Stephens & Stevens - Marital & Family Law

06/08/2026

Stephens & Stevens, PLLC is hiring a family law paralegal, and I’m looking for the right fit.

If you know someone with Florida family law experience who is smart, dependable, organized, and ready to jump into meaningful work, send them my way. [email protected]

06/02/2026

We are proud to share that partner, EDDIE STEPHENS, has been selected to receive The Florida Bar’s 2026 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification.

Presented by The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization & Education, this award recognizes board certified attorneys who demonstrate excellence and creativity in advancing the public’s knowledge and appreciation of board certification.

For nearly three decades, Eddie has been committed to promoting professionalism, legal education, mentorship, and excellence within the family law community.

Through his work as a Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorney, his service on The Florida Bar’s Board Certification Committee, and the publication of Stephens’ Squibs, he has dedicated countless hours to helping lawyers and the public understand the value of board certification.

This recognition also reflects the efforts of our entire Stephens & Stevens team, whose commitment to education, professionalism, and service makes our mission possible every day.

Congratulations, Eddie, on this well-deserved honor. We look forward to celebrating with you at The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando on June 18.

Eddie E. Stephens III, a board certified marital and family law attorney, will receive The Florida Bar’s 2026 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification at The Florida Bar Convention in Orlando on June 18. The award is presented by the Board of Legal Specialization & Education an...

05/29/2026

New on the blog from Stephens & Stevens

Artificial intelligence is changing the legal landscape, and the Florida Supreme Court has now issued a clear statewide rule addressing its use in court filings.

In our latest blog post, Eddie Stephens breaks down the new amendments to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515 and explains what every lawyer and litigant needs to know moving forward.

The takeaway is simple: AI did not sign your pleading. You did.

This update covers:

the new requirement that cited legal authorities must exist and be accurately cited, the sanctions courts may impose for noncompliance, and why local circuit-by-circuit AI disclosure rules are being replaced by a uniform statewide approach.

If you practice in Florida, this is important reading.

Read the full blog post here:

In re Amendments to Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.515, No. SC2026-0673 (Fla. May 28, 2026). In re Representations by Signers of Filings, No. AOSC26-12 (Fla. May 28,…

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor the bravery and sacrifice of those who gave everything for our country. 🇺🇸 Wishing you a Memorial Day filled with gratitude and reflection.

Our office is closed today in observance of the holiday, and we reopen at 8:30am tomorrow.

05/21/2026

When a marriage ends, what happens to the family pet?

For most families, a dog is not “property.”
They are comfort. Routine. Emotional support. Family.

In our newest article recently published in the Family Law Commentator, “From Chattel to Sentient Companion: Rethinking Pet Custody in Divorce,” Eddie Stephens and Noelle Stone tell the story of Tucker — a beloved golden doodle caught in the middle of a divorce dispute that exposed a growing problem in Florida law.

Despite the emotional realities families face, Florida still largely treats pets as property in divorce proceedings. A couch can be divided. A bank account can be valued. But what happens when the dispute centers around a living, sentient companion deeply bonded to both spouses — and often to the children as well?

The article explores:

The recent Florida case of Crossen v. Feeley

How other states and countries are modernizing pet custody laws

Why current property-based approaches fail families and animals alike

The often-overlooked emotional impact on children separated from pets during divorce

A proposed measured Florida reform model balancing compassion with judicial practicality

This is not an argument to treat pets like children. It is a persuasive argument that the law should evolve to reflect the way modern families actually live.

At Stephens & Stevens, we believe family law should recognize not only financial realities — but human realities.

🐶🐕🦮🐩🐕‍🦺🐾🦴

Originally published in the Family Law Section Commentator Vol. XLVIII, Issue 4|2026 By Eddie Stephens and Noelle E. Stone Photos by Coastal Click Photography Tucker was not a couch, a lamp, or a l…

05/20/2026

Stephens & Stevens, PLLC is proud to share that EDDIE STEPHENS has been selected to receive The Florida Bar’s 2026 Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Board Certification.

This recognition, presented by The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization & Education, honors board certified attorneys who demonstrate excellence and creativity in advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of legal board certification.

Board certification reflects a lawyer’s commitment to professionalism, specialized knowledge, and excellence in the practice of law. Eddie has long believed in the importance of helping the public identify qualified legal specialists and encouraging lawyers to aspire to the highest standards of the profession.

Eddie will be recognized during The Florida Bar Annual Convention at the Board Certified Lawyers’ Reception on June 18, 2026.

This is the second time Mr. Stephens has been nominated and the second time he has received this award.

We are grateful to The Florida Bar, the Board of Legal Specialization & Education, and to Sarai Glaze for her nomination and support.

Congratulations, Eddie!

West Palm Beach, Fla. — May 20, 2026 — Stephens & Stevens, PLLC is proud to announce that Eddie E. Stephens, III, a Board Certified Marital & Family Law attorney, has been selected to …

05/02/2026

Stephens & Stevens Appellate Win: Digital Memories Are Marital Assets

Stephens & Stevens, PLLC is proud to announce an important appellate victory in Carter v. Carter, a new Fourth District Court of Appeal decision recognizing that family photographs and videos acquired during a marriage may be marital assets subject to equitable distribution.

In today’s world, some of the most meaningful “property” a family owns is not stored in a safe deposit box. It is stored on phones, hard drives, cloud accounts, and digital albums. Birthdays. Vacations. Holidays. First steps. Family videos. Moments with loved ones who may no longer be here.

The Fourth DCA held that these family photographs and videos were marital assets because they were beneficially acquired during the marriage and reflected the fruits of the parties’ married life and memories with their child.

Carter v. Carter, — So. 3d —-, 2026 WL 1154012Fla. 4th DCA, April 29, 2026 In Carter v. Carter, the Fourth District recognized something every modern family lawyer should already unders…

04/17/2026

Stephens & Stevens - Marital & Family Law was proud to be a sponsor of today’s Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation WILA Luncheon, celebrating achievements of women leaders in our community! Partner CARYN A. STEVENS serves as the Secretary & General Counsel for the Board of Directors of the organization.

04/11/2026

Stephens & Stevens - Marital & Family Law is proud to be part of something bigger than the courtroom.

Palm Beach Law Day is all about investing in the next generation—teaching young people how our legal system works, why it matters, and how they can be a part of it.

This program brings together judges and attorneys from across Palm Beach County to engage students in real conversations about civics, justice, and responsibility—all in a hands-on, inspiring environment.

Stephens & Stevens is proud to have
Eddie Stephens,
Noelle Stone, and
Sarai Glaze
participating in this important initiative.

Eddie Stephens was instrumental in helping create this program and has proudly participated in it for the past 10 years—continuing a long-standing commitment to mentoring future leaders and giving back to the community.

Noelle Stone and Sarai Glaze also worked directly with the scouts, helping them practice new skills through a hands-on mock trial clinic—bringing the law to life in a way that only real-world experience can.

These are the moments that matter—when we take what we’ve learned in the practice of law and pass it forward.

Because the future of our profession… is sitting in that room.

03/26/2026

Happy Birthday to attorney SARAI GLAZE!! 🎉