Lakeland Family Law Attorney Serving Lakeland, FL 

Protecting your family’s future with experience and care

Family law covers a diverse set of legal areas. What those diverse areas have in common is that they are usually sensitive in nature, difficult to navigate, and often legally nuanced. People need to know their Lakeland family lawyer has professional knowledge and personal compassion. Sessums Law Group, P.A., led by our founder, Attorney Mark A. Sessums, offers both. 

When someone is looking for guidance in a divorce, custody dispute, or other family conflict, they are often worried about how the law will apply to their specific situation and what to expect in the Polk County court system. Working with a family law attorney who can explain the process at the outset, from filing the initial petition through mediation, hearings, and potential trial, can calm some of that uncertainty. Clients also benefit from having a clear picture of how Florida family laws may affect decisions about property, parenting time, and financial support before they take major steps in their case. 

Child Custody, Support, and Visitation in Lakeland

Questions about where children will live, how decisions will be made, and how expenses will be shared are often the most emotional parts of any family law case. Parents in Lakeland must navigate Florida’s time-sharing and parental responsibility laws while also balancing school schedules, childcare, and work demands. Understanding how judges in the Polk County Courthouse typically evaluate the best interests of the child can help parents focus on facts and proposals that support their children’s stability and well-being. Having clear information about these issues early in the process can also make it easier to work toward parenting plans that are realistic and workable over time. 

Child support is another area where parents often have practical questions about how guidelines are calculated and what happens if income changes in the future. A family attorney can walk parents through the factors the court considers, such as income, healthcare costs, and childcare expenses, and discuss when deviations from the standard guideline amount may be requested. For some families, it may be helpful to think about future expenses like extracurricular activities or transportation arrangements and address them in an agreement so there is less confusion later. When parents understand both their rights and responsibilities, they are better prepared to make decisions that protect their children and reduce the likelihood of future conflict. 

Call Sessums Law Group, P.A. at or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a trusted family law lawyer today.

Our deep team of lawyers routinely handles cases that include the following: 

Divorce

When spouses go through a divorce, they have to work out everything from dividing up their property in an equitable manner to making difficult decisions about child custody. Spousal support may also be appropriate, depending on the circumstances. Sessums Law Group, P.A. understands the issues that have to be raised and the questions that need to be asked. Our sharp grasp of the process can give clients the peace of mind they need during what is often a challenging personal time. 

Common divorce issues we help clients consider include:

• Property division decisions that account for the family home, retirement accounts, business interests, and debts accumulated during the marriage under Florida’s equitable distribution framework.
• Child-focused parenting plans that address school schedules, transportation, holidays, and extracurricular activities while keeping the child’s best interests at the center of every proposal.
• Spousal support questions involve whether alimony may be requested, the type and duration that may be appropriate, and how it fits into the overall financial picture after separation.
• Use of mediation and negotiation to resolve disputes efficiently in or out of the Polk County court system, while still preparing thoroughly for hearings if litigation becomes necessary.

Many divorces in and around Lakeland involve questions about the family home, retirement accounts, and debts that have accumulated during the marriage, and these financial pieces can be just as stressful as decisions about parenting. A family law attorney can help clients gather the right financial documents, understand how Florida’s equitable distribution rules may apply, and evaluate options for settlement versus litigation. For families with children, it is also important to think through practical issues like school schedules, transportation, and activities when developing parenting plans that must ultimately be approved by the court. 

Marital Agreements

These legally binding contracts are entered into by couples before or during their marriage. They outline how assets, debts, and other financial matters will be divided in the event of a divorce or separation. A marital agreement can provide clarity and protection for both parties and may help prevent lengthy and contentious legal battles in the event of a divorce. 

Many couples in Lakeland choose to use marital agreements when one or both spouses own a business, expect an inheritance, or are entering a second marriage and want to preserve certain assets for children from a prior relationship. A Lakeland Family Law Attorney can discuss what topics can be addressed in these agreements, how they are negotiated, and the formalities that are required under Florida law for them to be considered valid and enforceable. Taking time to draft a clear agreement before conflict arises can make future transitions more predictable and less emotionally charged for everyone involved. 

Modification and Enforcement

Family law matters are not always set in stone. Circumstances may change after a court order or agreement is established. Modifications must typically demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances since the original order was issued. 

Parents and former spouses often seek modifications when income changes, a child’s needs evolve, or one party is relocating to or from the Lakeland area, and these shifts can affect support amounts or parenting time. A family lawyer can review the existing order, evaluate whether the changes are likely to meet the legal standard for modification, and help gather the documentation needed to present to the court. Addressing potential enforcement issues early, such as missed support payments or repeated violations of a parenting schedule, may also prevent problems from escalating into more serious disputes. 

Enforcement deals with ensuring compliance with court orders or agreements. Failure to adhere to the terms outlined in these orders can result in legal consequences, which may include fines, contempt charges, or even jail time. 

Paternity

Paternity issues arise when determining the legal and biological relationship between a father and a child. Establishing paternity is crucial for various reasons, including determining child support obligations, visitation rights, and inheritance rights. Paternity can be established voluntarily through a legal acknowledgment by both parents or through a court order. In cases where paternity is contested, DNA testing may be required to establish biological parentage.

Families in Polk County may find themselves involved in paternity actions filed in the local family court when parents disagree about legal rights or responsibilities toward a child. A family law lawyer can explain how paternity affects future decisions about time-sharing, decision-making authority, and financial support, and can guide parents through the steps of filing or responding to a petition. Resolving paternity questions through the court process can also provide clarity for schools, medical providers, and government agencies that rely on legal documentation when recognizing a parent’s role. 

Aiming for a Collaborative Resolution 

These, and other family law issues, can often be contentious. The goal of our Lakeland family law attorneys is to work towards an amicable solution. We offer collaborative family law, a process that is designed to facilitate discussion and conflict resolution. However, we always keep fairness and our client’s best interests front and center, and are prepared to go to court when necessary. 

In collaborative matters, we work with clients, and often with neutral professionals such as financial or mental health providers, to identify priorities and explore creative options that might not be available in a contested hearing. This approach can be particularly helpful for parents in Lakeland who will continue to interact at school events, extracurricular activities, and medical appointments long after the legal case is over. By focusing on problem-solving rather than courtroom battles, our family lawyer Lakeland team can help reduce some of the emotional and financial strain that families experience during these transitions. 

Fighting for Real People in Difficult Times

We’re proud of how well our team understands the law. We also know that behind the law and the legal paperwork are real human beings who are seeking to get through a tough time and land in a better place. Sessums Law Group, P.A. is determined to help them do just that. 

Our firm serves individuals and families throughout Lakeland and the surrounding West-Central Florida communities, and we are familiar with the way local judges and court staff handle family cases at the Polk County Courthouse. When people choose a family law attorney Lakeland residents can turn to repeatedly, they are often looking not only for legal knowledge but also for consistent communication and practical guidance. We strive to give clients a realistic view of the road ahead while helping them take each step with confidence and support.