Family Law Attorney in Lakeland, Florida

Liesl A. Weeks is comprehensive family law attorney for clients in Central Florida. Since 2011, Attorney Weeks has practiced in Florida; she has legal expertise and trial exposure, and aggressively strives for favorable results for her clients. Along with her criminal defense practice, her family law practice has covered nearly every aspect of Florida family law. These family law practice areas include:

Divorce & Property Divisions

In Florida, the dissolution of marriage can be granted if certain criteria are met. Typically, the party requesting a divorce must show that the marriage is irretrievably broken. As part of any divorce determination, courts are required to divide the property between the divorcing parties in a just and reasonable manner. A presumption of equal property distribution can be rebutted by evidence one spouse should receive a greater portion of the property. Because courts have discretion in dividing your property, you need an aggressive family law attorney to advocate for your rights.

Custody & Visitation

Custody and visitation rights are generally awarded based on what the court determines to be in the best interest of the child. In situations where the parents are cooperative after divorce, joint custody may be awarded, allowing them to share parenting time and important decision-making, including education and health care. The court may also award sole custody to one parent, with the noncustodial parent receiving reasonable visitation rights, or a combination of primary and secondary custody. When one parent has a history of abuse or other conduct deemed harmful to the child, visitation may be supervised or, in some situations, prohibited altogether.

Alimony & Child Support

The court may award permanent or temporary spousal support, or alimony, to be paid in a lump sum or over a fixed or indefinite time period. Courts consider many factors when deciding whether or not to award support, including the spouses’ relative income, property and earning capacity, property division and tax implications, and the duration of the marriage. Generally, child support is awarded to the spouse with primary custody based on statutory guidelines, taking into account the number of children and the income of the noncustodial parent. Like alimony, the determination of child support is complex and dependent on a wide range of factors.

Paternity

We assist clients in establishing paternity, as well as helping fathers contest inaccurate declarations of paternity. Establishing paternity gives a biological father certain rights and responsibilities regarding his child. Paternity can enable a mother to receive much-needed child support, can help a father obtain custody or visitation rights, and can establish the child’s rights to inheritance, health insurance, and other benefits.

Modifications & Relocations

After a divorce or other family law issue has been finalized by a Final Court Order, it is not uncommon for circumstances to change. Circumstances justifying a modification to a support order may include a former spouse’s increase or decrease in income due to a promotion, unemployment, or even remarriage. A timesharing modification may be warranted when one parent wishes to relocate or if substantial changes have occurred. In some situations, we can obtain a relocation order for a child that is better suited to reside with the parent or family member living over 50 miles away.

Adoptions

Stepparent adoptions are among the most common types of adoption in Florida. These adoptions typically require the consent of the biological non-custodial parent, unless the court determines that the parent has already abandoned the child. An adopted minor child retains the right to communication with siblings and other relatives that may no longer be in contact with the child’s current family. We help clients obtain these and other types of adoption to serve the best interests of the children involved by facilitating a stable family environment.

Domestic Violence Protective Orders

We also help clients obtain court orders to protect them from a family member’s physical abuse, verbal harassment, molestation, or stalking. These orders are effective to prevent the person from entering your home and removing your minor children, unless the removal is part of court-ordered custody.

Seek Experienced Family Law Representation

If you have a family matter and need an experienced family law attorney in Lakeland, Florida, contact Liesl A. Weeks, P.A. for a free consultation. She proudly serves those in Central Florida.