Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, Divorce & Family Law Firm

10/12/2026

Mind your own business: Dividing company assets without drama during a Florida divorce

Dividing a business during a divorce is much more complicated than splitting a dinner bill. When your “better half” asks for half the company, the emotional and financial stakes skyrocket. High net worth divorces in Florida require a deep dive into ledgers, tax returns and balance sheets to ensure a fair outcome.

At the Law Offices of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, our skilled attorneys help clients distribute these complex assets with clarity and precision. We serve business owners in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton who need to protect their professional legacy. While an attorney handles the legal strategy, we often bring in financial professionals to ensure no stone is left unturned.

Business valuators: Finding the price tag
A business valuator acts as the appraiser for your company. Their primary job is to determine the enterprise’s fair market value so the court knows exactly what is at stake. They typically use three primary methods to find this number:
• Asset-based: Calculating the value of everything the company owns
• Income-based: Looking at future projected earnings to determine current worth
• Market-based: Comparing the business to similar companies that recently sold

In Florida, business valuators must draw a hard line between “enterprise goodwill” and “personal goodwill.” Under state law, only the value tied to the business entity itself is considered a marital asset; your personal reputation and the clients who follow you specifically are excluded from the pot. This protection means you won’t have to pay your spouse for the value of your own name and individual talent.

Forensic accountants: Follow the money

If the valuator is the appraiser, the forensic accountant is the financial detective. These professionals dig much deeper than surface-level tax returns to find the truth behind the numbers. They reconstruct financial histories to ensure total transparency between both parties.

Forensic accountants look for “income normalization,” which means identifying the underlying cash flow by stripping out personal expenses incurred through the business. They often uncover hidden assets or identify “lifestyle” expenses that artificially lower the owner’s reported income. Their detailed paper trail provides evidence of a spouse’s actual earnings versus what they report on their tax returns.

Why do we keep both in our rolodex?

We believe a winning strategy requires a 360-degree view of your marital estate. Business valuators and forensic accountants collaborate with our lawyers to ensure the court receives an accurate picture of your wealth. While one focuses on the entity’s value, the other ensures the income stream is documented accurately.

Our experienced attorneys utilize...

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Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC
Divorce & Family Law
www.ForrestESQ.com
561-561-5000
954-800-5000

10/07/2026

Virtual or vanished? How busy parents can stay connected to their kids

Maintaining a deep bond with your child feels nearly impossible when your career demands every waking hour. High-stakes meetings, international travel and grueling schedules often pull parents away from the dinner table. You might fear that your physical absence will eventually lead to emotional distance with your child.

Your professional success should not come at the cost of your family life. Fortunately, Florida law recognizes these modern challenges and provides legal avenues to keep you connected. In today’s digital age, distance no longer has to mean disconnection.

At the Law Offices of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, our experienced, compassionate child custody attorneys help parents implement creative legal solutions to protect their parental rights. We advocate time-sharing schedules that reflect the realities of your high-pressure lifestyle, including specific provisions for virtual interaction.

Electronic methods protect your bond

Florida law integrates “electronic communication” directly into court-approved parenting plans. While remote visitation does not replace in-person time-sharing, it serves as a vital supplement.

The law allows courts to order communication via video calls, email, or text messaging to maintain a consistent parental presence. Without these specific court-ordered protections, an uncooperative co-parent could potentially block your access, digital or otherwise.

Virtual visitation provides a structured way to participate in daily milestones, even when you travel across the country or around the world. It ensures your child keeps you “in mind” even when you are “out of sight.” Court-ordered interactions provide stability for children who miss their busy parents.

Solutions for high-asset and mobile parents

High net worth parents often face unique hurdles, such as unexpected business trips or relocation requirements. If you must move for a career opportunity or travel frequently for your company, a robust digital communication strategy is your most valuable asset. The court considers the child’s best interests when determining the frequency and type of electronic contact.

Technology offers various ways to stay involved, such as:
• Scheduled FaceTime or Zoom calls for bedtime stories
• Shared digital calendars to track school events and games
• Real-time video access to school plays, sporting events, etc.
• Interactive online gaming sessions to foster shared hobbies

These tools allow you to remain an active participant in your child’s life regardless of your current zip code. Consistent digital engagement helps bridge the gap between your physical visits.

Making virtual time-sharing work

Success with virtual visitation requires more than a laptop and Wi-Fi. It requires a commitment to privacy and consistency. You should ensure your child has a secluded space to talk without the other parent listening in or interrupting, creating a safe emotional environment for the child to share their day with you.

To maximize the quality of your digital time, consider these practical tips:
• Prioritize the schedule by treating video calls as “unmovable” board meetings.
• Minimize distractions by turning off work notifications during the call.
• Keep it age-appropriate by using filters or screen-sharing tools for younger children.
• Prepare conversation starters about their school day or hobbies to avoid awkward silences.

Consistent communication builds a foundation of trust that lasts a lifetime. If you miss a scheduled video call, you could hurt your child’s feelings and potentially complicate future legal proceedings.

Make a virtual plan a reality for your child

Do not let your…

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Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC
Divorce & Family Law
www.ForrestESQ.com
561-561-5000
954-800-5000

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, we celebrate the dedication, ambition, and hard work that build strong families, successful businesses, and meaningful lives.
Wishing our clients, colleagues, and South Florida community a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.
www.ForrestESQ.com

08/23/2026

Leveling the playing field: When can you get attorney’s fees covered during a Florida divorce?

Although a divorce is the end of a marriage it is important to remember that it is, ultimately, a legal dispute. The divorce itself is about more than the romantic relationship, it is the end of the contract made between two parties before the state. As such, it is often wise to bring in legal counsel to help each side work through the process. This is especially true in cases where the parties have complicated assets like business interests, diverse stock portfolios and multiple properties.

Like any profession, use of legal counsel comes with a cost. It is important for those who are using lawyers to understand two key issues: how fees work and who is responsible for payment.

How do attorney fees work?

Attorney fees are generally structured one of four ways:
1. Hourly: This one is pretty clear. An hourly rate is a set amount that the attorney charges per hour of work completed by legal counsel. The amount varies depending on the attorney’s experience and, when applicable, specialization.
2. Flat fee: This option involves a single flat fee for completion of legal work. This often involves relatively straight forward matters like drafting a will.
3. Contingency: In this type of structure, attorneys are paid a portion of the final settlement. This is often set up as a percentage and common in personal injury cases.
4. Hybrid: This option refers to a mix of the above noted options.

There are cases that do not allow certain types of fee structures. For example, in family law matters, lawyers generally cannot charge on a contingency fee basis. This is because the courts do not want to encourage large winnings for either side. Instead, it is in the state’s interest to encourage more equitable resolutions. In Florida, divorce cases often use a combination of flat and hourly fees.

It is also important to note that the final cost can include additional expenses like court fees, payments to expert witnesses or investigators and the cost of gathering relevant records.

Who is responsible for payment?

There are situations in divorce litigation where Florida law allows the court to officially order one party to pay for the other’s legal fees. Lawmakers enacted this option to help better ensure that both parties have access to legal counsel to reduce the risk of one party having an unfair advantage over the other. Examples of factors the courts often take into consideration when making this type of determination can include financial resources of both parties and the merits of the case.

There are requirements to requesting coverage of these fees, such as...

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Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC
Divorce & Family Law
www.ForrestESQ.com
561-561-5000
954-800-5000

07/15/2026

07/04/2026

The GOAT.

On this day of independence, we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal… but some can eat way more hot dogs. 🇺🇸🌭
Proud to stand next to the legend himself, Joey Chestnut, after his first championship win. Justice was served — with mustard.

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who show up every day with love, guidance, and support.

www.ForrestESQ.com

06/08/2026

Is your child’s extracurricular schedule ‘killing’ your custody rights?

Your child’s nonacademic calendar often looks more like a professional athlete or musician’s itinerary than a school schedule. High-asset families in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton frequently enroll their children in travel league soccer, equestrian training or intensive music academies.

While these opportunities build character, they also create logistical nightmares for divorced parents. A single Saturday tournament can effectively erase a father’s entire weekend or a mother’s holiday visitation. If you do not manage these conflicts properly, a co-parent might use “the schedule” as a tool to distance you from your child.

At the Law Offices of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, our skilled child custody lawyers see how easily a child’s hobbies become a source of legal friction. We protect your parental bond while ensuring your children continue to excel in their passions. We help you find the balance between elite performance and fair time-sharing.

The reality of shared custody

In Florida, most parents share parental responsibility, meaning you must confer and reach joint decisions regarding major aspects of your child’s life, including high-impact extracurricular activities. However, conflict often arises when one parent enrolls a child in an expensive, time-consuming endeavor without first consulting the other parent.

In high net worth households, the “cost” of the activity is rarely just financial. The real price is the time stolen from the non-enrolling parent’s schedule. If your parenting plan does not address how to handle specific activities, you may find yourself back in a courtroom.
To avoid these legal pitfalls, you must understand how Florida courts typically view these scheduling conflicts:
• Consultation requirements: Florida law generally requires parents to discuss major decisions, though “written consent” for every hobby is rarely a statutory default.
• Schedule interference: Travel requirements often clash with mid-week dinners or alternating weekends, leading to missed visitation.
• Financial disputes: Florida’s child support guidelines do not automatically split sports costs on a pro rata basis; parents must negotiate these expenses.
• Court discretion: Judges prioritize the “best interests of the child” and typically dislike it when one parent uses a sports schedule to “veto” the other’s time.

Clear communication remains your best defense against these common disputes. Establishing a detailed, written agreement before the season begins prevents resentment from building over missed weekends.

High-asset logistics and the ‘best interests’ standard

Florida courts recognize that maintaining a relationship with both parents is vital for a child’s well-being. However, if a child shows exceptional talent, a judge may view a specific activity as a priority, creating a delicate balancing act for families with the means to support high-level training.

Beyond the legal logistics, a rigid schedule can also weigh heavily on a child’s mental health. Experts note that highly demanding schedules can make children feel anxious or “scattered” when transitioning between homes.

To avoid constant litigation, your lawyer can customize your parenting plan to include:
• Transportation duties: Assign clear responsibility for long-distance practices and out-of-state tournaments.
• Expense allocation: Define exactly how you will split costs for equipment, elite coaching and travel.
• Right of first refusal: Determine if a parent gets extra time if an activity is canceled or ends early.
• Makeup time: Create a “bank” of makeup days to ensure sports travel doesn’t permanently reduce your total overnights.

Standard parenting plans often fail to account for the rigors of elite youth sports. You need a flexible framework that grows alongside your child’s ambitions and protects your rights.

Don’t let a calendar jeopardize your relationship

Vague language in a divorce decree is a recipe for disaster. If your current time-sharing plan does not account for the reality of your child’s busy life, you should…

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Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC
Divorce & Family Law
www.ForrestESQ.com
561-561-5000
954-800-5000

06/01/2026

Trapped by luxury? How lavish spending could bankrupt your divorce

Your lifestyle often expands to match your success. In high-asset households, “lifestyle inflation” feels natural until a marriage ends. Suddenly, every luxury purchase and exotic vacation becomes a data point in a divorce proceeding. Florida courts look closely at your financial history to determine future obligations. A paper trail of excess can significantly impact your post-divorce bottom line.

Managing the fallout of a lavish lifestyle requires a strategic approach. At the Law Offices of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, our skilled attorneys help divorcing spouses in Florida manage the complex financial disclosures required in high net worth cases. We understand how to present your financial history accurately to the court.

The high cost of living large

Florida law recently underwent a massive shift. In 2023, the state officially abolished permanent alimony. While you no longer face “forever” payments, the court still considers the “marital standard of living” when awarding durational, bridge-the-gap or rehabilitative support.

If you spent the last five years flying private and buying designer jewelry, the court uses those habits to gauge “actual need.” When a judge examines your finances, they look for specific patterns, such as:
• Frequent high-end travel and luxury club memberships
• Regular purchases of high-end vehicles or watercraft
• Expensive private schooling and extracurricular activities for children
• Monthly household staffing costs for cleaners or chefs

These expenses define the “status quo” that a spouse might try to preserve. Proving that these costs are unsustainable or were funded by debt is a primary challenge in high-asset litigation.

Defending your financial legacy

You worked hard to build your wealth, and you should not be penalized for your success. In Florida, our firm can argue that certain inflated expenses were one-time events or that unsustainable debt funded them, which can help lower the perceived “standard of living” to a more realistic level. It is vital to separate your actual needs from the temporary highlights of a wealthy marriage.

The transition from a high-asset household to two separate lives is never easy. You need an attorney who understands the nuances of the 2023 Florida Alimony Reform Act and the specific expectations of the courts in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.

We focus on providing clear, factual guidance to help you keep what you earned. Do not leave your future to chance. You need an experienced lawyer who can dismantle inflated claims and protect your bottom line. Contact us at 954-666-9261 to schedule your consultation.

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Law Office of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC
Divorce & Family Law
www.ForrestESQ.com
561-561-5000
954-800-5000

05/26/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice reminds us of the strength, resilience, and freedoms we hold dear.
As we spend time with family and loved ones this weekend, we remember those who made that privilege possible. From all of us at our South Florida family law firm, we wish you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

www.ForrestESQ.com