The Parentified Child in Family Court

Written by Judge Angélica D. Zayas What is parentification and why does it matter? Parentification occurs when parents look to their children for emotional and/or practical support instead of providing it and the the roles of the parent and child become reversed....
Parental Alienation

Parental Alienation

Written by Gina Mendez-Locke | gmendez-locke@jud11.flcourts.org As a Magistrate in the Family Division, I am often asked what are the most difficult cases I hear. While relocations come to mind, parental alienation cases are, for me, the most difficult. Although I...
Children With Disabilities and Extended Child Support

Children With Disabilities and Extended Child Support

Written by Judge Mindy S. Glazer  – Mglazer@jud11.flcourts and Judge Maria Espinosa Dennis (Ret.) – maria.dennis@sd-adr.com It is a stressful time for most couples who are going through the breakup of a family unit.  It is not easy to divide assets and/or debts,...
The Legal Process of Relocation

The Legal Process of Relocation

Written by General Magistrate Steven Lieberman | slieberman@jud11.flcourts.org The legal process of moving (from wherever you are) to Paradise (wherever that is and whether it is an Island or not) so long as it is more than 50 miles from where you now live (and it...
Plan Ahead for the Holidays

Plan Ahead for the Holidays

Written by Judge Victoria del Pino | vdelpino@jud11.flcourts.org By the time you read this, there may be a distinct possibility that if parents haven’t agreed on their timesharing for the winter break holidays or have not included it in their parenting plan, it may be...