Sarasota Divorce Lawyer
Sophisticated Board-Certified Divorce Counsel in Bradenton & Southwest Florida
Divorce can be one of the most stressful experiences you will face in life. Separating yourself emotionally, financially, and physically from a spouse can be difficult at best. The Sarasota divorce lawyers at Schipani, Norman & McLain, P.A., understand the complexity and difficulty of filing for separation or divorce. At our law firm in Sarasota, FL, our family law lawyers help clients through every step of the divorce process, from the initial filing of paperwork to all the steps toward building a new life.
To help you in this endeavor, you will have the counsel of one of our founding family law attorneys, Phil Schipani, who is Board-Certified in Family and Matrimonial Law by The Florida Bar. This distinction, awarded to fewer than 300 attorneys in Florida, requires extensive education and testing. Divorce Attorney Schipani’s considerable knowledge in this field gives us the upper hand in resolving any issues you may encounter. Our divorce lawyers provide not only strong representation but also excellent client service. When you work with our family law firm, you will always work with an attorney and will not be handed off to a paralegal. Our divorce lawyers respond promptly to your communication within 24 hours. In our personable, relaxed atmosphere, we treat every client as a valued family member.
Reach Out to a Sarasota Family Law Attorney at (941) 499-8154 to Discuss Your Situation and Gain a Better Understanding of Your Divorce. Or Contact Us Online Through Our Request Form.
Divorce Issues We Handle in Sarasota, Florida
At Schipani, Norman & McLain , P.A. our Sarasota family law lawyers handle all aspects of divorce, no matter how complex they may seem.
Family law issues can include:
- Property and debt distribution: We have experience in complex asset division, including high net-worth divorce and business valuation and division.
- Alimony: If you need to seek alimony or pay it, we can help determine the optimal amount.
- Child support and child custody: These issues are often contentious and our lawyers can help you reach positive solutions.
- Same-sex divorce which often has more complications in regards to family law matters which our law firm can help you safely resolve.
If you and your spouse can agree on all issues or where there are no children, dependents, or property, your divorce may be a simple, uncontested one which can proceed much faster. All divorces in Florida are based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This is known as a no-fault divorce as it does not depend on proving that either spouse engaged in any type of marital misconduct. Florida adopted the pure no-fault rule for divorce in 1971.
In divorce cases where you and your spouse cannot agree on custody, child support, alimony, or the equitable division of marital property and debts, your divorce will take longer. The Sarasota court will be required to step in and make these decisions for you based on your individual circumstances and what it deems is in the best interests of all parties. The court’s decisions will be based on evidence presented by both sides as well as public policy and state guidelines. Factors such as adultery and other marital misconduct may affect such family law matters as child custody and property division.
Keep Control Over Your Divorce
One of the most frightening aspects of a divorce is putting your future in the hands of the court. Fortunately, there is an alternative to this: collaborative divorce. At Schipani, Norman & McLain, P.A., our divorce lawyers serving Sarasota, FL, can represent you in your collaborative divorce, advocating for the resolution that protects your best interests. As a result, you can remain in control of the process and your future with us.
In a collaborative divorce, both parties work together to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution to property distribution, alimony, and other issues. The benefits of collaborative divorce include:
- Keeping your separation or divorce private
- Creating a property agreement peacefully
- Maintaining good relations with your ex
- Working together as a family which is particularly beneficial if you have children
Our Sarasota Divorce Lawyers are Trained in Collaborative Law
The state of Florida requires that lawyers who practice collaborative divorce have special training in collaborative law. Not all family law lawyers choose to undergo this training, but ours have. In fact, all three divorce attorneys at Schipani, Norman & McLain , P.A. are trained in collaborative divorce. Furthermore, Attorney Phil Schipani has been Board Certified in Matrimonial Law by the Florida Bar. Attorney Schipani underwent extensive education, training, and testing that gives him in-depth knowledge of state marital law. With this combination of board certification and collaborative law training, he has unparalleled experience to assist with your collaborative divorce.