Florida Divorce & Family Law Firm

• Divorce and Separation

The West Palm Beach attorneys at Rudolph & Associates understand the emotional, financial and legal impact on you and your family during divorce. The firm's team approach of will prepare you for the issues ahead to be sure you are protected and well informed at each step of the process. Rudolph & Associates collaborates closely with other professionals including family therapists, psychologists, school counselors, parent coordinators, corporate and financial advisors and accountants. Rudolph & Associates will devote maximum effort to achieve maximum results.

• Marital and Family Law

Family Law encompasses family relations, including but not limited to the dissolution of marriage by divorce, annulment, alimony and child support, equitable distribution of marital assets, adoption, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Rudolph & Associates of West Palm Beach will provide support, guiding you through the process with integrity and expertise. With over 23 years of experience, Rudolph & Associates provides the compassion and assertiveness you need. Their excellent track record has earned them the respect and admiration of clients, colleagues and opposing counsel.

• Alimony

Alimony can take several forms: permanent, temporary, rehabilitative, bridge-the-gap, and lump-sum. Many factors are considered in determining the award and amount of alimony, including: the standard of living established during the marriage; the duration (length) of the marriage; the age and the physical and emotional condition of each party; the financial resources of each party; the non-marital and the marital assets and liabilities distributed to each. Also to be considered is the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable such party to find appropriate employment; the contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education and career building of the other party; all sources of income available to either party; and the court may consider any other factor necessary to do equity and justice between the parties. The fundamental issues are the need of one spouse for support and the ability of the other spouse to pay such support.

• Supportive Relationship

In 2005 Florida Law was changed to address the effect of a supportive relationship on alimony. Florida Statue provides that a Court may reduce or terminate an award of alimony upon a finding that a supportive relationship exists between the person receiving the alimony support and a person with whom the recipient resides. As a result a recipient spouse who lives with a person in a supportive relationship may have their alimony terminated or reduced dependent upon the financial circumstances between the two (2) parties. There has been a significant amount of litigation in this area of the law. The West Palm Beach Law firm of Rudolph & Associates will passionately champion your rights.

• Child Timesharing and Support

Children are the number one concern for any parent now and throughout their lives. Your child's health, safety, education and welfare are the number one concern for the compassionate team at Rudolph & Associates. Each and every client has the justified expectation of the firm's fullest commitment toward your children. In 2008, Florida's child custody laws were modified. Parenting plans must be established, which set-forth timesharing arrangements, means of communication and decision-making responsibility. Parenting plans may be modified where there is a substantial change in circumstances and it is in the child's best interest to implement the modification. Rudolph & Associates can assist you through this process and provide the expertise, experience and guidance toward the most beneficial outcome in the best interest of the children.

• Domestic Violence

An act of domestic violence occurs when a spouse, former spouse, relative by blood or marriage, or any persons who are the parents of a common child places one in imminent threat of physical or bodily harm or such an act has occurred. The alleged respondent may have the right to request an injunction. The alleged assailant has the right to proper notice and a hearing to dispute the allegations. During this difficult time you need to be certain your rights are being upheld and that the attorney you choose is being as aggressive as necessary and working to pursue or defend your interests. The West Palm Beach Law firm of Rudolph & Associates realizes our clients have come to us to assist them in resolving delicate matters. Every issue is addressed with sensitivity and understanding.

• Paternity

Whether you need help to establish custody, timesharing or child support, Rudolph & Associates will work with you to determine paternity and establish a foundation for an ongoing relationship with the child. Rudolph & Associates expertise in this area will guide you through the necessary steps of establishing paternity, developing a child support and parenting plan, as well as filing the necessary documents for changes to birth certificates and records, if necessary.

• Professional Athletes - Family Law Issues

The needs of professional sports figures are typically complex and public, involving various levels of personal and financial concerns. You need a family law firm that is experienced in addressing those needs with confidentiality and professionalism. The West Palm Beach Law Firm of Rudolph & Associates has over 23 years of experience representing clients in professional golf, football, basketball and baseball.

• Premarital Agreements

Unfortunately over 50% of marriages will end in divorce. While no one wants to contemplate those odds when beginning married life, there remains a need to be protected, especially in situations where one or both parties brings assets into the marriage. While issues such as child support will be addressed by the Court, other issues, such as division of real property obtained during the marriage can be negotiated and agreed upon. Florida has strict guidelines in maintaining enforceability of these agreements. Rudolph & Associates has considerable experience in drafting agreements and overseeing the process from start to finish insuring that the agreements are valid and properly executed.

• Civil Matters

If two parties are not married nor have a child in common they may have certain rights as a result of their living together or being a same sex couple. These rights would be addressed in civil court not in the family division. Rudolph & Associates has significant civil law exposure and is prepared when necessary to address these issues outside of the family law context.