Author Archives: Jay Butchko
The Line Between Discipline and Child Abuse
Discipline is a practice that is often used to correct a child’s behavior. A common conduct among parents, discipline typically resorts to punishment in response to disobedience. Though many consider discipline an integral part of character growth, some parents can take their punishments too far. When punishments towards children get excessive, it can cross… Read More »
Looking to Void a Marriage? Annulment May Be Your Answer
In some situations, remaining in a marriage is neither right nor healthy for an individual. Contrary to popular belief, divorce is not the sole option you have if you desire to split up from your spouse. Although Florida does not recognize legal separation, annulment of marriage remains a viable option for some to choose… Read More »
Family Abandonment and Children in Florida
If your spouse abandons you, it can undoubtedly be an extremely stressful and emotionally exhausting experience for you. Not only can it threaten your sense of emotional stability, but it could also significantly harm your financial position if you were financially dependent on them, or if you had children. However, if you find yourself… Read More »
Determining Child Custody between Unmarried Couples
While divorce rates have been generally decreasing throughout the years, separation is still never easy for anyone involved. Especially when children come into the picture, it is central to establish clear expectations of child custody, visitation, and child support. The couple is expected to agree upon terms and conditions that will maintain respectful boundaries… Read More »
Parental Kidnapping: Everything You Need to Know
Parental kidnapping occurs when a parent takes the child from the other parent without consent. Often times, the child is forced into an unfortunate situation, burdened with the responsibility of having to suddenly start a new life elsewhere. Parental child abduction can be traumatic for not only the child, but also the entire family…. Read More »
Top Three Reasons Why You Should Establish Paternity
Establishing paternity means to legally identify the biological father of a child. Within a married couple, paternity is automatically established to the husband. But what happens when an unmarried couple has a child? In the instances where a couple has a child without being legally wed, paternity is not automatically granted. As a result,… Read More »
Different Types of Manslaughter in Florida
Just last week, a woman in Florida was charged with DUI manslaughter after being involved in an accident that resulted in another’s death. She was also charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash, also known as a “hit and run.” Leaving the scene of an accident without injuries is a second degree… Read More »
What to Do if Your Spouse Is Arrested in Port St. Lucie
In the year 2019, a total of 9,855 people were arrested in St. Lucie County. This breaks down to 27 people a day. If your spouse was among those arrested, would you know what to do or who to call? If this unfortunate situation ever happens to you, don’t be stranded in the dark…. Read More »
Domestic Violence Cases Increase in Florida During COVID-19
Several factors related to the COVID-19 crisis have led to heightened emotions and rising stress levels. This in turn has worsened domestic abuse in many households across the nation and in Florida in particular. On Tuesday, August 11, a shooting occurred just 30 miles southwest of Port St. Lucie in a domestic violence situation… Read More »
How Does Death Affect Child Support?
Child support is a periodic monetary aid of a fixed sum that a child receives from either of their parents following their divorce. Its value to a child cannot be overstated, and in 2017, the Government of Florida distributed almost $1.5 billion worth of money in child support funds. In most cases, child support… Read More »
