Litigation
While Kristopher’s goal for every case is to avoid the courtroom and come to a mutually agreeable settlement, Kristopher is experienced in litigation and ready to present your case to the court if needed. Kristopher regularly handles contested hearings and has tried many cases during his career, including both jury and non-jury cases. If litigation becomes necessary, Kristopher will zealously and skillfully represent you in the courtroom.
Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is a new way of getting divorced or handling your paternity case. Kristopher is experienced in the practice of Collaborative law and believes it is the better way to handle most family law cases. Rather than going to court, you work through the issues with the help of your Collaborative team, which includes attorneys, a mental health professional, and a financial professional. Please contact Kristopher for additional information and visit www.cfl-cfl.com.
Mediation
Kristopher is a family law mediator, certified by the Florida Supreme Court. He is passionate about helping families resolve their issues amicably and avoiding the courtroom. Parties save time, money, and stress when they settle their case out of court, benefiting them and their children.
Agreements
Florida law generally allows enforcement of premarital (prenuptial) and postmarital agreements. There are certain provisions, however, that Florida law does not allow judges to enforce even if agreed upon by the parties. Careful drafting and execution of these agreements helps ensure their enforceability. Click here for the Florida statutes regarding premarital agreements.
Alimony
Despite ongoing attempts by the legislature to simplify it, alimony in Florida remains complicated. Alimony can be permanent, durational, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, or lump sum. The amount and duration of alimony is based on a need and ability to pay standard. Click here for the Florida statutes regarding alimony.
Child Support
In Florida, both parents are responsible for supporting their children. Florida law provides a mathematical formula for calculating child support based generally on the parents’ income and the timesharing (custody) arrangement. Only in unusual circumstances may the court award a different amount than determined by the guidelines. Click here for the Florida statutes regarding calculating child support.
Dissolution of Marriage / Divorce
Dissolution of marriage (also known as divorce) is the legal process by which a court dissolves a marriage, divides the assets and liabilities, awards support such as alimony and/or child support, and determines a parenting plan (custody).
Enforcement/Contempt
If one party refuses to comply with a court order, the other party can ask the judge to enforce the order. The court’s enforcement options depend on several factors, but usually include contempt proceedings and, in extreme cases, jail time. Click here for some of the Florida statutes regarding enforcement.
LGBTQ+ Divorce
With the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision allowing same sex marriage nationwide (Obergefell v. Hodges) has come the need for addressing same sex divorce. Although many parts of a same sex divorce case are no different than any other case, there can be some unique issues. Kristopher is experienced in handling same sex divorces and welcomes the opportunity to assist you.
Paternity
In Florida, an unmarried father has no legal rights to his child until he takes action in court to assert his rights. A paternity action is the legal process by which a court determines who is the legal father, orders one of the parents to pay child support, and sets a parenting plan (custody arrangement). Click here for some of the Florida statutes regarding paternity.
Property Distribution
As part of a dissolution of marriage, the court will divide the parties’ assets and liabilities. Except in unusual circumstances, each spouse is entitled to one-half of all assets and is responsible for one-half of all liabilities. This is true regardless of how the assets and liabilities are titled. Click here for the Florida statutes regarding property distribution.
Relocation
Once a divorce or paternity case is filed and served, neither parent may move more than 50 miles without agreement of the other party or permission from the court. There are 11 factors a court must evaluate before deciding a request to relocate. Click here for the Florida statues regarding relocation.
Timesharing (custody)
Under Florida law, neither parent has any more right to time with their children than the other. If parents cannot agree on timesharing (formally called custody), a judge will evaluate 20 factors before entering a parenting plan for the parents. Click here for the Florida statutes regarding parenting plans and timesharing, including the 20 factors.