How Bodily Injury Insurance Protects you in a Car Accident

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Many Florida drivers question the need for bodily injury coverage on their insurance as they try to find ways to reduce their costs. There are many reasons why you need the coverage, the most important of which is shielding you from the medical expenses of other people should you cause an accident.

You’re only required to carry $10,000 of coverage in Florida. That means if another driver or any passengers in either vehicle are injured in an accident, your insurance will pay for medical expenses up to that amount. If the cost to address those injuries exceeds $10,000 and you’re determined to have caused the accident, the injured parties can seek financial compensation from you for their injuries and that has the potential to cost thousands of dollars.

If you’ve been convicted of a DUI, the law requires you to purchase the coverage for a period of three years after your driver’s license is reinstated. Bodily injury coverage is also mandatory for three years if your license was suspended for accumulating an excessive number of points.

You may be required to have bodily liability insurance if you cause an accident resulting in injuries and/or property damage. If you’re discovered to be driving without a valid license, you could be required to carry the insurance for up to two years. The purpose of bodily liability insurance is to protect others from unsafe drivers.

Even if you’re normally a safe and conscientious driver, a fleeting moment of distracted driving for any reason can result in an accident that can cause a variety of injuries and have disastrous consequences. Without bodily liability, you could find yourself responsible for a significant amount of money in medical bills.

Medical costs continue to increase across the entire spectrum of healthcare. Bodily injury insurance coverage protects you in the event that you cause an accident and the cost of injuries exceeds the minimum $10,000 of basic coverage required of Florida motorists.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

How Long do I have to Pay Alimony?

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There’s no easy answer as to how long an individual may be ordered to pay alimony, but it will depend on the length of the marriage. It’s slightly possible for a spouse to be awarded alimony by the court for a marriage lasting a minimum of seven years. The likelihood increases with the duration of the marriage. If alimony is deemed appropriate, Florida allows for five types:

  • Temporary – Is awarded during the pending divorce and ends when the final divorce decree is delivered.
  • Rehabilitative – This is awarded to enable a spouse to resume a career or profession so they can support themselves, or obtain training or education for that goal.
  • Bridge the Gap – It begins after the divorce is finalized and lasts no more than two years to enable the spouse to get on their feet and meet their own needs.
  • Durational – This provides support for a longer period of time, is dependent upon the length of the marriage, and can be in effect for up to 10 years depending on the court’s judgment.
  • Permanent – An order for permanent alimony lasts until the court orders an end to it, one of the spouses dies, or the alimony recipient remarries.

Alimony in Florida is unpredictable. There are no set amounts and takes into account the incomes of both spouses. The amount can be modified in some instances should the spouse making the payments have significant changes to their financial situation. The ultimate decision on alimony is up to the judge, who is required to consider a variety of factors.

The court is responsible for determining if there’s a need for alimony and if the other spouse is able to pay it. Alimony won’t be mandated if either of those conditions isn’t present. The judge will consider elements encompassing the financial resources and earning capacity of the recipient, length of marriage, standard of living, and child support obligations.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

Dividing a Business During a Divorce

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Dividing a business as part of a divorce settlement can present special challenges. Suddenly, every asset a couple has ranging from houses and jewelry to the business can become a bone of contention. There are assets that spouses are willing to part with and there are others to which each spouse will feel they’re entitled.

The first thing to remember is that there are a number of variables involved. A business is an asset and it needs to be evaluated and valuated. Typically, the person that founded and operated the business will retain ownership through the simple expedient of buying out their spouse’s share. The court will have to decide if it will be categorized as separate or joint property.

Separate property is an asset that each spouse owned before they married or was inherited. Joint assets are those that a couple acquired after they were married. However, separate property that contributed to the marriage or was used to support the marriage may be deemed as a marital asset. A business may be determined as marital property if it was used as the family’s support.

A professional appraiser will need to come in and look at the company’s records. He/she will include other factors in the assessment to determine its worth. The property’s condition, any equipment, products, and customer lists will be evaluated. Bank accounts and all financial records will be included to obtain an accurate picture of the business, its worth, and how it should be distributed.

The court may decide that a spouse is entitled to a portion of the business for their maintenance requirements or that of any children. The worth of the property may be based on its liquidation value or that of an ongoing business by the courts. The court may choose to use an assessment approach based on the business income, the business as an asset, or its market value.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

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