Tampa Family Lawyer

As dedicated Tampa family lawyers, our practice is committed to providing you with comprehensive legal support in all aspects of family law. We understand that your family is unique, and so are your legal challenges. Whether facing a divorce, custody battle, or another family-related legal issue, our family lawyers in Tampa are here to help.

At Melone Hatley, P.C., our goal is to offer personalized and effective solutions to protect your interests and those of your loved ones. Our deep understanding of Florida’s family law, along with our commitment to our clients, ensures you receive not only legal advice but also the empathy and understanding you need. Contact our Client Services Coordinators for a free consultation.

Tampa Family Law Services Offered by Melone Hatley, P.C.

Melone Hatley, P.C., extends its legal experience to a variety of facets of family law in Tampa, ensuring comprehensive support for a variety of family-related legal matters. Our experienced legal team includes:

• Tampa divorce lawyers: When going through a divorce, you need a compassionate and experienced legal professional by your side. We will help ensure your interests are protected throughout the process.
• Tampa divorce modifications lawyers: Tailored support in modifying your divorce modifications can be necessary due to changes in circumstances such as shifts in income or living conditions.
• Tampa separation lawyers: Providing legal guidance and support for couples considering or undergoing a separation, addressing the complexities and implications involved.
• Tampa child support lawyers: Helping you get the support you need from your former partner to help cover the costs of your child’s needs.
• Tampa child custody lawyers: Understanding Florida’s parenting plan requirements, emphasizing parental responsibility, time-sharing, and creating fair parenting arrangements.
• Tampa prenuptial agreement lawyers: Assisting couples in the creation of prenuptial agreements to protect assets and define financial expectations before marriage.
• Tampa spousal support lawyers: Helping to ensure your spousal support arrangement aligns with your goals and your means.
• Tampa military divorce lawyers: Specializing in the unique challenges and legal nuances associated with divorces where one or both spouses are members of the military.
• Tampa divorce with special needs children lawyers: Evaluating divorce cases involving children with special needs, focusing on securing appropriate care and support arrangements.
• Tampa spousal support modifications lawyers: Navigating the process for requesting changes to spousal support based on significant life changes, such as shifts in income or employment status, to ensure fair outcomes.
• Tampa child custody modifications lawyers: Evaluating grounds for modification, collecting evidence, negotiating with the other parent, and presenting cases in court if necessary.
• Tampa temporary custody lawyers: Helping clients secure temporary custody orders in situations such as separations, emergencies, or threats to the child’s safety.

The experienced Tampa family attorneys at our firm pride ourselves on our ability to manage these diverse areas with professionalism and empathy, ensuring you are well-represented and informed throughout your legal journey.

Understanding the Florida Divorce Process: Key Stages and Expectations

When seeking a divorce in Florida, you should understand the typical stages and procedures involved. While every divorce case is unique and addresses specific issues pertinent to each situation, there is a general pattern that most cases follow.

Initiating the Divorce

The divorce process begins when you or your spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage with the circuit court. This can be done in the county where you last resided together or where either of you currently lives.

The filing party must demonstrate that at least one spouse has been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months, affirm the existence of the marriage, and state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that the other party is legally incapacitated.

Florida operates under a no-fault divorce system, meaning the spouse initiating the divorce doesn’t need to prove fault or blame for the marriage breakdown. However, issues of fault may still play a role in other divorce-related matters, such as alimony, child custody, and property division. Our Tampa divorce lawyers can help you work through this process.

Financial Disclosures and Child Support Considerations

Following filing a petition for divorce, the court requires both parties to exchange financial affidavits and related documents. This exchange typically occurs within 45 days after the petition has been served or shortly before any scheduled temporary hearings.

These disclosures are crucial as they inform decisions on financial matters, including alimony and property division. Failure to provide these disclosures can lead to your divorce case being dismissed or the court disregarding requests related to financial issues.

Additionally, if you have children with your spouse and child support is a factor, both parties must complete and submit a child support guidelines worksheet, which helps in determining the appropriate support amount. Our Tampa child support lawyers can help with this process.

Reaching an Agreement or Proceeding to Trial

The final stage of the divorce process hinges on whether you and your spouse can mutually agree on key divorce issues, including:

• Property division
• Alimony
• Child custody
• Child support

If you agree to the terms of your divorce, your family law lawyer in Tampa will help you draft formal paperwork so you and your spouse can sign it and submit it to the court for review. Upon approval, it becomes part of the final divorce judgment.

Conversely, if you and your spouse cannot agree, the court may mandate mediation or schedule a hearing to resolve contested issues. During a trial or hearing, each party, represented by their attorneys, presents evidence, questions witnesses, and makes legal arguments. The judge then makes a final ruling on these matters when granting the divorce.

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Child Custody During a Divorce in Tampa, FL

In divorce cases involving children, the most important issue to resolve is typically child custody. Determining where your children will live and who will make decisions about your child’s life is a critical part of a divorce. Coming to an arrangement with your spouse will put the least amount of stress on your child.

An experienced family lawyer serving Tampa can help you draft an agreement that outlines each parent’s rights and responsibilities and ensures the overall well-being of your child. 

If you are unable to come to an arrangement with your spouse, your Tampa family law attorney will argue your case in court and fight for a resolution that serves the best interests of your child and protects your rights.

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Child Support Guidance From an Experienced Family Lawyer in Tampa, FL

Reaching a fair child support arrangement is critical during a divorce. When going through this complicated and emotionally charged process, you need an experienced legal professional by your side. At our law firm, we provide top-rated legal guidance and protect your rights and those of your children.

Our experienced Tampa family attorneys are committed to helping you negotiate a fair and equitable child support arrangement that prioritizes your children’s well-being while respecting your financial capabilities.

In Florida, child support calculations are determined by specific guidelines that consider various factors, including each parent’s income, the child’s healthcare and childcare expenses, and the time-sharing arrangement. Our attorneys are proficient in Florida child support guidelines and will fight diligently to ensure your child support order is fair and appropriate.

Special Considerations for Child Support in Unique Family Situations

We understand that every family’s circumstances are different, and this is particularly true in cases involving children with special needs or unique family dynamics. Our team is skilled in handling such cases, ensuring that the support provided meets the specific requirements of the child, potentially extending beyond the typical age of majority.

We also address the interplay between child support and spousal support, especially in cases where one parent’s financial situation significantly changes.

A Compassionate, Holistic Approach to Child Support Cases in Florida

Our approach is holistic, focusing not only on the legal aspects of your case but also on providing empathetic support throughout the process. We guide you through the complexities of the Florida child support system, helping you understand how various factors might affect your case.

Modifications and Enforcement of Child Support Orders

In addition to establishing initial child support orders, we also assist with modifications and enforcement. Life circumstances change, and our attorneys are here to help you deal with whatever may come, whether it’s a change in income, relocation, or other significant life events.

We will help you obtain temporary orders for support while your case is pending and represent you in court for any necessary adjustments to the order.

At Melone Hatley, P.C., our family lawyers serving Tampa are dedicated to ensuring your child support arrangement is fair, equitable, and in the best interests of your children. If you are facing child support issues, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our team. Let us be your advocate and guide in securing a stable and supportive future for your family.

Protecting Your Rights in Tampa: Alimony, Property Division, and Prenuptial Agreements

Safeguarding your rights in matters of alimony, property division, and prenuptial agreements is essential for ensuring a fair and equitable resolution in family law cases.

Our approach encompasses a thorough understanding of Florida’s diverse alimony types, from temporary to durational, and a commitment to equitable property distribution that considers each marriage’s unique circumstances.

Additionally, we recognize the importance of prenuptial agreements for couples of all backgrounds. We ensure these contracts are entered into voluntarily and fairly, covering everything from asset division to spousal support. Our dedicated legal team is committed to protecting your interests and providing clarity and security in these complex legal matters.

Alimony in Tampa

Florida law recognizes different forms of spousal support or alimony, each designed to meet specific goals during and after divorce:

• Temporary alimony: This form of spousal support is available during the divorce process.
• Bridge-the-gap alimony: Bridge-the-gap alimony assists you or your spouse during the transition from married to single life.
• Rehabilitative alimony: This spousal support helps you or your spouse become self-sufficient.
• Durational alimony: Durational alimony offers support for a set period post-divorce.

When determining alimony, courts consider various factors, including the length of your marriage, your and your spouse’s financial status, and your contributions to the marriage, whether as income earners or homemakers.

Significant legislative changes in Florida include the elimination of permanent alimony. Durational alimony now has specific limits based on the marriage’s length, and the court’s approach to alimony focuses on creating a fair balance between the spouses’ financial needs and capacities.

Property Division in Tampa

In Tampa, the division of property during a divorce is governed by specific principles and considerations, which include:

• Equitable distribution: In Florida, marital property is divided equitably, which aims for fairness and justice rather than a strict 50/50 split. This approach allows for flexibility based on each case’s unique circumstances.
• Factors for consideration: The court considers numerous factors, including each spouse’s economic circumstances, the duration of the marriage, contributions to the marriage, and the impact of the marriage on each spouse’s career or education.
• Marital vs. separate property: Marital property typically includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, while separate property consists of assets owned prior to the marriage or received as individual gifts or inheritances. The distinction between these types can become complicated, especially when separate property is commingled with marital assets.

Prenuptial Agreements in Tampa

In Tampa, prenuptial agreements serve as a vital tool for couples to manage their financial future, characterized by the following key aspects:

• Benefits for all: Prenuptial agreements are not just for the wealthy; they offer benefits to couples from various backgrounds. They provide a clear understanding of how assets and debts will be handled during the marriage and in the event of a divorce.
• Enforceability criteria: For a prenuptial agreement to be enforceable, it must be entered into voluntarily, without coercion or duress. Both parties must fully disclose their financial obligations, and the agreement should not be excessive or grossly unfair.
• Content of agreements: Prenuptial agreements can cover a wide range of issues, including the division of assets and property, alimony arrangements, and the general rights and obligations of both parties during the marriage. They can be tailored to protect individual assets, define financial responsibilities, and establish guidelines for spousal support, ensuring clarity and fairness for both parties.

Handling alimony, property division, and prenuptial agreements require a nuanced understanding of Florida law and a commitment to protecting your rights. Our Tampa prenuptial agreement attorneys can help guide you through this complicated process.

Your Compassionate Family Law Attorney Serving Tampa: From Mediation to Litigation

At Melone Hatley, P.C., we handle a diverse array of family law matters with unparalleled professionalism and sensitivity. Whether it’s child support and alimony or dealing with the intricacies of marital property division and prenuptial agreements, we’re here to guide you at every turn.

Your dedicated family attorney in Tampa stands by you not only as your legal representative but also as a committed advocate and partner, striving to meet your goals for you and your family. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team, and check out our client testimonials to get a better idea of the compassionate service we provide.