .

To learn more about our firm and practices, please go to www.cjamiesonlaw.com .

Watch informative videos by Board Certified Attorney Charles D. Jamieson by clicking here .

Visit his Squidoo page to read his Lenses here .

Charles Jamieson's Profile

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Voted "Blawg of the Day" by Inter Alia