Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PAFindLaw IM Template2026-09-08T18:07:08Zhttps://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1302476/2021/12/cropped-kelly-favicon-pink-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Can a spouse get temporary support during a Florida divorce?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470612026-09-03T18:07:58Z2026-09-08T18:07:08ZShort-term support can address immediate strain
A divorce can create financial strain long before the final judgment. One spouse may move out, lose access to shared income or take on more child-related expenses while the matter is still moving through court. Short-term support is meant to help stabilize the receiving spouse’s finances during that period.
Under Florida Statute § 61.071, either spouse may ask the court for temporary alimony during a pending divorce proceeding. The court may award this support based on what justice and equity require given the parties' circumstances. A spouse who asks for this relief usually must show a present need and the other spouse’s ability to pay. The court may look at income, expenses, access to assets and the family’s current living situation.
What can this type of relief include?
This kind of relief may involve more than monthly support. Depending on the facts, the court may also decide who stays in the marital home, who pays certain bills and whether one spouse should help cover legal fees during the proceedings. An order may include:
Interim alimony
Immediate child support
Exclusive use of the marital home
Payment of certain household expenses
Interim attorney’s fees or costs
In Florida, a motion for this relief typically requires family court forms, financial affidavits, income records and a statement of the requesting spouse’s current needs.
Early orders can affect the rest of the divorce
Financial pressure at the start of a divorce can affect settlement decisions later. Many economic issues in divorce move more smoothly when support, housing and payment questions are resolved early rather than left open as sources of ongoing dispute. A divorce attorney can ask for relief that protects stability now, because the orders entered at the start of the case can shape the financial and practical conditions under which the divorce unfolds.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[How to create a successful Florida time-sharing plan for kids]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470582026-08-20T13:02:57Z2026-08-25T09:17:18ZStart with the child’s real schedule
A parenting plan works better when it fits the child’s actual life, not an ideal version of it. School hours, daycare, medical needs, activities and each parent’s work schedule can all shape what time-sharing arrangement makes sense.
A court will care about whether the schedule supports stability. For example, a younger child may need more consistency and shorter transitions, while an older child may handle a more flexible routine.
What details should a parenting plan cover?
A good plan should address practical details that parents often fight over later, including:
Pick-up and drop-off arrangements
How parents will communicate
Holiday and vacation schedules
How schedule changes will be handled
Who will make major decisions about school, health care and activities
Local court resources can show what Florida courts expect families to think through before final approval.
A workable plan can prevent future conflict
Many parenting plan disputes start with a schedule that looks fine at first but breaks down in daily life. Clear terms can reduce arguments about missed exchanges, holiday confusion or last-minute changes. A family lawyer can help shape a plan the court can approve and both parents can realistically follow. The stronger plans are usually the ones that still work after the first few months, when school demands, activity schedules and unexpected changes start testing the arrangement.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[What happens to health insurance after divorce in Florida?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470562026-08-06T13:53:42Z2026-08-11T09:55:55ZCoverage usually changes after the divorce
Many employer-sponsored health plans cover a spouse only while the marriage remains legally valid. In most cases, coverage ends once the divorce becomes final. Until then, temporary coverage often continues unless the court orders otherwise or the plan has different rules.
During a divorce, Florida courts may also consider children's health insurance. Under Florida Statutes § 61.13, courts can require one or both parents to maintain health insurance for a child when coverage is reasonably available. This helps protect a child's ongoing medical needs. Being aware of these rules ahead of time can help you line up replacement coverage before your current plan ends.
Options after losing spousal coverage
After a divorce, you may have several ways to stay insured, depending on your situation:
Continue your former spouse's employer-sponsored plan for a limited time through federal COBRA rules if the plan qualifies
Enroll in your own employer's health insurance if it offers a special enrollment period
Purchase an individual health insurance policy through the Health Insurance Marketplace
Check whether you qualify for Medicaid or other public health coverage based on your income
Reviewing these options early can help you avoid an unexpected lapse in coverage.
Financial issues may affect insurance decisions
Health insurance costs often become part of the larger financial discussion during divorce. Premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket medical expenses may influence support arrangements or settlement negotiations. Florida Statutes § 61.30 also allows health insurance costs for children to factor into child support calculations when courts determine each parent's financial responsibility. These financial details often shape the final agreement.
Planning ahead can reduce stress and help you make informed choices. If you have questions about how divorce may affect your health insurance, consider reaching out to a legal professional for guidance.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[How do unmarried fathers establish paternity in Florida?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470542026-07-23T13:08:58Z2026-07-28T13:07:57ZSigning papers at birth can establish fatherhood
If the parents are not married when the child is born, they may sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity. When both parents complete that form properly, it establishes the man's status as the child's legal father. This is often the quickest way to address fatherhood when the parents agree from the start.
When does the issue move into court?
A court case may become necessary if no one completed an acknowledgment, if either parent challenges paternity or if questions later arise about parenting time or child support. Once the issue reaches the court, the judge may first need to decide whether the man is the child's legal father before addressing anything else.
What can the court decide after paternity is confirmed?
Once paternity is in place, the legal conversation usually becomes broader. The court can begin addressing how each parent will share time, responsibility and financial obligations connected to the child. That may include decisions about:
Parenting time
Parental responsibility
Child support
Health insurance coverage
Related child expenses
These decisions can shape the child's routine and each parent's responsibilities for years. Once paternity becomes contested, Florida's parentage process may affect how the court handles support and parenting time.
Legal help can make the next step clearer
Some fathers only need to confirm whether a birth-time form already establishes fatherhood. Others need to file or respond to a court case. A paternity dispute may quickly involve child support, parenting time and decision-making issues that are harder to resolve once conflict grows. A lawyer can help you understand what the law already recognizes and what step comes next.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Can a parenting plan include screen time and device rules?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470512026-07-09T13:27:46Z2026-07-14T13:26:51Zparenting plan can help set clearer expectations. Although state law does not require a separate screen-time section, parenting plans generally address daily parenting responsibilities, school matters, health care, activities and communication. Screen-time limits may fit into those broader categories when they support your child’s routine, safety and best interests.
What device rules can parents include?
You and your co-parent may want to discuss how technology will work in both homes. The goal is not to control every small detail, but to reduce arguments over what happens in each home.
Your plan can address issues such as:
How much time your child spends on games, apps or social media
How your child uses a phone, tablet or video call to contact the other parent
These details can be especially helpful if your child already pushes boundaries around screens or if each household handles technology very differently.
How clear language can prevent device disputes
Vague wording could lead to more disagreement. For example, saying “reasonable screen time” may mean one thing to you and something very different to your co-parent. A clearer rule may explain when devices turn off on school nights or how parents will handle unsafe apps, strangers online or harmful content. Once these terms become part of a court-approved plan, they also carry legal weight if one parent does not follow them.
Creating a plan that works in real life
Technology will keep changing as your child gets older. A useful parenting plan can include graduated limits, so a 7-year-old may have tighter screen-time boundaries than a 15-year-old who needs a phone for school, activities or transportation. By setting clear device rules early, you can reduce conflict and help your child follow a steadier routine in both homes.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Protecting your financial stability after a divorce]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470472026-06-25T12:29:33Z2026-06-30T13:06:50ZStart gathering financial information
The first step is to get a clear picture of the financial situation of the family. Some important documents that can help in gathering information may include:
Recent tax returns
Bank statements
Credit card statements
Retirement account record
Mortgage and loan documents
Even if the other spouse does not have access to all the records, collecting available information might help in better understanding the assets involved.
Do not assume you are at a disadvantage
People sometimes fear that a spouse who controls the finances has all the power during a divorce. However, Florida law generally requires both parties to give full disclosure so that important decisions of property division, child support and spousal support can be made based on correct information rather than guesswork.
When questions arise regarding the missing information or any undisclosed assets legal procedures are in place to gather the additional financial records.
Focus on the bigger financial picture
Divorce can involve more than deciding who pays the bills. Bank accounts, retirement savings, debts, real estate and other assets might have a big role in the result of the case. Taking some time to understand the overall financial picture of the family can help to make an informed decision as the process moves forward.
Taking next steps with more clarity
Divorce can feel overwhelming, especially when one spouse has managed all the finances during marriage. However, less involvement in financial matters does not mean that a person must go through the divorce blindly. Taking measured steps to gather information and learn the family's finances might help move to the next step with more confidence and clarity.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Uncovering your spouse’s hidden money in a divorce]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470462026-06-11T09:58:26Z2026-06-16T09:57:40ZFinding out that your spouse might be hiding money can leave you feeling completely blindsided, hurt and worried about the future. Going through a split is already exhausting. The sudden fear of losing out financially just adds a massive amount of stress. For Sarasota residents, it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and angry. Thankfully, the local court system has strict rules to protect people from these situations.
State law makes declaring all wealth mandatory
Florida law protects spouses through a rule called mandatory disclosure under Family Law Rule 12.285. Starting a divorce generally triggers this rule, which requires both parties to exchange financial records within 45 days, meaning a spouse cannot simply refuse to comply. Under Florida rules, a spouse must provide three years of tax returns, three months of checking account statements, 12 months of savings account statements, and a sworn financial affidavit. This process often makes it more difficult to conceal financial accounts or assets.
How to find hidden cash
Mandatory disclosure is the essential first step, but if the records still feel incomplete or raise new suspicions, you have powerful discovery tools available to dig deeper. These resources allow you to legally pursue specific pieces of evidence to help you account for all assets during the divorce proceedings:
Demanding business ledgers, credit card bills and phone statements through the court
Sending paperwork directly to banks or employers for account copies
Involving forensic accountants to track down money and identify undisclosed assets or suspicious financial activity
These powerful discovery options help promote a fair outcome by giving you a more comprehensive look at the actual marital property.
Judges do not tolerate lies
It helps to know that Florida courts take financial dishonesty very seriously. If a spouse lies under oath on their financial affidavit or hides money, they face major trouble. The judge can force them to pay for your legal costs. If a spouse conceals assets, the judge may factor this misconduct into the property division, potentially awarding an unequal distribution of the marital estate to ensure a fair and just outcome. Florida law provides several mechanisms to uncover hidden wealth and address financial misconduct during divorce proceedings, including mandatory financial disclosure, aggressive discovery tools like subpoenas and forensic accounting, and strict judicial penalties for dishonesty.
Moving forward with confidence
It is completely understandable to feel fearful when you suspect hidden money is at play, but the law provides robust safeguards to ensure a fair outcome. Through mandatory disclosure rules, powerful discovery tools to unearth hidden accounts and strict judicial penalties for financial cheating, Florida courts work to protect your interests and reveal the truth.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[What should a Florida parenting plan say about school decisions?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470432026-05-28T13:53:19Z2026-06-02T13:52:52ZHow shared parental responsibility affects education choices
Your parenting plan should clearly state which parent’s address the district will use for school boundary and registration purposes because it can affect where your child attends school. You may also want it to explain how you will make decisions about:
Choosing between public, private or charter options
Specialized programs, tutoring or vocational training
In Florida, parenting plans must address how parents will share responsibility for raising their child. This includes school-related decisions. If you share parental responsibility, you and your co-parent generally need to discuss major education choices unless the agreement or court order gives one parent ultimate decision-making authority over a specific issue.
What to include about records and communication
Your plan can also explain how you and your former spouse will receive academic updates. In many cases, both parents can access school records unless a court order limits that right. The document can state that both parents may receive report cards, school calendars, teacher emails and online portal access.
It can also help to decide who will contact teachers, how quickly each parent should share school updates and how you will handle urgent issues, such as discipline concerns, absences or sudden schedule changes.
Education-related costs can become another source of conflict. The agreement can address how you will divide supplies, field trips, uniforms, tutoring, testing fees and extracurricular activities. Clear language can help you avoid last-minute arguments.
Creating a plan that supports your child’s education
A strong parenting plan does more than list academic rules. It gives your child structure when family routines change. When you address enrollment, records, teacher communication, expenses and school support early, you give both homes a clearer roadmap. If decisions are already causing tension, reviewing these details can help you see what your agreement may need to cover.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Dividing property in Florida? Gather these key documents]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470402026-05-18T09:34:01Z2026-05-21T09:33:32ZRecords that help show your financial picture
To give the court a clearer view of your finances, gather the following:
Tax returns: Personal and business tax returns from the past three years reflect income and business activity.
Income records: Pay stubs or other proof of earned income from the three months before service of the financial affidavit document current earnings.
Bank and investment statements: Checking, savings, brokerage, stock and bond statements identify available funds and account activity.
Retirement account information: Statements for 401(k) plans, IRAs, pensions or similar accounts can help show what may need to be valued or divided.
Debt records: Mortgage statements, car loan records, credit card statements and other loan documents outline shared liabilities.
Property and business records: Deeds, titles, business ownership documents and valuation records clarify what major assets are worth.
In Florida, these materials matter because the court follows equitable distribution, which means it divides marital assets and debts in a way that is fair. This does not always mean each spouse receives exactly half.
In many divorce cases, state law requires both spouses to exchange a financial affidavit and certain supporting documents within 45 days after the respondent receives the initial pleading, unless exempt, waived or modified by the court.
What can support separate property claims?
Some assets may be nonmarital, such as assets you owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance. However, you may need proof to show why that property should stay separate.
You can use premarital account statements, inheritance paperwork, trust materials, deeds from before the marriage or any documentation showing how you used certain funds.
Preparing with more clarity
Gathering financial records early can help you understand your options before settlement discussions or court hearings. Organizing your documents puts you in a better position to explain your finances, identify possible concerns and move through property division with fewer surprises.]]>On Behalf of Law Office of Kelly A. Rodenas, PA<![CDATA[Is court intervention required in property division?]]>https://www.kellyrodenaslaw.com/?p=470382026-05-01T20:03:17Z2026-05-06T20:02:42ZMany people assume that getting a divorce automatically means a judge will decide who gets the house, the cars and the money in the bank accounts. This belief often creates unnecessary anxiety during an already difficult time.
In Florida, you do not always have to leave these life-altering decisions to a judge. Instead, you can use a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) to maintain control over your assets and your future. Understanding this option allows you to move through the process with more confidence and less conflict.
Why address property division matters through an MSA
This agreement is a formal, written contract between you and your spouse that outlines exactly how you will split your property and debts. While state law usually calls for a fair and equal split, an MSA allows you and your former spouse to customize the details to fit your unique lifestyle. This option offers unique advantages to divorcing couples, including:
Personalized control: You can choose to keep a specific retirement account in exchange for giving up your interest in a different property.
Reduced legal expenses: You avoid a long, drawn-out court battle, which saves you a significant amount of money on legal fees and court costs.
Faster resolution: You finalize your agreement on your own timeline rather than waiting months for an available date on a crowded court calendar.
Through an MSA, you take the guesswork out of your divorce and ensure the final arrangement actually works for your day-to-day life.
Maintain peace and control through collaboration
Choosing to use an MSA can be effective in keeping the peace during a divorce. When you and your spouse commit to a mutual agreement, you replace the hostility of a courtroom with a focus on problem-solving. This collaborative approach protects your emotional well-being and helps you preserve a civil relationship.]]>