Leading Ft. Lauderdale Attorneys

Family law is our primary area of practice at Lauriston Law Firm. Family Law attorneys are legal professionals that specialize in matters to do with members of one’s family. These issues might include divorce, child custody, domestic violence issues, and much more. Family Law attorneys represent those embroiled in family conflicts that may or may not end up in court. Because most family law issues are emotional, a family law attorney must be able to be not only a stellar negotiator but when a matter does go to court, an experienced, and tough litigator as well. The importance of having a family law attorney in your corner simply cannot be overstated. We help family members handle family disputes in a rational manner. Our knowledge, experience, and skills allow us to settle issues related to family disputes that affect you and those you love. If you have a family legal matter that requires a steady, highly-skilled approach, the Lauriston Law Firm can help.

Getting divorced can be one of the most emotionally-charged, downright exhausting experiences a person may have in their life. It can be difficult to settle issues regarding asset dispensation, child custody, child support, and spousal support in a calm, rational matter. At Lauriston Law Firm, we know you may be tired of fighting for what is right and what you deserve. We will do the fighting for you (when required), giving you the opportunity to step back, take a breath, and consider your future.

Child custody can be a contentious area in many divorces. It can sometimes be hard to know what is best for your child when your own emotions are so mixed up in the entire situation. At Lauriston Law Firm we will fight for your custody rights, however, we do so with the best interests of your child or children uppermost in our minds the entire time. The Florida courts consider child custody based on the best interests of the child, and the Lauriston Law Firm family lawyers will do the same. If you believe—and have evidence to support—that your ex is a danger to your children due to domestic violence, drugs, alcohol, or another reason, we will present your argument to the judge in a clear, rational manner. Otherwise, we will help you and your ex work out a solid parenting plan that works for all those involved.

While there is no legal mechanism for legal separation in the state of Florida, if you have children your attorney can file a petition with the court asking for financial support for the children as well as spousal support from the spouse who moved out of the marital home. If you are living separate and apart but have not yet filed for divorce, it is important that you speak to a Lauriston Law Firm divorce attorney who may be able to file for certain things under other Florida statutes.

There is little wiggle room in child support decisions, as there is a specific formula that takes into consideration the income of both parents (minus allowed exemptions), the number of “overnights” the secondary custodial parent has, along with any special needs of the child or children. Health insurance is factored in, along with childcare costs for children who require childcare. Parents who quit a job as a means of avoiding child support will likely have their income “imputed.” This means if a trained college professor quits his or her job simply to avoid child support, the judge would impute an average salary for a college professor with similar training, education, and experience. Florida law expects both parents to fully contribute to the financial upbringing of their children, so attempting to game the system is never a good idea.

Adoption can be an arduous journey, yet when an individual becomes a parent through the process, the result is something beautiful. There are many paths to adoption. A child in the foster care system can be adopted, parents can engage in a private adoption through an adoption agency, can enter into an agreement with a birth mother through an attorney, can consider international adoption, can adopt family members, or a stepparent can adopt stepchildren. Whatever path your adoption quest takes you on, Lauriston Law Firm can help.

Spousal support can be another contentious area of divorce—although it certainly doesn’t have to be. Like Florida child support, there are certain parameters surrounding spousal support that are generally followed closely by the judge. He or she will look at the age, health, education, training, and work history of each spouse, along with the length of the marriage, whether one spouse gave up work or educational opportunities to help the other or to raise children, each spouse’s ability to earn, and each spouse’s overall financial position. Spousal support can be temporary, helping one spouse get back on his or her feet following a divorce, or, less commonly, can be permanent when the situation warrants.

Unfortunately, many couples who are planning a wedding (or those already married) shy away from the entire subject of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. These types of agreements should be looked at objectively, as nothing more than a form of insurance—just like life insurance, health insurance, car insurance, and home insurance. You are ensuring that should the unthinkable happen and you and your spouse split up, the financial aspect of things will be handled in a predetermined, rational manner. Pre and postnuptial agreements are also useful in the event of the death of a spouse, particularly if there are children from a prior marriage.

Victims of domestic violence may file a protective order or restraining order that sets forth certain things the alleged abuser may not do, or he or she will face criminal charges. A protective order might require an abuser to stay a certain number of feet away from the victim or could require the abuser to stay away from the home and workplace of the victim. A protective order could even prohibit the alleged abuser from owning a firearm. If you are the victim of domestic abuse, a Lauriston Law Firm family law attorney can help you file the paperwork you need to keep you safe.

At Lauriston Law Firm, our secondary practice area is personal injury. We understand how devastating it can be to be injured, through no fault of your own. You may be left with mountains of medical expenses and could be unable to return to work and make a living. We will take the burden from your shoulders, negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement on your behalf, thus giving you the time to heal from your injuries and get your life back on track.

Car accidents are far and away the most common type of personal injury claims. You could be driving home after work, minding your own business, driving safely, and following all rules of the road. Suddenly, from nowhere, a driver who is not driving safely or following the rules of the road alters your life in ways you could not have imagined. We will fight the insurance company on your behalf, never letting them offer you a settlement that will not remotely cover all your expenses.