Meeting Your Legal Needs In St Petersburg And Surrounding Areas For Nearly 65 Years
Our St. Petersburg family lawyers and staff are committed to solving our clients problems in a cost-efficient manner while providing dedicated, personalized service in every case. We have the requisite experience, knowledge, and advocacy skills to successfully represent your interests and the dedication to see that your needs are met with satisfactory results. To learn how our firm can obtain results for your specific case, please call the law office of Meros, Smith, Lazzara, Brennan & Brennan, P.A., at or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced and devoted St. Petersburg divorce lawyers.
- Stetson Law School J.D., 1972
Peter N. Meros was born in 1947, is a native of St. Petersburg and has lived here throughout his entire life. His family has practiced law in St. Petersburg continuously since 1952. He and his wife, Marcy, were married in 1969 and have two daughters, Kelly and Amy, and six grandchildren.He graduated from Stetson Law School in 1972 and has practiced law in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida since that time. He is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell and is a member of the first group of lawyers who were board certified by the State of Florida in 1983. He has been continuously board certified in civil trial law since that date, a member of the Thirty Year Club, 30 years of continuing board certification, one of only 216 Florida attorneys and Judges have achieved this. He has been… Read More
- Ohio State University B.A., 1968
What Are The Grounds For Filing For Divorce In Florida
There are two grounds for divorce, formally referred to as dissolution of marriage: irreconcilable differences and mental incapacity of the other party. If mental incapacity is alleged, the party alleged incapacitated must have been adjudicated incapacitated for a period of three years prior to filing for dissolution of marriage.
St Petersburg Family Law Attorneys
Experienced Family Law Attorneys Serving St. Petersburg
The law firm at the Family Law Advocates, P.A., is proud to serve clients from St. Petersburg and the adjacent communities. With years of experience representing clients just like you, we know that we can assist you with any family law matter that may arise.
Our family law attorneys are available by appointment in St. Petersburg and offer our clients the following suite of family law services:
Our attorneys have worked with thousands of family law clients over the years and we know, from experience, that these types of cases can be difficult, especially when children are in the picture. When you find yourself in need of an effective and highly experienced family law attorney for your St. Petersburg case, contact the Family Law Advocates.
From complex Florida divorces, with significant assets, to contentious child custody cases, our attorneys understand whats necessary to protect your financial future and the well-being of your children. We appreciate that your situation is unique to you. Well take the time to listen to your concerns and provide the sound legal advice and guidance you need. Understanding your rights and options is the first step towards resolving your family law matter.
Hire the Right St. Petersburg Area Family Law FirmWhen You Need Help, We Are Only a Phone Call Away
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Where Are You Guys
Are St. Petersburg office is located just off the 375 exit in downtown St. Petersburg at 520 2nd Ave South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701. Just two blocks south of Central Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets South.
Your welcome to stop by for coffee and see our location, but please make an appointment if you want to chat with a St. Petersburg family law attorney at our firm!
We are conveniently located just a few blocks from the St. Petersburg courthouse where your divorce case will be filed.
Can Mediation Be Helpful
Yes, mediation can frequently resolve divorce cases. During mediation, a trained professional will help you and your spouse negotiate important matters in your divorce. The process is much less expensive and stressful than traditional divorce proceedings. Mediation is typically recommended for couples who are still on speaking terms and agree on major issues in their divorce.
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How Do I Hire A Good Divorce Attorney
Its important to spend an adequate amount of time researching and vetting several divorce attorneys before you hire one. Start by searching for top-rated lawyers near you, and read through their clients reviews. Get an idea of their reputation, how successful they are and how they set their pricing.
Make sure each attorney youre considering is admitted to the bar in the state where your divorce could be adjudicated . And when you feel like you have a good list of potential divorce lawyers who can handle your case, contact them to get price estimates, their hourly rates and any other pricing terms.
How Can I Appeal A Decision In A Divorce Case
In regular dissolution of marriage cases, you are entitled to appeal to the decision of the court if you feel the judge made an incorrect legal determination or ruling.
There are a number of time-sensitive procedural steps that must be followed in this instance. There are 30 days from the date of the order to file an appeal.
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How Are Marital Assets Divided
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The division of marital property after a divorce will generally depend on whether or not you live in a community property state. The best way to determine whether your state is a community property state is to talk to a local attorney who can tell you what the law is and who can help you understand how that affects your situation.
Community property states consider nearly all property obtained after the marriage as equally owned by both spouses. As a result, the property will generally be equally split after the divorce. Absent community property statutes, it’s typically up to the court to divide marital property between both parties. In either case, courts will normally accept a property division agreement if the spouses can create their own.
Understanding The Legal Complexities Of Divorce In Florida
Florida has a divorced population of around 13%, one of the highest in the United States. The reasons for a divorce are varied and can be complex.
They include conflict, lack of commitment, communication problems, domestic violence, and extramarital affairs.
Florida is what is known as a no-fault state. This has been the case since 1971, with the passing of the Dissolution of Marriage law.
Effectively, fault in a marriage does not need to be proven in order to entitle a spouse to the dissolution of their marriage.
Given the legal complexity of divorce proceedings, it is essential to hire a qualified attorney. Their legal knowledge and support are key to ensuring that you receive a fair outcome from your divorce.
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Do I Really Have To Hire A Divorce Lawyer
While youre not required by law to hire a divorce lawyer in St. Petersburg, Fl, its in your best interest to do so. There are many complex issues in a divorce, from property division to child support, that you may not fully understand. This can cause you to make costly mistakes. An experienced divorce lawyer will provide you with guidance and help you resolve your divorce in a timely fashion.
What Is The Cordell & Cordell Retainer Amount
Clients must pay their retainers in full before any work can be done. The amount of the retainer fee varies from case to case and would require an attorney to evaluate your specific situation to determine.
There are two retainer options. The first is auto pay. Auto pay requires a credit card on file in which we charge every Monday for any work done the previous week.
The second option allows the client to pay the invoices every two weeks as they are received. The retainer is in place for the attorney to bill against and would need to stay replenished throughout the case.
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Figure Out What You Want
One of the first steps you should take once you decide to move forward with a divorce is getting clear on what you want. This can be as simple as writing out all of your priorities or values, and making goals based on that. Consider your financial situation, your children, your shared property, and what future goals you have. Having a clear picture of what you want ahead of time can help when tough decisions arise in your divorce. You can refer back to your list of priorities if mediation or negotiations get heated, and you could even find clarity in the decisions you have already made.
Can I Annul My Marriage
An annulment makes it so the marriage never occurred. Annulments are rare in family law. There are no specific statutes in Florida that govern annulment and the court falls back on existing case law to make a decision. The grounds must involve grievous misrepresentations by one spouse to another. Examples include fraud, duress, consanguinity , or impotence. Impotence means that one party is incapable of having sex, and it should not be confused with an inability to procreate. You should discuss the particular facts of your case that cause you to believe an annulment is possible with an experienced family lawyer. Not finding the answer you are looking for? Browse our entire Florida Divorce FAQs.
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Need Legal Help Contact Us Today
Family Law. Divorce. Alimony. Child Custody.
Our practice focuses only on issues of family law, including divorce, avoiding court in favor of finding solutions, family building and asset preservation. All clients are encouraged to play an active role in resolving any legal problems that they may be facing.
Saint Petersburg Divorce Lawyers
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- Offers Video Conferencing
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What Are My Rights
Make sure to ask about the rights and the laws that protect you, your children, your assets, and all other important aspects of your life. Its good to know early in the process what is reasonable to expect and what things you might need to negotiate on or give up entirely. Knowing these things can help prevent you from being manipulated or coerced by your spouse, family members, or outside parties who dont have your best interest at heart. Mckinney Law Group is dedicated to making sure you feel confident in your rights.
Why Affordable Legal Fees When Searching For St Petersburg Divorce Attorneys
Our affordable and understanding attorneys have five to fifteen years of experience in family law from the start of a divorce to the end regardless if its a simple uncontested or contested divorce in St Petersburg. Our Pinellas County family law or divorce lawyers are well versed in child support laws, adoption laws, alimony- every single area of family law. Our legal fees are so affordable that our experienced Saint Petersburg divorce attorneys are called cheap divorce attorneys that are highly desirable professionals with some of the best divorce lawyer legal fees available to the general public.
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Why Choose Costis Law
Sean carefully listens to each client, and then makes recommendations. My mission is to use my experience, skill, common sense, ethics and diligent efforts in a team approach with each client, driven towards solving your legal problems.
Experienced Staff
We have over 20 years of legal experience.
Case Strategy
Sean is a detailed listener and an experienced problem solver. He will help you explore your options, risks and guide you to make the right choices that will yield a positive outcome for your and your family.
Case Document Review
More often than not, litigation is not the answer. Some litigants believe that being involved in a family dispute translates to being at war. Sean has a deep understanding of the issues associated with children, family issues and divorce, which is why Sean strives to resolve cases by employing alternatives to the litigation process.
Comprehensive Family Law & Divorce Lawyers
Our firm helps clients in St. Petersburg with a wide range of family law matters. We guide clients through uncontested divorces or represent them in court in complex family law litigation and high net worth divorce cases. Our attorneys are experienced in negotiating, drafting and reviewing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that protect prospective and current spouses from uncertainty about the future and the consequences of a divorce, death of a spouse or other life-altering event. We help clients navigate Florida law concerning injunctions for protection against domestic violence and how these matters can impact a divorce or child custody dispute. We represent mothers and fathers in paternity proceedings so that courts are empowered to order child support or time-sharing in accordance with our clients needs.
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Pensions And Retirement Plans
Assets such as pensions, retirement plans, and 401Ks are considered to be marital property in Florida. As with the above assets, only the amount of the retirement asset that was earned during the course of the marriage is subject to equitable distribution.
Splitting pensions and retirement funds generally require a qualified domestic relations order to be set up.
Do Both Sides Need To Find A Divorce Lawyer
If both spouses are on speaking terms and being relatively fair-minded and pleasant with one another, a single divorce lawyer may be able to help them navigate their divorce proceedings. This may be the case for several no-fault divorces.
However, in instances where a fault is established, or combative divorce proceedings are expected to take place, it is highly advised that both spouses hire a skilled divorce lawyer to represent their best interests. Not only can a negotiation between professional legal counsel lead to a much more streamlined process, but this method may also remove some of the emotions associated with painful divorce proceedings.
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What Is A Health Care Surrogate
A health care surrogate, also known as a health care power of attorney, is a document that designates someone who has the legal authority to consult with your physicians and make medical decisions on your behalf in the event that you are unable to do so. For example, if you are suffering from a temporary or permanent illness or incapacity, this person could step into your shoes and make decisions for you.
What Are Alternatives To Divorce
Depending on your circumstances, you may have other options for ending your marriage besides a divorce. Many states offer legal separations, which can allow spouses to make some of the same decisions as a divorce regarding their shared property, child custody, and child support. This option doesn’t legally end the marriage and is generally used when couples want to retain their marriage status for religious or health care reasons.
An annulment, on the other hand, has the same legal effect as a divorce but does so by declaring your marriage was never valid in the first place. Reasons for an annulment could be that one spouse was already married, was tricked into the marriage, or was too young at the time to legally marry.
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The Best Family Lawyers In St Petersburg
In every case, our focus is to find the fastest and most amicable path to resolution. Our attorneys will provide each and every client the best available steps and options with regards to their current family dispute. Excellent legal advice combined with expert litigation is what you will expect day in and day out from us.
Speak to our dedicated, experienced St. Petersburg Family Lawyers for discrete, personalized attention to your legal needs.
Simplified Dissolution Of Marriage
If certain criteria are met, there exists the option of proceeding with a simplified dissolution of marriage. This would occur if both parties are in relative agreement regarding the particularities of a divorce.
Generally, this form of divorce is simpler and can be less expensive.
The criteria include that there are no dependent children under the age of 18, that no females are pregnant at the time, and at least one spouse has been living in Florida for at least six months.
Both spouses must also agree that their marriage is irretrievably broken.
In addition, neither spouse can seek alimony, both agree on the division of debts, assets, and other factors, and both have filed financial affidavits with the court .
While there can be no trial or appeal through this method, it is still highly recommended to hire a professional divorce attorney.
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