Any time you are seeking to modify timesharing or parental responsibility from a prior Final Judgment, Florida Statute 61.13(3) requires that the court must find a substantial and material change in circumstances has occurred.
This poses the obvious question: what qualifies as a substantial and material change in circumstances?
The answer, unfortunately, is that it’s complicated.
There are plenty of examples in Florida case law where the courts have said what is not a material and substantial change in circumstances, but not as much guidance of what does count.
For this reason, if you are seeking a modification, I highly recommend you find a Florida family law attorney you trust to discuss your options. Supplemental Petitions can be very fact specific and a thorough understanding of your options can empower you to make the best decisions possible.
Whether you are on a Ramen Noodle budget or a Martha’s Vineyard budget, we can all agree lawyers are expensive. In fact, the only people who probably don’t feel that way are lawyers who own homes on Martha’s Vineyard.
That said, I strive to create value for my clients. Specifically, everything I try to do is with the thought of using the resources I am given to solve problems without my clients incurring any more expenses than are necessary. If you happen to retain me, don’t be surprised if in one of our conversations I say, “Let’s not turn a $50 issue into a $5,000 problem.”
As crazy as it sounds, sometimes it’s easier to speak with someone outside the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I understand that and am available for consultations and appointments in the evenings and on weekends. I try to be available to my clients 24/7 and respond promptly to all phone calls and emails.
Frankly, I like talking shop. No matter who I talk to (other lawyers, judges, expert witnesses, or prospective clients) I always feel like I learn or discover something new. If you have a family law or other legal issue you wish to discuss, please contact my office and we can set up time to speak.
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