Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Classifying Marital and Nonmarital Property
When a married couple gets divorced in the Orlando area, part of the divorce process involves property division or property distribution. This is a process in which the court divides marital assets and liabilities according to a theory known as equitable distribution. When property is distributed equitably, it is divided between the parties in… Read More »
Can the State Harass Me Over Child Support After a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
When you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay goes into effect. This is a stop on all debt collection attempts from your creditors. It is meant to give you some “breathing room” as you work through the bankruptcy process. There are two notable exceptions to this stop: collection attempts for child support and collection… Read More »
Can an Out of State Domestic Violence Order Affect My Florida Parental Rights?
Any presence of domestic violence in your life, whether it is an isolated incident that occurred in your past, a restraining order, or a criminal charge, can affect your parental rights in Florida. It does not matter if your charge or restraining order is from another state. Although Florida typically creates timesharing arrangements that… Read More »
Do I Still Have to Pay Alimony if I File for Bankruptcy?
If you have an alimony order, you are familiar with the financial pressure it can put on you each month, especially when you are also dealing with personal debt. Though it can be tempting to just ignore your alimony order or pay less than you are required to pay, do not give into this… Read More »
How will Bankruptcy Affect my Credit Report?
Here is the short answer: your bankruptcy case will remain on your credit report for several years and it will reduce your credit score initially, but it will improve. There is no way around these facts; they are simply part of the bankruptcy process and something you agree to when you file for bankruptcy…. Read More »
How Does a Divorce Settlement Affect a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
There are many ways your divorce settlement can affect your Chapter 13 bankruptcy and vice versa. Completing Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a lengthy process, typically taking three to five years to complete. During this time, many aspects of your life may change, including a possibility of divorce. If you are working through Chapter 13… Read More »
Do I Need a Parenting Plan?
The divorce process in Florida can be complicated and frustrating, especially when there are minor children from the marriage, but it can be easier and less contentious with the help of a family lawyer who has experience with collaborative divorce. Many couples in Orlando who are just beginning the divorce process have friends and… Read More »
Collaborative Divorce and Its Benefits
For families in Orlando who are considering divorce but have concerns about the contentious aspects of a traditional divorce process, you should consider collaborative divorce and its many benefits. As you may know, the state of Florida recently enacted a collaborative law process, which is defined under Fla. Stat. § 61.56 as “a process… Read More »
The Trap of Debt Consolidation
For any consumers in the Orlando area who are struggling with debt, it can be difficult to know where to turn. You may be seeing commercials and advertisements for debt consolidation, which often come with promises to help you get your finances back on track while avoiding bankruptcy. While consolidating debt may be able… Read More »
Why Is My Divorce Taking So Long?
When you are in the early stages of your divorce, it might feel as though the divorce process is taking a long time. Many Florida residents who file for divorce want to get through the process quickly, and they want to have their cases settled. However, there are many different issues to deal with… Read More »
