Sarasota Trademark Attorney

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I have written a number of articles on intellectual property law in the past, but I wanted to take this opportunity to write a blog post specifically about the trademark portion of my intellectual property law and business law practice. For those seeking the services of a trademark lawyer I humbly submit that you consider my law firm for your trademark and intellectual property needs. I am based in Venice, Florida and serve all of Sarasota County and the surrounding area.

Next, lets talk a little about the specific services I offer in the context of trademark law.

Freedom to Operate Opinions

One of the most heartbreaking stories I hear about trademark law comes from the business owner that started their company around a specific business name, and invested a bunch of time and money into that business name – only to realize months down the line that their business name has already been claimed by an existing trademark. Typically, the business learns about this the hard way: in the form of a cease and desist letter, or if they are really unlucky, by way of a lawsuit. Continue reading →

How Much Does it Cost to Register a Trademark?

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So you want to obtain a trademark, but are unsure of what is involved. More importantly, you are unsure as to what it will cost.

Before getting too far along in the trademark process, the first thing I would suggest doing is making sure that a trademark is really the right type of intellectual property for your situation.

After determining that a trademark is the best way to protect your intellectual property, it is important (very important) to deliver my knee-jerk legal disclaimer that each trademark is different, each application is different, and therefore, the cost of each trademark may be a little different.

I try to do most of my trademark application work on a Continue reading →

Florida Divorce Requirements

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In this brief article I will take you through the basic requirements for a divorce in Florida. I am a family law attorney located in Venice, Florida and I help people with divorce and other family law issues in Sarasota County and the surrounding area.

Fault is Not an Issue

First of all, Florida is a no-fault state. This means that you don’t need a “reason” to get divorced (e.g., infidelity or the dissipation of marital assets). All that is required is for one spouse to want to leave the marriage.

Any spousal misconduct may still have an impact on a divorce and are factors considered in determining things like Continue reading →

What are the Child Custody Laws in Sarasota Florida?

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The following article will provide a brief overview of the child custody laws in Florida. First of all, so you know where this information is coming from, I am a family law attorney in Florida (Sarasota County to be exact), and I regularly help clients navigate difficult issues in divorce – including child custody and support issues as well.

So this article is written by an attorney, and is designed to discuss the relevant law. However, please keep in mind that this is a general overview, not legal advice.

A Shift in Perspective

To start out, it is important to know Florida has abolished traditional child custody law in favor of flexible parenting plans. This is in effort to get parent’s away from the mentality that divorce with children is all about Continue reading →

How Does Child Support Work in Sarasota Florida?

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Child support is a major issue when when filing for divorce with dependent minor children. Much like determining alimony and dividing the marital property, determining child support can be highly contentious and even overwhelming for those who have made the decision to file for divorce. Thankfully, child support is pretty formulaic – there isn’t as much room for the back and forth argument that you often find in other family law issues, because the awards for child support are largely controlled by your net income and Federal guidelines.

The purpose of this article is to give you a basic overview of how child support works in Florida. I am a family law attorney who practices in Sarasota County, so the information provided here will be especially relevant to residents of Sarasota County. We fall into the jurisdiction of the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of the State of Florida.

First of all, it’s important to explain Continue reading →

How is Alimony Determined in a Florida Divorce?

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Much like the division of property upon a divorce, alimony is often a huge concern when filing for divorce in Florida.

Alimony, which is also known as “maintenance” or “spousal support” was at one point only awarded to the wife. This was based on the traditional common law role of the husband, which created a lifetime obligation for the husband to provide for the wife. Modern Florida statutes have abolished those antiquated common law rules, and the Supreme Court has ruled that states may not assign marital rights based on gender. So in today’s world alimony can just as easily be awarded to a husband as it can to a wife.

The modern rules of alimony in the state of Florida are governed Continue reading →