Kenny Leigh & Associates exclusively represents men in the area of family law in the State of Florida.  We have nine offices all across the state that service clients in all aspects of this particular area.  Below are some results.  Individual cases with different fact patterns from yours could vary. 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENERAL MAGISTRATES AND HEARING OFFICER

First, it should be noted that if you look at old orders, a magistrate may be referred to as general “master”.  That has been changed to now general “magistrate”.  So whenever you look at old orders, general master and general magistrate are the same thing.  Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.490 governs the appointment of and referral to a general magistrate.

A divorce case is not easy.  It just isn’t.  Many people think that if everyone agrees with everything, then that is a piece of cake and it is all over.  I get half of my stuff, she gets half of her stuff, we will split the children’s time and I will pay her a certain amount of child support and we are done!  Wrong. Judges have to agree on the agreement that you have made and there are many hoops that have to be jumped through for a divorce to happen.  It boggles my mind how often I have seen somebody come in years later after they have done their own divorce and ask me to try to fix something that is outrageous.  Especially if the parties have a little bit of money, you really need to get an attorney.