A 77-year-old Tampa businessman has filed for divorce from his 26-year-old wife who investigators said attempted to cash a million dollars from his bank account at an Amscot. Court records show Richard Rappaport’s attorney initiated a dissolution of marriage with Lin Halfon on Friday, Jan. 10. The couple was married in Sarasota in August. Halfon has been incarcerated for a month at the Hillsborough County Jail on Falkenburg Road. She is facing charges of money laundering, organized fraud, exploitation of the elderly and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The criminal investigation began after a Tampa Amscot employee refused to cash a $1 million check with both of their names on it. Court documents said she returned with three checks in the amount of $333,000. After being notified by investigators, Rappaport said he wanted to give his new wife the benefit of the doubt and did not want her to be deported to her native Israel, according to a warrant affidavit. In a case where criminal charges may impact civil divorce actions, an experienced divorce attorney is important for best outcomes.
No-fault divorce.
To proceed with a Florida no fault divorce at least one party to the action must be a resident of Florida for six months prior to divorce, and file the paperwork in the county of residency. When children are not involved, financial matters include: 1) alimony, financial support to a divorced party from their former spouse, usually the main financial provider of the marriage, made under order of the court; 2) distribution of marital assets/liabilities, distributing the assets and liabilities between the parties to the divorce as directed by the court; and 3) emergency support, financial support sought after for a separated party before the divorce can be finalized and spousal support mandated by the court in the divorce action.
Other divorce action types in Hillsborough County, 13th Judicial Circuit include:
Simplified dissolution of marriage – can happen on the same day if both parties agree that the marriage cannot be saved, at least one of the parties has been a resident of Hillsborough County for six months, the division of property and obligations are handled, there are no children as a result of the marriage (or pending pregnancies), there will be no alimony sought out and both parties are giving up the right to trial or appeal on the matter;
Dissolution of Marriage with Dependent Children – Parent education and family stabilization course must be attended by both parties of the marriage with certification filed in court, the marriage must be irretrievably broken, and there must be a child or pregnancy resulting from the marriage, and one of the parties must be a resident of Hillsborough County for six months.
Dissolution of marriage with no children; Both parties have marital assets and liabilities but there are no dependents resulting from the marriage and the wife is not pregnant, one of the parties must be a resident of Hillsborough County for six months.
Dissolution of marriage with no children or property; Both parties have no marital assets or liabilities, no minor dependents, the wife is not pregnant and one of the parties must reside in Hillsborough County for six months.
Seek legal counsel.
Consult with an experienced divorce attorney at Yeazell & Sweet in Tampa, as legal action is often a time consuming, emotional, and financial battlefield. A good lawyer will look at the validity of the marriage and determine the best outcomes for both parties as they attempt to dissolve their marriage.