Our office will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23rd and Friday, Nov. 24th for Thanksgiving.

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Ah, the holidays! The Christmas trees, the eggnog, the hustle, the bustle, the arguing with your ex over timesharing with the kids . . .. Few things can put a damper on what is usually the best time of year for children like seeing their parents stressed and arguing over who gets them and when. A thoughtful and well-drafted parenting plan can go a long way toward ensuring your family’s holiday season is a joyous and tranquil one.
Property ownership in Florida can be a complicated endeavor, especially when owned among several individuals. This shared ownership can introduce a host of legal complexities that require careful consideration. When property co-ownership issues arise, it’s advisable to seek assistance from an experienced attorney to effectively address these matters.

Estate planning is crucial to securing the future and protecting the assets of your loved ones. In recent times, the proliferation of “do-it-yourself” (DIY) will kits and online services have offered seemingly convenient and cost-effective ways to create a will. However, while these DIY options appear accessible, they often harbor significant risks and limitations that […]

In consulting with prospective clients regarding a family law case, including a dissolution of marriage case, one question that is often asked by the person is if they need to file or disclose to the Court in the case their financial information. Understandably, many people are hesitant or reluctant to place with the Court file […]

Child support is, often, one of the most integral portions of a dissolution or paternity matter. The court is able to determine and order both temporary and permanent child support. Public policy in the State of Florida establishes that each parent has a fundamental obligation to support his or her minor child. However, what is often not common knowledge is that the law also establishes that each parent has an obligation to support his or her legally dependent child, as well. This can also extend beyond the age of eighteen (18).
Timing, as they say, is everything in life; the same is certainly true in the realm of Family Law matters. The various Volusia County Family Law rules and statutes are rife with time designations and triggering events which, if overlooked, can greatly impact the result in any given case.
Leasing property can sometimes come with unexpected difficulties. Situations may arise where a landlord needs to terminate a leasing agreement before the end of the leasing period. Chapter 83, Florida Statutes, governs residential rental agreements in Florida and provides statutory requirements that a landlord must follow to legally terminate a lease early. As a landlord, it is essential to understand these laws or to contact a knowledgeable attorney to ensure compliance with Florida’s laws that serve to protect both landlords and tenants.
Rice Law Firm’s newest Associate, Jena Conley, getting sworn in on September 21, 2023, at the Volusia County Courthouse Annex.
Partner Philip Bonamo attended the Florida Bar's Board of Governors out of state meeting in Austin, Texas on September 6th through September 8th, 2023. Mr. Bonamo is the Board of Governors representative for the attorneys of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Florida, which comprises of St. John's, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia County. Mr. Bonamo is the current Chair of the Board's Rules Committee, as well as a member of the Communications Committee, Disciplinary Review Committee and the Disciplinary Procedures Committee. Pictured with Mr. Bonamo is Josh Doyle, Executive Director of the Florida Bar.
A Florida Circuit Court order required one party in a divorce to pay the other's attorney's fees and further ruled that the fee award was not dischargeable in bankruptcy. In a recent ruling, the Third District Court of Appeals reversed that lower court decision stating that the law does not allow a state court to decide the federal issue of discharge prior to the filing of any bankruptcy proceeding. The court explained that the problem with the state court's judgment is that it reached an issue of federal law that is not yet ripe for consideration. A state court is free to place language in a judgment to memorialize factual determinations or legal rulings on questions of state law that may later assist a bankruptcy court in deciding, as a matter of federal law, the dischargeability of obligations created by the judgment.