When minors are involved in personal injury settlements, who ensures their best interests are protected? This episode unpacks the critical role of the guardian ad litem in safeguarding minors' funds and advocating for fair settlements. From statutory triggers to strategies like structured settlements and restricted accounts, the conversation dives deep into how these guardians balance the child’s welfare with competing family needs. Tune in to explore this vital, yet often overlooked, aspect of personal injury law.

In this episode, Susan and Taylor discuss: 

“A good settlement can be life-changing for people. Even small settlement can give you a lump sum to get you back on your feet.” 

- Taylor Hoskins

About Taylor Hoskins:

Attorney Taylor Hoskins, a fifth-generation resident of St. Lucie County, graduated from Lincoln Park Academy High School and earned her undergraduate degree from Stetson University in 2012. She obtained her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015 and an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Stetson University College of Law, recognized nationally for its excellence in trial advocacy. Taylor has been named to the National Trial Lawyers 40 Under 40 list for 2022–2024, an exclusive honor recognizing the top 40 attorneys in Florida under 40. Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2015, she specializes in personal injury law and has secured notable results, including a $1 million verdict in a tragic hit-and-run case. She works alongside her father, Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney Steve Hoskins, in the firm’s personal injury department.

In addition to her legal career, Taylor is deeply involved in her community. She is a member of multiple bar associations, including the St. Lucie County Bar Association, where she has served in various leadership roles. She is also vice president-elect of the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County and has held leadership positions with organizations like the American Red Cross and United Way’s Women United. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys equestrian activities, golf, and traveling.

Connect with Taylor:

Profile and Company Website: https://www.hoskinsandturco.com/attorneys/taylor-hoskins/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorhoskins.esq/ 

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-hoskins-b83a81104/   

Connect with Susan: 

Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/

Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g

Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html

Owning property with someone else can quickly become a legal minefield, but one real estate attorney has made it his mission to guide clients through the treacherous terrain of partition actions. In a captivating discussion, Jordan Lulich pulls back the curtain on this complex process, from the nuanced differences between owners to the thorniest scenarios involving uncooperative ex-spouses. With a deft touch, Lulich has helped countless clients find their way out of the "partition action minefield." But what are his key strategies? And how can those facing shared property division avoid the common pitfalls? 

In this episode, Susan and Jordan discuss: 

“Trying to work this out between the parties is something that I always try to do, and oftentimes [I] do it. Many other attorneys do not [do it], because they're more than happy to just jump straight to filing and collecting attorney's fees.” 

- Jordan Lulich

About Jordan Lulich:

J. Lulich is a licensed Florida attorney specializing in Real Property, Business, and Estate Planning Law. His practice involves representing buyers, sellers, real estate agents, brokers, and mortgage lenders, as well as assisting individuals with legacy planning. A significant portion of his work includes issuing title insurance as an authorized agent for Old Republic National Title Company. With a deep understanding of real estate laws, Mr. Lulich is also a licensed Florida real estate instructor who frequently teaches real estate agents and presents to brokerages on legal and estate planning topics.

An alumnus of Indian River Charter High School, Mr. Lulich earned both his Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. In addition to his legal practice, he serves on the Board of the Indian River Charter High School, has completed numerous races, and enjoys competitive racing. Mr. Lulich holds an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review rating for lawyers, and has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in 2023 and 2024.

Connect with Jordan:

Profile and Company Website: https://www.lulich.com/jordan-lulich-esquire/ 

Email address: [email protected] 

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LulichAndAttorneys    

Connect with Susan: 

Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/

Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g

Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html

In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, one woman's journey into child advocacy and foster care took an unexpected turn that changed her life forever. Her personal revelation ignited a passion that led to a remarkable 13-year relationship with a young man in foster care, setting her on a path of unwavering commitment and compassion. As her story unfolds, the impact she has made on the lives of children in foster care is both inspiring and deeply moving. But what was the unexpected twist that propelled her into this transformative journey?

In this episode, Susan and Joan discuss: 

“Every person has the ability to make a difference in somebody's life. It's all acts of kindness and acts of service.” 

- Joan Ulsher

About Joan Ulsher:

Joan Ulsher, a dedicated court-appointed special advocate in Texas, brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the table. Her journey from a challenging childhood in foster care to a fulfilling career in the military has fueled her passion for ensuring the well-being of children in similar circumstances. In her book, "Misplaced Childhood: A True Story of Resiliency and Child Advocacy," Joan not only shares her own story but also provides insights and guidance on how every individual can make a positive impact in a child's life. Joan's commitment and empathy make her an invaluable voice in advocating for children in foster care, offering a fresh and impactful perspective on the critical issues surrounding child welfare.

Purchase Joan’s book “Misplaced Childhood, a True Story of Resiliency and Child Advocacy” here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHL9Q5P4

Connect with Joan:

Website: https://www.joanulsher.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joan_ulsher

Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.ca/joanakitas/

Connect with Susan: 

Website: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/

Podcast: https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/podcasts/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-chesnutt-27077bb9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechesnuttlawfirm/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBwfp_IVpeX-YHKpxZ5L0g

Avvo: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/32960-fl-susan-chesnutt-3330241.html

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt interviews author Janell Jones about her memoir "Shattered."  Her memoir talks about her experience with adopting a foster child with undisclosed conditions and the foster system's difficulty in supporting her efforts to raise the child. 

Susan Chesnutt interviews Matthew Brickman from ITAP Mediation. Matthew and Susan discuss the path to becoming a Mediator and the importance of using the mediation process to achieve the best resolutions. 

Matthew and Susan discuss the path to becoming a Mediator and the importance of using the mediation process to achieve the best resolutions. 

Summary: Susan Chesnutt interviews her high school teacher, Daniel Nixon Taylor, about the positive influences of educators and the lifelong impact she had in her experience participating in a mock trial in high school. 

Susan Chesnutt and former divorce attorney, Jennifer Stoler, the CEO and Founder of The Divorce Chick™ Tribe discuss the process of divorce. They review approaches that can help you evolve your divorce into a therapeutic effort to help your family move forward.

SUMMARY:

Susan Chesnutt interviews a long time colleague Dawn Kirk who has been practicing family law for 30 years and mediation for 15 years. As a mediator Dawn’s primary focus is on the children, understanding the family dynamic to find an outcome in the child’s best interest.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[00:02:00] Dawn explains what it takes to become a mediator and the certification process. You do not need to be an attorney to earn your certification

[00:03:15] Susan and Dawn discuss the benefits of having legal experience and the importance of life experience to provide quality mediation

[00:05:00] How does writing a script pertain to mediation?

[00:06:00] Dawn and Susan explain the process of finding a mediator and what those steps look like.

[00:07:15] How long does mediation take? And guess what, it's not an event, it's a product.

[00:09:15] When in the mediation process, Susan and Dawn talk about the benefits of having the two parties separate versus together. Emotions and faces can be triggers for parties involved so what is the best strategy.

[00:11:15] Susan asks Dawn about mediation prep and the importance of the client coming with a wishlist of their priorities. The moral of the story is to come prepared.

[00:15:15] What are some of the barriers when it comes to mediation? What is appropriate and what is not appropriate.

[00:18:00] Dawn talks about the importance of coming to the table being open to the different possibilities available to both parties. She is a big advocate of encouraging the clients to think about other ideas.

[00:20:15] What does a restaurant menu have to do with mediation? Dawn uses the food analogy a lot today to help us understand the process. Get ready to hear her discuss what a temporary agreement can look like

[00:24:00] Dawn discusses getting to a partial agreement between the two parties.

[00:25:15] Susan asks Dawn to discuss the cost of mediation vs the cost of litigating. They discuss the ins and outs to help make an informed decision.

[00:29:00] Dawn and Susan cover what are the trends she is encountering right now. Times change and so does the approach to splitting assets, especially in this current market.

[00:31:00] He said, she said conversations about divorce terms, do they mean anything?

[00:34:15] Before they wrap up, Susan asks Dawn to talk about figuring out alimony and child support, they are 2 very separate things in a divorce agreement.

[00:40:30] Parenting plans. So much information to digest before they finish the podcast. This topic has a lot of details to unpack to create a parenting plan. This section will keep you on the edge of your seat for the next 10 minutes.

[00:52:45] Family traditions and coming to terms with honoring each parent’s perspective on special days and holidays.

QUOTES:

Susan Chesnutt: “It's an opportunity to have a neutral person come in and help you discuss the issues and figure out ways to solve them.”

Dawn Kirk: “And I, I don't think that people realize that your friends, your relatives, your lawn guy, I mean, everybody's affected one way or the other by this.”

Dawn Kirk: “So my role really is to help them write their own script.”

Dawn Kirk: “Forget about money for a minute, what's best for the child.”

RESOURCES:

Susan Chesnutt

https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com

https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/child-custody

Dawn Kirk

http://www.dawnkirklaw.com/services.html

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kirk-5a6b056a/

SUMMARY: Susan Chesnutt and her special guest Martin Kofsky talk about his recent article that focuses on the rights of grandparents. Martin has been litigating and working in family law for 30 years. Sit back and settle in for some good information and food for thought.

HIGHLIGHTS:

[00:01:45] The discussion begins with Martin describing his experience with offending and non offending parents and what that means for the rights of the child.

[00:03:00] Martin gives an example of a case where the maternal grandparent’s rights of the child were being threatened. The child was cared for by them for 5 years and then the other grandparents attempt to assert control.

[00:05:15] What happens when a set of grandparents has never tried to have a relationship with the child? What does the law say or not say in these circumstances?

[00:06:15] Susan asks very important questions about the child’s constitutional rights because of the death of a parent and in the care of a grandparent.

[00:08:00] Martin and Susan deep dive on a Florida statute as it relates to when a reunification happens and its narrow minded pitfalls.

[00:17:30] Martin explains the deployment statute and all that it entails to soldiers and sailors who are parents; the phrase “equal protection” comes into play. Tune in for the intriguing perspective.

[00:24:30] Relocation situations are typically never in the child’s best interest. What is the best solution when a former spouse is married to someone in the military and relocation on one side is necessary. You will want to hear more about this topic.

[00:26:45] Martin goes through a tough case that will give you context on what the court needs to show when a parent relocates and the other parent wants the children to stay where they are as the primary residence.

[00:32:45] Susan asks Martin a hypothetical, if he could write a grandparents right statute, what would it entail?

QUOTES:

Martin Kofsky: as it pertains to grandparents rights in Florida “The rights are limited when there is a parent who's deceased. There can be some room for a grandparent to have a relationship with the child, but still this, the rights of the surviving parent remain paramount.”

Martin Kofsky: “It's easy to identify bruises. It's easy to identify cigarette burns. It's easy to identify strap marks from a belt. It's much harder to identify and quantify the emotional scars that might've been caused by, years of emotional or psychological abuse”

Susan Chesnutt: in regard to dependency statute in Florida: “When you said that the statutes were hypocritical, is that the dependency statute on the grandparents rights goes so far to say that the grandparents should be able to show affection and give gifts and letters from the grandparents or other family.”

Susan Chesnutt: “I've read a statistic today that 7% of the children in the United States live with a grandparent or grandparents…To me, that's a big number of kids who are not with their parents, for whatever reason.”

Susan Chesnutt: “This has been fantastic. I will say hands down, totally honest, the best conversation I've had about grandparents' rights since I've been a lawyer.”

RESOURCES:

Susan Chesnutt

https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com

https://www.thechesnuttlawfirm.com/child-custody/

Martin Kofsky

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-kofsky-55679412/

https://familylawfla.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Fam-2022-Spring-Issue-3_WEB-FINAL.pdf