Note:
We do not give legal advice nor
attempt to solicit legal work. We share our thoughts and experiences. These
pages are for information purposes only. If you
have any doubts contact a lawyer.
Important:
Read this
ruling from Chief Justice Judge Farmer of the Florida 4th
District Court of Appeals. It shows the court's attitude towards
permanent alimony.
Definition of legal terms
Suggestions To Self-represented Persons
Contempt Hearings:
-
Don't stop
your court-ordered alimony payments. This is one of the worse things you can do. Take
action immediately by petitioning the court for a temporary or permanent
modification of your alimony when you find out you will be unable to
make payments and before you are held in contempt.
-
Do file a
petition for modification of alimony if you have had unforeseen and
substantial change of circumstances subsequent to your final
dissolution. This will help in your defense at a contempt hearing.
-
Don't miss
attending a contempt hearing! If you do, [no matter what the reason]
your status with the judge will indicate that you are ignoring a court order and
there will be a presumption of an
unwillingness to comply with the order. Judge's take a dim view of
defendants who do this and impose severe penalties on them.
-
Do provide a
current financial affidavit and proof of assets at the hearing. The judge will look to
your "present ability to pay" a purge amount in order to satisfy the reason for which you
are being held in contempt.
-
Do show you
have a "willingness to comply" with the court order, but are "unable to
do so" for whatever reasons you might have.
Recommended Reading:
These books will help you to understand
the proceedings you will be facing, show you how to represent yourself in
court, find out what the court expects of you, know what rules of procedure
you will need to follow, what forms you need to use, give some tips and
strategies you can employ to reach your goal, and suggestions of how to
handle yourself in the courtroom.
They are written in easy to understand
layman's language and will show you how to take charge of your situation and
not let the opposition take advantage of you. They are the best how-to
guides we have found.
