Platt Hopwood Law Blog

You know that your divorce will change the way your family lives and that it may be a challenging transition for your children. Making the situation easier on them has more than likely become a priority for you and the other parent. Whether you use mediation or negotiate on your own with legal assistance, you realize that you need to do what you can to make the best decisions possible for your family.

These days, the Florida courts encourage parents to create their own parenting plans and custody arrangements. This allows you the freedom to come up with a plan that works best for your family. Even if the negotiations may be a bit tense at times, as long as the two of you focus on what your children's best interests, you will probably be able to come up with a workable plan with which you are both satisfied.

It might be tempting to speculate that married couples who have been married 20 years or more will not experience a divorce. Statistics indicate that it is not always the case. Currently, divorce among couples in Florida and across the United States who are over the age of 50 are increasing. Most individuals facing these circumstances will secure the assistance of a family law attorney.

When couples over the age of 50 get divorced, it's known as a 'gray divorce.' According to numbers, they make up about a quarter of all divorces. Because much of the baby boomer generation is over the age of 50, it may be one reason for the growing numbers. In addition, both men and women are living longer, increasing chances of couples determining they no longer wish to be married to one another.

Although Florida weather is almost perfect year-round for motorcycle riding, springtime is hard to beat. The sweltering heat has not yet arrived, and any coolness from the winter is long gone. As riders increasingly use a bike to travel versus another vehicle, the opportunities for motorcycle accidents also increase. One recent accident resulted in serious injuries and one rider's death.

Both vehicles were traveling early in the evening when the accident occurred. A 32-year-old man was operating a motorcycle and was struck by a small car driven by a 65-year-old female. Authorities believe that the woman pulled out in front of the motorcycle, resulting in the collision. The woman will likely face charges for her involvement in the collision.

Construction zones on Florida roadways can be confusing and difficult to navigate, especially at night. Typically, drivers are cautioned with signs, lights and cones to slow down and drive carefully. Although the work must be completed while vehicles continue to travel the roadways, the workers have a responsibility to make the area as safe as possible. If safety is compromised, accidents, serious injuries and/or death can occur. Sadly, a wrongful death may have recently occurred on a Florida roadway when a mother and daughter were killed in a construction zone crash.

The 31-year-old mother was traveling during the night with her 8-year-old daughter in a small vehicle when the accident occurred. According to reports, she crashed into the back of a dump truck. Reportedly, the dump truck was unoccupied, parked and had hazard lights on at the time of the crash. Also, reports indicate that the truck was partially parked in the open travel lane. According to authorities, unless a construction vehicle is not working, it cannot be parked in travel lanes at any time.