St. Petersburg Family Lawyer
Family law cases rarely arrive at a convenient time. When your marriage is ending, your children’s schedule is being contested, or your co-parent has stopped following a court order, you need a St. Petersburg family lawyer who will carry the legal burden for you, not hand you a stack of forms and leave you to figure it out. Khonsari Law Group represents individuals and families throughout Pinellas County in dissolution of marriage, timesharing, child support, spousal support, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and adoption, from the first conversation through the final order.
When what’s at stake involves the people you love most, the attorney you choose matters. Call (727) 269-5300 today for a free consultation.
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What Does a St. Petersburg Family Lawyer Handle?
A St. Petersburg family lawyer handles the legal side of your most significant personal relationships, and in Florida, that involves specific terminology, specific statutes, and specific local court procedures that differ from what you’ll find in other states or even other counties.
At Khonsari Law Group, our family law practice in Pinellas County covers:
Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)
Florida law calls divorce a “dissolution of marriage,” and the process involves more than ending a relationship, it requires dividing marital assets and debts through equitable distribution, addressing spousal support, and, if children are involved, establishing a legally binding parenting plan that governs timesharing and decision-making for years. Whether your dissolution is uncontested or fully disputed, the terms you agree to now shape your financial and personal life going forward.
Explore our St. Petersburg Divorce Attorney services →
Mediation Representation
In Pinellas County, mediation is a required step for most contested family law cases. Having an attorney represent you during mediation is critical; it is not just a conversation, but a structured negotiation where the agreement reached becomes your final court order. We advocate for your interests during the process to ensure that any settlement reached is equitable, enforceable, and protects your long-term goals without the need for a protracted trial.
Explore our St. Petersburg Divorce Mediation Lawyer services →
Timesharing and Parental Responsibility (Child Custody)
Florida courts no longer use the term “child custody.” The law divides parental rights into timesharing, the physical schedule showing which parent has the children and when, and parental responsibility, meaning who makes decisions about the child’s education, healthcare, and general welfare. Both are addressed in a court-approved parenting plan. Under Florida Statute 61.13, courts now begin with a rebuttable presumption that equal timesharing is in the best interests of the child, though that presumption can be overcome with the right evidence.
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Child Support
Florida calculates child support using the Income Shares Model, a formula that factors in both parents’ gross incomes and the timesharing schedule. Support can be established during a dissolution of marriage, through a paternity action, or as a standalone proceeding. Modifications are available when circumstances change substantially.
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Spousal Support and Alimony
Florida courts may award alimony based on the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial resources, and the standard of living established during the marriage. Florida’s alimony law changed significantly in 2023, eliminating permanent alimony and changing how courts calculate both the type and duration of support. If alimony is at issue in your case, whether you’re seeking it or contesting it, understanding how the current law applies to your specific marriage is essential before you file.
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Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is a contract signed before marriage that establishes how assets, debts, and support will be handled if the marriage ends. A postnuptial agreement does the same after the wedding. Both must meet Florida’s specific legal requirements to be enforceable. A poorly drafted agreement can be challenged and thrown out when you need it most.
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Paternity
In Florida, an unmarried father has no automatic legal rights to timesharing or parental responsibility, even if listed on the birth certificate, without a court order establishing paternity. Paternity actions, which can be filed by either parent, resolve the question of legal parentage and address timesharing and child support in a single proceeding.
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Adoption
Florida adoption law covers stepparent adoptions, relative adoptions, and agency or independent adoptions, each with distinct legal requirements and timelines. The process involves terminating the biological parent’s rights before any adoption can be finalized. Completing the adoption correctly the first time protects everyone involved, especially the child.
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Not sure where your situation fits? Call Khonsari Law Group at (727) 269-5300 for a free case review. We’ll listen to your situation and tell you exactly what you’re looking at — no pressure, no commitment.
Why Does Who You Hire for Your St. Petersburg Family Law Case Matter?
The attorney you choose for a family law case in St. Petersburg will influence outcomes that stay with you for years, your financial stability after a dissolution of marriage, how much time you spend with your children, whether a timesharing agreement actually works for your life. This is not a situation where representation is a formality.
Family law in Pinellas County is practiced in the 6th Judicial Circuit, the local court system that handles all family law matters in St. Petersburg and the surrounding area. How that circuit approaches contested timesharing disputes, what Pinellas County judges prioritize in alimony determinations, and what mediation approaches actually work in these courtrooms are things an attorney learns from practicing in them consistently. That local knowledge is not in a statute. It’s built over time.
Rohom Khonsari founded Khonsari Law Group after serving as an Assistant State Attorney. That background means he came into family law already understanding how courts evaluate cases, how evidence gets weighed, and what separates a persuasive legal position from paperwork that gets ignored. That foundation informs every family law case the firm handles.
Khonsari Law Group has been featured on ABC Action News and Bay News 9, and recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and the Tampa Bay Times. The firm holds a BBB A+ rating and an Avvo Client Choice designation.
How Does a Family Law Case in Pinellas County Actually Work?
Most people approaching a family law matter expect the process to be immediately adversarial. In practice, many cases in St. Petersburg resolve before trial, through negotiation or court-ordered mediation. Knowing what to expect helps you approach the process with clarity instead of anxiety.
- Free consultation. You meet with an attorney, explain your situation, and learn your legal options and realistic expectations. At Khonsari Law Group, consultations are always free. This is where the strategy starts.
- Filing and service. The initiating party files the appropriate petition with Pinellas County Circuit Court. The other party is then served with the paperwork and given a deadline to respond. The Florida Courts Help website provides the official Florida Supreme Court-approved forms and step-by-step procedural guidance for those who want to understand what’s being filed, though navigating the strategy of a contested family law matter is a very different challenge from filling out paperwork correctly.
- Financial disclosure. Florida requires both parties to exchange financial affidavits, sworn documents disclosing income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses. This forms the factual foundation for dividing assets and calculating support.
- Mediation. Pinellas County courts require mediation in most contested family law cases before a judge hears the matter. A neutral mediator facilitates a structured negotiation. Many cases resolve here, saving both parties significant time and expense.
- Resolution. Whether the case settles at mediation or after a contested hearing, the court enters a final order. The specific terms of that order, how precisely they are drafted, what contingencies they address, what they leave open, is where skilled legal representation makes the most visible difference.
What Should You Look for When Hiring a St. Petersburg Family Lawyer?
The right family lawyer for your case has three things: demonstrated experience in Pinellas County courts, a genuine grasp of what’s at stake for your specific family, and a communication style that keeps you informed rather than guessing.
Beyond credentials, pay close attention to whether the attorney actually listens during your consultation. Family law outcomes are driven by specific facts, your income, your schedule, your children’s routines, your assets, your history with the other party. An attorney who reaches for a template before understanding your situation won’t serve your case well.
Ask whether the attorney has handled cases like yours in local courts specifically. Ask how they communicate with clients between court dates and how quickly they respond to questions. Ask who will actually be working your case day to day, because there is a significant difference between hiring a named partner and being handed off to a first-year associate.
At Khonsari Law Group, Rohom Khonsari is personally involved in every case. You work with the attorney you hire.
Ask Khonsari Law Group
My spouse and I are on the same page about everything, do we still need a St. Petersburg family lawyer?
Yes, and it matters more than most people expect in this situation. An attorney ensures your agreement covers everything Florida requires, is structured correctly, and will actually be approved by the court. Pinellas County judges regularly require revisions to parenting plans and dissolution agreements submitted without legal review, and returning to court to fix a defective agreement costs far more than getting it right the first time.
How much does a St. Petersburg family lawyer typically cost?
It depends significantly on whether your case is uncontested or contested. An uncontested dissolution with straightforward terms costs far less than a fully litigated timesharing dispute. At Khonsari Law Group, consultations are always free — we’ll give you a realistic picture of what your case will likely involve and what representation costs before you make any decision. Call (727) 269-5300 to schedule yours.
How long does a family law case take to resolve in St. Petersburg?
An uncontested dissolution of marriage with no children can be finalized in as little as 30-60 days once Florida’s mandatory processing period and paperwork are complete. A contested case involving significant assets, disputed timesharing, or complex financial questions can take a year or more. The more the parties agree going in, the faster the resolution, which is one important reason why negotiated settlements almost always serve both sides better than litigation.
What exactly changed about Florida’s alimony law in 2023?
Florida’s 2023 alimony reform (effective July 1, 2023) eliminated permanent alimony, the type of spousal support that could continue indefinitely. Courts now award alimony for defined durations tied largely to the length of the marriage. The reform also changed how courts evaluate modification requests for existing orders. If alimony is relevant to a divorce you’re navigating, the law that applies may be very different from what you’ve heard from others who divorced years ago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “equitable distribution” mean in a Florida divorce?
Equitable distribution is Florida’s method for dividing marital assets and debts during a dissolution of marriage. “Equitable” doesn’t automatically mean equal, it means fair given the particular circumstances of the marriage. Factors the court weighs include each spouse’s financial contributions, the length of the marriage, whether one spouse supported the other’s career or education, and each spouse’s financial situation after the dissolution.
Does Florida require couples to live separately before filing for divorce?
No. Florida does not require a separation period before filing for a dissolution of marriage. At least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for a minimum of six months before filing, but there is no requirement to live apart first. Florida is also a no-fault state, meaning neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing to file. The only legally required grounds are that the marriage is “irretrievably broken,” a term courts interpret broadly.
Can a family law order in Florida be changed after it’s entered?
Yes, under the right circumstances. Timesharing arrangements, child support, and alimony orders can all be modified if there has been a substantial, material change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Examples that courts have found sufficient include a significant change in either parent’s income, a parent relocating, a change in the child’s educational or medical needs, or a child growing older and expressing a clear preference.
What is mediation, and is it required before my case goes to a judge?
Mediation is a structured, confidential negotiation process led by a neutral third party, the mediator, who helps both parties work toward a voluntary agreement without a judge deciding the outcome. In Pinellas County, mediation is required in most contested family law cases before the matter proceeds to a hearing or trial. Because mediation is confidential, positions taken during the process generally cannot be used against you in court if mediation fails.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. The St. Petersburg family lawyers at Khonsari Law Group are ready to listen to your situation, explain your options in plain language, and fight for the outcome your family deserves.
Call (727) 269-5300 or contact us online for a free consultation. We represent clients throughout St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation