The Biden-Harris administration has taken action to hold employers accountable for violations against immigrant workers. In early 2023, the administration created a process, known as Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE), for immigrant workers to request protection from immigration....
For a variety of reasons, it may be best for an extended family member to obtain custody over a minor child, whether that be in concurrence with the child’s parent or parents or not. Two types of custody arrangements that are used to care for a child are temporary....
Elections are upon us as the presidential election is decided this year in November. Politicians have come to question voting fraud calling for stricter voting protections. In May, House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that a lot of illegal noncitizens are voting in federal elections....
Sixteen states, including Florida, are suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Biden Administration officials over its alleged unlawful parole in place policy...
A new paternity statute was signed into law on July 1, 2023, which significantly changed the rights of unwed fathers. The changes made to the existing law were made in an effort to give unwed fathers more rights to their children in the absence...
On June 4th, 2024, President Joe Biden issued an order that suspends entry of migrants crossing the U.S. border between ports of entry. This suspension is enacted after seven consecutive days when U.S. Border Patrol apprehends more than 2,500 people at the southern borders...
The Good Dad Florida House Bill #775 was passed on July 1, 2023. This is a big step for unwed fathers giving them equal rights as the mother. An unwed father now has custody rights without needing to go to court to establish paternity...
As of June 17, 2024, DHS announced a new process to enhance family unity within the United States. Before this announcement, noncitizens who entered the U.S. without a visa or parole and who are married to a U.S. citizen...
Actualmente, los no ciudadanos casados con un ciudadano estadounidense pueden solicitar la residencia permanente legal a través de su matrimonio. Sin embargo, muchos deben salir de los Estados Unidos y esperar ser procesados en el extranjero, lo que resulta en un período prolongado e indefinido...
For the first time in seven years, USCIS has increased their filing fees for immigration petitions. The new filing fees went into effect on April 1, 2024. These fees will add an additional $1.14 billion per year in agency revenue.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced actions to promote family unity in the immigration process, consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to keeping families together.
Becoming a US citizen is often the end game of the immigration process. However, sometimes immigrants are not concerned with filing petitions for naturalization as soon as they are eligible.
On July 1, 2023 Florida implemented new law regarding time sharing affecting all cases involving children under the age of 18. The new law is designed for the best interest of child.
An E Visa is a treaty trader or investor Visa. There are a number of countries that have treaties with the US and E one is a treaty trader and an E two is a treaty investor.
The H-1B registration process for Fiscal Year 2025 is brand new. Beginning noon on March 6, 2024, employers may submit registrations. The period will last until March 22, 2024 at noon.
What is alimony and what has changed recently about the law in Florida? Alimony is financial support from one spouse to another spouse during separation or divorce. The bill eliminates permanent alimony, instead...
Many years ago, the Department of State (DOS) renewed nonimmigrant work visas in the US, and clients did not have to travel abroad for their visa stamps. While immigration attorneys have been advocating...
The holiday season is a time when many people plan trips to visit loved ones or explore new destinations. If you are an immigrant in the United States, there are some important considerations to ensure a smooth and stress-free holiday travel experience...
Divorce is a life event that few want to revisit once the ink has dried on their divorce agreement or parenting plan. However, life is dynamic, and circumstances can change unexpectedly. Whether you're facing financial shifts, job losses...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially initiated the process for visa-free travel to the United States for eligible Israeli citizens and nationals, marking a significant development following Israel's inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program...
USCIS published a revised version of the I-9 form on August 1, 2023. This new form must be used as of November 1, 2023. The I-9 form is the form an employer uses to verify the identity and employment authorization for its employees in the US...
A partir del 7 de julio de 2023, el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) de EE. UU. anunció los procesos de permanencia temporal (Parole) por reunificación familiar (FRP, por sus siglas en inglés) para...
As of July 7, 2023, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced family reunification parole (FRP) processes for Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras...
There are several ways to enter the United States, and the appropriate method depends on the purpose of your visit. Here are some common ways to enter the United States...
Alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance in other states or countries, is a court-ordered financial payment made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. The purpose of alimony is to provide financial support to a spouse who is economically dependent....
En Florida, la paternidad se refiere al reconocimiento legal de un hombre como padre de un niño. Establecer la paternidad puede tener importantes implicaciones legales y financieras, incluida la manutención, la custodia y el tiempo compartido. Muchos padres no son conscientes...
Child support in Florida is a court-ordered financial support payment made by one parent to the other parent to help provide for the basic needs of their child(ren). The purpose of child support is to ensure that both parents share the financial responsibility of raising...
La visa EB-2 es una categoría de visa de inmigrante basada en el empleo que permite a los trabajadores extranjeros con habilidades excepcionales o un grado avanzado obtener la residencia permanente en los Estados Unidos. Para calificar para una visa EB-2, un trabajador extranjero...
In Florida, paternity refers to the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child. Establishing paternity can have important legal and financial implications, including child support, child custody, and time-sharing. Many fathers are unaware that from the moment they acknowledge paternity...
La pensión alimenticia, también conocida como manutención o manutención conyugal en otros estados o países, es un pago financiero ordenado por la corte y es hecho por un cónyuge al otro después de un divorcio o separación. El propósito de la pensión alimenticia es proporcionar apoyo...
El tiempo compartido en Florida se refiere a una orden de la corte sobre la distribución de las responsabilidades de los padres y el tiempo que pasa con los hijos después de un divorcio o separación. Es similar a lo que comúnmente se conoce como custodia o visitas en otros estados...
It sounds like a Board Certification Exam hypothetical. A Child is conceived by an unmarried Mother in Georgia...
Dual nationality refers to the status of an individual who is considered to be a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously. In the case of the United States, it is possible for an individual to hold U.S. citizenship and citizenship of another country at the same time...
El Parole Humanitario para venezolanos es un programa que fue implementado por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos en 2019 para ayudar a los ciudadanos venezolanos que han huido de su país debido a la crisis humanitaria que atraviesa Venezuela. El programa otorga la entrada...
Under Florida law, a prenuptial agreement, also commonly referred to as a “prenup” or a “premarital agreement,” is a contract entered into by two parties who are considering marriage prior to getting officially married. This legally binding contract defines...
The K-1 visa regulations stem back to 1970. This is a process where a US citizen can become engaged to a foreign national and sponsor them to enter the US as a fiancée. The catch? The couple must marry within 90 days or the foreign national must leave the US...
On November 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that L-2 and E dependent spouses are no longer required to apply for an EAD to work in the United States...
On Jan. 5, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a safe and lawful way for qualifying Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans...
Make sure to check your passport prior to scheduling any trip outside of the contiguous 48 states. I cannot even begin to tell you of personal horror stories from my friends who book international travel only to find out their passport...
Holidays are promoted as a time of joy, gift giving and receiving, eating meals and enjoying holiday traditions with family, and delighting in life’s blessings. For families going through the upheaval of divorce, holidays...
When you are facing a divorce, you have an endless list of questions. What assets and debts will I end up with? What will the children’s lives look like? How much money will I have to live on? Can I keep the house? And these just scratch...
On October 3, 2022, the US announced a new humanitarian parole process for Venezuelans and their immediate family members to come to the US. This is a safe and orderly process patterned after the Ukrainian parole process. This process is designed...
The last thing most people who get divorced want to think about is having to change the Agreement or Parenting Plan that they spent a great deal of time and money obtaining in the first place. But life happens...
Most people who consult with a divorce attorney come to the initial consultation with questions about the division of assets, the house, the children, alimony and child support. Naturally, clients want to get an idea of the possible...
An I-9 form is a USCIS form which verifies employment eligibility in the US. On the first day of employment for any employee, the employer must provide an I-9 form to the new hire. The employee section of the form must be signed and filled...
Although not the most joyous of topics, beneficiaries of family-based petitions need to know what they can do if their petitioner dies. There are several scenarios to consider. First, the immediate relative, spouse, or minor child of the US citizen...
All good questions. In short, the visa bulletin is the monthly document issued by the Department of State which lets the public know which visas will be processed for that month. The immigration system is built on quotas. Each category of immigration has a quota.
All too often,in an effort to avoid the emotional and gut-wrenching efforts to get through a legal proceeding, save money on attorney’s fees, or simply avoid “dealing with it”, parties end up signing highly prejudicial legal contracts...
Divorce is never a simple choice and a very difficult task for spouses to navigate, especially when substance abuse becomes a factor. Divorcing someone who is struggling with addiction comes with a unique set of challenges...
El estatus de protección temporal (TPS) para venezolanos se aprobó el 8 de Marzo de 2021 y entro en vigencia el 9 de Marzo de 2021; la fecha límite para presenta la solicitud es el 5 de Septiembre de 2021. El secretario del Departamento de Seguridad...
It is a common misconception that a bankruptcy filing will lead to incurable financial ruin. In fact, a bankruptcy filing can provide the financial relief necessary to rebuild one’s credit. Paying bills on time, using a small amount of your overall available credit,...
Many clients ask us at their initial consultation, “when is the right time for me to file for a divorce?” Like many legal and strategic questions, the answer is, “it depends”. From a legal perspective there are some bad times to file for divorce. If you are the spouse...
En los Estados Unidos, el permiso de trabajo se conoce como “work permit” o tarjeta EAD(Employment Authorization Card). Los empleadores de los Estados Unidos deben asegurarse deque todos sus empleados, independientementede su ciudadanía u origen nacional,...
El estatus de protección temporal (TPS) es un beneficio provisional que permite a personas que ya están en los Estados Unidos, y que provienen de ciertos países con condiciones extraordinarias y peligrosas, a vivir y trabajar legalmente de forma transitoria...
USCIS is implementing premium processing for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. This expansion of premium processing only applies to certain previously filed Form I-140 petitions under an E13 multinational...
Florida is a no-fault divorce state, which means no blame is attached to either party when pursuing a divorce. Although a spouse’s domestic violence will not be grounds for the divorce, you may be able to introduce evidence to the Courts of your spouse’s abusive behavior...
On April 21, 2022, President Biden announced Uniting for Ukraine, a new streamlined process to provide Ukrainian citizens who have fled Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression opportunities to come to the United States. This represents a key step toward fulfilling the President’s commitment to...
Many of us go through life devoting more time to planning a vacation, or even selecting what to have for dinner, than we do thinking about having an estate plan put in place. It is certainly not a fun topic to think about, but without an estate plan, you will not be able to determine who gets everything that...
Existen diversas razones para que una persona quiera cambiarse el nombre de forma legal. Puede ser, porque, recientemente ha ocurrido un matrimonio; un divorcio; o simplemente la persona ya no desea ser conocida por su...
Non-U.S. citizens can get a homestead exemption, but the clock is ticking. As Broward County Property Appraiser, I am proud to represent such a vibrant South Florida community. People come from all over the world to call Broward County home, and our diverse population is what makes Broward County such a...
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted...
So, you’ve been with your significant other for years, and that long-awaited day finally comes. You go on a specially planned romantic date and FINALLY, they get down on their knees, open up that stunning ring box and pop the long-awaited question...
Air Travel to the United States - Presidential Proclamation 10294 od October 25, 2021, Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic, effective November 8, 2021, revoked the four prior geographic travel ban restrictions that had limited entry from 33 specific countries...
Age requirements for marriage, as well as marriage laws in general, vary from state to state. In Florida, the general rule is that you must be 18 years old to get married. This is because the age for consent in Florida is 18, which is the age in which the law deems you to have the mental capacity to make such important decisions...
The Biden-Harris Administration believes that one of America’s greatest strengths is our ability to attract global talent to strengthen our economy and technological competitiveness, and benefit working people and communities...
Five years ago, USCIS routinely took three months to issue employment authorization documents (EADs) and advance parole (AP) travel documents. Prior to the pandemic, USCIS was taking approximately...
Prenuptial Agreements, often called prenups, are a very powerful financial planning tool. Prenuptial agreements are contracts akin to insurance policies with a one-time premium. The prenup can protect your assets and your income in the case of a divorce. But it can also protect your estate plan...
Susan Hartt describes herself as an incorrigible optimist, drawn to change and challenge. After a long, successful career in marketing and public relations, she had reason to feel financially confident in her older years...
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers through the end of 2022 to waive...
The effect of divorce on children is profound. The nature of divorce means that even with kids involved, adult needs are often prioritized before the children’s. And considering nearly half of all American marriages end in...
Bringing a child into the world is one of life’s greatest blessings. With that blessing comes many responsibilities. The first ones that come to mind are feeding, diapering, clothing, and getting the baby to sleep. However, once the new baby starts sleeping through the night...
One of those elements is the presence of domestic violence. In far too many instances, children are exposed to violence in their home, which can have a tremendous impact on them. Here are just some of the ways that exposure to domestic violence can impact your child...
Sometimes life throws some unexpected curve balls at you, and in a matter of seconds, everything changes. You get the job offer of a lifetime in another state, or even another county. You take a vacation and fall in love with the place, maybe even find the love of your life there...
Any US resident or citizen traveling within the US will need to have a Real ID by May 3, 2023. This is a special verified Driver’s License or Identity Document issued by the DMV. The Real ID Act was introduced in 2005, but the enactment has been stalled by issues with technology and now the pandemic...
My girlfriend and I broke up, and she moved out of our apartment with our 1-year-old daughter. I’m on the birth certificate, but she isn’t letting me see my daughter. I called the police, but they told me there was nothing they could do. Now she’s demanding child support before I can see her...
So, you’ve been with your significant other for years, and that long-awaited day finally comes. You go on a specially planned romantic date and FINALLY, they get down on their knees, open up that stunning ring box and pop the long-awaited question “Will you marry me?” You are shocked, ecstatic, and...
Equitable distribution refers to the process of dividing any assets or liabilities that were acquired or incurred during the marriage. Any asset or liability that is marital can be distributed during a divorce; these are considered “marital”. Florida is an equitable distribution state. This means that all marital assets...
211 Broward is a 24-hour comprehensive crisis helpline. They can also be reached by texting your zip code to 898211 or visiting their website to connect with chatting services. The helpline counselors are professional staff members that receive...
Q: I’ve been married for 10 years, and I’ve been a stay-at-home Mom for 8 years. We have 2 children. I My Husband has been the breadwinner in the family our entire marriage, making $180,000 a year. Will I get alimony when I get divorced? If so, how much and for how long? Is that separate from child support?...
When you think about the things a college-bound senior may need for their departure to their school of choice, you would ordinarily consider dorm essentials, books, and possibly a large stash of ramen. However, there are...
You cannot go anywhere these days without seeing help wanted signs. In fact, many high-level positions are not being filled. As a longtime immigration attorney, I help companies bring in foreign workers to supplement their US workforce. There are several different types of nonimmigrant visas which can be used to...
On July 16, 2021, the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA is unlawful. The court granted a permanent injunction of the program and found that the 2021 memorandum creating the program was unlawful. This deals a harsh blow to...
An I-9 form is a USCIS form which verifies employment eligibility in the US. On the first day of employment for any employee, the employer must provide an I-9 form to the new hire. The employee section of the form must be signed...
While marrying a US citizen may bestow an immigration benefit on you eventually, it is not a done deal once you say, “I do”. There are many considerations that must be discussed with an immigration attorney including the manner...
It is very important during a divorce to focus on how the children involved are affected. Make good decisions.
CORAL SPRINGS, FL - June is Pride Month, a month when the LGBTQ community celebrates the anniversary of the civil rights movement for LGBTQ equality. This fight for equality began at a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn in...
As a longtime resident of South Florida, I have grown up knowing about “our” season. Snowbirds flock to our area from October through April. Therefore, many of our local businesses have a season. Our businesses tend to employ more people for these months and then slow down in the summer or...
State laws (including Florida’s statutes) make it difficult for an adult’s parental rights to be terminated. This does not mean that parental rights are guaranteed, however. In certain cases, courts can terminate a person’s parental rights. These rights include the right to spend time with the child, make...
When you think about the things a college-bound senior may need for their departure to their school of choice, you would ordinarily consider dorm essentials, books, and possibly a large stash of ramen. However, there are...
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is a U.S. immigration policy that provides a quasi-legal status and employment authorization to certain individuals unlawfully present in the United States after being brought to the country as children. Individuals may qualify for DACA if they: Were under the age of 31 as...
Florida is a no-fault divorce state, which means no blame is attached to either party when pursuing a divorce. Although a spouse’s domestic violence will not be grounds for the divorce, you may be able to introduce evidence to the Courts of your spouse’s abusive behavior. Evidence of domestic violence almost always...
Many clients ask us at their initial consultation, “when is the right time for me to file for a divorce?” Like many legal and strategic questions, the answer is, “it depends”. From a legal perspective there are some bad times to file for divorce. If you are the spouse who is in need of continuing financial support (alimony) from...
On March 9, 2021, Venezuela was designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, until September 2022. TPS will enable Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications for TPS...
USCIS released a statement on March 9, 2021 stating that they will no longer be pursuing the public charge rule. “The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation’s values. It penalized those who access health benefits and other government services available to them..
South Florida is known for its sunny weather, Miami nightlife, and its amusement parks. However, there is one less glamorous industry that Florida – especially Palm Beach County, Florida is known for...
Today, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that the government will no longer defend the 2019 public charge rule as doing so is neither in the public interest nor an efficient use of limited government resources...
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, until September 2022...
As an immigration attorney, I am often asked questions like, "Should I carry my green card or social security card around with me?" Well, my go to answer, like any good attorney is that depends! You see, it is not a good practice to carry around any identity documents that could lead to potential identity...
COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on our society since it arrived with a vengeance in Florida in March 2020. Our lives were transformed almost overnight, and those changes have continued to impact Florida’s families for the past year. Child custody disputes during this pandemic started almost...
Prenuptial Agreements, often called prenups, are a very powerful financial planning tool. Prenuptial agreements are contracts akin to insurance policies with a one-time premium. The prenup can protect your assets and your income in the case of a divorce. But it can also protect your estate plan...
As the Florida legislature begins its 2021 session, a bill has once again been introduced to radically change Florida’s laws relating to alimony and time-sharing. Forces have been at work for many years trying to end or...
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test beginning March 1, 2021. On Dec. 1, 2020, USCIS implemented a revised..
On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued several orders on immigration. Some orders take immediate effect while others may take more time to be implemented. If you think these policies affect you, contact a lawyer or legal service provider. Among the changes are: Deferred Action for...
To determine whether a Will can accomplish all of your estate planning goals, it is important to understand what a Will can and cannot do. A Will is an estate planning tool that becomes effective upon the death of its creator. A Will is utilized to provide for the distribution of the decedent’s...
An L-1 visa is an intracompany transfer visa. If someone works for an affiliated company abroad for one in the preceding three years, then they would be eligible to be transferred to a related company in the US. They must have worked in a manager, executive or specialized knowledge capacity in...
Going through a divorce is never easy. This already difficult process becomes even more challenging when domestic violence is involved. The ugliness of domestic violence does not include only physical abuse, but also sexual, emotional, spiritual, economic, as well as the use of threats, isolation...
The COVID-19 virus took the world by storm and has worked its way into our everyday lives, creating new challenges for co-parenting......
For all applications for naturalization filed after December 1, 2020, there will be a new civics examination. All other criteria of the process remain the same. An applicant must answer 12 questions correctly out of...
It is a common misconception that a bankruptcy filing will lead to incurable financial ruin. In fact, a bankruptcy filing can provide the financial relief necessary to rebuild one’s credit.Paying bills on time, using a small amount of your overall available credit, and having several accounts in good standing for long periods of...
In the age of the Covid-19 Pandemic, pet ownership is on the rise. One thing that many fail to consider is what will happen to their pets in the event of an emergency or their death. While pets are legally considered property, they are clearly more dependent on their owners than let’s say your favorite...
By: Andrea R. Jacobs, Esq.
USCIS announced that it will resume processing the Public Charge provisions which have been enjoined nationwide since a July 29, 2020. The new rule which was promulgated on October 15, 2019 and put into practice on...
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Nancy K. Brodzki, Esquire
Andrea K. Jacobs, Esquire
Ending a marriage can be an emotional event even if it ends in an amicable manner. In some cases, you may let your emotions get the best of you during the divorce process. This can make it harder to come to a settlement in a timely and ...
Recent changes to the H1B status have remained relatively hidden from the public eye with the nation’s focus on the government shutdown. However, the way the H-1B process is changing may affect many businesses and individuals. For foreigners, the H-1B visa program is a way to enter the US and build a new life as it offers a...
Some people will do anything they can to get out of paying a fair amount of child support – including quitting a job. Even if one parent is unemployed, the court may utilize a tool called imputed income to determine how much one parent should...
