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My dad quit deed claimed a small condo to me in Florida. Can my wife get half of that condo if we divorce? I didn’t pay for it. You should speak to an experienced Florida attorney. Generally, that could be considered a non-interspousal gift from the father, which would be listed as nonmarital property. If it is nonmarital property, her ability to get the condo in the event of a divorce would...

I got divorced in Florida earlier this year and we agreed to split custody of our dogs. Do I still have to abide by that now? We agreed to share the dogs for 6 months on and 6 months off. Now I don’t want the dogs because It’s far too stressful to maintain contact with my ex-husband. Am I legally obligated to pick up the dogs on the date we had agreed upon?   If you and your ex have an...

Can certified mail sent by a spouse, not the court, be used to get a divorce in Florida? The papers were sent by her lawyer. She wants me to sign and give up my right to a hearing before a judge. The papers are blank, and she didn’t include the debts. Then she told me she could get a divorce without signing the papers! I want a divorce but I’m not willing to sign the blank papers, waive my...

Can I use my anglicized name on legal documents such as insurance, investments, and bank accounts? I use my anglicized name for business to help people pronounce my name correctly, and I have an affidavit telling people that I use my anglicized name. What should I do?    You should go by the name you generally use. If you are interested in legally changing your name, we can help! The law...

The City of Fort Lauderdale is a diverse area home to one of the highest concentrations of same-sex households and LGBTQ-owned businesses. The City of Wilton Manors (also in Broward county, directly adjacent to Fort Lauderdale) is known as “South Florida’s most famous ‘Gayborhood’” and a place in which “gay history is made.” Given this fact, Fort Lauderdale is also filled with resources to...

My daughter lives with her mother in a different county than I do in Florida. Until now we have always worked out visitation and child support. During the last few months the mother has refused to let me see my daughter. I want her to comply with our visitation schedule and parenting plan. My question is what county should I file in? the county I live in, or the county my daughter and her...

I am a transgender man looking to have my name match my gender identity. I am a felon because I possessed a firearm without a permit. For that charge I received probation 5 years ago. Can I change my name and gender markers in FL?   Mark E. Sawicki, P.A. specializes in name changes and even sits on the Florida Bar’s Gender Marker and Name Change Committee. Name change and gender marker...

What is the amount of time that can pass without contact or child support from the father such that it would be considered abandonment? I have sole custody and haven’t seen the father in almost a year and I haven’t received a dime of child support. My new boyfriend wants to adopt the child. What should I do?    Abandonment of the child for such a long time would likely be taken into...

My daughter had a baby with severe health issues. She is unsure of the father but thinks she can find him on Tinder. She was blocked from her account because she posted Pay Pal info. She does not know any other way to contact the father. How should we go about finding this guy and establishing paternity? She wants him to know about the baby and health concerns.   For your own health...

What is the fastest, easiest, and least expensive way to get divorced in Florida? A Simplified Dissolution of Marriage proceeding allows parties to agree on terms of a divorce. The parties then hire an attorney who will then draft a settlement agreement and appear in court before a judge. The whole process can take less than a month and is much cheaper than a litigious divorce. In the event a...