I Worked Hard to get Where I Am.

That is what so many fathers facing divorce and asset distribution are saying.  They want to know why they have to give up so much of the fruits of their labors.  Impending divorce often triggers feelings of uncertainty about your financial future.  You need representation to defend your financial rights in a Florida divorce court.

Here are some of the things that area courts will consider –

1.  What did you contribute financially during the marriage?

2.  Your current economic situation.

3.  How long were you married?

4.  Career sacrifices that you made in favor of the marriage.

5.  A business that you need to maintain without your former spouse.

There are many murky areas of financial distribution during a Florida divorce.  That is why the aggressive representation of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett is necessary at a time like this.  Contact the office located at 275 96th Ave North in St. Petersburg for a free consultation with people who have had decades of experience in Florida divorce courts.  That number is (727) 821-8000.

Domestic Partnership in Florida.

Our state has many couples that are part of domestic partnerships.  Same-sex marriage is legal in the majority of states due in large part to a string of federal court decisions that, beginning in late 2013, have declared state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

Florida used to have a law that limited the terms “marriage” and “spouse” to unions between one man and one woman. On Aug. 21, 2014, a federal district court ruled that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was not in keeping with the constitution.  Same-sex marriages have been permitted in Florida since the beginning of 2015.

How may this effect you and a loved one in you live in Pinellas County?  Subjects such as parental rights, public benefits, health insurance, family court assistance, and property rights come into play.  This is where we come in.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett are attorneys that have a combined 50+ years of experience dealing with Florida family law issues.  Please give us a call with any domestic partnership questions at (727) 821-8000.

We Really DO Care about the Kids.

When marriages end the minor children are usually the victims.  Someone has to take emotion out of the equation to come up with a fair and equitable arrangement for visitation and custody.  In developing a plan, both parties are carefully considered when parental goals are mixed into the equation.  What you want for your kid(s) may not be shared by your former spouse.

What is in the best interest of the child?  Some things to consider are –

1.  Properly dividing each parent’s responsibilities and expectations

2.  Determining the fitness of each party to raise someone to adulthood

3.  Each former spouse’s home environment

4.  Continued continuity of school and social life

These points, among others, are carefully considered by the Law Office of Kidder and Bennett.  Arrange an appointment with this great team of Florida family attorneys to discover all of your options.  Make an appointment today at the office located at 275 - 96th. Ave. North in St. Petersburg by calling (727) 821-8000.

When Domestic Partners Separate.

It happens sometimes in the best of relationships.  When domestic partners grow apart they go their separate ways.  It does not matter if the partners are heterosexual or same-sex.  There are considerable legal, financial, property and parental protections that are offered when a couple chooses domestic partnership instead of marriage.

You should know what responsibilities you accept when entering into this relationship-

1.  You share the property and the assets therein

2.  It takes a court action to break up your partnership

3.  You are obligated to provide for your partner

4.  If there is a child or children, you must assume some of the parental responsibilities

Knowing what to do in light of a domestic partnership breakup is tantamount to your future happiness and peace of mind.  That is why you should contact Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett family attorneys serving St. Petersburg and all of Pinellas County.  Please call for a consultation about your specific situation at (727) 821-8000.

Determining Fatherhood.

This has become a favorite topic of many reality TV shows.  In truth, this issue is a life-changer for all whom are involved.  Fatherhood comes with huge responsibilities as well as opportunities.  On the positive side it gives dad the right to visit his kids.  Negatively speaking, there is a long process of financial obligation that you may not be ready, willing, or able to undertake.

A man would be legally presumed to be the father if –

1.  The child was conceived while he was married to the mother.

2.  He married mom and gave the child “legitimacy”

3.  He legally adopted the child.

4.  An order for genetic testing was issued.

What are your current feelings about fatherhood?  Why not let St. Petersburg, FL family lawyers Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett sort it out for you?  For more than half a century combined these two Pinellas County family attorneys have been answering any and all questions about paternity.  Give the office a call at (727) 821-8000. 

Ending a Domestic Partnership in Florida.

A domestic partnership faces similar issues as legally married couples.  They also are entitled to the same legal protections when things do not work out.  Domestic partnership dissolution is equivalent to divorce in The Sunshine State and ending your domestic partnership returns you and your partner to the status you were before you were partnered.

It may be challenging to end a domestic partnership that involves property, debt, and children.  Partners who wish to end a relationship that involves jointly-owned property as well as other matters may seek the advice of an experienced family law attorney office who is experienced with civil union or domestic partnership dissolution.

For a combined fifty years Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett who comprise the law office of Kidder and Bennett has stayed on top of the many changes in Florida family law.  This is the expertise you can expect when you call the office for domestic partnership counsel in Pinellas County, Florida.  Call their St. Petersburg office today at (727) 821-8000.

Have a Safe and Free Holiday Season.

During this time of year, we gather together with family and friends to celebrate 2017 and look forward to a safe and free 2018.  Sometimes that word free takes on multiple meanings.  For some, it means freedom to move about safely and securely.  On occasion, people are falsely accused of crimes.

This is a stressful and life-altering event in the life of you or a loved one.  We at Kidder and Bennett do not EVER want that to be the case in your inner-circle.  This should be a time of carefree celebration.  The families who comprise our office will be celebrating with loved ones and we hope that is the case with you and yours.

Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett have celebrated decades together helping citizens of Pinellas County and the surrounding area to obtain aggressive defense when facing criminal charges.  We hope that you will not need our services in 2018, but if you do, please take a minute and visit our website at kidderbennet.com.  Once again, Happy Holidays to one and all.

Empowering Victims of Domestic Abuse.

Right now, you are almost in a state of shock and at the very least alarmed.  Someone that you have trusted with your future happiness has done a violent thing to you.  In your case you may be experiencing a financial crisis in addition to the physical and emotional ones.  It is all a bit overwhelming.

There are local organizations such as Community Action Stop Abuse (CASA) or The Haven of RCS, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline for information about services, programs and shelters available in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. Most definitely if you are in immediate danger, call 911! 

There is a caring and compassionate team that will assist you in this time of need.  They are Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  They have had a combined 50 years of experience in dealing with domestic abuse in Pinellas County.  Please call their law office today at (727) 821-8000.  The next attack may be worse!

Who Controls the Home?

Next to the kids, this is the most important question of all in a divorce proceeding.  After all, you have fought to have a home and now that you have achieved the American dream you don’t want to lose it because your relationship within that structure has become incompatible.  You need answers to tough questions at a time like this.

Questions such as-

1.  Divorce and quitclaim deeds

2.  Splitting the equity

3.  Inheritance issues

4.  Can you force your spouse to leave?

5.  Who gets to stay in the home during the divorce

These and many, many more questions should be answered by a seasoned family attorney.  In the St. Petersburg, FL area you will find fifty years of combined experienced in the capable hands of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennet.  What you need now is a strategy and that is exactly what you will get from Nat and Bill.  Call them today at (727) 821-8000.

Planning on Retiring One of These Days?

I would imagine that someday you would like to live the good life enjoying the fruits of a lifetime of labor.  But wait…did or does an impending divorce affect those retirement plans?  The dissolution of a marriage can put a huge roadblock into your future financial security.  It may have an impact when you are ready to retire.

Even as a young divorcee you need to consider the ramifications of how it will impact retirement funds.  Years and years of hard work should not be sacrificed because of a marriage break-up.  There are many different retirement plans with which couples may have become involved.  Each one has its own set of circumstances.

To sort this out you need to seek the council of a divorce attorney who has dealt with these matters for decades.  With the law firm of Kidder and Bennett you get two people with a combined half-century of experience.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett are St. Petersburg’s experienced lawyers who have dealt with how divorce affects retirement.  Call them today at (727) 821-8000.

Domestic Violence Issues.

In the Sunshine State civil courts issue domestic violence injunctions.  If battery is part of the charge, then the criminal courts may get involved.  You want to talk about stressful, the hearings that follow will test the most grounded of individuals.  When someone you have cared about hurts you the reaction is often one of denial.  What did I do to prompt this behavior?

There is not only physical damage, but potentially emotional turmoil and concern over minor children in the relationship.  Please get to a safe place where you are free from additional harm.  We suggest Community Action Stop Abuse (CASA).  Call the domestic violence hot line or simply dial 911 if danger is imminent.

When you have cleared your head a bit, then call on Kidder and Bennett.  They bring over a half-century of knowledge and experience to the table.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett are domestic violence abuse attorneys in Pinellas County.  Call them today and make an appointment for a free consultation at their office in St. Petersburg (727) 821-8000 - and stay as calm as possible.

Settling Divorce Cases.

Are you aware that many divorce cases are settled through mediation?  The family court of Pinellas County is specifically designed to protect YOUR rights during divorce.  Make sure that you take every advantage of that fact.  It is easy to become intimidated by the court process.  Don’t let that be your guidepost.  The confident ones are those that prosper in family court.

The first thing to do is find an attorney in the St. Petersburg area with a client-focused approach.  Having the procedures explained to you in a careful and complete manner will give you the confidence that you need to proceed to family court.  After the explanation process, you need to be sure that the attorney will stay with you through every stage all the way to the finish line.

For decades the law office of Kidder and Bennett has been doing exactly that!  They are your choice for a St. Petersburg divorce mediation or litigation lawyer.  If you reside in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, or anywhere around Pinellas County retain the assertive divorce representation that will shape the rest of your life.  Call Kidder and Bennett for a free consultation today at (727) 821-8000.

Protect Your Retirement During a Divorce Proceeding.

Pensions, 401Ks…these and more become points of contention during divorce proceedings.  Divorcing couples need to be cognizant of how these aspects are handled.  Too often the parties just want to get out of the union and they are not thinking about what is important down the road.  A secure path to retirement is something you will work years to attain.  Don’t give it up in a few months!

Consider military retirement.  Veterans are subject to special rules and need to consider those exemptions during divorce.  Private pension plans also come into play.  Retirement plans such as ERISA may very well be part of the outcome.  If couples contribute substantial amounts of their incomes to retirement plans then those comingled pensions are considered marital property.

You see, there is much to be considered during this contentious time.  It is much more about making sure that you get what is fair and equitable than just “getting out”.  To ensure that happens rely on the 50+ years of combined experience of Kidder and Bennett.  We are St. Petersburg’s Divorce retirement protection attorneys serving all of Pinellas County.  Call us today at (727) 821-8000.

Am I Entitled to Child Support?

It may not be easy, but it is incumbent that you pursue every nickel of the child support payments to which you are entitled.  Do it for your kids.  They are the ones who suffer most when there is not enough money in the household.  One parent’s negligence may result in an entire family being disrupted and causing hardship.

When one parent refuses to obey a divorce order the other parent can and should seek help from the courts.  Even if you need to have the court issue an arrest warrant to get the other’s attention don’t get soft!  In Florida, you may even petition to have the negligent adult’s driver’s license revoked.  That should get their attention.

Whatever your particular situation, seek the council of a Florida Family Attorney for assistance.  In Pinellas County your clear choice is Kidder and Bennett.  Each attorney has a quarter of a century of experience dealing with dead-beat parents who are not fulfilling their half of the child support obligation.  Contact Kidder and Bennett today at (727) 821-8000.