Garth Goodman, esq.
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On the article Out-of-State Gay Marriage Creates Confusion at Florida DMV
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On the Blog Post Child Support: Florida Guidelines
Garth Goodman, esq.
9:32 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
ReplyFlorida law does provide for the support of a dependent child(ren) if that child turns 18 and is still in High School with a reasonable expectation of graduation prior to his/ her 19th birthday. This would create a "legal" duty of support. I assume your "agreement" has not been approved and ratified by a court as if a court order? Notwithstanding, I would want to discuss your calculation of the child support obligation; whether the guidelines were properly applied; any impact of time sharing; and, yes, the term of support. Please feel free to call my Office at 727/ 895-5858 to further discuss. I do provide for a free initial consultation. Or,, you can email me at garth@goodmanatlaw.com. Thank you.
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On the Blog Post Child Support: Florida Guidelines
Garth Goodman, esq.
12:56 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Hello David. Your friends' two situations seem like nightmare scenarios. I usually tell people not to assume that child support is not always simple arithmetic. If someone is self-employed such as the person with a detailing company, then the true extent of his income would need to be scrutinized. For example, just because he takes in $ 100,000 in gross receipts does NOT mean he is paying himself or has available to pay himself $ 100,000. In order to make money, you have to spend money on advertising, cost of goods sold, salaries, insurances, etc. These are all deductions from this person's income. I am curious if this was even explored? As for the lady married to a doctor, one cannot simply get out of paying child support by moving. Child support can follow anyone anywhere. She needs to be persistent and vigilant. If he is a doctor, she can collect on back support and enforce current support against the doctor's income and assets. Courts do not take very kind to someone who as the ability to pay support and promote the quality of life of a child(ren) and not meet that basic obligation. If this lady you know needs assistance and she is here in Pinellas/ Hillsborough/ Manatee Counties, then have her give me a call for a free consult at 727/ 895-5858 or email me at garth@goodmanatlaw.com. Thank you for your comments.
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On the Blog Post Child Support: Florida Guidelines
Garth Goodman, esq.
12:50 pm on Saturday, February 2, 2013
Hello Michelle. Yes, first we must determine the basic obligation. Let's say the parents each make $ 2,000 take home for a combined $ 4,000.00 net available income. The guideline amount for one child is X; for two children it would be a larger amount (Y), and so forth. In this example, assuming 2 children, each parent has a basic obligation of 50% of the guideline amount (Y) since each makes $ 2,000 of the $ 4,000 total. The guidelines then permit the Court to add the other parent's share of day/ after care; health insurance and uncovereds; and any special needs of the minor child(ren) to that parent's support obligation. Showing you the actual guidelines makes the foregoing alot more clearer.
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On the Blog Post Florida Child Support and Time Sharing
Garth Goodman, esq.
11:22 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
ReplyHello Derek. The change went into effect January, 2011 and is still fresh in the minds of the legal community. I am not aware of any website that allows one to calculate the time sharing and child support based on the amount of time sharing. The real issue in regards to the impact of time sharing has more to do with the income of the respective parents; and if someone is voluntarily under or unemployed, how much income should be imputed to him/ her. Also, the criteria of section 61.13, Florida Statutes would need to be reviewed and applied to the particulars of one's situation to determine the time sharing arrangement in the best interests of the children. Simply calculating the child support based on the amount of time sharing is simple enough for the attorney(s) but the real work is a review of the financials and the particulars and nuance(s) of the parents' situation. Please feel free to email me directly to further discuss at garth@goodmanatlaw.com or call at 727/ 895-5858. Thank you.
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On the Blog Post Florida Child Support and Time Sharing
Garth Goodman, esq.
12:11 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
ReplyDear Parent: You have pointed out one of the main difficulties with the child support guidelines. The Guidelines generally provide for the basic necessities of a minor child(ren) such as the child's share of the rent/ mortgage, utilities, food, telephone, etc (household expenses). Clothing and extra-curricular activities of a child are not considered special needs and the guidelines do not call for an increase in the basic obligation as a result of additional clothing expenses and/ or activities of the child. One would hope that the other parent would contribute towards these additional expenses since these expenses benefit the child. Florida law now provides for Parenting Plans, which also include a provision for sharing extra-curricular activities and other matters associated with those activities. If the parties cannot agree, then the parent wanting the activity is usually solely responsible for the additional expense. Bear in mind that child support is always subject to review (what we call "modification") if a substantial change in circumstance has arisen, such as increases in income of the obligor parent and/ or increased needs of the child(ren). I hope this helps. If you have other specific questions, please feel free to give me a call or email me at garth@goodmanatlaw.com. Thank you
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On the Blog Post The Tragedy That is Trayvon
Garth Goodman, esq.
9:23 am on Sunday, September 23, 2012
ReplyExcellent article. I am curious if the purported evidence of the dispatcher telling Zimmerman not to pursue is relevant to the reasonableness of Zimmerman's position re standing his ground. If Trayvon was walking in the opposite direction of Zimmerman and minding his own business and Zimmmerman pursued him, is Zimmerman than standing "his" ground or invading Trayvon's. I think this case should be litigated and decided by a jury.
Garth Goodman, esq.
10:35 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
My name is Garth Goodman, and I am a family/ divorce law attorney in downtown St. Petersburg. According to Florida Law, "marriages between persons of the same sex entered into in any jurisdiction, whether within or outside the State of Florida, the United States, or any other jurisdiction, either domestic or foreign, or any other place or location, ...are not recognized for any purpose in this state." Section 741.12(1), Florida Statutes. So, if two people of the same sex were legally married in another state and then move to Florida, neither can seek a divorce in Florida even though the residency requirement is met and they are legally married. This creates huge issues such as division of assets/ debts. I have even observed instances of domestic violence in such matters because the parties do not have the benefit of Florida's divorce law. In other instances, domestic violence relief is pursued so as to gain leverage and control over the parties' jointly held assets. Florida clearly is violating the Federal Constitution not to mention our own state constitution. Now, some good news.... Florida will recognize a foreign adoption decree in which a gay/ lesbian couple adopted a child regardless of whether the parties are legally married. The Florida courts have also struck down the anti-gay adoption statute so gay couples may adopt in Florida.