A divorce or “Dissolution of Marriage” begins when a “Petition for Dissolution of Marriage” is filed in the Circuit Court. The spouse must be served with the Petition, and once that occurs most cases follow a fairly standard path. This path typically includes mediation, which is an opportunity for the Parties to settle their differences via a Marital Settlement Agreement and Parenting plan (if there are minor children involved). If the Parties are unable to resolve their issues then the case must go to a trial where the Judge will render a Final Judgment in accordance with the law.

Divorce is a life change that can create a great deal of stress and anxiety. At Withrow Law Firm, P.A. we understand and appreciate the emotional and financial stress that can come along with a divorce as well as the impacts it may have on your children. We approach every divorce with the aspiration of a settlement to ensure that you and your family move through the process with as little turmoil as possible, both emotionally and financially.

In the State of Florida an unmarried biological father must be determined to be the “legal father” of a minor child in order to establish his legal rights. This means that unless and until this occurs through a legal process, the mother of the child has the complete and full decision making authority regarding all aspects of the child’s life. Establishing legal rights to a child can be accomplished by filing a Paternity Action in the Circuit Court. If a father is unsure about his biological relationship to a child, then a DNA test may be requested. However, a DNA test is not required if the father admits to being the biological parent of the child. The Paternity process not only establishes a father as a legal father, but typically also establishes and resolves parenting issues via the creation of a Parenting Plan.

Child Support in the State of Florida is calculated using the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. The calculation is based primarily on each parent’s income. However, the time-sharing schedule, payment of health insurance, and the payment of daycare expense also directly affect the amount of child support a person will be ordered to pay. An order of child support may be awarded retroactively up to twenty-four (24) months.

When a life change occurs after the entry of a Final Judgment, a party can often seek to modify a settlement agreement, parenting plan or court order if there has been a substantial and material change in circumstance that was not contemplated at the time of entry of the agreement or order that the person is seeking to have modified. The modification process begins with the filing of a ‘Supplemental Petition for Modification.” In most situations the parties attend a mediation to try and resolve the modification issues. If mediation is unsuccessful, then the case is heard by a Judge at trial.

After the entry of an Order it sometimes becomes necessary to enforce that order. That occurs when a party fails to do what they have been ordered. When this occurs, a Motion may be filed to attempt to remedy a party’s non-compliance.

A Relocation is the process by which a parent can request permission from the court to relocate with a minor child to a place more than fifty (50) miles away from the other parent. Relocations are based on the best interests of the child or children, not on the parent wishing to relocate. A parent who is looking to relocate needs to gather substantial information regarding the area to which they want to move that will support the move being in the child’s best interest. The non-relocating parent may either consent to or object to the request for relocation. If there is an objection, and the Parties are unable to settle the issue, then the case will go to a trial where the Judge will either grant or deny the request for a relocation.

The Adoption of a child can be one of the most important and fulfilling things a person can experience, but it can also be one of the most stressful. The adoption process is a very intricate one that typically requires the assistance of an attorney. All adoptions have two main components or steps: Step 1) the termination of parental rights and Step 2) the adoption. The adoption phase can only occur after the parental rights of the natural parent(s) have been terminated. The termination step can be a very challenging aspect of the adoption especially where the natural parent(s) are objecting to the termination and adoption. If the Court declines to terminate the natural parent(s) rights, then the case will not move on to the adoption phase. At Withrow Law Firm, P.A. we handle various types of adoptions including step-parent adoptions, grandparent adoptions, private adoptions and foster parent adoptions and we are ready to assist you in attaining your dream of adding a child to your family.

Equine law is best described as an area of the law dedicated to assisting members of the horse community in all of their equine-related endeavors. The horse world is very unique and often complicated place. An experienced, horse-knowledgeable attorney can be especially beneficial and can provide practical advice on a wide variety of equine related legal issues. Withrow Law Firm, P.A. brings to the table thirty plus years of familiarity with and involvement in the horse world. We can assist you with many of your equine needs including:

• Boarding Contracts
• Breeding Contracts
• Sales Agreements
• Lease Agreements
• Liability Releases
• Liens (Stableman’s, Breeder’s, and Veterinary)
• Breach of Contract

Attorney Megan Beley Withrow has been a horse enthusiast for most of her life. She received her first pony at three years old and has been riding and showing horses ever since. Megan primarily rides and competes in the hunter ring, but she has also trained and successfully competed in carriage driving, both pleasure and combined driving. In establishing an equine law practice, she has combined her love for horses, her familiarity with the horse world, and her knowledge of the law in hopes of providing help to the local equine community.