Sutton Law Firm

Collaborative law requires both spouses to agree to collaboration. If you would like to try a collaborative approach but your spouse is unsure if it's right for them, that can become a major setback. Similarly, your spouse may have already hired a lawyer, and their legal representation may be unfamiliar with the collaborative process or unwilling to participate. The Sutton Law Firm, with locations in Bartow, Lakeland, and St. Petersburg, can offer assistance if your spouse is reluctant to collaborate. We can provide access to collaborative process groups so your spouse can at least consider the potential time and cost benefits of this resolution method. While this is no guarantee that your spouse will agree to a collaborative divorce, providing information and resources is worthwhile.

Our award-winning family law attorneys are ready to help you navigate through a difficult time in your life. Sutton Law Firm can help you with: Custody and Child Support Protecting Your Assets Planning Your Future

Appellate lawyers are litigation experts who study evidence and testimony in order to present complex legal arguments to appellate court judges. These arguments challenge unfavorable trial court judgments that were based on procedural errors or incorrect applications of the law.

This will depend on your case. We understand that cost is a major factor, and having the right attorney on your side can be a valuable investment in your future. We are happy to discuss the costs of your appeal with you during your initial consultation.

There are a few things that can happen if your appeal is successful and the judgment is reversed. The appellate court will typically "remand" the case and send it back to a lower court, and order the trial court to take further action. This may include holding a new trial or that the trial court's judgment be modified or corrected.

Prior to your divorce mediation, there are some simple things you can do to make sure you're prepared and that your mediator will be able to help you to the best of their abilities: Get Legal Advice Organize Your Documentation Define your Goals

When financial circumstances change, you may be able to seek modification of an existing child support agreement. Our child support lawyer, with offices in Lakeland, St. Petersburg, and Bartow, can guide you through the process whether you are seeking an adjustment to current child support payments due to changes in your circumstances or those of your child's other parent.

Child support is determined by many variables and state guidelines that can be confusing without the help of an attorney. Your child support lawyer will help you calculate a figure that meets your child's needs. Our goal is to reach a court-approved arrangement between yourself and your child's other parent that truly supports your child.

In most cases, child support obligations terminate when a child reaches the age of 18. It can be extended to the age of 19 if the child is still in high school. The exception is children with special needs who will need continued care through adulthood.

Yes. Unless there is a compelling legal reason to withhold that property, it will be returned to its rightful owner. It is sometimes held for evidentiary purposes, but then must be returned under Florida law.

Contact law enforcement immediately. If your protection order is being violated, first contact the authorities, and then contact your attorney. We will ensure the prosecutor is notified and appropriate action can be taken to protect you.

Contract violations are one of the most common reasons that business owners in Florida seek the aid of a lawyer. While no two disputes are the same, business owners who contact our Bartow-based practice can expect their case to proceed according to the following process: Consultation Strategy Meeting Attempt at Mediation Business Litigation

Since you are already facing serious financial issues, you are probably wondering: Why spend more money on an attorney? To put it simply, bankruptcy law is incredibly complex. Having an attorney on your side can help you make the most of the protections provided by bankruptcy laws and avoid the serious consequences of making a mistake in the process.

A legal guardian is someone who the court appoints to provide care and make decisions for an individual who cannot do it themselves. The ward, or person in need of care, can be a minor or an incapacitated adult family member, spouse, friend, or other person known to the guardian. Debra J. Sutton is a board-certified attorney who is distinguished in the area of family law. During a consultation at her Lakeland-area legal office, our attorney can help you explore what options are best for you and the person in need of guardianship.

To be a guardian, a Florida resident must be legally independent and at least 18 years of age. A ward cannot be appointed as a guardian of another person. A judge cannot appoint another judge to be someone's guardian unless that judge is related to the ward by blood, marriage, or adoption. If a judge is appointed in this manner, he or she must serve without compensation. Nonresidents of Florida can serve as a Florida resident's guardian if they are related by blood, the spouse of the resident, or a legally adopted child or adopted parent of the ward.

When it comes to minors, guardianship and adoption may sound like the same thing. However, there are some key differences. Adoption terminates the rights of biological parents; in contrast, guardianship of a minor may be temporary. When a minor is adopted, they are not able to automatically inherit property from their biological parents. Their biological parents are also no longer responsible for child support. The lawyers at our Lakeland law office can help you weigh the advantages of guardianship and adoption so you can decide which option is best for you and your ward.

Essentially, alimony is a regular monthly payment allocated to a spouse after a marriage ends. Alimony can serve a number of purposes, such as providing income to make up for the money a spouse could have earned in marriage. It can also ensure that a spouse's standard of living does not drop dramatically after a divorce.

No, it does not. If you and your former spouse are both open to mediation, then you determine alimony, asset distribution, child support, and more using this method. During mediation, you and your spouse will sit down with a mediator and in some cases, your individual lawyers. Together, you will collaboratively work together to resolve important legal issues surrounding the dissolution of your marriage, like alimony and custody. It's entirely possible that both parties can come to an acceptable conclusion then and there. That way, you and your spouse can avoid the stress and costs of going to court. Of course, in some cases, mediation may not be an option.

Sutton Law Firm offers services including family law, appellate practice, business law, bankruptcy, divorce, child support, guardianship, collaborative law, and victims rights.

Debra Sutton leads the firm and is board certified in appellate practice and marital and family law. She is joined by Matthew J. Kovschak, who has over 30 years of experience.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and is closed on weekends.

You can request a consultation by filling out the online form at https://www.suttonlawfirm.net/consultation or by calling +1 727-202-6206 or +1 727-591-5611.

Yes, the Sutton Law Firm location has wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms, providing accommodations for clients with disabilities.

The firm is affiliated with several organizations including the American Bankruptcy Institute, The Florida Bar Appellate Practice and Marital & Family Law sections, Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, and local women's lawyers associations.

Nearby places include Bella's Bagels and Cafe for a quick bite, Pinellas Trail for outdoor activities, and Fred Astaire Dance Studios for dance classes, offering clients options before or after legal appointments.

Nearby legal offices include Marc A Tenney P.A. and Tenney Marc A PA, which offer related legal services that might be of interest to clients.

Yes, nearby health and wellness services include Gastro Florida - Pasadena, Pasadena Veterinary Hospital, Spa Escape, and Skin and Body Curvatures St. Petersburg for medical and spa treatments.

The firm provides legal services in English.