Practice Areas

No matter how you look at it, divorce and family law matters are difficult to go through. Expectations of stability are shattered, mistrust grows, and bills pile up. And then the litigation begins. Attorneys file and serve petitions, counterpetitions, requests to produce, and motions to compel. Each party hires dueling mental health experts to convince a judge that he or she should have more time with the children. Privacy is eliminated as each party’s life is probed and publicly questioned so that one side may gain a tactical advantage.

But there is a different way. A more civilized way. And it is called Collaborative Family Law (also known as Collaborative Divorce or Collaborative Practice).

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Mediation

FAMILY LAW MEDIATION IN TAMPA BAY

When most people think of divorce, they have in mind a process where they let a judge decide how property is divided, where the kids sleep at night, and how much financial support is paid. But most families would be better off making these types of life-altering decisions on their own, rather than leave them up to an overworked public official. That is why Family Diplomacy offers private alternatives to litigation, including Collaborative Practice and mediation, which can be used in divorce, paternity, and other family law matters.

A VOLUNTARY DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW PROCESS

Mediation is a voluntary process where you and your spouse meet with a neutral and impartial professional who helps you reach an agreement. The mediator cannot decide issues or impose a settlement; a binding decision will be reached only if both parties agree on its terms. Further, mediation provides you with the flexibility to agree to terms that a judge would never order to meet the particular needs of your family.

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Unbundled Legal Services

UNBUNDLED LEGAL SERVICES

Many people have specific legal needs but do not want to spend the money on a full service attorney. At Family Diplomacy, we practice exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution, which means that we can tailor a la carte services to fit your particular needs.

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Adoption

ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA

The decision to adopt can be overwhelming without the right advocate by your side. At Family Diplomacy we take the time to answer your questions about the adoption process and determine the best course of action for you and your family. We can help whether you are beginning the adoption process from scratch or seeking to adopt a stepchild, close relative, or adult.

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Alimony

ALIMONY IN FLORIDA

You may not have imagined that you would be going through the divorce process, but here you are. You want to know how to protect your financial interests and whether you, or your soon-to-be former spouse, are entitled to alimony (also known as spousal support). At Family Diplomacy we will take the time to explain the likelihood of an award of spousal support in your matter.

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Annulment

ANNULMENT IN FLORIDA

In most instances, when a party is looking to end his or her marriage, he or she will need to request a dissolution of marriage (divorce) from the courts. However, there are some cases, such as when a marriage was entered into under fraud or duress, that an annulment may be the appropriate path. At Family Diplomacy we will take the time to sit down with you and determine whether you qualify for an annulment.

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Change of Name

NAME CHANGE IN FLORIDA

You may have many reasons for wanting to change your name. Maybe you want to honor a loved one. Maybe you have rethought your decision on your name after a proceeding for divorce or adoption. Or maybe you simply do not like your name. Whatever the reason, subject to narrow legal exceptions, Family Diplomacy will guide you through the process of legally changing your name.

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Child Custody

CHILD CUSTODY IN FLORIDA

Whether you are facing an action for divorce, paternity, modification of final judgment, or any other custody proceeding, you want to know (i) how to best protect the best interests of your child and (ii) how to safeguard your rights as a parent. At Family Diplomacy we take the time to sit down with you, explain your options, and develop a personalized strategy to fit your needs.

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Child Support

CHILD SUPPORT IN FLORIDA

Every child has the right to receive financial support from his or her parent. Additionally, each parent has the responsibility to provide for his or her child. Family Diplomacy can help you determine the correct amount of child support for your circumstances.

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Divorce

DIVORCE IN FLORIDA

Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, can be a difficult time in any person’s life. You may have questions regarding issues involving your children, such as custody (now referred to as time-sharing), decision-making authority, and child support. Further, you want to ensure that your property rights are secured. You may also want to know whether there are special considerations for a military divorce or an uncontested divorce. It is important to have a family law attorney who will advise you of your rights and listen to your needs.

Family Diplomacy recommends that any person going through divorce strongly consider utilizing the Collaborative Divorce process.

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Equitable Distribution

EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION/DIVISION OF PROPERTY IN FLORIDA

As part of any divorce, property and debts will likely need to be divided. This is known as the process of “equitable distribution.”

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LGBT Family Law

LGBT FAMILY LAW IN FLORIDA

Given the current state of the laws in Florida, members of the LGBT community often wonder where to turn for advice and help on handling family law issues. Family Diplomacy prides itself on offering an open, friendly environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. We will strive to find a solution that is tailored to you and your family’s needs.

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Modification of Final Judgment

MODIFICATION OF FINAL JUDGMENT IN FLORIDA

There are times when a final judgment entered in a family law matter is no longer practical or otherwise needs to be adjusted. Maybe one of the spouses lost his or her job, and alimony payments are just not possible. Maybe, due to a child’s changing educational needs, custody arrangements need to be revisited. Maybe a parent received a significant and unexpected raise, and child support needs to be recalculated. Whatever your changed circumstances, Family Diplomacy will guide you through the process of modification of a final judgment. You may also want to visit our alimony, child custody, and child support pages.

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Paternity

PATERNITY IN FLORIDA

Are you a father who wishes to establish custody rights to your child? Are you a mother seeking financial support for your child? At Family Diplomacy we will work to safeguard rights and determine financial responsibility while guiding you through the process of establishment of paternity.

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Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

PRENUPTIAL AND POSTNUPTIAL AGREEMENTS IN FLORIDA

Whether you are entering into a first marriage or a subsequent marriage, or you want to better define your financial relationship in an existing marriage, you may have been curious about Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements. Further, if you want an innovative and tailored process with a goal of preserving and enhancing relationships, Family Diplomacy offers a Collaborative Marriage Planning option that may be right for your family.

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Relocation

RELOCATION IN FLORIDA

Have you been involved in a family law matter (such as divorce, paternity, or establishment of a parenting plan), and you are looking to move with your child? Do you have concern about a former spouse from moving with your child? In Florida, there is a statute governing relocation that may apply even if you are moving to a different city within the state. Family Diplomacy will assess whether the relocation statute applies to your situation; if it does, we will formulate the right strategy and solution for you.

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Simplified Dissolution of Marriage

SIMPLIFIED DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE IN FLORIDA

Under certain circumstances, spouses may jointly file for divorce and schedule their case for a final hearing within thirty days or less. This is known as a simplified dissolution of marriage.

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Support Unconnected with Divorce

SUPPORT UNCONNECTED WITH DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE IN FLORIDA

Parents, whether married, separated, or divorced, are required to financially support their children. Similarly, if one spouse has the need for financial maintenance, and the other spouse has the ability to pay for that maintenance, a Florida court can order alimony, even if the parties are not divorcing. Family Diplomacy will guide you through the process of seeking support unconnected with dissolution of marriage.

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Unconnected Divorce

UNCONTESTED DIVORCE IN FLORIDA

You’ve seen the movies, and you’ve spoken to friends and family members. You’ve heard the stories. The image most have of divorce is two people who are in constant conflict and have no other goal but to “win” and make the other spouse “pay.” But often times a divorcing couple has other goals in mind, such as raising the interests of children above all else, limiting divorce fees, or keeping open the possibility that the spouses will continue to have mutual friends. The fact is, divorce does not need to be the litigation nightmare most people imagine it to be.

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