Covid-19 has drastically changed our daily lives. With the pressure of staying healthy, working from home and even becoming teachers overnight, our relationships are being put to the test. If you considered a dissolution of marriage or a separation from the parent of your children prior to Covid-19,  perhaps the current conditions of stay-at-home orders and social distancing made you realize that taking that step might be the right choice for your family, but are courts even open?

Navigating a divorce or litigation of any parental issue is difficult without the added stress of fighting the spread of a virus. The Florida Supreme Court has given the lower courts the ability to remain open and operational so long as they are in compliance with the Court’s orders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and stay-at-home orders. Now that Florida is under a statewide “safer-at home” order, the courts are quickly moving from face-to-face interactions to a digital space.  Some rules have also been amended to facilitate legal proceedings, and the courts continue to hear emergencies. The procedures followed by the court might look different, but they are still open.

The courts are working hard to continue working even if it means working remotely and for parties to appear by phone or video.  The judges have wide discretion as to how handle their docket, and we are quickly learning how each judge is handling a family law case in their virtual courtrooms.

As we continue to monitor the spread of Covid-19, and quickly learning how the spread of the virus affects the procedures of the courts, we are here to assist you with your family law case. The Law Office of Jennifer T Dane has always been here to help you through the difficulties of a divorce or any custody issues, even more so in the time of Covid-19. Stay Safe!

As our nation continues to fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and as we all adapt to the new normal of social distancing, what happens when one parent decides to use this pandemic to deny the other parent court ordered timesharing?

In an effort to reduce the number of emergency filings regarding timesharing disputes, the Circuit Court in Orange and Osceola counties, enacted an emergency order directing parties as to timesharing under the new conditions of social distancing and the stay at home order. First, all parties are expected to continue adhering “to all current Final Judgment, Temporary Order, Settlement Agreement, or other orders.” Additionally, “each parent is prohibited from unreasonably restricting access of the child(ren) to the other parent.” The consequences to arbitrarily withholding timesharing include severe sanctions by the Court such as make-up time to the non-offending parent including summer and consecutive holidays. The court may also grant attorney’s fees to the prevailing party. The Court also warned that such behavior may impact the “Court’s long term decision for timesharing” in your case.  In Seminole County the Court will continue to address parenting issues even as the efforts and response of the Court may evolve week to week and even day to day in light of Covid-19.

The best course of action right now is to remain calm and be in our best behavior as we navigate this pandemic. Whether you have a case in Orange, Osceola or Seminole county, know that if the other parent is withholding timesharing, you have options.  If the offending party insists on denying your timesharing, you may proceed with filing the appropriate motion and obtain hearing time to address the issue. These are very stressful times, but we are here to help you navigate your family law case during Covid-19. Stay safe and healthy! 

How to seek protection against Domestic Violence as we face a Pandemic.

The spread of Covid-19 has not only disrupted our day to day life, it has further isolated the most vulnerable, including victims of domestic violence. In an effort to limit the face to face interactions and to implement social distancing at all levels, and per the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Florida Supreme Court has instructed all Florida courts to limit operations at court houses throughout the state.

The good news is that even though the courts of Orange, Osceola and Seminole County are all closed to the public, essential services remain uninterrupted. If you are in need of a temporary injunction to protect yourself, you may seek such protection from the court even during these uncertain times.

First, if you live in Orange County you may visit the Clerk’s website to find all the appropriate documents. You will have to create an account to file such documents electronically. The Clerk has a call center to assist you if you have any questions. Moreover, the Harbor House office located in the Orange County Courthouse remains open from 7:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. Security will have discretion as to whether you will be allowed to enter the building to access the Harbor House office.

In Osceola County, the Family Law Department will continue to assist parties seeking injunctions for protection in person. You will be screened at the door by the Health Department and once cleared will be able to proceed.

In Seminole County you may also find the documents online and file electronically. The court is permitting people to go to the Clerk in person to complete all the forms. You should contact the Clerk prior to going since they are also awaiting instructions as to whether such services will be at the civil or criminal court.

These are extremely stressful times, especially as we navigate through this pandemic. We can assist you navigate the process of a Petition for Injunction. Stay safe!

When a couple is divorcing many times the women have a built in network of other women who have gone through similar circumstances and who they rely on to talk them through the hurt and heartache a divorce can cause, men however are not always surrounded by the same network of support. This is obviously not the case in every circumstance but it does happen. This article below is from the male perspective and how what they wish they had known or thought about their divorce. Divorce is an emotional process for both parties, but everyone handles or deals with the process differently. Finding the right attorney to walk you through the legal process as well as the emotional process is important. Set a confidential consultation today with Attorney Jennifer Dane and learn how to best maneuver through your divorce.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/divorced-men-marriage-regrets_n_5b916885e4b0511db3e046de

Happy Thanksgiving from the Law Office of Jennifer T Dane. We wish you a wonderful day with family and friends old and new! Thank you for choosing the Law Office of Jennifer T Dane for your family law needs, we are truly thankful for all of our clients and friends!

Thanksgiving is upon us and the calendar is filling up for the end of the year. Most divorced parents are calendaring experts especially at the holidays, they live by the calendar and their days with the children. For some newly divorced or separated parents the first holiday alone can be stressful as it brings a new set of challenges. Creating a new holiday tradition for your family may be just the thing to smooth over a new holiday schedule. See the article below for more ideas on creating a new Thanksgiving tradition. During your divorce you will create a parenting plan, or a schedule of where your children will be until they turn 18 years old. Parenting plans are created to help families transition from being together to being separate. It is important to remember that if you have a parenting plan that its a guideline, you are free to change it if the other parent is in agreement. Remember to keep an open mind when you former spouse is asking for flexibility surrounding a holiday in the parenting plan, because you may need the same courtesy next year. If you have questions about how to create a functional parenting plan please contact Family Law Attorney Jennifer T. Dane at 407-260-0500 for help today.

 

https://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/traditions/Thanksgiving-Family-rituals

Same sex marriage was confirmed by the Supreme Court decision several years ago, however, the implementation has taken considerably more time. In last nights nail-bitter election coverage, you may have missed the unseating of the clerk of court in Kentucky who initially refused to issue same sex marriage licences. (See the article below) Florida has been recognizing same sex marriages and divorces for several years. Winter Park family law attorney Jennifer T. Dane helps guide all types of different families through the divorcing process. If you are seeking sound legal advise and a practical approach to your same sex divorce, please contact the Law Office of Jennifer T. Dane today for a confidential consultation, 407-260-0500.

https://www.clickorlando.com/news/politics/clerk-who-refused-to-sign-off-on-samesex-marriages-loses-reelection

A very common questions people seeking divorce ask is how long is my divorce going to take? That is often a hard question to answer. There are many different factors that go into how long a divorce may take starting with what type of divorce you choose. For example, people to select to get divorced using the collaborative model are more likely to complete their divorce faster than those who use a traditional litigation model. If you select a traditional litigation model and are able to settle all of your cases issues within the mediation process, the typical divorce takes on average between 6 to 8 months to close out, if however, your divorce is extremely contentious and heavily litigated it can take years. There are many ways to speed the divorce process along in Florida and if you are interested in learning about all of your options contact Winter Park family lawyer, Jennifer T. Dane at 407-260-0500 for more information.

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween! Surprisingly Halloween is a holiday that divorcing parents often address in their parenting plans. There are many different ways to deal with the Halloween holiday, however, usually the parties rotate every other year. Halloween is such a fun holiday for all ages of children, and adults. If its your year with the kids for Halloween, make sure you keep them safe by reviewing a few tips from the National Safety Counsel in the article below, and if you have any questions about how to create a functional and fair parenting plan for your children or about your divorce in general, call attorney Jennifer T Dane today for a confidential consultation at 407-260-0500.

The landscape of divorce is changing, the majority of the population is no longer interested in the War of the Roses opting instead for an amicable  divorcing process, which often leads to creative ideas on how to make the divorce work for the family. One way that divorcing couples are getting creative is through “bird nesting”. Essentially, the children stay in the house and the parents move in and out for the timesharing. Some families find this the most stable way for the children to adjust to their parents divorce. Every family is unique, even when going through a divorce, and it takes a special level of trust and respect between the parties in order for this type of timesharing arrangement to work, but it can work. If you are considering divorce or have questions that are unique to your family in a divorce, call the Law Office of Jennifer T. Dane at 407-260-0500 for a confidential consultation and we will discuss all of your options.