Best Divorce Lawyers in Lakeland, FL

Married parents, regardless of whether they are separated, have equal rights to their children unless a court order specifies otherwise. Time-sharing with the children before a court order is in place can be difficult unless the parents can amicably work together to come up with a temporary schedule. Unreasonably denying the other parent time-sharing with the child or children is a factor considered by the court when deciding the issue of time-sharing in a divorce case in Florida, so that should be kept in mind throughout the separation and divorce process by both parents. At McGinnis Law Firm, we assist both mothers and fathers with parenting plans and time sharing arrangements. Our attorney and family mediator, Wendy K. McGinnis, will look into the specifics of your child custody case to advise you of the best approach.

In Florida, when a married person wants to move out of their jointly owned marital home, they can do so and will not be abandoning their rights to the marital home. However, this does not necessarily mean that the spouse moving out of the marital home will be free from any financial obligation towards the marital home, especially if there is a mortgage in joint names and/or other expenses for the marital home. Even if one spouse moves out of the marital home, a court can still order that spouse to pay towards the mortgage and other expenses of the marital home. McGinnis Law Firm represents divorcing clients. We facilitate the legal process for you, which may include settlement negotiations and court proceedings. We look into the specifics of your case to advise you of the best approach.

In Florida, a child cannot decide which parent to live with or what time-sharing schedule each parent is going to have with the child. Depending on the age and maturity of the child, the court may allow the child to testify with regard to time-sharing and other pertinent issues in a custody case, however the court must still make a custody decision based on the best interest of the child, which may or may not be what the child wants. Contact our Tampa area child custody attorney today for experienced, efficient legal representation. We understand your legal concerns and are dedicated to helping you find the best possible solution.

No, where you were married does not determine whether you can divorce in Florida. For example, if you were married in New York, but you have been a Florida resident continuously for the past six months with the intent to remain a Florida resident, you or your spouse can file for a divorce in Florida. Our Florida divorce attorney has over 18 years of experience representing clients in Florida family law cases, including both contested and uncontested dissolution of marriage matters. Contact McGinnis Law Firm, P.A. to schedule your free initial consultation.

Having an attorney is not a requirement in a divorce case, regardless of whether it is an uncontested divorce or not. However, even if you and your spouse agree on all of the issues, it is typically advisable that an attorney be consulted and retained to prepare at least the marital settlement agreement, which can prevent future legal complications between you and your spouse. Drafting a marital settlement agreement on your own instead of having an experienced qualified attorney draft it can result in various costly legal disputes after the divorce is over, such as a dispute about an issue that you and your spouse failed to address in your agreement or a dispute about an issue that was addressed in your agreement but is too vague or ambiguous to understand. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with a knowledgeable attorney. We provide efficient, personalized representation in a comfortable atmosphere.