Recent Posts in Child Law Category

A proposed bill in Tennessee that calls to split child custody evenly in a contested divorce is receiving lots of attention.

In opposition to the bill are multiple women’s groups, some judges and the Tennessee Bar Association. Opponents fear the law would make divorces even more difficult to settle, and would give abusive ex-husbands leverage they shouldn’t have. Opponents also argue that dividing custody 50/50 may not be practical for the parents’ and the children’s schedules, and therefore would not be in the best interest of the children. On a similar note, it is not always in a child’s best interest to spend equal time with both parents, particularly when one parent works long hours, has an inappropriate lifestyle, or has a history of drug abuse, alcoholism, or domestic violence.

On the other hand are fathers’ rights advocates who say that many children these days are being deprived of full relationships with both parents. These groups claim the courts have a long history of favoring the mother when making a child custody decision, and are influenced by the traditional role women have play in the family dynamic. Advocates of the bill say it is a great way to ensure fathers are given equal rights and treatment when child custody arrangements are being made.

Although Florida does not have such a law, there are still plenty of child custody issues that may arise that require the attention of a trained family law attorney. Whether you have just filed for divorce or you and your spouse are already involved in a custody battle, an experienced Jacksonville child custody lawyer at Ellerin Hutchinson can help. Contact the office today at (904) 866-4489 to learn more about our qualifications, experience, and legal services.

A 12-year-old Saudi Arabia girl who was forced to marry an 80-year-old man is receiving help from the Human Rights Commission, according to the Times of London.

The girl’s father arranged the marriage to his 80-year-old cousin against both the girl’s wishes and the wishes of her mother.  The practice of marrying young girls to older men is common for poor families in tribal areas.

But now the state-run commission is stepping in to help the girl file for divorce.  The commission has hired an attorney to represent the girl in what some people think could be a test case for banning child marriages in the country. There is currently no minimum age for marriage, which is way so many young girls from poor families are married off to sometimes much older men.

A law that would ban the practice is now being discussed in Riyadh, the country’s capital, and activists are hopeful the case could be a turning point in the country’s marriage laws. Alanoud al-Hejailan, a commission lawyer, said the case is now is in the hands of the court, but that the commission is firmly on the girl’s side.

The court is expected to rule on the case soon. If a divorce is not granted the commission said it would file an appeal.

Ellerin Hutchinson is a family law firm located in Jacksonville, Florida that devotes a large portion of its practice to divorce, including uncontested divorce, contested divorce, military divorce, and divorce mediation. To arrange a consultation with an experienced  Jacksonville divorce attorney at the firm, please  contact Ellerin Hutchinson today at (904) 866-4489.