Addressing Important Family Law Matters in Pinellas County

Family law matters in St. Petersburg are heard in the Pinellas County court system and are governed by Florida statutes. Family law cases can involve many overlapping issues, such as divorce and parental responsibility, and an attorney plays a key role in helping you navigate this process and do what’s best for your family.

Get help from a St. Petersburg divorce and family law attorney when you call Winthrop Law Offices at (561) 209-0410. We can help you determine your options and create a strategy for your case.

What Florida Family Law Issues Can an Attorney Help With?

A family law attorney is a lawyer who works with clients who need assistance with marital and family law matters. In many cases, this includes divorce proceedings, commonly referred to as a dissolution of marriage in Florida, as well as alimony. Depending on the situation, this could involve negotiating an uncontested divorce or litigating a contested divorce.

Family law matters also include child custody (parental responsibility), time-sharing, and child support. A family law attorney can help with establishing paternity and legal parentage if the parents were never married. Even after these court orders are in place, an attorney can file a petition for a modification if necessary.

Why Is It Important to Have Legal Representation?

Family law cases have to follow specific court rules and procedures and require a strong understanding of the legal process. Hiring an attorney to represent you as soon as possible may be one of the most important things you can do to protect your rights and interests during the divorce process or another family law matter, and can increase the chances of a positive outcome.

An attorney can present your case to the court clearly and effectively, following all applicable laws and presenting information in the proper legal format. A lawyer can also help you negotiate with the other party for a potentially faster and less contentious resolution and ensure you know what’s happening with your case every step of the way.

What Are the Most Important Factors When Determining Child Custody (Time-Sharing) and Child Support?

Child custody (now called time-sharing) and child support overlap to some degree, but they are also treated as separate issues in the court system. It’s possible for someone who does not have any court-ordered parental responsibility or time-sharing to still have to pay child support, and the other parent cannot deny you time with your child just because you’re behind on child support.

When determining parental responsibility, the courts focus primarily on what is in the best interests of the child. This includes their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Florida law establishes a rebuttable presumption that equal time-sharing is in the best interests of the children unless there is compelling evidence otherwise, such as if there is evidence of domestic violence, amongst many other factors.

When calculating the amount of child support and which parent will pay the other, it mostly comes down to finances. The child support guidelines consider factors such as the parents’ incomes, who is paying for childcare, and who is paying for health insurance premiums, among others. How much time each parent spends with the child can also be a factor.

How Does Domestic Violence Affect Family Law Cases?

A domestic violence conviction, or even allegations, can have a significant impact on many family law cases. In Florida, domestic violence doesn’t always have to mean an assault. While assault against a family or household member falls under the domestic violence statute, so do stalking, kidnapping, and battery.

The Florida Statute Sec. 61.13 establishes that the court must consider evidence of domestic violence or a parent’s reasonable belief that they or their child is in “imminent danger of becoming victims of an act of domestic violence” when determining parental responsibility. 

Whether you are a victim or you’ve been accused of domestic violence, it’s imperative to discuss what this could mean for your future and family law case with an attorney.

Get Help From an Experienced St. Petersburg Family Lawyer

When you’re fighting a legal battle involving sensitive family matters, you need a St. Petersburg family law firm that can offer compassionate representation and personalized attention. That’s precisely what we do at Winthrop Law Offices. Contact our office at (561) 209-0410.