Did you ever wonder how you can access the information that is filed with the court in a family law case?  If your case is filed in Florida, and that, of course includes Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as the rest of the state, the answer is....virtually EVERYTHING!    Not only is this information accessible from the actual courthouse if someone asks to see your file, but a person can access all of this information from the comfort of a home computer via the internet.

   

Until about a year ago, one could not access much of the "private" information in family law cases, for example, marital settlement agreements, financial affidavits, time sharing (custody) judgments, and final judgments, via the internet.  New legislatives changes at the beginning of 2011 removed much of the restrictions and makes much of these private matters part of the public domain...unless the safeguards that were also enacted are followed, including the filing of a Notice of Confidential Information Sheet along with pleadings.   

 

            Recently,  the Honorable Rene Goldenberg, Family law judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward county, Florida, spoke to the Broward County Matrimonial Attorneys at their monthly luncheon regarding the new legislation governing confidentiality and the attorney's duty to clients.  Judge Goldenberg said that none of the cases she recently reviewed in her division, were accompanied by the Notice of Confidential Information  Sheet, mandated since January, instructing the clerk to remove the confidential information, including, but not limited to social security numbers, from family case pleadings.  I can confidently tell you, as my associate, Penny Taylor- Miller informed the judge, that she apparently did not review any of the files from the Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A., as our firm instituted this procedure back in January, and now, commensurate with the new legislation effective October 1, 2011, also ensures that further confidential information remains that way for our clients.

 

             If you are involved in a divorce, or other family law case, ask your attorney if he filed the Notice of Confidential Information with your case.  If your spouse or former spouse filed petitions or motions containing information that is untrue or that you do not wish your children (or anyone else for that matter) to read in the future, ask your attorney if she plans to file a Motion Exempting Family Court Record from Public Access.  If your attorney says "yes," ask to see it.  If your attorney is clueless as to what you are talking about, call our office.  The Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A.   Clients are our most important asset.  We stay up-to-date on the law so we can do everything in your best interest.

 

Cindy S. Vova

The Law Office of Cindy S. Vova, P.A.

8551 West Sunrise Boulevard

Suite 301

Plantation, FL 33322

954-316-3496

info@vovalaw.com