Mary Lou Miller-Wagstaff, Author at Wagstaff and Pitelis, P.A.

Severing Ties With Family Members

With increasing attention to mental health, many people realize that a family member is the person who most triggers them. If you have a family member who abuses, harasses, or otherwise treats you in a manner that negatively impacts your physical or mental health, severing ties with them is the healthiest option. Sometimes changing your…

Grandparent Rights to Visitation are Not Guaranteed

As a family law firm, we are often asked about grandparent rights. As much as studies show that children who spend time with their grandparents are better behaved and happier overall, that is not true in all situations. Sometimes grandparents are not loving or accepting, or shame children who do not behave as they expect.…

Mediation Myths

If you are hesitant about utilizing mediation for your divorce in Pinellas County, make sure something you have heard that is steering you away from mediation is not a myth. We know that some people do not have success utilizing mediation for their divorce, but for many, it is a great option. Myth #1 –…

FAQs About Collaborative Divorce

One of the more common methods to obtaining a dissolution of marriage in Florida is through a collaborative divorce. However, because the name is not clear as to exactly what it is, many people have questions. As a collaborative divorce lawyer, we have gathered many of the most frequently asked questions here for easy reference.…

What Your Parenting Plan Should Include

You and your attorney will work through many things during your divorce. The biggest will be those related to your children. Although it may seem like time-sharing is the most important, many parents find that, in the end, the parenting plan is the document that requires the most work. If you have yet to discuss…

Is My Time-Sharing Agreement Flexible?

family at beach and time-sharing over the summer

As summer is now more than half over, we have heard from many families about their time-sharing agreement. Sometimes one parent is not following the schedule, other times kids activities, friends and interests make time-sharing in summer a bit more difficult. If you are wondering what can be done for the rest of the summer…

Paternity and Inheritance Rights in Florida: What You Need to Know

father and child - paternity and inheritance rights

As a father, you have certain rights. And, your children have certain rights. Although many of these are similar from state to state, you and your child are not guaranteed these rights unless paternity is established. Of course, if you were married to the mother of the child at the time of the birth, you…

Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Unmarried Fathers in Florida

When a woman and man are married and a child is born, the state assumes that he is the father. However, when a woman has a child out of wedlock, there is no presumption of fatherhood. In many cases, the woman names the father on the birth certificate giving the father the rights he is…

The Role of a Guardian Ad Litem in Florida

Although many people think that a guardian ad litem in Florida is only used in a custody case during a divorce, that’s not always the case. The role and purpose of a guardian ad litem (GAL) is to advocate for a child’s best interest in any court proceeding. Not, as many people believe, the child’s…

Similarities & Differences of Divorce Mediation & Collaborative Divorce

If you and your spouse are at the point where divorce is the only option, there are several paths to that end point. Likely you will both hire a divorce attorney. During your initial consultation, they may talk to you about divorce mediation and collaborative divorce as two methods that couples use to come to…