Divorce & Custody Lawyer in St. Petersburg

Sensible representation in the dissolution of your marriage

Most married people wince at the thought of divorce. Many people also have a negative response to the thought of a divorce lawyer. Unfortunately, they may have good reason to feel that way. Many divorce lawyers are willing to take advantage of a client's heightened emotions, drawing out the process for no purpose other than to generate billable hours. I do not work that way. If you seek a calm and collected lawyer to help you confront the reality of your divorce, contact me, Thomas H. McGowan, P.A.—Attorney at Law in St. Petersburg.

A financial matter with emotional weight

Florida offers no-fault divorce. You and your spouse need only to declare that your marriage is irretrievably broken. Though some divorces are amicable, most are contentious and upsetting. However, your understandable personal anguish does not have a place in the Florida family courts. I help you set aside the emotional component of your divorce and focus on the financial matter at hand. If we believe that you and your spouse can work together, I promptly refer you to a mediator who helps you draft a marital settlement agreement (MSA) regarding—

I review your MSA and help you file it with the court to finalize your divorce. If you are not able to arrive at an agreement, I represent you in a family court trial.

Equitable division of property

When you and your spouse divorce, the presumption of property division in Florida is 50/50. You may feel that you deserve more, but the additional amount you would spend in legal fees attempting to prove your greater entitlement is likely to equal or exceed the value of any additional property that you could be awarded. My role is to ensure you receive your agreed-upon half of the marital property— fairly, accurately, and promptly.

Alimony payments

Spousal support payments, or alimony, are based on the legitimate need of one party to receive financial assistance from the other. It is best to work this out in mediation along with the division of property. I encourage you to look at your finances realistically, and I help you negotiate for an amount that is fair and appropriate. Alimony is not automatic, and if your circumstance does not warrant it, I tell you so.

Child custody

The combination of economic and emotional factors in divorce can cloud your judgment, just when you need it the most. I help you stay focused on the most important issue of all—the psychological health of your children. Long court battles may be reasonable and necessary when unusual issues or large amounts of money are at stake. But in battles over children, the only winners are the attorneys.

Get reasonable guidance from a St. Petersburg divorce lawyer

Get the direct answers you deserve. To schedule an appointment with a straightforward divorce attorney, contact the office of Thomas H. McGowan, P.A.—Attorney at Law.