Divorce

August 9, 2018

Can Monetary Gifts From Family Be Considered Income for Alimony or Child Support Calculations in Florida?

In some marriages, a spouse’s parents may supplement the family income with monetary gifts, which may be an issue later on if the husband and wife divorce. Can one spouse argue that the other spouse will have higher income due to the monetary gifts from family members thereby raising alimony and child support payments? According to Florida law, it depends.

In Oluwek v. Oluwek, 2 So.3d 1038 (Fla. 2^ndDCA 2009), Jonathan Oluwek, the husband, appealed an amended final judgment of dissolution of his marriage to Linda Oluwek, the wife. The trial court imputed $1500 per month contributed regularly by the husband’s parents to husband for alimony and child support. The husband argued the trial court erroneously imputed the $1500 per month as income to the husband. The record indicated his parents made regular monthly payments of $1500 over the last five years of marriage.

The Oluwek court held that as a general rule, the trial court may not consider financial assistance from family or friends in determining a party’s ability to pay alimony or child support. However, there is an exception that allows the court to impute income based on gifts “if the gifts are continuing and ongoing, not sporadic, and where the evidence shows that the gifts will continue in the future.” In Vorcheimer v. Vorcheimer, 780 So. 2d 1018 (Fla. 4^thDCA 2001), the appellate court held that the trial court erred by imputing $1500 to the husband as income where there was no evidence that the payments would continue. The $1500 payments had been made on a monthly basis for twelve years, but the husband’s father testified at trial that he had stopped making the monthly payments and would not make them in the future. The court distinguished that case from Ordini v. Ordini, 701 So.2d 663 (Fla. 4^thDCA 1997), in which regular monthly payments from the husband’s parents continued through trial and the husband’s mother testified that she would continue to make them in the future.

June 28, 2018

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Custody Battle May Involve Parental Alienation

by David M. Goldman

In 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt after he got into an altercation with his son Maddox on a plane that resulted in an FBI investigation. You may have heard about the custody battle with their six children that has ensued. Recently, a judge apparently ordered “new restrictions” regarding Angelina’s participation in how Brad interacts with the children.

The Judge wrote, “[The children] not having a relationship with their father is harmful to them. It is critical that each of them have a healthy and strong relationship with their father and mother.” The Judge also state, “If the minor children remain closed down to their father and depending on the circumstances surrounding this condition, it may result in a reduction of the time they spend with [Jolie] and may result in the Court ordering primary physical custody to [Pitt].” The Judge created a visitation schedule for Brad to see his children over the summer with the children continuing to receive therapy.

It seems the Judge is trying to prevent parental alienation. Parental alienation is the psychological manipulation of a child into showing unwarranted fear, disrespect or hostility towards a parent and/or other family members. Check out 9 warning signs that parental alienation might be present here.

June 28, 2018

Rudy Giuliani Divorce: Why Asset Protection is So Important Prior to Marriage

by David M. Goldman

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his third wife, Judith, are currently involved in a heated divorce. A day after filing for divorce on April 4, 2018, the parties filed for each other to produce a statement of net worth to determine assets. The Giulianis have been married for 15 years and they do not have a prenuptial agreement.

In 2007, when Rudy Giuliani submitted his financial disclosure to the Federal Election Commission while running for president, he was worth an estimated $30 million. The couple own properties in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida. It is estimated that there is currently an estimated $60 million in assets at stake. When he married Judith, Rudy was pretty much insolvent and the money he has now was earned while he was married to Judith. New York is a separate property state, but her participation in his success could be a factor for the assets to be split 50/50.

In Florida, mandatory disclosure applies so the Giulianis would not need to file for a statement of net worth. Mandatory Disclosure is the procedure where financial information is automatically disclosed by the parties upon the filing of a divorce. The parties must exchange financial information in the form of a financial affidavit and additional documents such as tax returns, bank statements, credit card statements, deeds, vehicle titles, insurance policies, etc. Mandatory disclosure must be completed within 45 days after service on the respondent.

May 22, 2018

Golfer Lucas Glover’s Wife Arrested in Florida: Family Law Implications

by David M. Goldman

National headlines were made when the wife of former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover was arrested for domestic violence battery and resisting arrest in St. Johns County, Florida on May 13, 2018. The altercation allegedly occurred after Lucas Glover missed the 54-hole cut at The Players Championship. Lucas Glover told authorities that his wife gets violent every time he does not play well in a major PGA Tournament. There were allegedly visible injuries on Lucas Glover and his mother. Krista Glover faces a court date on May 31, 2018 and was released on a $2,500 bond.

The Glovers children were present at the home when the incident happened. Krista Glover had been drinking throughout the day and started yelling profane insults at Lucas Glover in front of their children and his mother. Lucas Glover told her to stop the argument while in front of the children. The children were in bed when the physical altercation happened, and it is unknown if they observed any of the altercation or the subsequent arrest afterwards where Krista Glover allegedly resisted arrest. The couple was married in 2012 and have two children, a two-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.

The consequences of arguments in front of the children can be serious to both the aggressor and the victim. The Florida Department of Children and Families may become involved if they receive an abuse report to investigate regarding the situation, which could even lead to possible removal of the children from both parties if it is alleged Lucas Glover failed to protect the children from multiple instances. Also, it is key that alcohol was involved. Drinking is perfectly legal and acceptable; as long as there is not a demonstrable effect on the children. If there is a demonstrable effect on the children, alcohol treatment would most likely be ordered by a dependency court.

May 17, 2018

Lessons to be Learned Regarding Interspousal Gifts During a Marriage

by David M. Goldman

The Florida Supreme Court, on March 30, 2017, issued an opinion in Hooker v. Hooker, 220 So.3d 397 (Fla. 2017) finding a Florida horse farm and a New York summer home interspousal gifts and, therefore, subject to equitable distribution as marital property despite a prenuptial agreement in existence. The prenuptial agreement provided that, upon divorce, each party would retain his or her premarital assets and any appreciation of those assets. Both parties had independent sources of income from family inheritances and they maintained separate finances throughout the marriage. The parties were married for 23 years.

The Florida horse farm, “Hickstead,” was purchased in 1989 and the Hickstead deed listed “Alice I. Hooker Trust FBO, for the benefit of, Timothy I. Hooker” as the grantee. Husband and Wife signed the mortgage on Hickstead. When Hickstead was purchased, it was vacant land and it later became through the course of the marriage a working horse farm with 16 stalls, etc. and the marital home in one wing upstairs and the other wing was the staff apartment. Wife was “extremely and directly involved in all aspects of the Hickstead residence which was the family’s primary home for approximately 20 years,” according to the findings of the trial court. Wife was not limited or restricted in any way from incurring the costs and expenses of maintaining and operating a family home at Hickstead, from the Husband’s assets. Wife was provided unfettered access to the stables and horses to pursue her lifelong passion.

The New York summer home, “Lake George,” was purchased in 1997 and was titled only in the Husband’s name and only Husband signed the mortgage. It was purchased, built and maintained as a summer residence for the family. The Husband paid the expenses for Lake George with his independent funds and Wife was never a signatory on that account and never had access to that account. However, the Husband sent Wife a card for their tenth wedding anniversary with a picture of the property after the Wife had expressed a desire to have a home up north and both parties searched for a suitable property.

May 11, 2018

The Tightrope: Protecting Enhancement in Value and Appreciation of Non-Marital Assets

by David M. Goldman

Equitable distribution of assets in Florida divorces can be a complex and divisive issue. Regarding trusts and divorces, you can walk a fine line between a marital asset and a non-marital asset. Enhancement in value and appreciation can be a marital asset in certain situations.

Oxley v. Oxley, 695 So.2d 364 (Fla. 4^th DCA 1997) is a case that is especially relevant regarding a person placing their property in a revocable trust with themselves as trustee, hiring a financial manager to make the daily investment decisions, and thereby protecting themselves from the Florida Statute § 61.075(6)(a)(1). This section provides marital assets and liabilities to include the enhancement in value and appreciation of non-marital assets resulting either from the efforts of either party during the marriage or from the contribution to or expenditure thereon of marital funds or other forms of marital assets, or both. Meaning, technically, a non-marital trust’s appreciation of value could be considered marital property unless specific requirements are followed. Oxley spells out how to avoid appreciation being considered in the dissolution of marriage.

In Oxley, the parties’ marital income was primarily from trust distributions to the husband which he supplemented with a salary taken as president of a family holding company. The trust is revocable and was established prior to the marriage by the husband that provides that all income is payable to husband. The investment decisions for the trust was made for the husband’s exclusive benefit by the trustee based on the advice of the husband’s father and brother. It had multiple, active investments such as several working oil wells. On one occasion the husband invested $400,000 of trust funds through a separate money manager. At the time of the marriage, the trust was valued at $2 million and then increased to $7 million at the time of dissolution; and the increase was attributable to undistributed income that has accumulated during the marriage and upon which he paid personal income tax. The trust also owned and paid the expenses on the marital home. The husband also owned 50% of a corporation found to be a gift (technically purchased for a nominal amount) from his father. As company president, the husband’s activities were largely ministerial and ceremonial, and he left the management and investment decisions to others. The trial court in Oxley ruled that the trust, including the undistributed income, were non-marital assets, which significantly limited the wife’s equitable distribution.

April 20, 2018

Distribution of Assets of a Trust not allowed by Florida Divorce Court

by David M. Goldman

Equitable distribution in Florida during a divorce can be a frightening prospect. What are the rules regarding distribution of assets of a trust in a divorce? Does the divorce court have the authority to distribute trust assets?

The appellate courts in Florida have addressed this issue. The appellate court held that without consent from all beneficiaries to the trust, the trial court did not have the authority to distribute any asset of the trust. See Sylvester v. Sylvester, 557 So.2d 599, 600 (Fla. 4^th DCA 1990). In Sylvester, the court held that the trial court’s finding that the irrevocable trust, which was the only source from which the husband could comply with the judgment, could be terminated by husband at any time, was erroneous due to the court’s failure to have all indispensable parties before it. The trust would have to be before the court joined with the trustee and beneficiaries.

Similarly, in Minsky v. Minsky, 779 So.2d 375 (Fla. 2^nd DCA 2000), the appellate court reversed the determination that trust funds are a marital asset and the resulting equitable distribution in a dissolution action. The trial court incorrectly determined that because the parties had used the trust accounts as marital funds, the funds had “taken on the nature of a marital asset” and awarded the trust funds to the wife. The appellate court indicated that, in effect, the trial court dissolved the trust created for the children’s benefit and the husband as trustee and declared it a marital asset. The court held that the trial court does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate property rights of nonparties.

April 11, 2018

The Nelson Case: Non-Marital Property By Contract With An Irrevocable Trust

by David M. Goldman

In a Florida divorce case, sometimes, a marital asset can become non-marital property of one spouse by contract. Or one spouse can become the beneficial owner of marital property by transferring it to an irrevocable trust.

In Nelson v. Nelson, 206 So.3d 818 (Fla. 2^nd DCA 2016), a husband and wife transferred an out-of-state home to an irrevocable trust that had the wife as sole trustee. The appellate court ruled that because the husband waived all right to alter, amend, modify, revoke, or terminate the trust, and the trust instrument did not contain a provision dissolving the trust upon divorce, the trust was irrevocable. The court ruled that the out-of-state home was not marital property subject to equitable distribution in a divorce. Neither the wife nor the beneficiary daughter had applied for modification or revocation of the trust, so the court could not dissolve the trust.

This case illustrates an example of how property can be classified in a divorce. When the husband bought the out-of-state property and jointly titled it with his wife, the home became marital property. When the husband transferred the home to the trust, it ceased being marital property and became non-marital. In addition, the Nelson court cites to Hansen v. Bothe, 10 So.3d 213 (Fla. 2^nd DCA 2009) regarding the Former Husband’s Trust instrument not containing a provision dissolving the Trust upon divorce. In Hansen, the court held that divorce of husband and wife who were co-settlors and co-trustees of a revocable trust, did not terminate the trust even though wife relinquished any rights she had under the trust as part of the divorce. The trust in Hansen contained no provision terminating it upon divorce of co-settlors, and the trust explicitly provided for replacement trustees in the event the original trustees ceased to serve.

February 21, 2018

The Magic Date for Alimony and Tax Deductions: December 31, 2018

by David M. Goldman

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act “TCJA” has a definite effect on alimony payments. Prior to the new law, alimony payments could be deducted by the payer for federal income tax purposes and recipients had to report the payments as taxable income. Any divorces finalized before December 31, 2018 will continue under the old tax law. Any divorces finalized after December 32, 2018 apply under the TCJA eliminates the deduction for alimony payments and recipients no longer have to include them as taxable income. In addition, any modification of alimony payments after December 31, 2018 shall be affected by the TCJA if the modification specifically states that the TCJA applies; meaning if the TCJA is ordered applicable by the Court.

Pre-2019 divorce orders for alimony still qualify under the old federal income tax law for a deduction benefit without having to itemize if all requirements are met. Requirements include: 1) a written document is required the alimony payment; 2) payment must be to or on behalf of a spouse or ex-spouse; 3) the divorce decree or separation document cannot state the payment is not alimony; 4) ex-spouses cannot live in the same household or file jointly; 5) a payment must be made in cash or by cash equivalent; 6) cannot be deemed to be child support; 7) the taxpayer’s social security number must be included on the tax return; 8) the obligation to make payments ceases upon the recipient’s death. See IRS Tax Topic No. 452.

Depending on your situation, you need to speak with an experienced Jacksonville family law attorney now. If you will be making alimony payments, it is in your best interest to get a divorce wrapped up before December 31, 2018 so payments will be deductible. If you will be receiving payments, it is in your best interest to put off finalizing your divorce until next year, so the payments will be tax free to you. Contact the Law Office of David M. Goldman, PLLC for a consultation.

January 29, 2018

Property During A Divorce in Florida – How Do You Handle It?

by David M. Goldman

What happens to real estate or property that you jointly own when you get a divorce in Florida? How does the Court handle your property when you and your spouse can’t agree on what to do? How can it be distributed between you and your spouse? In divorces, the court will partition your property absent an agreement as to the contrary. Partition means simply “to divide into parts.”

The Court cannot order partition of your property without it being alleged in your dissolution of marriage petition. Florida courts have long held that a judge may partition the jointly-owned property of the parties in a divorce action only if the due process requirements of Chapter 64, Florida Statutes, relating to partition are met. See Sanders v. Sanders, 351 So.2d 1156 (Fla. 2^nd DCA 1977). The complaint for partition can be incorporated into a divorce petition and no separate filing is needed. F.S. § 64.041 specifies that the complaint must allege a description of the property, the names and places of residence of the owners, and the share held by each owner. The partition complaint must be filed in the county where the property is located.

Typically, the parties will agree on a real estate broker to list the property for sale at current fair market price and the parties will split the proceeds according to the parties’ interest in the property (taking into account the costs and expenses put into the property) unless an agreement is made for one party to refinance the home and pay the opposing party their share. After a divorce, property automatically converts into a tenancy in common and each owner has the right to sell, lease, or mortgage their interest in property. See F.S. § 689.15.