Our firm handles all aspects of family law matters. Learn more about our most common areas of practice below.
DIVORCE
Dissolution of marriage (divorce) is the legal process for terminating a marriage. Upon divorce, the court will divide the assets and liabilities of the parties and award alimony, child support, child custody, and attorney fees, as appropriate under the circumstances of each case.
At the Law Office of Joshua Coffman, our commitment is to guide each client through a difficult process as smoothly as possible, keeping costs reasonable while delivering unparalleled service.
ADOPTION
Adoption establishes a legal relationship whereby the child is deemed a child of the adoptive parents for every purpose, including inheritance rights. Adoptive parents and children are entitled to all rights and duties as if the children were born to the adoptive parents.
CHILD CUSTODY
A parenting plan is the court order that governs the relationship between the parents with respect to decisions impacting their minor child or children. A parenting plan includes how the parents will share and be responsible for the daily tasks associated with the upbringing of children as well as the time-sharing schedule that specifies the time a minor child will spend with each parent.
A parenting plan may be designed and agreed to by the parties to a custody dispute. If an agreement cannot be reached, the court will establish the parenting plan.
At the Law Office of Joshua Coffman, we are committed to encouraging healthy relationships, staying focused on the long-term outcome, while always seeking to protect the children involved in a family law dispute.
CHILD SUPPORT
A suit for child support is designed to obtain a court order requiring one or both parents to pay for a child’s financial and medical support. The award of support to one party for the benefit of a child is based on the needs of that particular child as well as a parent’s ability to pay.
The Florida Statutes provide child support guidelines, which are presumed to be the proper amount of support awarded.
If you are facing a child support proceeding and would like to speak with a family lawyer, please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
MODIFICATION OF PRIOR ORDERS
The primary objective of a suit to modify is to change the terms of a prior court order. A parenting plan, including parental responsibility, time-sharing and child support, may be modified if a party or child has experienced a “substantial change” in circumstances.
Alimony may also be modified by a court upon a showing of a “substantial change” in circumstances.
It is important to consult with a lawyer before filing a modification suit.
ENFORCEMENT OF PRIOR ORDERS
Enforcement and contempt proceedings provide a way for a party to enforce a child custody, child support or alimony award. These situations arise when one party is non-compliant with a court order.
Florida law provides a variety of mechanisms to punish the disobedient party and to coerce him or her into compliance.
GRANDPARENTS’ RIGHTS
Custody (parental responsibility and time-sharing) may be awarded to non-parents, including grandparents, when the parents of a child are deemed unfit or when the parents relinquish their rights.
PATERNITY
A paternity suit is the legal process to establish the parent-child relationship. It is the most common type of parentage suit and is typically brought by a biological father seeking to establish his right and duties with respect to his child.
COLLABORATIVE LAW
Collaborative Law is a settlement process that gives divorcing couples an opportunity to create solutions that work for them without involving the court. The Collaborative Law system is designed to help people work through difficult property and child-related issues in an efficient manner, while at the same time protecting the rights of the individuals and the well being of children.
Family law attorney Joshua Coffman trained in Collaborative Law in 2010, and he has represented many clients through this process. If you would like more information about Collaborative Law, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
MEDIATION
Mediation is the most common type of alternative dispute resolution. It is a process whereby individuals work through a neutral third-party (mediator) to reach agreements.
Due to increased costs and the uncertainty of litigation, mediation is the most favored method to resolve disputes between litigants.
RELOCATION
If a parent desires a change of residence that would relocate a child at least 50 miles from his or her current residence, the parent must obtain the written consent of every person entitled to time-sharing, or serve a petition to relocate and, thereafter, obtain a court order permitting the relocation.
In deciding whether relocation should be approved, the court must consider any factor affecting the best interests of the child.
WILLS AND PROBATE
If you die in Florida without a Last Will and Testament, the State of Florida has laws that determine who gets your property. It is probable that the way in which Florida chooses to distribute your property will be different from your intended objectives. By having a properly executed Will, you can pass your assets to the person or persons of your choosing.
Probate is the process of transferring title to assets from someone who has passed to that person’s legal heirs. There are multiple considerations for how one’s estate is handled, including whether the person died with a Will (testate) or without a Will (intestate). Included in the Probate process are the proper notification of heirs and the payment of taxes, which might be owed.
Drafting wills and administering estates are complicated areas of the law, and it is best to seek the assistance of a lawyer through these processes. If you need assistance in preparing a Will or administering an estate, you may contact our office to schedule a consultation.