Law Office of Karen K. Ward, lawyers in Destin, FL, Florida

The Foster Care System

In most jurisdictions both state and local executive branch entities control the child welfare system. Adjunct to these state actors are numerous private social services agencies that provide services to foster children and their families. In addition, state courts monitor each child in the foster care system. More...

The Nursing Home Decision, Finding a Nursing Home, and the Cost

A nursing home is a facility that becomes a new home for an elderly person. The facility offers food, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, medical services, personal services, and recreational activities. The decision to place the elder person in a nursing home facility can be very taxing on the family members. The decision is even more difficult if the elder is reluctant to residing in a nursing home facility. More...

Hiring an Elder Law Attorney

With an aging population in the United States, elder law is becoming a recognized and specialized area of law. An elder law attorney focuses his or her practice on issues that effect the elderly population. More...

Bifurcated Divorces

A court may order the termination of the marriage of a husband and wife, while reserving the resolution of certain issues for a later time. This procedure is called a "bifurcated divorce." When a bifurcated divorce is ordered, issues such as the division of the spouses' property, child custody, and child support are decided at a separate trial or hearing, after the marriage is terminated. More...

Post Decree Modification of Child Support

Generally, child support is a noncustodial parent's obligation to support a child until he reaches age 18, graduates from high school, or is otherwise emancipated. A child can be emancipated through a statutory process, by entering the military service, or by getting married. More...