Solving legal problems for Tampa Bay families
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and so do family law problems. Whether you are involved in a complicated divorce, post-divorce dispute, domestic violence situation, paternity, difficult child custody matter, or adoption, you need the legal experience of Wagstaff Law Office, P.A.
Our law firm consists of experienced people who know how to ask the right questions and investigate your case effectively to solve your problem. Wagstaff Law Office can represent you competently on the tough issues but with compassionate attention to your individual needs.
Divorce
Florida divorces require that one partner must reside in Florida for at least six months before filing the divorce papers and the marriage must be irretrievably broken. Uncontested divorces require agreement between both parties on all divorce matters:
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It is a good idea to have a lawyer oversee this process and paperwork to ensure the full Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) is complete and the divorce is valid. If the parties cannot agree on each of the divorce issues, they need to involve their own attorneys to represent them in the process. Your lawyers may recommend mediation, which will likely save on costs and produce a resolution without the added stress of a trial.
Post-divorce modifications
When your divorce is finalized, you may find you have to revisit the terms of your MSA. Times change, and your original divorce agreement may be outdated if you or your former spouse relocates or undergoes a change in income. In these cases, our law firm can see that your rights and interests remain protected through modification of child support, parenting plans including time sharing, and alimony.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence is not limited to any demographic. Unfortunately, people of all income levels, educational backgrounds, ages, races, or creeds may find themselves the victims of domestic abuse. No matter who the victim is, it must stop before the violence turns fatal. Wagstaff Law Office assists victims of family violence and can provide you with the legal help to protect yourself and your family as well as provide you with information about additional resources such as support groups, shelters, and programs to help you get back on your feet. Contact our law firm today.
Name changes
Either during the divorce process, or, if you elect, after the divorce is complete, you may want to change your name to reflect your new life. In Florida, you must include your name change in your divorce petition or file a separate petition after your divorce is finalized which includes your new intended name and the reason for the change. You must also provide fingerprints. Once a judge approves your name change, you must submit the change to Social Security, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Changing a child's name requires both parents' consent.
Paternity
Paternity proceedings are actions to establish a legal relationship between a father and child. Several interested parties can file for a paternity action to determine the father of a child:
- A mother
- A man who believes he is a child's father
- A child, if paternity has not conclusively established
- The State of Florida
In Florida, a biological father is not automatically considered the legal father unless he is married to the mother at the time of conception or birth.
Adoptions
Wagstaff Law Office helps these future families navigate the adoption process even after the potential parents' best efforts have been rejected. Click here to read more or click here to contact our firm online.
Child custody, parenting plans, and dependency
Child custody can range from matters concerning shared parental responsibility with parenting plans in a divorce proceeding or paternity case to dependency actions to relative or step-parent adoptions. We are prepared to handle it all on behalf of fathers, mothers, stepparents, grandparents, and other relatives. Click here to read more or click here to contact our law firm online.
Grandparent issues and other relative issues
We can sit down with grandparents and other family members to discuss dependency matters for the possibility of relative adoption or negotiate more time to build a stronger relationship with grandchildren. Click here to read more or click here to contact our law firm online.
Your family matters to us
For years, Wagstaff Law Office has guided Tampa Bay families to dispute resolution with compassion for clients, extensive knowledge of Florida's laws, and the skill to negotiate beneficial settlements and agreements. Use our experience to look to the future—call our office to schedule an initial consultation at 727.584.8182 or contact us online.
