Lawyer in Sarasota, Florida: Custody and Support
Focused on the Best Interests of Your Family
If you are contemplating or involved in a divorce and there are minor children involved, your biggest concern is likely for the welfare of your children. When making decisions about where they will live and when you will see them, you want to make choices that are best for them, but you also want to know that you will play a meaningful role in their lives.
At the law office of Philip J. Schipani, we represent men and women throughout southwest Florida in child custody and child support matters. We encourage all of our family law clients to work toward solutions that place children and family relationships first. We understand the emotional challenges that come with difficult decisions about custody, parenting plans and child support. We work hard to help you quickly and easily find solutions that meet your needs.
For a free initial consultation, contact our office online or call us at 941-366-8333 to set up an appointment.
Our Child Custody Practice
The state of Florida has established clear guidelines for determining custody. However, you can avoid having the court tell you what your parenting plan will look like by coming to an agreement with the other parent of your child. At your initial consultation, we can give you a rough estimate of child support payments in your situation using the state's guidelines right on our computers.
We will help you establish and implement custody and visitation arrangements that are in the best interests of your children while protecting your rights as a parent. We will make certain that the parenting plan you put together addresses all issues, so that you avoid a return to court over minor issues.
We work with men and women at all stages of a custody matter, from the determination of temporary custody while your divorce is pending through post-judgment requests for modification or enforcement of existing child custody orders. We have experience handling different kinds of parenting plans, including long distance and high conflict parenting plans.
Attorney Schipani has successfully mediated over 100 family law matters. He will take your case to court, but can also help you get through this rough time quicker and at a lower cost by helping you reach an agreement in mediation.
For examples of complicated parenting plans, click here.
Our Child Support Practice
In Florida, child support is calculated by applying a formula provided by the state, which factors in the income of each parent, daycare costs and health insurance expenses. We will review all proposed child support orders for compliance with state guidelines and to insure that all income is correctly included. Deviations from the guidelines are allowed, but require the intervention of the court if greater than 5 %. We will also assist with motions for the modification or enforcement of child support payments.
Helping You With Determinations of Paternity
Paternity matters are extremely complex. Signatures (or lack thereof) on a child's birth certificate, affidavits of paternity, the putative father registry and paternity tests are all very important, and the legal process surrounding them is full of technicalities. For example, if a father's name is not on the birth certificate and he has not signed an affidavit of paternity, and the mother later marries another person, that marriage usually terminates the biological father's rights to that child. These are extremely complicated matters with life-altering consequences.
We will represent either side in a paternity action, and will handle all parenting plan and support issues that result from the determination.
Contact the Office of Attorney Philip J. Schipani
To schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us at 941-366-8333. We are available to meet with clients Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., and evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We are conveniently located in downtown Sarasota, near the courthouse. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
