Divorce Lawyer Serving Lakeland, FL 

Guiding Lakeland Families Through Divorce with Experience and Care

The process of going through a divorce can be personally stressful and legally challenging. The decisions that get made in working out the settlement are often the foundation for the next chapter of your life. Our Lakeland divorce lawyers have deep experience and a track record of helping clients get the results they need. 

Start moving forward with confidence—schedule your consultation online or call our Lakeland divorce lawyers today at .

How Our Lakeland Divorce Lawyers Can Help

We provide thorough assistance throughout your family law case in Lakeland, offering support that includes:

• Guidance from professionals familiar with the local court system – Our divorce attorney Lakeland team draws on extensive experience navigating Polk County courts, ensuring your documents and filings meet all required standards.
• Clear answers at every stage – We help you understand court procedures, set realistic expectations for mediation, and keep you informed about the Polk County legal process.
• Personalized advice based on your situation – Our team provides practical guidance on dividing business assets, developing long-term parenting plans, and complying with Florida family law statutes.
• Adaptable strategies – We serve clients from Lakeland and surrounding Central Florida communities, tailoring our methods to align with Polk County family court practices and your specific goals.

In addition to handling divorce filings and settlement negotiations, we work to make sure clients have a full understanding of their rights and obligations under Florida’s family law statutes. Whether your divorce involves dividing business assets, planning for long-term spousal support, or addressing unique parenting arrangements, our divorce lawyer Lakeland team strives to offer options based on both legal requirements and your personal priorities. We welcome clients from surrounding communities and are prepared to adapt our approach based on Polk County family court practices, so you feel confident throughout the divorce proceedings.

Understanding the Divorce Process in Polk County

Many clients want to know what to expect during each phase of a divorce in Lakeland. The divorce process in Polk County follows a structured series of steps that begin with filing a petition and may include service of process, responding to filings, negotiation or mediation, and potentially court hearings if an agreement cannot be reached. Knowing what comes next at every stage gives you the ability to make thoughtful decisions for yourself and your family.

As a Lakeland Divorce Attorney, we help clients prepare by explaining deadlines, providing detailed checklists of required information, and guiding them through each legal phase. For example, attending mediation at the Polk County Courthouse is a common requirement in family law cases, and we ensure you understand what to expect and how to navigate the process efficiently.

We support our clients throughout every step of the divorce process:

• Initial consultation and case assessment – We listen to your concerns and review your goals, so we can outline your options from the start.
• Document gathering and preparation – Our guidance covers collecting financial records, property details, and parenting plans.
• Mediation and court representation – We provide support during negotiation sessions and represent you if the case moves to a Polk County judge.

By focusing on clear communication and planning, our team helps clients reduce uncertainty and prepare for each phase of the divorce process, from filing to final resolution.

Property Division 

In a Florida divorce, property division is based on the principle of equitable distribution. This means that the court seeks to divide marital assets and liabilities fairly and reasonably, rather than an automatic 50/50 split. 

Equitable distribution refers specifically to marital property, which typically includes assets acquired during the marriage. Separate property, on the other hand, generally refers to assets acquired before the marriage or through inheritance or gift to one spouse. Separate property will typically revert to the spouse who brought it into the marriage. 

Determining what is marital property and what is separate property can be complex, particularly for assets like real estate or securities that one person might have owned before the marriage, but that have since increased in value. Whether or not a spouse is treated fairly in the final decisions made on equitable distribution may depend on the ability of their lawyer to understand complicated, layered issues and make a cohesive case. Our track record can give you confidence that we can do just that. 

Child Custody 

Family courts prioritize the best interests of the child. The default approach is to encourage shared parental responsibility, which involves both parents making decisions about the child's upbringing, education, healthcare, and other important aspects of their life. However, in cases where it is determined that shared parental responsibility would be detrimental to the child, sole custody may be awarded to one parent.

Factors considered in determining a child’s best interest include the mental and physical health of each parent, the child's relationship with each parent, the ability of each parent to provide a stable environment, and any history of abuse or neglect. 

We believe our clients know what’s best for their own children, and we work hard to present their case in negotiations and, when necessary, in court.

Child Support 

Child support is intended to ensure that the financial needs of the child are met by both parents. The calculation of child support takes into account the income of both parents, the number of children involved, the cost of healthcare and childcare, and other relevant factors.

The parent with whom the child spends the majority of their time is generally considered the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent is typically responsible for making child support payments, which are intended to cover the child's basic needs, education, and healthcare. 

Spousal Support

Alimony—also known as spousal support or maintenance—may be awarded in cases where one spouse requires financial assistance from the other to maintain their standard of living. In Florida, spousal support is based on the needs of the recipient spouse and the ability of the paying spouse to provide support. 

Factors considered in determining these payments include the length of the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, contributions made to the marriage, and more. The duration and amount of alimony payments are determined by the court on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the specific circumstances of the parties involved.

Florida Bar board-certified Divorce Lawyers You Can Trust

Attorney Sessums is one of just four lawyers in the entire state of Florida to be Florida Bar board-certified in the areas of Marital Law, Family Law, and Trial Law. Attorney Brittany Pokriefke has earned the designation of Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law. Our deep team of talented lawyers and dedicated staff has built a record of good results that can give clients confidence. 

When you are searching for a Lakeland Divorce Attorney, it is important to choose a team with proven legal credentials and a commitment to client well-being. Our legal professionals appear regularly at the Polk County Courthouse and stay up to date on changes to Florida’s family law codes, so you benefit from advice that reflects current requirements. We take pride in offering complete support from your initial consultation through any hearings or mediation efforts, and always work in alignment with the ethical standards required by the Florida Bar.

Call us today at or schedule online—our Lakeland divorce attorneys assist both English and Spanish-speaking clients.