Tampa Family Lawyer
Family law matters rarely happen at a convenient time, and they rarely feel manageable on their own. Whether you are facing a divorce, a dispute over timesharing, a child support modification, or a situation involving paternity, the legal process in Hillsborough County has its own requirements, timelines, and court culture.
Khonsari Law Group represents clients in Tampa and throughout the broader Tampa Bay area. Our office is located in downtown St. Petersburg, and we regularly appear before judges in Hillsborough County family court. If you are looking for a family lawyer who knows the Tampa Bay legal community and handles cases with real attention to what you are actually facing, we are ready to talk.
Call (727) 269-5300 to schedule a free consultation.
What Types of Family Law Cases Does Khonsari Law Group Handle in Tampa?
Khonsari Law Group handles divorce, timesharing, child support, alimony, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and post-judgment modifications for Tampa and Hillsborough County clients.
Each of these matters has its own procedural requirements in Florida, and the decisions made through court or settlement will follow you long after the case is closed. An attorney explains what applies to your specific situation before you take any steps that affect your rights.
How Does Divorce Work in Tampa, Florida?
In Florida, divorce is called a dissolution of marriage, and it is handled in the Hillsborough County Circuit Court’s family law division for Tampa residents. Florida is a no-fault state, meaning neither spouse is required to prove wrongdoing. The only grounds recognized are that the marriage is irretrievably broken, or that one spouse has been mentally incapacitated for at least three years.
That simplifies the threshold question. What takes time and legal skill is resolving the issues that come with it: property division, timesharing, support, and in some cases alimony.
What Is the Difference Between Contested and Uncontested Divorce in Florida?
An uncontested dissolution of marriage is one where both spouses agree on all major issues, including division of assets and debts, timesharing if children are involved, and support obligations. These cases move faster, cost less, and allow the parties to maintain more control over the outcome.
A contested dissolution is one where at least one significant issue remains unresolved. Those issues are decided by a judge if the parties cannot reach agreement through negotiation or mediation. Florida courts require mediation before most contested family law matters proceed to trial, giving the parties an additional opportunity to settle on their own terms.
How Is Property Divided in a Florida Divorce?
Florida follows a principle called equitable distribution. Marital assets and debts are divided equitably, meaning fairly, though not necessarily equally. The court considers factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s financial contributions and earning capacity, the presence of children, and any interruption to either spouse’s career during the marriage.
What counts as a marital asset and what is considered separate property are frequently contested questions. An attorney helps identify and document the assets at issue and presents the relevant factors to the court.
How Is Timesharing Decided in Hillsborough County?
In Florida, child custody is called timesharing, and the legal standard is always in the best interests of the child. Florida courts do not automatically favor one parent over the other based on gender. Both parents start on equal footing, and the court evaluates a range of factors to determine what arrangement serves the child.
What Factors Do Florida Courts Consider for Timesharing?
Hillsborough County family court judges evaluate each parent’s ability to provide a stable environment, their willingness to support the child’s relationship with the other parent, the child’s ties to school, community, and extended family, and any history of domestic violence, substance abuse, or neglect. The child’s own preferences may be considered depending on their age and maturity.
All timesharing arrangements in Florida must be documented in a parenting plan approved by the court. The plan specifies the schedule, decision-making responsibilities, communication protocols, and how disputes will be handled in the future.
Can a Timesharing Order Be Modified After It Is Entered?
Yes, but it requires showing a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances since the original order was entered. Courts do not modify parenting arrangements lightly. Examples of qualifying changes include a significant relocation by either parent, a major shift in the child’s needs, or a documented change in one parent’s ability to safely care for the child. An attorney helps you assess whether the changes in your situation meet the legal standard.
What About Child Support in Tampa?
Child support in Florida is calculated using a specific statutory formula under Florida Statute Section 61.30. The formula takes into account both parents’ net incomes, the number of overnights each parent has with the child, and certain expenses including health insurance, childcare, and out-of-pocket medical costs.
The formula is not discretionary. The guidelines produce a specific number, and departing from it requires showing that the guideline amount is unjust or inappropriate in the particular case. Understanding how income is defined, how to account for variable compensation, and how overnights affect the calculation can significantly affect the support obligation.
Support orders can also be modified when either parent experiences a substantial change in income or when timesharing changes significantly.
Does Khonsari Law Group Handle Cases in Tampa as Well as St. Petersburg?
Yes. Khonsari Law Group’s office is based in downtown St. Petersburg, but the firm regularly handles family law cases in Hillsborough County, appearing in Tampa-area courts as needed. The Tampa Bay area is a single interconnected legal and geographic community, and many clients have connections to both sides of the bay.
If you live or work in Tampa, or if your family law matters involve the Hillsborough County courts, Khonsari Law Group can represent you. Consultations can be conducted by phone or in person.
Call (727) 269-5300.
Ask Khonsari Law Group
Q: I live in Tampa but my spouse lives in St. Petersburg. Which court handles our divorce?
A: In Florida, a divorce is filed in the county where at least one of the parties resides. If you live in Hillsborough County, you can file in Tampa. If your spouse files first in Pinellas County, that court may take jurisdiction. An attorney reviews the specific facts of your situation and advises on where filing makes the most strategic sense for your case.
Q: What happens if my former partner stops following the timesharing order in Tampa?
A: Violation of a court-ordered timesharing schedule in Florida can be addressed through a contempt motion filed with the Hillsborough County Circuit Court. The judge has authority to enforce the order, impose sanctions, require make-up timesharing, or modify the parenting plan. Documenting the violations consistently and working with an attorney to file the appropriate motion is the most effective path when a co-parent is not complying.
Q: Do I need to go to court for every family law matter in Tampa?
A: Not necessarily. Many family law matters in Florida are resolved through negotiation or mediation rather than courtroom appearances. Uncontested dissolutions, agreed-upon modifications, and consent parenting plans can often be handled without a contested hearing. When issues cannot be resolved outside of court, hearings are necessary. An attorney advises on the likely path for your specific situation.
Q: What if one parent wants to relocate with the child to another city or state?
A: Parental relocation involving a minor child is governed by Florida Statute Section 61.13001. A parent seeking to relocate more than fifty miles from their current residence must either obtain the written consent of the other parent or file a petition for relocation with the court. The relocating parent bears the burden of showing relocation is in the child’s best interests.
This is one of the most contested areas of Florida family law, and an attorney is strongly advisable before taking any steps.
How Khonsari Law Group Serves Tampa Area Clients
Khonsari Law Group was founded on the belief that people navigating family law matters need an attorney who takes the time to understand their specific situation, not one who processes cases interchangeably. Rohom Khonsari and Erica Busch work directly with clients, providing honest guidance about what the law allows, what the process requires, and what outcomes are realistically achievable.
The firm handles everything from straightforward uncontested dissolutions to complex contested cases involving significant assets, difficult timesharing disputes, and modification proceedings. Clients in Tampa and Hillsborough County receive the same direct, responsive representation as clients in Pinellas County.
Consultations are free. Call (727) 269-5300 or contact us online.
Divorce | Child Custody and Timesharing | Child Support | Alimony | Paternity
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law in Tampa
How long do family law cases take in Hillsborough County?
Uncontested family law cases in Hillsborough County typically resolve in four to eight weeks. Contested cases can take six months to two years or more, depending on the complexity of the issues.
Cases that go to trial take the longest. An attorney gives you a realistic timeline based on the specific issues in your case and whether contested hearings are likely to be necessary.
Does Florida recognize legal separation?
No. Florida does not have a formal legal separation status. A married couple is either married or divorced in the eyes of Florida law. Some couples choose to enter into a post-nuptial agreement that addresses financial arrangements while they remain legally married, but this is not a legal separation. An attorney explains the available tools under Florida law for couples who need to address financial or parenting matters without yet proceeding to dissolution.
What is the role of a Guardian ad Litem in a Tampa family case?
A Guardian ad Litem, often abbreviated as GAL, is a person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a child in a contested family case. The GAL conducts an independent investigation, may interview both parents and the child, reviews relevant records, and makes a recommendation to the court about what arrangement would best serve the child.
Their recommendation carries significant weight with the judge but is not binding. An attorney helps you understand how to interact with a GAL and what the process involves.
Can grandparents seek timesharing rights in Florida?
Florida law allows grandparents to seek visitation in limited circumstances, primarily when the parents are deceased, missing, or in a persistent vegetative state, or in cases involving certain criminal convictions. Florida law does not broadly recognize grandparent visitation rights against the objection of fit parents. This is a specific area of law with narrow eligibility criteria. An attorney evaluates whether a grandparent’s situation meets the legal standard before pursuing any action.
Talk to a Tampa Family Lawyer at Khonsari Law Group
Family law matters do not wait for a convenient moment. The decisions made now, about your marriage, your children, your finances, affect your life for years.
Khonsari Law Group serves clients throughout Tampa and the Tampa Bay area. Free consultations are available. There is no obligation when you call, only honest answers about your situation and your options.
Call (727) 269-5300 or contact us online.