Law Offices of Robin Bresky Defeats Motion for Relinquishment of Jurisdiction

In an appeal by a Former Husband who took his Former Wife’s jewelry and artwork, the Former Husband moved the Fourth District Court of Appeal to relinquish jurisdiction to the trial court. He argued that the trial judge should have an opportunity to vacate the final judgment because it was allegedly entered without sufficient notice to the Former Husband.

The courts have said that anyone moving for relinquishment of jurisdiction must show some very good cause for the request, or it should be denied. “Where a party seeks relinquishment of jurisdiction . . ., the burden is on the moving party to show entitlement to relief.” Lurie v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co., 605 So. 2d 1023, 1025 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992). “The presumption is . . . that judicial economy would be best served by leaving jurisdiction in the appellate court until issuance of mandate. A party wishing to overcome that presumption and obtain a relinquishment of jurisdiction must show entitlement to that relief. . . .” Id.

The Law Offices of Robin Bresky filed a response for the Former Wife, demonstrating that the Former Husband had failed to show any entitlement to having the case relinquished to the trial court. The Fourth District denied the Former Husband’s motion to relinquish jurisdiction. The appeal will proceed and the appellate court will decide the issues on the merits.

The Law Offices of Robin Bresky takes pride in depth of research to support the positions that we argue for our clients. We welcome referrals for appeals of all kinds in state and federal courts and often provide litigation support for dispositive motions or responses in the trial court.

Cissel v. Cissel, 4D09-3029 & 4D10-1324
June 22, 2011

The Fourth District wrote to address an appeal of an alimony award and child support.  The court below found the former husband, appellant, to have a gross monthly income of $18,109.  The figure was based on his average earnings during the preceding fourteen months of trial.  The appellant argued that this error.  The Fourth District held that although it was acceptable to use this average, it was error to base any support from this figure in this case.  Citing §61.08(2)(i), Fla. Stat. (requiring consideration of all sources of income available to either party), the Fourth District found the trial court to have failed to deduct the husband’s undisputed business expenses.
The Fourth District also found error in the trial court’s award of alimony to former wife.  The trial court had only made findings as to the length of the marriage and the $20,000 per month standard of living that exceeded the parties’ incomes.  On appeal, the Fourth District again referred to §61.08(1), Fla. Stat. (requiring findings of facts relative to the factors enumerated in subsection (2) supporting an award of alimony).  Additionally, the court noted that the marital standard of living is not a useful guide in awarding alimony where the marital lifestyle costs more than the parties’ earnings.  Nichols v. Nichols, 907 So.2d 620, 623 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005).  The Fourth District reversed and remanded.