Lakeland Family & Divorce Attorney / Lakeland Family Law Attorney

Lakeland Family Law Attorney

Family law is the field of law that deals with issues related to marriage and divorce, including related matters such as child custody or paternity. Resolving these matters can affect you financially and change your relationship with your family permanently or for years to come. Darla K. Snead, P.L., is here to guide you through these matters with practical advice and effective legal assistance. With over 25 years of legal experience and a diverse legal background, attorney Darla K. Snead is skilled at helping parties settle their differences and collaborate on a positive result. She additionally has many years of courtroom experience and is ready and able to protect your interests in court when necessary. Learn more below about our firm’s Florida family law practice, and contact our experienced Lakeland family law attorney if you have questions or concerns about a family law matter in your life.

Divorce

Darla K. Snead, P.L. provides guidance and support throughout all types of Florida divorce matters, including contested divorce cases, uncontested divorces, and simplified dissolution of marriage. We can help you and your spouse come to a mutually satisfactory agreement on important issues such as parenting and timesharing, alimony/spousal support, child support, and the division of marital property, and we’ll represent your interests in court when an agreement can’t be reached. Our firm is experienced in custody disputes and a wide range of questions that arise in divorce cases, including when one of the spouses owns a business or they own one together, dividing retirement plans and pensions, deciding who gets custody of the family pet, and unique issues related to same-sex marriage and divorce.

Our firm’s divorce law practice extends to representing parties seeking or opposing post-divorce modifications of existing court orders related to custody or support, including parental relocations, as well as representation in proceedings to enforce court orders through contempt or other legal means.

Mediation

Lakeland family law attorney Darla K. Snead is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, meaning she has received certified family mediation training, has completed educational courses and actual mediation experience, and has received mentorship from other certified mediators. Ms. Snead is also trained in a specialized version of divorce mediation known as collaborative divorce or collaborative family law, which requires a high level of commitment from the attorneys and their clients to achieve their goals and avoid litigation. Whether assisting you in voluntary or court-ordered mediation, attorney Darla K. Snead is vastly experienced in helping clients deal with conflict, resolve disputes, and reach settlements that not only avoid the courtroom but generally yield better results.

Paternity

Only a child’s legal father can assert rights to parenting and timesharing, and only a legally-established father can be ordered to pay child support. If the couple was not married when the child was born, additional steps must be taken to establish parentage in the eyes of the law. Darla K. Snead, P.L. can advise and assist you in this process, whether you are seeking to establish or challenge paternity or as a part of a child custody dispute.

Temporary Custody by Extended Family

Florida law provides a process for grandparents or other loving family members to care for a child if a parent has been jailed, hospitalized, or otherwise rendered incapable of parenting for a time. At Darla K. Snead, P.L., we understand this process and can help you navigate it to a successful conclusion in the child’s best interest.

Florida Family Law FAQs

What is the difference between shared and sole parental responsibility?

In Florida, the courts no longer address “custody”, but determine parental responsibility and timesharing. The court will consider what is in the “best interests” of the child involved. With shared parental responsibility, the parents confer with each other to make all major decisions affecting the child, like education, health care or medical needs and religion. It is very difficult to obtain sole parental responsibility because you have to prove that having shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child.

What is “timesharing”?

Timesharing is a contemporary alternative to a traditional custody and visitation schedule. With timesharing, the parents split time with their children based upon an analysis of the “best interests” factors.

How much will I (or my spouse or partner) owe for child support?

All child support determinations are subject to Florida’s Child Support Guidelines. In order to determine what you or your spouse or partner will owe, you will need to apply the guidelines to your personal family and financial circumstances.

What is the difference between shared and sole parental responsibility?

In Florida, the courts no longer address “custody” but determine parental responsibility and timesharing. The court will consider what is in the “best interests” of the child involved. With shared parental responsibility, the parents confer to make all major decisions affecting the child, like education, health care or medical needs, and religion. It is very difficult to obtain sole parental responsibility because you have to prove that having shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce in Florida?

Contested divorces come about when divorcing spouses cannot agree on one or more issues. Uncontested divorces are the opposite of this situation. Both spouses agree to the terms of the divorce, including matters of custody, support, and timesharing.

Contested cases are resolvable but may require extensive mediation. In cases where spouses refuse to reach an agreement, the presiding judge will make a final judgment on terms according to the evidence presented. This rarely ends well for either party involved. Working with a top family lawyer in Lakeland can help avoid leaving the court to decide critical custody and support matters.

After my divorce, how much will I owe in Spousal Support?

In Florida, there are several types of spousal support provisions. The amount you may owe, how long you would pay, and the type of order you receive is determined on a case by case basis. The short-term investment of a skilled Lakeland divorce lawyer on your side can save you thousands in the long run.

What is the “Best Interest” standard?

The “best interest” standard is the basis of any custody-related decision made in a Lakeland family divorce court. This statewide value prioritizes a child’s best interests during the course of any proceeding that may affect their well-being. Factors that can influence a court’s opinion include:

Willingness of both parents to encourage the other parent’s relationship with the child
How the parents plan to share responsibilities and to what extent those will be delegated to third parties.
Parental willingness to prioritize the child’s well-being over their own needs.
Length of time the child has been in a current home environment, school, or community, and their involvement within.
The geographical location of the parents and time spent traveling to visit the child.
The moral character of the parents, as well as their overall health.
Preference of the child if mature enough to express it.
Parents’ willingness to participate in and support the child’s activities, schooling, and community.
Establishment or maintenance of the child’s current routine.
Communicating with the other parent about issues impacting their child.
Instances of domestic violence or neglect that the child has experienced with one or both parents.
Exposure of the child to substance abuse.
If parents are trying to alienate the child from one another.
Other factors relevant to the child’s best interests.

Will I lose my rights to my house or property if I move out or leave?

Florida is a no-fault divorce state, so a spouse moving out of the home does not give up their rights to an equitable or legal interest before the divorce is complete. There are many legitimate reasons to leave the marital home, including avoiding conflict or domestic abuse situations.

Who covers health care after a divorce?

Different scenarios would impact whether or not health insurance would need to continue after a Florida divorce or not. Typically, those who maintain coverage through their employers would continue to keep that insurance. If you are a spouse relying on this coverage from your partner’s employer, it could potentially come to an end.

There are instances where a nonemployed spouse may gain insurance coverage through COBRA and keep their previous level of benefit in place. This option can be expensive, and it may be more affordable to get a separate policy. Divorces involving children will often require the primary insurance to continue for the children until they reach adulthood. Regardless, if you have minor children, Florida law requires one of the parents to provide health insurance, and often it is the parent paying child support. This condition is mandatory unless it is unaffordable and not easily accessible.

Can I change the timesharing schedule after divorce?

After divorce, life continues, children grow, and changes happen that may require a modification to your current timesharing agreement to adjust. Whether you and your ex-spouse agree or you have to pursue a change to the order on your own, working with a top family lawyer in Lakeland can ensure you do so while protecting the best interests of your child.

Does it matter which parent “files first” in determining custody?

The state of Florida does not recognize a mother or father as automatically being the better option for a child. Therefore, who files first is of little consequence. A skilled Lakeland divorce lawyer can explain what factors a court relies on when determining the best interests for your child.

Contact Our Lakeland Family Attorney Today

Darla K. Snead, P.L. is a full-service family law firm helping clients throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands County with divorce, custody disputes, paternity, name changes, and the full range of family law matters they may encounter. We offer knowledgeable advice and effective assistance to help you through difficult times with skill and compassion. Call our experienced Lakeland family law attorney today.

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