Shared Parenting.

With the new year may come a new lifestyle within your family structure.  Your kid’s sense of structure and comfort does NOT need to be compromised because two adults find they can't continue to live under the same roof.  This goes to the core of where your children will be mentally and emotionally when they become adults themselves.

Here are some of the long-term goals that you should be discussing with a professional-

1.  Education…where and what type.

2.  Activities outside the norm…what sports or recreational opportunities they may have.

3.  Moral upbringing…including spiritual concerns.

4.  Ability to see their friends…they need to maintain healthy relationships to stay on track.

5.  Medical needs…is there anything more important than their health care?

All of these things and many more should be calmly discussed between the spouses.  When that discussion becomes contentious then it is time to hire a lawyer.  The right choice is Pinellas County shared parenting family attorneys Kidder and Bennett.  Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett have dealt with these issues for a combined 50+ years.  Give them a call at (727) 821-8000.

Florida Child Custody Laws.

No one enjoys talking about it, but you need to get a handle on it as we enter 2017.  If you read about child custody somewhere you could easily be misinformed because each state has its own special spin on this law.  For instance, in the Sunshine State we are governed by something called the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.

By definition this encompasses the general maintenance of a minor.  If you have legal custody in Florida then you are the person who determines that child’s religious, educational, medical, and even decisions on discipline.  In a joint custody both parents share any and all of these responsibilities and must at least tacitly agree on these important life decisions.

Know what you are fighting for!  Do you want sole or joint custody?  There are many lives that will be effected by these decisions.  Meet your next best friends.  They are Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  With their half century of combined experience, they will follow your wishes as a Pinellas County child custody law firm.  Please call them today at (727) 821-8000.

White Collar Crime in Florida.

The very term may sound innocuous.  Believe me, it is not!  Florida prosecutors will pursue a conviction on white collar criminals as aggressively as violent crimes.  You or a loved one may have been caught up in an end-of-the-year scam or embezzlement of some kind.  Whatever the case, if you are in the eye of the storm take this situation VERY seriously.

Here are some examples of white collar crime -

1.  Corporate fraud.  Someone may have “cooked the books” at the end of the year.

2.  Forgery.  More difficult these days, but still very prevalent.

3.  Mortgage fraud.  How many upside down homes are there in Florida?

Here are two that are more modern -

4.  Identity theft.  This type of crime is growing with today’s technology.

5.  Internet scams.  Who among us has not seen these?

When you or someone you care about has been accused of a white collar crime, Do NOT panic!  Rely on the combined half-century of expertise of Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  From their St. Petersburg office they have handled this type of criminal accusation with amazing success.  Please call today and make an appointment for a free consultation at (727) 821-8000.

Florida Drug Laws in 2017.

We hope you have had a safe and secure 2016.  The drug laws are changing as the New Year approaches in the United States.  Many states are changing their marijuana laws.  Be careful.  Don’t get caught in believing that Florida has become more relaxed in its enforcement of marijuana possession in 2017!  The new administration may actually be tougher on crime.

We hope that you never need a great, aggressive criminal drug attorney, but if you do it is important to hire a firm that has experience in all types of drug possession.  There are pills, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, marijuana (both growing and carrying), and of course trafficking of any and all drugs.  There are various ways and means of getting busted.

Don’t panic.  If you get arrested in the state of Florida for drug possession or trafficking make your first call to Kidder and Bennet.  Nat Kidder and William Bennet will bring their combined half-century of criminal defense experience to your case to help you through your drug case.  In Pinellas County keep this phone number handy (727) 821-8000.

What is Mediation?

You have the opportunity to resolve a dispute outside of court.  It does not have to always be a contentious court battle when two parties disagree on a matter.  Why not reach a win/win?  It is possible with mediation handled by expert, experienced negotiators who have resolved disputes for decades.

What is the benefit of mediation in the first place?

1.  You can maintain a civil relationship with the other party.

2.  There is much less angst than there is with a trial.
3.  It will speed up the process and reach a conclusion quicker.
4.  It is less expensive…isn’t that a great reason?

In the state of Florida you have a couple of certified Florida Supreme Court mediators who bring a combined half century of experience to the process.  They are Florida mediator attorneys Nat Kidder and Bill Bennett.  Do not let this disagreement fester any longer!  Call on the Florida professionals at handling disputes located in St. Petersburg at (727) 821-8000.

When Should a Family Law Decision Be Appealed?

Decisions made in family court in the state of Florida are often contentious.  One of the parties is likely unhappy with the decisions that are made.  What often happens is that both sides enter the proceedings with a positive feeling about the outcome.  When the dust settles someone is usually left feeling like “I did NOT see THAT coming”.

Now, let’s get down to the business of WHEN it is appropriate to appeal a family law court decision.  It is more common than perhaps you suspect that there are glaring errors in the proceedings.  You also may be the victim of fraud by your spouse and his or her attorney.  That couldn’t happen…could it?  NAAH…never!

It’s time to pick up the phone and call a St. Petersburg family law appeal attorney.  You get two for the price of one with Kidder and Bennett.  These two established, successful Pinellas County family lawyers will bring a combined half century of experience to your challenge.  Call the office today located at 275 96th Ave. North at (927) 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.