Many people starting a divorce or custody case in Florida ask the same question: Do I really need a lawyer, or can I handle this myself? In this episode of When Split Happens, Jacksonville family law attorney Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite explains when a do-it-yourself approach may work—and when hiring an attorney is the smarter choice.

Jay outlines the limited situations where a simplified divorce may be appropriate, such as when both spouses fully agree and there are no children or complex financial issues. He also explains why cases involving children, significant assets, or disagreement quickly become more complicated and require careful legal planning.

The episode covers common risks of DIY filing, including incomplete parenting plans, improper division of assets like retirement accounts, and the challenges of navigating financial disclosure or legal procedures without representation. Jay also discusses how having an attorney can help protect your rights when there is an imbalance of information or when the other party has legal counsel.

For individuals in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida trying to decide how to approach a divorce or custody case, this episode provides practical guidance to help you choose the right path from the start.

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In this episode of When Split Happens, Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite explains what it actually means to be a board-certified marital and family law attorney in Florida.

Jay walks through the exact standards set by The Florida Bar, including the required years of practice, documented case experience, specialty continuing legal education, the written certification exam, and the confidential peer review process.

You’ll also learn why board certification is considered the highest level of attorney evaluation in Florida, how few lawyers earn the designation, and why it can be an important quality signal when choosing a divorce or custody attorney.

If you’re navigating divorce, custody, or other family law issues in Florida, this episode helps clarify what attorney credentials really mean and how they can affect your choice of representation.

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Topics covered: board-certified family law attorney Florida, Florida Bar board certification, Jacksonville divorce lawyer, family law specialist Florida.

Filing for divorce in Florida requires more than just submitting a single form. In this episode of When Split Happens, Jacksonville family law attorney Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite explains the key documents required to start a divorce case and why getting the paperwork right from the beginning can prevent delays and complications.

Jay walks through the core forms used to open a Florida divorce case, including the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Civil Cover Sheet, and Summons, and explains how these documents officially begin the legal process. He also discusses how to prove Florida residency, what financial disclosures both spouses must provide, and why transparency with bank accounts, income, and debts is required under Florida law.

For parents, the episode covers additional filings such as parenting plans and child custody jurisdiction affidavits, as well as the parenting course requirement often needed before a divorce can be finalized. Jay also discusses commonly asked questions about supporting documents like marital settlement agreements, child support worksheets, and whether missing or incorrect forms can delay a case.

If you’re preparing to file for divorce in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida, this episode provides a practical checklist of the documents and disclosures required under Florida law.

Learn more about Florida divorce and family law at familylawyerjax.com.

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Relocation after divorce is one of the most misunderstood areas of Florida family law. In this episode of When Split Happens, Jay Henderlite, a Jacksonville family law attorney with Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite, explains how Florida courts handle relocation cases and what parents must do before moving with a child.

Jay breaks down what legally qualifies as relocation under Florida law, when parental consent is enough, and when court approval is required. He explains the strict requirements for filing a relocation petition, the relocation-specific best interests standard courts apply, and why relocation is treated differently from ordinary custody modifications. The episode also covers how courts evaluate job opportunities, financial benefits, and the impact a move may have on a child’s stability and relationship with the non-relocating parent.

For parents in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida who are considering a move—or facing a proposed relocation by a co-parent—this episode offers clear guidance on legal risks, timing issues, and strategic considerations under Florida’s relocation statute.

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Divorce involving military service raises unique legal issues under both Florida and federal law. In this episode of When Split Happens, Jay Henderlite, a Jacksonville family law attorney with Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite, explains what service members and military spouses need to know before filing for divorce in Florida.

This episode covers how jurisdiction and residency apply to active-duty service members, when being stationed in Florida satisfies the six-month residency requirement, and why Florida courts may have authority over the divorce itself but not over custody, child support, or property division. Jay also explains the role of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), how deployments affect parenting plans, and how Florida courts treat military pay, housing allowances, and retirement benefits.

If you are a service member or military spouse in Jacksonville or Northeast Florida, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on navigating military divorce while protecting your rights and your family’s future.

Learn more at familylawyerjax.com and follow Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube for clear, real-world guidance on Florida divorce, custody, and family law issues.

Unmarried fathers in Florida often feel unsure about where they stand legally—especially when it comes to custody, time-sharing, and decision-making for their children. In this episode of When Split Happens, Jay Henderlite, a Jacksonville family law attorney with Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite, breaks down what rights unmarried fathers do—and do not—have under Florida law.

Jay explains why fathers do not automatically receive parental rights at birth when the parents are unmarried, and why establishing paternity is the critical first step. Without paternity, a father has no enforceable right to custody, visitation, or involvement in major decisions. Once paternity is legally established, fathers may seek time-sharing, shared parental responsibility, and equal consideration in custody matters.

This episode covers how Florida courts handle parenting cases involving unmarried parents, including how paternity is established, whether mothers are favored in custody decisions, when 50/50 time-sharing may be appropriate, and how parental responsibility and child support are legally connected.

Jay also discusses why delaying action can make it harder to change an existing parenting arrangement—particularly for fathers in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, where courts prioritize stability and a child’s best interests.

If you are an unmarried father with questions about paternity, custody, or child support in Florida, this episode provides practical guidance to help you understand your rights and options.

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In this episode of When Split Happens, Jacksonville family law attorney Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite answers a question that surprises many couples: Do you have to be legally separated before filing for divorce in Florida? The short answer is no—but Florida’s divorce laws have important rules every spouse should understand before filing.

Jay explains why Florida does not recognize legal separation, how the state’s no-fault divorce system works, and what legally replaces separation under Florida law. Listeners will learn the two requirements for filing a divorce in Florida—the six-month residency rule and the standard of “irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.”

This episode also covers common concerns for couples who are living apart but not yet divorced, including:

• Whether living separately affects divorce, custody, or time-sharing decisions
• How income, debts, and marital assets are treated during separation
• What happens if one spouse disagrees that the marriage is over
• Whether Florida recognizes trial separations or separation agreements
• How parents can establish temporary support or custody without filing for divorce
• When a petition for support unconnected with dissolution may be appropriate

Jay also discusses how informal separation can impact parenting arrangements, financial rights, and future court decisions—especially for families in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.

If you’re considering divorce, recently separated, or trying to understand your legal options before taking the next step, this episode provides clear, Florida-specific guidance from an experienced Jacksonville divorce attorney.

Learn more about Florida divorce and family law at familylawyerjax.com.

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In this episode of When Split Happens, Jacksonville family law attorney Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite breaks down when and how child support can be modified under Florida Statute 61.14. Learn what counts as a substantial, permanent, and involuntary change in circumstances, how courts recalculate support, and why timing matters more than most parents realize.

Jay covers:

• How income changes, job loss, medical needs, or therapy costs may justify a modification
• When courts impute income for voluntary underemployment
• Why agreements between parents aren’t valid until approved by a judge
• The complete modification process, including petitions, financial affidavits, and mediation
• Common issues for military and offshore-working parents in Northeast Florida
• Mistakes that can cost parents thousands in back support

If you’re navigating changes in finances, childcare costs, or your child’s needs, this Florida-specific guide helps you understand whether you meet the legal standard for modification in Jacksonville and surrounding counties.

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