Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, Divorce & Family Law Firm

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

05/18/2026

Divorce sabotage! Is disorganization handing your spouse the keys?

You face a ticking clock the moment you file for divorce in Florida. Missing the mandatory 45-day disclosure deadline can lead to serious consequences, including financial sanctions or a judge striking your evidence. In high-asset divorces, the stakes are even higher because delays can damage your credibility and make it appear as though you are obstructing the process.

At the Law Offices of Forrest & Forrest, PLLC, our skilled divorce lawyers help ensure that an honest mistake does not turn into a legal nightmare. You must treat these deadlines as absolute requirements. Taking immediate action is the best way to protect your reputation and your wealth during a dissolution of marriage.

Mandatory disclosure: Do not miss these

Florida Family Law Rule 12.285 requires both parties to exchange a comprehensive set of financial data. The court demands this transparency to ensure a fair division of marital property. While the specific requirements can vary based on your income level, the standard list often includes:
• Income tax returns: Typically, your most recent federal and state returns (and potentially the last three years for business interests)
• Banking information: Statements for all checking, savings, brokerage and cryptocurrency accounts covering the last 12 months
• Stocks, bonds and options: Records of all corporate stock, government bonds and executive stock options (RSUs)
• Business records: Recent profit and loss statements, balance sheets and K-1s
• Asset titles: Deeds for real estate and titles for vehicles, boats or aircraft
• Debt records: The last three months of statements for all credit cards and charge accounts
• Retirement data: The most recent statements for all 401(k), IRA, pension plans and deferred compensation plans

Gathering these documents early prevents a last-minute scramble that could jeopardize your standing with the court. Our experienced attorneys work closely with clients in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton to organize their records well before the 45-day window closes.

Fines to sanctions: The cost of being late

The consequences for missing deadlines are significant. If you fail to produce documents, the opposing party may file a “motion to compel.” If you ignore a court order to comply, the judge can find you in contempt of court, a label that suggests you are willfully disobeying the law, and one that can sour the court’s opinion of you for the rest of the trial.

Financial sanctions are also common; the court may order you to pay your spouse’s attorneys’ fees incurred because of any delay. In extreme cases of noncompliance, a judge may even exclude your financial evidence entirely, leading to a lopsided settlement.

How to stay above water and ensure compliance

Managing a high-asset divorce requires a proactive strategy. You should begin gathering your financial records as soon as you consider filing. If your business valuations are complex, we coordinate with forensic accountants to ensure every figure is accurate. To help us with these rigid deadlines, it is advisable to:
• Start the collection process immediately upon filing.
• Use digital folders to organize every tax return and statement.
• Alert your lawyer the moment you realize a document is unavailable.

Staying organized prevents panic and protects your credibility. Reliable recordkeeping serves as your best defense against accusations of financial misconduct.

Take action today to protect your future

In high-asset divorces, there is no room for…

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