Family Lawyers in St. Petersburg

Florida adoption involves consent rules, a court-supervised home study, and (for newborn adoptions) a state-specific revocation window. 3 days for newborns; longer for older children, varies.

Florida calls it alimony. Florida's 2023 reform (SB 1416) ELIMINATED permanent alimony and capped durational alimony at 50% of marriage length for short marriages, 60% for moderate, and 75% for long.

An annulment in Florida declares that a marriage was never legally valid — different from divorce, which ends a valid marriage. Grounds vary; common ones include Bigamy, incest, mental incapacity.

Florida child-custody decisions are governed by the "best interests of the child" standard. Statutory policy that BOTH parents share parental responsibilities (and time) unless detrimental to the child. Equal time-sharing has been a policy presumption since HB 1301 (2023).

Florida child emancipation generally requires age 16 or older, plus showing the minor can support themselves and emancipation is in their best interest.

Florida child-relocation requires court approval (or other parent's consent) for most moves that materially affect parenting time. 60 days written notice for moves over 50 miles for over 60 days.

Florida calculates child support using the Income Shares model. Both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what they would have spent on the child as an intact family.

Florida unmarried couples have NO automatic rights to property, support, or inheritance — cohabitation agreements + careful estate planning are the only protection. "Common-law marriage" is rare + specific.

Florida collaborative divorce — both parties + attorneys agree NOT to litigate, instead use team approach with neutrals. If process fails, attorneys must withdraw, creating strong incentive to settle.

Florida abolished new common-law marriages, but marriages established before the abolition date remain legally valid.

Florida family-court contempt enforces divorce decrees, child-support orders, and custody arrangements — civil contempt for compliance, criminal contempt for punishment. Jail time is real possibility for willful violators.

Florida is a pure no-fault state — divorce is granted on the basis of an irretrievable breakdown. No fault grounds are available.