Free Rent Ends When New Marriage Begins: Fourth DCA Makes Clear That Awards of Exclusive Possession of Marital Home Must Provide for Termination Upon Remarriage

Fisher v. Fisher Case No. 4D10-383 The Fourth District Court of Appeal (“Fourth DCA”) addressed a direct appeal from a final judgment of dissolution of marriage. The trial court’s final judgment provided that the former wife and minor children would have exclusive use and possession of the marital home until the youngest child reached the age...
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Rip Van Winkle and Default Judgments: Fourth Reverses Order Granting Motion To Vacate Eighteen Year Old Default Judgment

Block v. Tosun Case No. 4D11-1594 The Fourth District Court of Appeal (“DCA”) reviewed a trial court order granting a motion to vacate an eighteen year old default judgment without an evidentiary hearing. The plaintiff trustees had obtained a default judgment against Tosun in 1992. Eighteen years later, with no record activity having occurred, the trustees...
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Dissolution, Adoption, and Jurisdiction: Fourth DCA Holds Family Court Retained Jurisdiction Despite Separate Adoption Order Terminating Father’s Rights

Baudanza v. Baudanza Case No. 4D10-4068 The parties divorced in 2006 and Former Husband was ordered to pay child support pursuant to the parties’ Marital Settlement Agreement. Former Wife later remarried, and the parties agreed to a modification whereby Former Husband would pay half of the original child support amount and Former Wife’s new husband would...
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