Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Should You File for Divorce First?
If you have been in an unhappy marriage, you may have started considering divorce some time ago. Maybe you even suspect that your spouse is also thinking about ending your marriage. Many people wonder if they should file for divorce first, and if doing so has any benefits. Legally speaking, filing for divorce first… Read More »
Factors to Consider for Stay-at-Home Parents Going Through Divorce
Divorce is a difficult process for everyone involved. For stay-at-home parents, though, the process can be even more frustrating. When one parent decides to stay home to raise the children and maintain the home, they often give up all or part of their own career to do so. At the same time, they may… Read More »
What Happens if You Do Not Pay Child Support?
Child support payments are meant to help pay for the costs of raising a child, including helping to provide clothes, food, and shelter. Child support payments are also court-ordered, and those orders are final and legally binding. When anyone fails to make court-ordered payments, they may face serious consequences. Below, our Fort Lauderdale child… Read More »
Four Benefits of Establishing Paternity
When a married couple has a child together in Florida, it is presumed that the wife and husband are both the biological parents of the child. This is not true when an unmarried couple has a child together. When a couple is not married, paternity must be established to ensure everyone’s rights are recognized… Read More »
What is an Illegal Search and Seizure?
Facing criminal charges in Florida is stressful and intimidating. With the help of an attorney, you have the right to challenge certain evidence presented against you. If you can show that law enforcement obtained evidence through an unlawful search and seizure, it gives you an even better chance of defending your case. Below, one… Read More »
Is Consent a Defense to Charges of Statutory Rape?
If you are facing charges of statutory rape, it is critical that you speak with a Fort Lauderdale sex offenses lawyer as soon as possible. Consent is not a legitimate defense to these charges. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, you may face very harsh penalties, including up to life in prison, if… Read More »
Can You Refuse Field Sobriety Tests in Florida?
If a police officer suspects that you are driving while drunk, they will pull you over to investigate further. Many things can happen during a DUI stop, including field sobriety tests. The police officer may ask you to take a field sobriety test to check your balance, coordination, and ability to follow instructions. You… Read More »
Can You Carry a Concealed Weapon in Florida?
It was in 2023 that the Florida legislature passed a law allowing certain people the right to carry a concealed weapon. Still, it is important to know that not everyone qualifies for this relatively new privilege. If you have a felony conviction on your criminal record, it is critical to understand the process of… Read More »
How to Remove a No-Contact Order After a Domestic Dispute
If a domestic dispute has led to an arrest, the courts in Florida will often issue a no-contact order as a condition of your release. While the order is in place, you are prohibited from contacting the individual it is meant to protect. It is not uncommon for the protected person named in an… Read More »
What is Considered Drug Paraphernalia in Florida?
The drug laws in Florida are not only very strict, but they are also very broad. Even the most seemingly innocent items can result in charges of drug paraphernalia possession. These charges may not seem as serious as possession of a controlled substance, but the penalties are still very harsh if you are convicted…. Read More »