Akin Law P.A. Akin Law P.A.2026-07-20T20:19:51Zhttps://www.akin-law.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1604524/2021/08/cropped-favicon-akin-1-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Strategies for finding hidden assets during divorce]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548532026-07-20T20:19:51Z2026-07-20T20:19:51ZDividing marital property depends on both spouses providing complete and accurate financial information. When one person attempts to conceal income or assets, it can complicate the process and affect the fairness of the final outcome.
If you are going through a divorce in Florida, understanding the signs of hidden assets can help you protect your financial interests. Finding hidden assets often begins with carefully reviewing financial records and identifying information that does not add up.
Review financial disclosures carefully
Both spouses are generally required to disclose their financial information during a divorce. Compare bank statements, tax returns, retirement accounts, investment records, and property information for missing accounts, unexplained transactions, or inconsistencies. Even small omissions may warrant a closer review.
Request additional financial records
If important information appears to be missing, the discovery process may allow additional financial documents to be requested. Records relating to bank accounts, business interests, real estate, trusts, retirement plans, and other assets can help provide a more complete picture of the marital estate.
Pay attention to lifestyle changes
A person's spending habits may reveal more than financial statements alone. Luxury purchases, expensive vacations, major debt payments, or valuable gifts that seem inconsistent with reported income could indicate additional assets or sources of money that should be examined more closely.
Look for unusual financial activity
Transfers between accounts, large cash withdrawals, newly opened financial accounts, or sudden changes in business income may deserve further attention. Reviewing financial activity over time can sometimes reveal patterns that would otherwise go unnoticed.
Keep detailed financial records
Maintain copies of financial documents, account statements, tax returns, property records, and correspondence throughout the divorce process. Organized records make it easier to identify discrepancies and respond to questions if additional information becomes available.Finding hidden assets can be an important part of protecting your financial future during a divorce in Florida. Taking a careful and organized approach may help ensure that all marital property is properly identified before it is divided. If you believe assets have not been fully disclosed or you have concerns about your financial rights, seek legal guidance to better understand your options and the steps available to protect your interests.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[When and how to modify your child custody order in Florida]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548472026-07-01T15:54:38Z2026-07-09T15:52:14ZWhen you ask to modify a custody order
Florida courts value stability for children, so a parenting plan will not change simply because one parent prefers a different schedule. To modify an existing order, you generally must show a substantial, material and unanticipated change in circumstances since the court entered it.
The court will also consider whether the requested modification serves your child's best interests. Some changes that may satisfy this legal standard include:
Relocating for work
Developing a health condition that affects caregiving
Meeting your child's changing needs
Dealing with repeated parenting plan violations
Addressing concerns about your child's safety
Adjusting to changes in your work schedule
Not every change will qualify. Minor scheduling conflicts or routine disagreements between parents generally do not justify modifying an existing custody order.
Special rules apply when a parent wants to relocate
Florida has separate rules for relocation. If a parent plans to move at least 50 miles away for 60 consecutive days or longer, the relocation statute may apply. The court may review how the proposed move could affect the child's relationship with each parent, education and daily routine.
For example, one parent may remarry and plan to move to Jacksonville with the child. In that situation, the court will evaluate the case under Florida's relocation law before deciding whether to approve the request.
How the modification process work
A modification case usually begins when one parent files a petition with the court. The other parent receives notice and has an opportunity to respond. Many Florida family law cases include mediation before a judge considers disputed issues.
If the parents reach an agreement, the court may review and approve the revised parenting plan. If they do not agree, the court will decide the request after considering the evidence. In some cases involving immediate concerns, a parent may also request temporary changes while the case remains pending.
Modification is not the only legal process
A custody modification changes the terms of an existing parenting plan. Other family matters may involve different court proceedings instead. For example, a proposed relocation may involve Florida's relocation law, while repeated violations of a parenting plan may call for enforcement. A change in financial circumstances may also involve child support without affecting the parenting plan.
The issue involved will determine which type of proceeding applies. Florida law treats these situations differently, and each follows its own legal requirements.
Different situations call for different legal processes
Family circumstances can change in many ways, but not every change calls for the same type of court action. Looking first at what changed can help you better understand whether the issue involves modifying an existing parenting plan, enforcing the current order, addressing a proposed relocation or requesting a child support modification.
The reason for the requested change will determine how the court reviews the case. Knowing which legal process applies can help you understand what the court will consider.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Addressing title defects before a sale falls apart]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548512026-07-03T12:48:23Z2026-07-03T12:48:23ZJudges can correct inaccuracies in title records
Civil court judges have the legal authority to rule on ownership disputes. They can evaluate and rule on the accuracy of title records, including liens, easements and the owners listed on official county records.
In scenarios where the current information on record with county authorities does not accurately reflect who owns the property, what easements are in place and what means exist, people can file paperwork to initiate a quiet title action. Quiet title proceedings can eliminate blemishes that might otherwise delay or completely prevent residential real estate transactions. Judges can correct and update records that could impact eligibility for title insurance.
Requesting a hearing in court can help people preparing for real estate transactions to address title issues that could complicate a sale, transfer or refinancing attempt. An attorney can help gather evidence and submit the paperwork necessary when pursuing real estate litigation over title issues.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[How to feel more empowered in a high-conflict divorce]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548432026-06-21T15:35:41Z2026-06-21T15:35:41ZGoing through a divorce under any circumstances can make anyone feel helpless at times. If the divorce wasn’t your idea or if the relationship with your soon-to-be ex is extremely contentious, you might feel that way more often than not.
Feeling helpless can lead to bad decision-making and difficulty asserting your rights and working toward the outcomes that are best for you. That’s why it’s critical to do things that will help you feel empowered. Let’s look at just a few.
Limit your contact with your spouse
If you’re in a high-conflict divorce, it’s generally best to minimize your contact (at least without your legal representative present) with your husband or wife. It’s probably not going to be productive, and it could lead you to say or do things that could be used against you.Avoid in-person and phone conversations whenever possible. Communicating through email, text and co-parenting apps can give you some distance as well as time to think about what you say and how you process what they say. Keep these communications, as you never know when you may need them as evidence or simply confirmation of something you agreed on.
Maintain boundaries and consistency
If your spouse has manipulative tendencies, they may suddenly turn on the charm or become the person you knew when you first met. They may do that to get what they want if being antagonistic doesn’t work, or just to throw you off balance.It’s crucial to maintain your boundaries and to remain consistent in your own behavior. Don’t start sharing things or admitting to insecurities just because your spouse suddenly seems approachable. Again, these things can be used against you.It’s smart to remain as consistent as possible in your tone, words and actions, regardless of theirs. If they don’t seem to be able to manipulate your emotions, they may spend less time trying to do that.
Get the professional support you need
If you don’t already have a therapist, it can help to get one. Many mental health professionals specialize in guiding people who are going through divorce. Having someone to talk over the challenges with can help you find your own voice and look at the situation from a clearer perspective.Having experienced legal guidance can be critical to working toward the agreements that will allow you to transition to post-divorce life on sound financial and emotional ground. The choice of a legal representative is one of the most important ones you’ll make.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Can your child choose which parent gets custody?]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548422026-06-15T16:27:27Z2026-06-15T16:27:27ZWhen going through a divorce, you and your spouse may not agree on what your child custody rights should look like. Say that both of you want to have sole custody after your marriage ends, rather than sharing custody. Your spouse suggests just giving the decision to your child. Ask them which parent they want to live with and let them decide what their future looks like.This may be concerning to you, especially if you are worried that your child would choose to live with your ex and not you. But is it even something the courts will allow?
Considering the child's opinion
The thing to remember about divorce court is that it is typically focused on the child's best interests. If the child is old enough, the court may consider their opinion. If they are a senior in high school, for instance, then what they want could carry a bit more weight with the court than if they are in elementary school—when they generally would not even be asked for their preference.But no matter what your child says, the court is still going to make the decision that it believes is best for that child's future. Often, this means that courts prefer joint custody, rather than assigning sole custody to either parent. So even if your child distinctly states that they only want to live with your ex, if the court believes it would be better for them to have a relationship with both parents, it can still set up shared custody.Navigating a situation like this can be complex and emotionally difficult, so it is important to understand exactly what legal steps to take.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Who gets to keep the ring when a relationship ends?]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548392026-06-01T03:31:50Z2026-06-01T03:31:50Zover $5,000. While there certainly are couples who are buying less expensive rings, the fact that this is the average demonstrates that there are also couples paying $10,000 or more.
In other words, the engagement ring is a major investment and represents a significant cost. If the engagement is broken off, does the person who purchased it or the person who received it get to keep it?
Rings as a conditional gift
In many cases, courts will look at engagement rings as conditional gifts. They are not direct gifts that the recipient gets to keep in all situations. They are only something that was given under the condition of getting married.
This means that it may really depend on when the relationship ends. If a couple gets engaged and then one person breaks off that engagement, the ring may belong to the person who purchased it. The condition of marriage was never met, so the other party has to return the ring.
It can get more complicated if the couple did get married and then divorced. Does the divorce mean that the marriage condition is not met because the marriage did not last, or does the court believe that the condition of marriage was already met, even if that marriage eventually ended, meaning that the ring belongs to the recipient?
When couples go through divorce, engagement rings are just one asset that can lead to conflicts, but they help show how complicated it can be to split up marital assets or even define marital property. While going through this process, couples must know exactly what legal options they have.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Understanding Florida’s child custody laws]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548382026-05-22T15:35:24Z2026-05-22T15:34:19ZRecognizing the custody changes
Back in 2023, the governor of Florida signed House Bill 1301 into law. This created a presumption that equal time-sharing is in the best interests of a child. Before this, the courts did not favor any specific schedule, which gave judges wide discretion over how to divide parenting time.
Defining equal time-sharing
Equal time-sharing means the court starts with the idea that a minor should spend roughly the same amount of time with each parent. This does not always mean an exact 50/50 split of overnights, since courts still have room to shape a schedule that fits each family.
Common setups include alternating weeks, a 2-2-3 rotation or a 5-2-2-5 plan. The details depend on each parent's work hours, the minor's school location and the family's day-to-day needs.
Each parent's willingness to support a close bond between the child and the other parent
The child's needs at their current stage of development and the stability of the home
Each parent's ability to keep a consistent daily routine
Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
The mental and physical health of each parent
Gathering tangible evidence, such as communication logs, school attendance records and medical documents, will clearly demonstrate how your proposed plan supports your child's well-being.
Preparing a required parenting plan
Florida law requires a parenting plan in every divorce or paternity case that involves minors. This document spells out how parents will share time with and make decisions for their kid.
The plan must cover the schedule for regular days, holidays and school breaks. It also addresses how parents will handle major choices about healthcare, schooling and activities.
You and the other parent can submit an agreed plan for the court to approve. If you are not able to reach an agreement, the court will create a plan based on the factors used to evaluate a child's welfare and the family's overall circumstances.
Navigating local court practices
While Florida's time-sharing law applies across the state, each judicial circuit may have its own local rules and customs. In Volusia County, for example, the Seventh Judicial Circuit hears family law cases and may ask parents to try mediation before a judge rules on contested custody issues.
Considering legal guidance
When you face complex issues like parental relocation or safety concerns, strict procedural rules can complicate your case. Retaining legal counsel can offer an objective perspective and may help you formulate a strategy tailored to your family's unique needs.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[2 factors that can increase the odds of divorce]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548362026-05-19T17:29:51Z2026-05-19T17:29:51ZDivorce is a possibility for all couples, but that does not mean it is an equal possibility. There are certain factors that can increase the odds of divorce and make it more likely in specific relationships.
Naturally, that does not mean that a divorce is guaranteed in any of these situations. But it is simply important to know why it can happen so that you can prepare for the future and look into your legal options if you believe your relationship is heading toward a divorce. Here are two of those factors.
Getting married young
To start with, someone who gets married at a relatively young age is going to have an inherently higher risk of divorce. Some studies have noted that the odds of divorce are 11% higher for every year before someone turns 32. So a person who gets married in their late teens or early 20s is more likely to eventually get divorced.
Having divorced parents
Additionally, there is a slight increase in the odds of divorce for those whose parents were divorced before them. Researchers are quick to note that many children of divorced parents do have stable, long-term marriages, and they may even learn coping skills or relationship skills from their own parents. But technically speaking, they do get divorced slightly more often.If you do believe you are probably going to get a divorce this year, whether or not the above factors are involved, it is critical that you understand all of the legal steps you will need to take going forward.
]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Why even amicable divorces can be emotionally difficult]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548352026-05-05T22:12:14Z2026-05-05T22:12:14ZDivorce is often described in terms of conflict, arguments and courtroom battles. Because of that, many people assume that if a separation is peaceful, the emotional side will be easier to manage.
In reality, even amicable divorces can bring grief, uncertainty and major life changes. The end of a marriage can still feel overwhelming, even when both spouses agree it is the right decision.
Why even peaceful divorces can feel so difficult
An amicable divorce does not erase the emotional weight that comes with ending a long-term relationship. Many people are not just grieving the loss of a spouse but also the future they imagined for themselves and their family. Even when there is mutual respect, there can still be sadness, guilt or an extreme sense of loneliness during the process.Low-conflict divorces can also create emotional confusion because there is often no single event or dramatic reason behind the separation. When a marriage ends without anger or betrayal, people may question whether they are making the right decision or struggle with feelings that are harder to define. Friends and family may even minimize those emotions because the divorce “seems friendly” from the outside.Practical changes can add another layer of stress as well. Adjusting to new routines, co-parenting schedules, financial changes or living alone for the first time in years can affect emotional well-being in significant ways. Even positive cooperation between spouses does not remove the reality that your life is changing in a major way.In Psychology Today's article, “The Absolute Hardest Thing About Divorce," the author explores how the legal process itself can intensify emotional strain. For some individuals, the legal proceedings become one of the most difficult parts. What should feel like finalizing paperwork and moving forward can instead feel overwhelming, as many people find themselves emotionally flooded while trying to navigate forms, hearings and legal requirements at the same time.Having the right support during this transition can make a meaningful difference. An experienced legal professional can help protect your interests while also providing clarity and guidance during an emotionally challenging time.]]>On Behalf of Akin Law P.A.<![CDATA[Which age group has a rising divorce rate?]]>https://www.akin-law.com/?p=2548252026-04-16T15:35:19Z2026-04-16T15:35:19ZStudies over the last three decades have found that, for couples who are 45 years old and under, the divorce rate has been dropping. When no-fault divorce laws first started to come on the books around the 1970s, there was an increase in divorce rates. But this trend from the 1990s through the 2020s shows that the increase was not permanent, and it is actually less likely for young couples to get divorced today.
However, interestingly enough, older couples have a rising divorce rate. Generally speaking, the rate has been going up for couples who are over 45. But when you look at couples who are 65 and older, their divorce rate has tripled since the 1990s.
What does this mean for divorce cases?
The older someone is when they get divorced, the lower the odds that they will have to deal with child custody issues. For couples in their 60s, their children are likely already legal adults. In some ways, this can actually simplify the divorce process.But in other ways, things can become much more complex and even contentious. These couples tend to have a much higher net worth. They have far more assets to their name, and these assets can be fairly complex. They can include investments, retirement savings, real estate, family heirlooms and much more.
Addressing asset disputes
Because of these divorce trends across various age groups, it is likely that many divorce cases for older couples will involve disputes over financial and tangible assets. Couples who find themselves in this position need to know exactly what legal steps they can take as they seek a resolution.]]>