Dade City – Pasco County Family Law Lawyers

Whittel & Melton
727-847-2299
Pasco County, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O Lakes, Zephyrhills
Divorce, Custody, Injunction, Separation, Dissolution of Marriage Attorneys

Divorce and Family law in Dade City Circuit Court can be challenging subjects to tackle. It is no surprise that these matters require a special touch. There are few other Pasco County legal disputes that are so emotionally taxing. At Whittel & Melton, our job is to manage these emotions, either in the courtroom or through mediation. Our Family Law Attorneys understand the strain of divorce and the domestic disputes that coincide, which is why our ultimate goal is to get you back to your life as soon as possible.

In divorce cases, it is important to make it known to the other side that you are willing to go to court if that is what it takes to get the right results. We take an aggressive, proactive approach for our clients. We can handle even the most complex divorce cases. When you need a Dade City Divorce Lawyer to fight for your future, our staff of attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to serve you.

Dealing with Divorce in Dade City

Every divorce is unique. The length of time it takes and the process all vary based on how long the parties were married, if they had children and how much property they accumulated during the marriage. At Whittel & Melton, we have seen firsthand how difficult divorce can be. We know the strains and discomfort divorce can raise and we are proud to help clients through complex property division issues and child custody disputes in Dade City and throughout Pasco County.

A divorce brings up various legal issues, all of which must be resolved before you can continue with your life. Whether your divorce can be settled through mediation or in the courtroom all depends on certain factors, including the following:

• Grounds for divorce — Every divorce proceeding starts with establishing that grounds for divorce exist. In Florida, there are 2 grounds for divorce: 1. the marriage is irretrievably broken, or 2. mental incapacity of one of the parties for a period of three years.
• Child custody — This can be one of the more difficult areas of divorce. Our attorneys at Whittel & Melton have helped numerous divorcing parents throughout Pasco County negotiate parenting plans and child custody agreements during the divorce process. While this is one of those delicate areas of divorce law, we are able to fight on your behalf in the courtroom when parents cannot agree on what is in their children’s best interests.
• Child support/alimony — There are certain resources you and your children need during and after a divorce. We have a strong understanding of the types of support that are available and how both parties can get a fair shake in support proceedings.
• Asset division — Asset division can be the most complex aspect of many divorces. When a business or large amounts of property are on the table, the complexity increases. We know the issues that come into play when dividing marital property, and we can put that knowledge to work for you in Pasco County family courts.

Child Custody Issues After Divorce or Separation – Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills

Even if you and your spouse are still on good terms, making arrangements for co-parenting minor children can be difficult. In cases in which the previous spouses cannot work together to effectively co-parent, custodial disputes can further complicate matters. Our attorneys at Whittel & Melton know how to determine what the real issues and motivations are in order to achieve the best outcome.

Courts in Florida take child custody decisions very seriously. Judges must refer to a whole list of factors to decide the best interests of the children involved, and how to determine custody accordingly.

Child custody is broken up into two categories in Florida:

1. Time sharing. This involves physical time with the child.
2. Parental responsibility. This refers to making critical decisions on the child’s behalf, such as those concerning her schooling, medical care and religious upbringing.

One parent may be awarded sole time sharing and parental responsibility rights, or both parents could share both responsibilities equally.

Even when one parent is awarded “sole” custody, the court will not terminate the child’s relationship with the other parent, unless that parent is deemed unsafe. In most cases, the non-custodial parent will still have access to the child, but the court may implement precautions to ensure that they remain safe during visitation times.

Call Us To Learn About Your Rights Following Pasco County Divorce or Separation

Child custody issues are not always easy to resolve. However, we have years of experience helping clients in the Dade City area confront this sensitive topic. Our family lawyers at Whittel & Melton know how to protect the best interests of you and your children. Call us today at 727-847-2299 to schedule a free consultation to learn more.

Domestic violence is a very serious issue, and can give grounds for a restraining order, which is also known as a domestic violence injunction.

Domestic violence is defined as abuse against a person living in one’s household, which includes the following types of conduct:

• Destruction of property
• Assault
• Threats
• Kidnapping, criminal restraint, or false imprisonment
• Sexual assault
• Burglary
• Harassment
• Stalking

Divorce is a major trigger for domestic violence. Most domestic violence injunction cases result in permanent loss of parenting rights. In other cases, an injunction can limit parenting time. Our team of Pasco County family lawyers at Whittel & Melton are experienced in domestic violence injunctions, custody disputes and criminal domestic violence cases. Call us today at 727-847-2299 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Alimony/Spousal Support Attorney in Dade City, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel

Florida courts calculate alimony based on one spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay. The general guideline court’s use takes 30% of the payer’s gross annual income minus 20% of the payee’s gross annual income to estimate the alimony. The court will look at whether the spouse requesting alimony has a need for it and then verify if the other party has the financial ability to satisfy that need. In the majority of cases, courts look at the surplus or deficit on each spouse’s financial affidavit when deciding if alimony will be given. There are different types of alimony that can be awarded, which can get confusing to both parties involved.

If you have questions about alimony or spousal support, let us help you. Call us today at 727-847-2299 to get the help you need.

Child Support Lawyer in Pasco County – Dade City, Wesley Chapel

Florida courts have established that both parents have a legal obligation to provide financially for their children. The court will apply child support guidelines to determine which parent will receive child support payments. These guidelines are:

• The standard needs of the child or children
• Health care and child care costs
• Both parents’ income

At Whittel & Melton, we can help set initial child support orders in a divorce or separation as well as modify existing child support orders in Florida.

Child support is the most contested issue in divorce or separation. We can help you with this process. Call us today at 727-847-2299 or contact us online.

Division of Assets and Property

Lawyer in Dade City Circuit Court, Pasco County

When couples decide to leave a marriage, possessions, property and finances must be divided. This includes bank accounts, pensions, real estate investments, family businesses, personal property, boats, vehicles, and any other assets considered part of the marital estate. You want to distribute this property equally, so you must accurately value all of these items. We can help you with all of that by consulting with certified public accountants (CPAs), property appraisers and other professional resources to help correctly value all marital estates. Distributing assets can be complex, which is why you need legal assistance. Our family lawyers at Whittel & Melton can address all of your questions and protect your property division rights. Contact us today.

Get The Help You Need Now

Our Dade City Family Law Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are ready to discuss the legal issues in your divorce or separation today! We can help you start planning towards the future. For a free consultation, please call us today at 727-847-2299 or contact us online.