Recent Blog Posts

Protect Yourself by Documenting Child Support Payments

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Getting divorced is never easy, especially when children are involved. Figuring out how much child support to pay, how to pay it and for how long can be stressful for both parties. In the most extreme cases, one parent may even claim that the other is not making regular payments, even when they are. To protect yourself from such allegations, it is important to retain a family law attorney to better understand your legal rights. Additionally, it is important to document all child support payments that are made to your former partner or spouse. This ensures that you have a record of all payments should your case be brought to court.

When making child support payments, another measure you can take to ensure you have a long-standing record of your payments is to pay via a check instead of cash. Checks are cashed through banks that keep records which you can access if you are ever accused of failing to pay child support in Florida. Have you been consistently making your support payments, but find that you are accused of being delinquent? Get a Jacksonville family lawyer involved now by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson today so you can avoid additional legal problems!

Citations Issued against Deion Sanders and Wife for Domestic Violence

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

News sources say that citations were written for both football star Deion Sanders and his wife last month. When police arrived at their home in Texas, they found that both Sanders and his wife were claiming to be victims in a domestic violence situation. The two are no longer sharing the same home while the criminal charges are pending. According to the first police report, Pilar Sanders was taken into custody when her husband called the police. He stated that she, along with another female, attacked him at home. The next day, Sanders was taken into custody for misdemeanor assault against his wife.

While police sort out both parties' allegations, Pilar has been told to move out of the marital home for 60 days. Last week a group of vehicles was observed leaving the property with what is said to be her possessions. At this time, both Pilar and Deion are denying claims of domestic assault against one another. If you are in an abusive relationship and want to take legal measures to ensure your safety, contact Ellerin Hutchinson now to get immediate assistance from a Jacksonville family lawyer from our team.

Getting Legal Counsel for Your Divorce Early On

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:35:00 GMT

Do you think that your spouse is going to ask you for a divorce in Florida? If so, you should consider seeking legal counsel now, even before the papers have been served. You are certain to have tons of questions that only an experienced Jacksonville family law attorney can answer. However, before you hire a lawyer, don't think that you should go with the first divorce attorney that you meet. Take the time to interview your attorney to learn more about his experience, practice and types of clients that he normally accepts. It is perfectly acceptable to ask how many clients the attorney has had in the past and currently has, as well as success rates in and out of the courtroom.

You want to make sure you are comfortable with the legal professional you hire and also know that your lawyer is competent enough to handle your divorce case, as well as oversee related matters like child custody or alimony. Are you ready to speak with a divorce lawyer about the termination of your marriage? If so, arrange your initial consultation with our firm by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson now!

Understanding 2011 Florida Alimony Changes

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:30:00 GMT

In 2011, a new statute was enacted in the state of Florida that impacts alimony payments. The Florida Alimony Statute became effective in July of 2011 and it slightly changed existent spousal support rights, clarified old laws and further defined new legislation. If you are paying or receiving alimony, know that the following changes now stand:

In order for the court to award alimony in a short-term marriage (marriage lasting under seven years), exceptional circumstances must be documented.
Before a judge will award permanent alimony, it must be proven that short-term alimony is not sufficient, fair or reasonable.
If a person is ordered to pay alimony, he or she must not be left with significantly less income that the person that is receiving the payments.
"Clear and convincing" evidence must be provided for permanent alimony to be awarded for a moderate term marriage (marriage lasting between seven and seventeen years).

Do you have questions about the new alimony laws? If so, take the time to contact Ellerin Hutchinson so you have the opportunity to receive answers from a Jacksonville family law attorney from our legal team.

Domestic Violence: Turn to a Family Lawyer for Help

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:15:00 GMT

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you may be wondering where you can turn for help to put an end to the abuse once and for all. Whether you are being abused physically or emotionally, a man or a woman, know that anytime you have been subjected to domestic violence, you should seek help as soon as possible. One great source of help in the state of Florida may be a Jacksonville family lawyer from Ellerin Hutchinson. For years, lawyers from our office have been working with victims of abuse and we are prepared to get involved immediately.

One way in which our attorneys can be of assistance is by helping you seek a restraining order against the person that is abusing you. Such an order will keep the person from threatening you, harassing you or making any type of contact with you. Another way we can be of assistance is by helping you take steps to report abuse to appropriate law enforcement agencies. In some cases, a report could result in criminal charges against the person that has harmed you. To learn how we can safeguard you from further injury, contact Ellerin Hutchinson today to arrange an initial consultation.

Actress Mena Suvari Opens Up About Second Divorce

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Actress Mena Suvari recently spoke with news sources about her recent divorce as well as being a two-time divorcee by the age of 33. Suvari, best-known for her roles in "American Pie" and "American Beauty" filed for divorce from her husband, Simone Sestito, in January 2012. The two had been married for 18 months before the actress decided to file divorce papers. She told news sources that she never thought she would get divorced twice. However, she said, "if that's the path my life is going down, then I accept it."

Prior to her second marriage, Suvari was married to a cinematographer for 17 years by the name of Robert Brinkman. They ended their marriage in 2005 after five years together. She said that there were many reasons why that marriage did not last. If you are going through your first divorce, or even your second, it is important to have a legal professional on your side that can oversee your case and related matters such as property division and child custody. To get immediate help during your divorce, contact Ellerin Hutchinson now to set up a time to speak with a Jacksonville family law attorney.

Avoid Debt While Going through Divorce

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Getting a divorce is never easy, especially knowing how expensive it can be. If you are considering getting a divorce, there are several financial steps you should take to protect your bank account in the future. First, avoid over-using credit cards. When you are divorced and have to handle your credit card payments alone, you may find yourself unable to make your payments as planned. Missing payments can affect your credit history for years. Second, do not use your credit cards to make payments toward loans. Some people start to use their credit cards to make payments for mortgages, car loans and student loans. However, once you start doing this, you may find yourself even further in debt, which is never good.

Finally, if it is possible, ask your friends and family for financial assistance until your divorce has been finalized. Instead of racking up a great deal of debt on your credit cards and not being able to repay what you owe, a family member or friend may be able to lend you money until you are able to get back on your feet after the termination of your marriage. Do you have questions about divorce in Florida? Contact Ellerin Hutchinson now to set up your case evaluation with an experienced Jacksonville family lawyer that can offer insight and advice.

Former TV Star Arrested on Domestic Violence Allegations

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:30:00 GMT

Media outlets say that a former TV star was detained last week on suspicion of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. According to the police report for the case, Lane Garrison was arrested for the reported assault of his ex, Ashley Mattingly. When police first arrived at his apartment, Garrison was not home. However, he was in police custody by Sunday and reportedly opted to stay in jail in order to speak with detectives the following day. His lawyer issued a statement shortly after which asserted that Garrison was innocent and that Mattingly's accusations were false.

This is not the first time that Garrison has been accused of domestic violence. However, the first incident of alleged abuse did not end in an arrest. News sources also say that several years ago the actor was involved in a drunk driving accident that led to one death. Garrison spent 18 months in jail for vehicular manslaughter as a result of that collision. If you are the victim of domestic violence and you want to put an end to the abuse and suffering, contact Ellerin Hutchinson today to get a Jacksonville family law attorney involved in your case as soon as possible.

Wife of Famous Painter Seeks Restraining Order

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:00:00 GMT

News sources say that the wife of a famous American painter is seeking a restraining order against his girlfriend. Since the passing of her husband, Thomas Kinkade, earlier this year, the wife has been having difficulty keeping her late husband's current girlfriend quiet about the details of his life. According to the attorneys representing Nanette Kinkade, who is the executor and trustee of his will, an injunction is currently being sought against Amy Pinto-Walsh. In 2011, she signed a confidentiality agreement which she has reportedly breached. As a result, Kinkade is seeking an injunction against Pinto-Walsh to essentially keep her from disclosing information about the painter to the public.

Thomas passed away at his home in Monte Sereno on April 6^th. The following day, his live-in girlfriend was gave an interview about his last moments of life. The injunction seeks to keep Pinto-Walsh from saying anything negative or disparaging about the late painter. She will also be prohibited from giving out any proprietary information about him or his personal effects. If you plan to terminate your marriage by filing for divorce and fear for your safety, a restraining order may be ideal. To learn about how the law can protect you from harm, contact Ellerin Hutchinson today to receive information from a knowledgeable Jacksonville family law attorney.

Senator Requests Drug Tests for Parents Behind on Child Support

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:50:00 GMT

One Republican senator is pushing for new legislation that could require some parents to submit to drug testing. After speaking with a concerned constituent, Senator M.C. has drafted new legislation to ensure that parents who owe child support are not using it to fund their drug habits. The bill, if passed through the Iowa legislature, would force parents to take drug tests at the behest of former spouses/partners. This would only apply to non-custodial parents that have been ordered to make child support payments.

After speaking with a concerned constituent about her own situation, Sen. M.C. proposed the bill before the senate earlier this month. Records show that several of the state's democratic senators laughed when they heard the proposition. Drug testing has long been an agenda of Republican politicians. A recent law just passed in Arizona that will require unemployed individuals to submit to drug testing if they hope to receive unemployment insurance. Do you have questions related to Florida's child support laws? Get immediate answers by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson and speaking with an experienced Jacksonville family law attorney from our team.

Marc Anthony Files Divorce Petition in L.A.

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:30:00 GMT

Another Hollywood couple has filed for divorce months after announcing their separation. Marc Anthony filed for divorce in a Los Angeles, California court last week, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. Marc Anthony and wife Jennifer Lopez were married for seven years and have two children together. Although the two have remained fairly quiet about their divorce, it is well-known that Lopez is already seeing someone else. She has been photographed with another man, one of her former dancers, in a variety of locales over the past few months.

This is not the first divorce for either party. Lopez has been divorced twice while Anthony has gone through one divorce in the past. Despite their split, the two have been able to work together in a professional manner to continue their business plans as usual and news sources say that Anthony has asked for joint custody of their two young children. If you are about to file for divorce and want to know what the process entails, schedule a consultation by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson to arrange a time to meet with a Jacksonville family law attorney from our firm.

Pentagon Working on Child Custody Bill for Military Members

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:30:00 GMT

While men and women are fighting for our country, they are sometimes denied child custody rights due to their involvement in the service. The Pentagon is working to pass a new law that would give service members a better chance at obtaining child custody if they request it. The bill, entitled the Service Member Family Protection Act, would essentially stop family law judges from ruling against service members during child custody trials. As it stands now, members of the military sometimes have trouble obtaining custody based on future or past deployments. These details would become obsolete if the new bill is pushed through the legislature.

According to the bill's sponsor, Rep. M.T., members of our military are providing a unique service that shouldn't lead to negative outcomes in child custody cases. Although a member of the military can be deployed at any time to anywhere in the world, this should not affect child custody cases, the representative argues. Are you going through a military divorce? Is the custody of your children an issue? If so, get immediate legal help by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson to consult a Jacksonville family law attorney who can be of assistance.

Levi Johnston Behind $39,000 in Child Support

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:50:00 GMT

News sources recently reported that Levi Johnston currently owes thousands of dollars to the mother of his first child while his current girlfriend is expecting another child. If Levi Johnston is found guilty of failing to make child support payments, he could be facing jail time. Johnston first came to the national media's attention as the father of Bristol Palin's child, the daughter of Sarah Palin. She is now claiming that Johnston owes $39,000 in child support. He is supposed to pay $1,750 per month but has reportedly failed to do so for 22 consecutive months. The two have a 3-year-old son together.

Despite her claim that he owes tens of thousands of dollars, Palin has not tried to enforce a court order for the payments. Palin says that she does not want to make their relationship more difficult which is why she has not taken any form of legal action. Are you owed past due child support payments in Florida? If so, don't wait to discuss your options with a Jacksonville family lawyer by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson today. We can review the terms of your court ordered payments and take legal measures to enforce the financial support your children are owed.

More Domestic Violence Victims Sought Help say Statistics

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:40:00 GMT

Domestic violence crisis centers in New Hampshire reported an increase in victims seeking help last year. All of the centers combined saw 16,000 men, women, and children come through their doors asking for assistance. According to the New Hampshire Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, that represents a 3% increase from the previous year. Yet, there was some good news in the report released by the centers. A decrease in victims claiming to have suffered sexual abuse was noted from the previous year. However, a total of 743 people reached out to the domestic violence shelters after being stalked, an increase from the previous year.

This report was released in time for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. At this time, the state Department of Public Health is hoping to reach out to potential victims and past victims of domestic abuse throughout the next few weeks. By offering shelters and other services to victims, the centers say that men and women should not feel that they are alone after they have been victimized. If you are a victim of domestic violence and you want to know how you can stop further abuse, contact Ellerin Hutchinson now to enlist the immediate help and guidance of a compassionate Jacksonville family lawyer from our office.

Officers Still Investigating Case of Woman Beaten to Death

Jacksonville Family Lawyer — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 02:30:00 GMT

The case of a woman found beaten to death in her own home has continued to elude police. While a note was left behind by the killer, police in southern California do not yet have a suspect in custody. According to the police report, S.A., 32, was planning on divorcing her husband and moving to Texas with her five children. Her husband reportedly knew of her plans, as well as her brother with whom she planned on living in Texas. After the murder, her 17-year-old daughter discovered the body. She told police there was a note next to her mother that read "go back to your country, you terrorist."

Due to the note the victim, an Iraqi-American, may have been subject to a hate crime, but police have not ruled out all other options yet. Officers say they are continuing investigations and that the husband is a suspect as his whereabouts at the time of the killing remains unconfirmed. News sources say that the victim will be buried in her homeland of Iraq. If you are planning to move forward with a divorce and you know that it will be contested, take the time to discuss your concerns with a Jacksonville family lawyer from our team by contacting Ellerin Hutchinson today!