Practice Areas
Divorce
As a seasoned family law firm, we are here to represent the best interest of our clients during the divorce and dissolution of marriage process. We have extensive experience in both contested and uncontested divorce cases. If the situation with your spouse is amicable and you simply need help with drafting a marital settlement agreement, we can help. If on the other hand, things are not quite so amicable and you need to litigate your divorce case, we have handled hundreds of contested divorce hearings and our skillful attorneys will help navigate you through the contested divorce process. Our legal team can help you understand the equitable distribution of marital assets including the marital residence; any rental properties; marital businesses; interests in non-marital businesses; retirement accounts (401 K, IRA, Pension Plans) and automobiles. Furthermore we can help decipher the equitable distribution of marital liabilities such as the mortgage; HELOCs; credit cards; student loans; or any IRS debt. We can offer you guidance regarding whether you are entitled to alimony or alternatively have to pay alimony, and for how long. Furthermore, we can advise you on establishing a suitable child custody agreement; timesharing schedule; and parenting plan for the children born of or adopted during the marriage; as well as child support. We are dedicated to making sure our clients are protected and receive what they are rightfully entitled to under the law and take pride in tailoring an individual approach to each case.
Paternity Suits, Child Custody, Timesharing Schedules, Child Support and Parenting Plans
Child custody matters involve attention to detail to ensure the best decision is being made for the family unit. Allow us to assist with protecting your parental rights in the event of paternity case or family law matter. There are four (4) main issues that are addressed in a paternity suit. First, we can aid you with determining paternity of the minor child (or children) in question. We can assess if paternity has been previously established voluntarily by operation of the law or motion to Court to order scientific testing. Second, we can help you with respect to obtaining parental responsibility of your child, so you can have equal say with the educational, school placement, medical and religious upbringing decisions relating to the child. Third, we can assist you in creating a child custody agreement, with a timesharing schedule for weekdays, weekends, holidays and school breaks as well as corresponding parenting plan. We make sure that we consider the specific dynamics of each family by also making sure to consider any special holidays or religious celebrations unique to a particular family. After this, we shall determine what each of the parties respective child support obligations will be pursuant to the relevant Florida Child Support Guidelines. We understand the impact child custody battles and child support matters can have on children. We handle each case involving children with the utmost care and sensitivity. Our firm works to develop a fair and thorough child custody agreement, timesharing schedule, parenting plan and child support payments with the experience, knowledge and understanding of our skillful lawyers.
Pre-Nuptial / Pre-Marital Agreements
Before walking down the aisle, it is important each future spouse understands marriage is more than being with someone you love. It is a legally binding agreement that has significant ramifications to each person's future assets, liabilities and inheritance. It is important to ensure both individuals are on the same page from a legal standpoint. When drafting a pre-nuptial / premarital agreement, it is paramount to make sure each party provides the other with full financial disclosure. Failure to fully disclose finances is the leading cause for pre-nuptial / premarital agreements to be set aside or vacated by the Court. Our firm has developed procedures whereby we help navigate our clients through this process. Turn to our experienced family lawyers for guidance regarding a pre-marital or pre-nuptial agreement.
Step Parent Adoptions
From every perspective adoption is a gift. It's also a complex area of law that requires in-depth knowledge and meticulous focus on details. Often times, step parents wish to adopt their step children in order to formalize the existing relationship and bond they have; and to ensure the proper passage of assets according to their will or inheritance documents. Our family law firm helps family members cement their bond through step parent adoptions.
Reproductive Law
Usually biological relationships govern who is a legal parent or guardian of a minor child. Therefore, it is critically important for intended parents who are interested in having children through assisted reproductive technology by using donor sperm, donor eggs, in vitro fertilization, surrogates or gestational carriers to speak with an attorney who is knowledgeable about this area of the law. The attorneys of Segarra & Associates, P.A. practice the cutting edge area of reproductive law. The Firm helps our clients secure the legal rights to the minor children they are bringing into the world.
Domestic Violence Injunction Attorneys
The prevalence of domestic violence is an unfortunate reality. Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, is abusive behavior by one person against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation. It can be committed against any member of a household, including a parent, grandparent, sibling, or child not just spouses. When it comes to domestic violence allegations, we know there is more than one side to every story. Whether you are trying to obtain a restraining order or defend against one, our team helps you tell your version of events in order to give your case the best outcome possible.
Relocation Cases
Relocation cases have become more common in our increasingly mobile society. After a divorce one of the parent's custody of a minor child may seek to move to a new location for a new partner, spouse, job, or family. If the nonmoving parent objects and the courts have to decide whether to allow the child to move. Florida Courts require the moving parent show, among other factors, that the relocation is in the best interests of the child involved.
Family Law Mediator Services
Family Law mediation offers parties a real opportunity to settle their family issues without the acrimony or expense of a trial. Mediation is quicker, less expensive and private. It provides a structured process that minimizes the friction normally present during adversarial court proceedings. Mediation creates a non-confrontational atmosphere that encourages the parties to compromise with one another. The mediator is a neutral and impartial third party to help the parties reach a peaceful compromise they both find acceptable.
