May 4, 2012
Article By: William Dorsey
Contact Us With Your Divorce and Custody Law Questions.
If you’re like most people, you wish all families, including your own, could live as Ozzy and Harriet without issues of separation, divorce, and child custody. As you know, none of us live like Ozzy and Harriet; however, this means that you are not alone. Divorce and child custody issues are commonplace; so, there is a lot of support for you, your child, and your child’s other parent. A good place to start is with our article, 6 Simple and Effective Ways to Make Child Custody Issue Easier for Your Child. If you have specific questions about your individual situation, consult with a qualified family law attorney.
If you implement these 10 tips, you’ll surely make child custody issues easier for your child:
- Do not use your child as a messenger; always communicate directly with your child’s other parent, but keep children in the loop on a need to know basis. This shields your children from divorce related communications, but keeps them feeling a part of the family and somewhat in control. If you absolutely cannot communication effectively with your ex, your family law attorney can represent your interests on your behalf.
- Unless you suspect abuse, never withhold your child from his or her other parent to punish your ex. You’d actually be punishing your child and creating unnecessary upset. Instead, let your family law attorney handle any breakdowns in child support payments or communications.
- Do not speak negatively about your child’s other parent in front of your child, ever. Your child is connected and a part of both you and your ex. To criticize your child’s parent is to criticize your child; remember, and apply, the court standard that every action you take should be in “the best interests of your child.”
- Do your best to communicate to your child that you, your ex, and your children are still a family, but in a different form. Emphasize that you both love your child and that all of your child’s will be met; further, emphasize that the divorce is not your child’s fault. Counseling and support groups will likely help your children deal with the pain of divorce and separation from his or her other parent.
- Get good legal advice so that your child receives the medical benefits and financial support that he or she deserves. Discuss your rights regarding child support, as either the custodial or non-custodial parent, with a qualified family law attorney. Do not discuss these financial issues with your child. It’s too scary and damaging.
- Use a service such as Our Family Wizard to coordinate schedules and foster communication, as well keep track of child support payments and expenses with your ex. Your child can also have access to certain aspects such as the family schedule.
Grandparents, your family law attorneys, the court, and other professionals can also be kept in the loop with this service.
Where to Get Help Making Child Custody Issue Easier for Your Child
If you or a loved one is going through a separation or divorce, or expects to go through a separation or divorce, consult with a qualified family law attorney.
We focus our practice on child custody, divorce, and family law and you can reach us at (904) 346-3883 or by email at info@dorseylawjax.com. Our office is located in Jacksonville, Florida; your next step is to contact our office for a consultation.
Contact Us With Your Custody Law Questions.
March 22, 2012
Article By: William Dorsey
Contact Us With Your Divorce and Custody Law Questions.
We often get the question, “How does child support affect my taxes?,“ in our Tampa family law office; and, we’re happy to answer it.
2 Main Child Support Tax Issue
There are 2 main support federal income tax issues regarding child support:
- Taxability and deductibility of child support payments
- Claiming the child as a dependent and getting the child tax credit
Child Support Payments: Taxability and Deductibility
Child support payments are neutral to the IRS, meaning that the payer does not receive a deduction and the payee does not need to pay taxes. You do not need to reference any child support payments on your IRS Form 1040.
Distinction Between Child Support and Alimony
For tax matters, it’s very important that your divorce and custody agreements distinguish between child support and alimony. Why?
There can be a huge difference in the amount of federal income taxes you are required to pay.
Child support is not taxable and not tax deductible.
Alimony is taxable and is tax deductible. Alimony is taxable to the recipient and tax deductible to the payer.
Be sure you fully understand the income tax consequences of any child support, marital, or alimony settlement agreement before you sign.
Which Parent Claims Child as a Dependent and Gets Child Tax Credit?
Being able to claim a child (or children) as a dependent can provide significant deductions and child tax credits on your federal income tax return.
- The general rule is that you must provide 50% or more of a child’s support to claim the child on your income tax return.
- Often, a legal agreement is created dictating how the child is to be claimed on tax returns. The IRS allows such an agreement if you follow their rules.
For example, some parents may split the deductions.
- If there is one child, each parent takes the applicable deduction and child tax credit every other year.
- If there is more than one child, the deductions and credits can be split between the parents.
- The IRS Form 8332, signed by the custodial parent, must be attached to the noncustodial parent’s income tax return to allocate the deduction and child tax credit to him or her.
- If legally separated or divorced, both parents cannot claim the same child as a dependent. In other words, the same child cannot be claimed more than once on an income tax return.
Where to Get Help with Child Custody Questions in Florida
Our Jacksonville law and child custody lawyers understand how to help you in both divorce and child custody matters. We are happy to answer your child custody questions such as the one we’ve discussed in this article, “How does child support affect my taxes?”
Contact Us With Your Child Custody Law Questions.
March 19, 2012
Hubbard House is the only certified domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties.
35 years ago, Hubbard House opened its doors of their very first shelter. They were a leader in the woman’s movement and in developing services focused on gender violence. Since then, Hubbard House has grown to offer services not only for women, but also for children and men affected by domestic violence. They have remained a leader in the field and have received both state and national recognition for their efforts.
Hubbard House mission is “Every Relationship Violence-Free”.
They focus on accomplishing three main objectives:
- Safety for victims and their children
- Empower victims
- Social change through education and advocacy
They also reach out to the community to educate youth and professionals in related fields to raise awareness in Duval and Baker counties. The staff and volunteers at Hubbard House serve on numerous committees and task forces that aim to change the community response to domestic violence.
Hubbard House services include:
- Emergency Shelter
- Outreach Center
- Children’s Services
- Batterers’ Intervention
- Training & Education and more
You can learn more about them on the Hubbard House Services page.
There are many ways you can support Hubbard House, from donating slightly used goods, your time, services or money. If you’d like to learn about how you can get involved, find more information on the Hubbard House “How to Help” page.
Hubbard House also has fund raising and awareness raising events throughout the year. Get more information to walk or get involved with the next Hubbard House event – their 3rd Annual Setting the Pace for Peace Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on March 31st.
TO CONTACT the Hubbard House Hotline, over the phone, 24-hours a day, Call 904-354-3114
(IF YOU ARE IN DANGER – PLEASE CALL 911.)
You can Connect and Share Hubbard House information on Twitter and on Facebook.
*This information has been provided by the organization itself, and is not an endorsement or constitute legal advice by the Dorsey Law Firm.
