Can the State of Florida enforce an out of state child support order?

Several clients of the Moon Law Group have inquired about child support.  Some have recently moved to Florida and are hoping that the state of Florida can enforce an out-of-state child support order.

The answer is YES!

You can contact the Divorce Law office of the Moon Law Group and provide a copy of your support order and payment record if you have them. If you do not have copies, tell us the state, county and date of the order. Our trusted Tampa family law attorneys can assist with child support orders.  Contact us today!

Common Law Marriage in Florida? Fact or Myth

The other night I was meeting a few friends after work and one of the girls in the group was discussing her 15-year live-in boyfriend and called him her “Common-law husband”.  Since we live in Florida (and I am an attorney), I felt it my duty to inform her of the “common law marriage” myth in Florida.  It is, in fact, a myth in Florida. Our state does NOT recognize “common law” marriage unless it is from another state.

Florida Child Support: A significant part of many Florida Divorces

As you  might imagine, a significant subject of argument in a Florida divorce is child support. This area is dictated by Florida Statute. Florida Courts can award short term child support immediately after a Court case is filed. (The court may make child support retroactive up to now of parties splitting up to a maximum of 24 months before filing date.) That amount must be paid until circumstances change or until the final divorce hearing when permanent support will be ordered. Failure to pay for child support in Florida may lead among other things to loss of drivers’ license or other licenses. (however the court can grant a “work” permit so the errant party can drive for business purposes) Further, if a party is unemployed or underemployed and is unable to pay court ordered support, the judge can order the party to get employment and