Jacksonville Divorce Attorney Blog

Ponte Vedra Beach Divorce, custody and family disputes are highly emotional and important matters that we at Apple Law Firm take special pride in handling. Regardless of the circumstances, the break up of any marriage involves many legal issues that cannot be overlooked and must be thoroughly researched and evaluated so that our clients obtain a fair and equitable result upon the termination of their marriage.

Our Ponte Vedra Beach Divorce Lawyers recognize that a divorce or child custody issue can create stress and cause individuals to take unrealistic positions on various topics. We strive to open lines of communication and help families work through this difficult process while creating an environment that allows children to enjoy a normal and healthy lifestyle. Whether you need an uncontested divorce or just enforcement of a previous agreement we are able to help preserve and enforce your rights in Duval, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns County.

If you are considering divorce or have just been served with divorce papers and live in the Jacksonville, Florida area contact a Ponte Vedra Beach Divorce Lawyer at (904) 685-1200 to schedule a free consultation. Weekend and night appointments are available. 
Got a question and it is after regular business hours? Call Attorney Charles E. Fyler II on our after hours line at (904) 701-8702.

Lawyers representing same-sex couples wanting to adopt in Maryland file in the favored jurisdiction of Baltimore City Circuit Court. Although more and more Maryland circuit courts are granting adoptions to same-sex couples, lawyers who focus their practice on gay families will recommend filing in a friendly jurisdiction. Read more on this article at Baltimore Court: A magnet for Same-Sex Parents.

The topic of civil rights for gay individuals and families have sparked debates throughout the country, as in Maryland, where the General Assembly is expected to take up same-sex marriage again next year; and in Florida, where an appeals court struck down a ban on gay adoptions last year.

Conservative groups nationwide have criticized judicial activism contending that children should be raised in families with a mother and father. But gay and lesbian advocates point to the medical community. The American Psychological Association disputes the claim that children are more successful when raised by heterosexual parents. The American Medical Association also supports adoption by same-sex couples.

Maryland, like Florida, has counties that are more "gay friendly" than others. It is important to remember the most important issue when talking about gay adoptions is that it broadens the pool of adoptive parents and reduces the number of children bouncing from foster home to foster home.

Florida's 3rd District Court of Appeal which struck down the ban prohibiting a gay person from adopting is currently the "law of the land" in Florida. Adoption can be a very complicated legal procedure, especially if you are gay. If you have questions about adopting in Florida, consult with a Jacksonville Gay and Lesbian Estate Planning Lawyer.

In my role as a family law adoption attorney in Jacksonville, Florida, I find that people often think adoption in Florida is only for families seeking an infant or other small child incapable of taking care of him or herself. Adoptions are confidential in many states and as such, hard numbers are difficult to come by, but experts say the number of adult adoptions in Florida is on the rise. Many orphaned adults eventually find a sort of family, whether through coworkers or other friends, with whom they bond. Making that bond legal makes both emotional and financial sense. Not only does it provide a feeling of family and belonging, legally being able to refer to someone as family has numerous advantages in courtrooms, hospitals, and other avenues in life. While adult adoptions are restricted in some states, adult adoptions in Florida are not restricted. If you are considering an adult adoption in Florida, contact a Florida Family Law Lawyer to see how this process can work for you.

As a Jacksonville Adoption Attorney, I am often asked whether a spouse's new husband can adopt a child from a previous marriage. The answer is yes (in most cases). It is important to note that this will alter any prior child support obligations. Florida law stipulates that upon the adoption of a child, for whom support has been previously ordered, by someone other than the father, the liability of the father for the support of the child is terminated. In other words, a father who previously paid child support is no longer required to do so.

If you are interested in adopting a child, contact a Jacksonville Adoption Attorney today to begin the process today!

Late last year, a Florida appeals court declared unconstitutional a 33-year-old state law that prevented gay people from adopting children. Since that decision, gay couples in Florida have quietly begun adopting children.

Prior to the ruling, social workers often did not ask about the sexual orientation of an adopting parent, which meant some gay Floridians were adopting children under the radar. However, even with this option gay couples could not obtain the same legal rights as straight couples in the same situation, such as custodial rights in the event the adoptive parent died. The court's ruling, however, means gay couples can legally adopt and have many of the same custodial rights as straight parents.

There are many things a gay couple should consider prior to adopting a child of their own. For example, the current court ruling is relatively young and will likely be challenged in other courts or the Florida legislature. Additionally, the media may be interested in your adoption and you may find yourself with unwanted attention. If you are interested in growing your family, contact a Florida LGBT Lawyer or a Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer to discuss your options.

As a Jacksonville, Florida adoption attorney, people often ask me how they can adopt or take legal custody in Florida of a relative such as a grandchild, niece or nephew or sibling. There are several ways you can adopt or gain legal custody in Florida of your loved one. Some, such as a guardianship, require annual accountings to the court. There are less invasive ways to take custody of your loved one. Please contact a Florida adoption lawyer or Jacksonville child custody attorney for expert information on how to adopt your loved one.

Florida same-sex couples that want to adopt, the movement is on. The Arkansas Supreme Court recently ruled that the state's ban on adoption and foster parenting by any person cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of marriage is a violation of the Arkansas Constitution.

As in Florida, the best interest of the child criteria was the focus. The Plaintiffs in the
Arkansas case involved:• a lesbian couple adopting a special-needs child;

• a lesbian grandmother wanting to adopt a grandchild, currently in state care;

• three teenagers in the foster care system awaiting placement;

• several heterosexual couples prevented from designating certain gay or lesbian friends or relatives to adopt their children in the case of the parent's death.

Equality for Florida gay and lesbian individuals wanting the right to adopt has happened, hopefully, the Florida and Arkansas rulings will permeate to all states who currently do not allow a gay or lesbian person from adopting. 

Speak with a Jacksonville Adoption Attorney about your desire to adopt.

As a Florida Adoption Lawyer, I can tell you that adoption is one of the most rewarding areas of law in which Jacksonville family law attorneys practice. It is the one area where everyone is happy and people feel as though something very good is being done. However, there are some horror stories regarding adoption in Florida. In my role as a Jacksonville adoption lawyer, I have seen some cases where the adoption agency has not fully revealed the child's abuse background and as such, the parents are adopting children with far more issues than relayed to them. Many times, these parents are not equipped to give these children the proper psychological counseling or medical care that the children need. As such, the children can and have ended up back in the foster care system with a failed adoption in Florida. It is imperative to utilize a Florida adoption attorney when choosing the adopt a child or children in Florida.

As a Florida adoption attorney, I represent parents who are in the process of having their parental rights terminated by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Many times, these parents do not have a say in where their child ends up or with whom. Often these children are left in the foster care system. Florida now has a new adoption statute that a Jacksonville adoption lawyer can review with you if you are a parent whose parental rights are being terminated. Under the new statute, parents facing termination of their parental rights are allowed to designate that their children be adopted into a permanent home rather than being placed in State Foster Care. Contact a Jacksonville adoption lawyer or Jacksonville dependency lawyer today for immediate assistance.

As a Jacksonville, Florida child custody lawyer, I often see cases where one parent desires to terminate the parental rights of another to allow a step-parent to adopt. This type of case requires the expertise of a qualified Florida custody attorney as it is quite a detailed task. There are many essential elements that must be fulfilled to qualify to be able to terminate a parent's parental rights. The process is a two-part process. The first part is to terminate the parental rights, and the second part is the Florida adoption.

Jacksonville Florida gay and lesbian couples are ready to adopt. Now that the Florida law banning gay and lesbian individuals from adopting has been lifted, many same-sex Florida couples are making their dreams of a family, a reality.

Florida "second-parent" adoption procedures allow the biological parent's same-sex partner to adopt a child without terminating the rights of the biological or adoptive parent.

Children being raised in Jacksonville by same-sex parents are at a disadvantage if they only have a legal relationship with one of those parents. The legal parent may not have benefits or health insurance coverage for their child, but the non-legal parent does. Social security death benefits will not be provided to a child that does not have a legal relationship with the parent who dies.

There are many questions that must be considered when deciding whether second parent adoption is the right course for you. Florida Gay Adoption is still a new and evolving legal area and it is important to discuss the issues with an attorney. To learn more, call a Jacksonville Florida Adoption Attorney today.

A recent Florida ruling has made it possible for St. Augustine lesbian and gay men to finally become legally recognized parents. A Florida Court of Appeals has ruled that the Florida law banning gay men and lesbians from adopting in the state of Florida is unconstitutional. According to recent data, a quarter million American children are living with same-sex parents. The Florida court of appeals relied on mainstream health and child welfare organizations that have issued policies opposing restrictions on parenting by lesbians and gay men.

The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) eloquently stated that:

"Based on more than three decades of social science research and our 85 years of service to millions of families, CWLA believes that any attempt to preclude or prevent gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals or couples from parenting, based solely on their sexual orientation, is not in the best interest of children."

If you would like to adopt for either the first time or if you want to seek legal recognition of a child you are already raising, and would like to discuss your options before proceeding, contact a St. Augustine Florida Gay and Lesbian Rights Adoption Attorney.

Ask any Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer or Jacksonville Custody Lawyer how to win custody of your children and you could get a different answer with each divorce/family lawyer. One thing is for certain. If you are in the midst of a custody battle, no matter what your religious affiliation, you must live as though you are at the foot of the cross. Anything and everything is fair game when your soon to be ex is fighting you for your kids. Watch what you post on facebook, twitter, and myspace. This gives Jacksonville custody attorneys a lot of information on your real activities. Of course everyone acts like an angel in front of a Florida family court judge, but the evidence can sometimes be the proof in the pudding. If you have a custody or divorce case, please call a Florida family lawyer for expert help. Our firm has almost 20 years experience in handling divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, adoption, modification and visitation among other areas of practice. Please contact us at 904-685-1200 to arrange a consultation to help you.