Hollywood Family Lawyer

Family law issues of any kind can be emotionally challenging, as decisions made can have lasting effects for years to come.

As a dedicated and compassionate Fort Lauderdale, Florida Family Lawyer for over 25 years, I understand how stressful family law cases can be. My firm will fully explain the legal process, answer all of your questions, and help you set realistic goals for you and your loved ones.

Whether it is modifying child support orders, developing a visitation/parenting plan, or litigating your cause at trial, my firm will work to ensure that your interests are protected every step of the way.

Contact my firm today if you or a loved one needs legal assistance with any of the following:

Divorce
Uncontested Verses Contested Divorce
Property Division / Complex Divorce
Spousal Support & Alimony
Domestic Violence
Parental Rights
Fathers Rights
Child Custody, Shared Parental Responsibility, Parenting Plans & Visitation
Move-aways/Relocation
Child Support
Modifications & Enforcement
Paternity, Shared Parental Responsibility and Single Parent Rights
Domestic Partnerships
Mediation

As a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, a Supreme Court Approved Arbitrator, and a Supreme Court Certified Guardian ad Litem, I am fully immersed in the laws surrounding Family Law cases.

My firm will explain the finer points of Florida’s domestic code, and how critical decisions may affect you and your family for years to come.

Since 1988, we have provided solid, professional representation at a time when you need it most. Let our experience work for you.

The Law Offices of Jerome P. Ventura, P.A. is located in Pembroke Pines, and serves clients throughout Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Cooper City, Davie, Miramar, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston, Hallandale, Miami Lakes, Southwest Ranches, Coral Springs, Broward County, and Dade County - Miami-Dade County.

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Divorce:
A court of law is the only way one can obtain a divorce decree, dissolution, legal separation, nullity or other form of terminating a marriage. Other than the termination of the marital estate, the court also has jurisdiction to resolve other issues that are intertwined in the existing marriage which include, but are not limited to: custody and visitation rights, division of property of the marital estate, spousal support, child support, restraining orders, etc.

Child Custody:
Custody is the charge and control of a child, including the right to make all major decisions such as education, religious upbringing, training, health and welfare. Custody usually refers to a combination of physical custody and legal custody. Many factors influence an award of custody and the way a case is presented in court can have a large impact on the result for you and your children. If you are awarded the children as a primary custodial parent, it has far reaching consequences both to you and to their well-being and development.

Child Support:
Child support is a periodic payment made to a custodial parent from a non-custodial parent to help compensate a child's living expenses, i.e. food, clothes, etc., and any other related debts. When one parent is awarded sole custody, as in the event of a divorce, the non-custodial parent is required to fulfill his or her child support obligation by making set payments, whereas the custodial parent meets his or her support obligation through the custody itself. When parents are awarded joint custody in a divorce, however, the support obligation is shared and is based on a ratio of each parent's income and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

The obligation to support minor children cannot be waived by either parent and is a right enjoyed by the child, not the parent. Each state has guidelines that factor the amount of child support, such as the amount of time spent with the child, the income of both parents and the standard of living the child is accustomed to. ; The court may allow deductions for items such as catastrophic medical expenses and travel expenses for visitation.

Jurisdictional Issues:
When faced with a relocating custodial parent, the court will general require that parent to give the other parent a minimum amount of notice prior to the anticipated move. This notice gives the non-custodial parent an opportunity to go to court and seek orders restraining the relocation of the child.

These so-called move away cases have gone back and forth on allowing and disallowing a move by the custodial parent with the minor children for over 20 years. While the best interests of the child have always been central to the decision, the uncertainty has made this area murky. Prior to the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, when parents sought an advantage in a custody tug-of-war, they would move to a "friendly" jurisdiction (that is, a region with a history of rulings favorable to their position). However, after the UCCJA was adopted by all 50 states, family law courts were forced to defer jurisdiction to the home state, and this custody battle tactic lost favor.

Spousal Support (Alimony):
Alimony is temporary or permanent financial support paid from one separated spouse to the other, either in one lump sum or in installments. ; Alimony is designed to provide the lower-income spouse with money for living expenses over and above the money provided by child support. Alimony differs from child support because it is at the discretion of the judge. Child support is usually determined by state-sanctioned guidelines.

There are several factors a judge considers when deciding whether to grant alimony. These differ from state to state, of course, but they usually involve things like the parties' relative ability to earn money, both now and in the future; their respective age and health; the length of the marriage; the kind of property involved, and the conduct of the parties. In general, about the only time a judge will award alimony in most states is where one spouse has been economically dependent on the other spouse for most of a lengthy marriage.

Divorce Mediation:
The basic attitude marking divorce mediation is a focus on solving problems, not fighting the fight. Family mediation is a voluntary process which gives a divorcing or separating couple the opportunity to make their own arrangements for their financial and personal future, while protecting themselves and their children from distress and the needless expense of litigation. The strength of a mediated agreement is that it is built by both parties together in an open process that requires all participants to recognize and make accommodation for the needs of the other participants, often without having to compromise one’s own.

While no two situations are alike, the emphasis in a mediated approach is to achieve a satisfactory settlement in an efficient, cooperative manner. This might include "four-way" settlement conferences where the parties meet along with their divorce mediation lawyers to work on a settlement. The philosophy of Divorce Mediation is that as much effort should be exerted toward settlement as is traditionally spent in preparation for and conducting a trial.

Paternity:
Paternity covers all the matters related to proving the parentage of a child or children. For married couples, paternity of a child is assumed to be the spouse, unless there is a court order or judgment stating otherwise. For unwed parents, paternity can be established by signing an Affidavit of Parentage or by filing a paternity action with the court.

Legally establishing paternity or determining that someone is not the parent of child can have a significant impact on divorce settlements, property division, child custody, child support and the ability to move out of state. Determinations of paternity can also have a significant impact on interstate conflict between unwed parents.

Property and Debt Division:
Marital property attained during marriage, regardless of whose name it is under, can be divided. Marital property can include real estate (including a home bought in contemplation of marriage), pension plans, vehicles, bank accounts, income tax refunds and/or household furnishings. However, property that is inherited by one spouse is not considered marital property, i.e. a family business or estate. If you are contractually bound with your ex-spouse on a debt, the creditor can require the entire payment of that debt from your share of the community property even though the divorce decree assigns the debt to your ex-spouse. Depending on the terms of your divorce decree, you may be able to have certain support obligations under the divorce decree determined to be non-dischargeable by the bankruptcy court or in state court.

Prenuptial Agreements:
A prenuptial, or premarital agreement (often referred to as a "pre-nup") is a written contract created by two individuals who plan to be married. This agreement lists all individually owned property, such as homes and businesses, family assets, stocks and bonds, savings accounts as well as debts, and specifies what will and will not remain individually owned property after the legalization of marriage. Prenuptial agreements also specify whether spousal support will be paid in the event of a divorce, and the intentions regarding distribution of individually owned property upon death.

A factor that cannot be stipulated in a prenuptial agreement is child support. A couple cannot lawfully agree in a prenuptial agreement that either part will in no way be responsible for child support. Also, a few states do not allow prenuptial agreements to modify or eliminate the right of a spouse to receive court-ordered alimony at divorce, although a prenuptial agreement can facilitate in the degree of compensation.

Professional Profile

If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced Fort Lauderdale, Florida Family Lawyer, call Jerome P. Ventura today at 954-601-5900, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation. Evening meetings can be arranged for initial consultations.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Law Offices of Jerome P. Ventura, P.A.
1951 N.W. 150 Avenue, Suite 103
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
Phone: 954-601-5900
Hours: M-F, 9:00AM-5:00PM

Attorney Jerome P. Ventura

Jerome P. Ventura, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Florida and practices primarily in the area of family law. He has been practicing in South Florida since 1982. He is a Certified Mediator in the area of Family Law, approved by the Florida Supreme Court, and has participated in a large number of family mediations as an attorney and a mediator. Mr. Ventura has also been certified as a Guardian ad Litem by the Supreme Court of the State of Florida.

The Law Offices of Jerome P. Ventura, P.A. was established in February of 1988. Since that time, this practice has been devoted to serving the Dade and Broward County communities. The office of Mr. Ventura is located in Pembroke Pines to help serve the enormous growth in Southwest Broward County. He offers a free 15-minute initial consultation so that you fully understand your legal options, property rights, and other general practice issues.

Mr. Ventura is a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator as well as a Supreme Court Approved Arbitrator. In the role of Family Law Mediator, he handles divorce issues, child custody, child support, visitation, and post dissolution matters, and strives to represent each case with respect and genuine concern for all of his clients.

Areas of Practice:

Family Law
Divorce
Mediation
Child Support
Custody and Visitation
Wills

Bar Admissions:

Florida, 1983
U.S. District Court, 1987

Education:

Nova Southeastern Law University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1983, J.D.
Biscayne University, Miami, Florida, B.S.
- Major: Criminal Justice

Ms. Nazish Zaheer, ESQ., Associate

Ms. Zaheer has earned numerous awards and commendations during her schooling, including graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2008 from Florida Atlantic University, as well as earning an Excellence for the Future Award in the study of Children and Families Clinic: Advanced Practice Skills in 2011. She is driven and passionate about her work, and will no doubt do everything in her power to get her clients results.

Office Location

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Lead Counsel Rated Attorney