Addressing Parental Alienation in High-Conflict Custody Disputes: Legal Strategies and Remedies

On behalf of The Law Office of Wickersham and Bowers posted in Family Law on Tuesday January 21st, 2025.

Divorce and custody fights are hard enough, but things can worsen when one parent starts turning a child against the other parent. Being alienated can feel like your own child is slipping away. Imagine being a loving parent, and suddenly, your child won’t talk to you, avoids visits, or acts like you have done something wrong—when you haven’t. It is heartbreaking.

Sadly, parental alienation is common in high-conflict custody disputes. The good news is that you are not powerless. Florida law recognizes how harmful parental alienation can be, and there are ways to fight back and protect your relationship with your child.

What Does Parental Alienation Look Like?

Parental alienation can be sneaky. Sometimes, it is obvious, like a parent saying bad things about the other in front of the child. Other times, it is more subtle—maybe the other parent “forgets” to pass along your messages or makes the child feel guilty for wanting to spend time with you.

Here are some signs to watch for:

  • Your child suddenly shows anger or fear toward you without any clear reason.
  • They start using language that sounds more like the other parent than their own words.
  • They refuse to visit or even talk to you, even though things used to be fine.

How Florida Law Can Help

Florida courts care about what is best for your child, and they know that having both parents involved is usually the healthiest option. If you suspect parental alienation, you can take the following legal steps:

  1. Change the Custody Agreement: You can ask the court to adjust custody or visitation if the other parent is harming your relationship with your child.
  2. Request Family Counseling: Judges can order therapy for your child or even the whole family to help rebuild trust and communication.
  3. Enforce the Rules: If the other parent is breaking custody agreements, they could face fines or lose custody rights.

Start Rebuilding Your Bond Today

Parental alienation can cause deep pain, but you do not have to face it alone. There are real, legal ways to protect your relationship with your child and stop this behavior in its tracks. Contact Wickersham & Bowers today and take the first step toward healing your family.

Leveraging Dynasty Trusts for Multi-Generational Wealth Preservation

On behalf of The Law Office of Wickersham and Bowers posted in Estate Planning on Tuesday January 21st, 2025.

Building and protecting family wealth is something many families in Florida think about. You work hard to create financial security, so it only makes sense to ensure that your wealth benefits not just your children but future generations as well. One smart way to do this is by setting up a dynasty trust.

What Is a Dynasty Trust?

A dynasty trust is a long-term, permanent trust designed to hold and protect family wealth for generations. Unlike other types of trusts that eventually end, a dynasty trust can last indefinitely, depending on state laws. In Florida, these trusts can continue for hundreds of years.

One of the biggest advantages of a dynasty trust is that it shields assets from estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. For example, let’s say a family transfers $13 million into a dynasty trust before the 2026 tax exemption change. That money could grow into hundreds of millions over generations—without being chipped away by estate taxes.

Why Consider a Dynasty Trust?

Here are some solid reasons why Florida families might want to create a dynasty trust:

  • Tax Savings: Assets in a dynasty trust are not subject to estate or generation-skipping taxes, which means more money stays in the family.
  • Protection From Creditors and Lawsuits: Since the trust owns the assets—not the beneficiaries—they are safe from creditors, lawsuits, and even divorce settlements.
  • Control Over How Money Is Used: Grantors (the people who create the trust) can set clear rules for how the money is used.
  • Flexibility in Asset Management: You can fund the trust with cash, real estate, investments, or even business interests. This makes it easier to manage and grow wealth over time.

Important Legal Considerations

Setting up a dynasty trust is not something to take lightly. Families need to think carefully about choosing the right trustee to manage the trust. A trustee handles everything from managing investments to making sure the trust follows state laws. Some families even choose to base their trust in states with friendlier tax laws, like Nevada or South Dakota, while still benefiting from Florida’s legal protections.

Securing Your Family’s Future

Are you ready to start building your family’s legacy? Contact Wickersham & Bowers today to learn how we can help you protect your wealth for generations to come.