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Family Law

Family Law Attorney Serving Sarasota, FL 

Guiding You Through Divorce, Custody, and Family Law Matters

There are a lot of issues that arise in the field of family law. They cover a broad scope of relationships and legal subject matter. Here’s what they all have in common—the combination of what can be personal difficulty and legal complexity means that your Sarasota family law attorneys ought to have a unique blend of empathy and professionalism. That standard is what we aim for at Sessums Law Group, P.A., every single day. 

When you are deciding whether to work with a family law lawyer in Sarasota, it can be helpful to understand how the process may unfold in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court or through alternative dispute resolution. We take time to explain your options for negotiation, mediation, and litigation so you can choose the path that most closely aligns with your goals and your family’s needs. Our team reviews financial information, parenting concerns, and long-term implications with care, and we keep you informed about each step so you are not surprised when deadlines or hearings arise.

Get guidance you can trust—schedule a consultation online or call us at to speak with a Sarasota family law attorney today.

Understanding The Family Law Process In Sarasota

Many people contact our firm, unsure of what will happen after they first reach out to a family lawyer. We usually begin with a detailed consultation where we listen to your concerns, review any existing court orders or agreements, and discuss the procedures that apply in Sarasota County and neighboring areas. From there, we help you gather documents, such as financial records and communications related to children, so that your case is organized before anything is filed. This preparation allows us to approach negotiations and any court appearances in the Sarasota courts with a clear plan.

As your case moves forward, we explain what to expect at each stage, including mediation requirements, potential case management conferences, and hearings in the family division. Our goal is to help you understand realistic timelines, possible outcomes, and the pros and cons of settlement versus trial, based on the specific facts of your situation. A Sarasota family law attorney from our team can coordinate with you about work schedules, school calendars, and other daily responsibilities so that the legal process is as manageable as possible. Throughout, we focus on honest communication and careful planning, so you can make decisions that support your long-term stability and your children’s well-being.

Our Sarasota Family Law Practice Areas

The team at Sessums Law Group, P.A. has a strong background in helping clients in areas like these: 

  • Divorce: Divorce cases typically address issues such as property division, spousal support (alimony), child custody, and child support.
  • Marital agreements: Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements allow couples to make decisions regarding their assets, debts, and other financial matters before or during their marriage. 
  • Paternity: These cases may arise when unmarried individuals have a child, or there is a dispute over the biological father's identity. Establishing paternity is crucial for determining visitation, custody, and child support obligations.
  • Modifications: Modifications refer to changes made to existing court orders related to divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, or alimony. 
  • Enforcement: If a party is not fulfilling their legal responsibilities in any of the above areas, enforcement actions can be pursued to ensure compliance.

A Sarasota family lawyer from our firm can also assist with cases that involve businesses, significant financial holdings, or property located across county lines, which can add layers of complexity to a divorce or support dispute. We are familiar with how local judges in Sarasota County and surrounding areas tend to approach parenting plans, relocation issues, and equitable distribution, and we use that knowledge to help you prepare realistic strategies. For many clients, having a single firm that understands both family relationships and the financial side of a case provides reassurance during an already stressful time.

Call or schedule a consultation online with a Sarasota family law lawyer today.

Unmatched Credentials

Triple Board Certified

Florida's Only Attorney with All Three Certifications

Mark A. Sessums is the only lawyer in Florida who is Board Certified in all three areas

  • Florida Bar
    Marital & Family Law
    Board Certified Since 1997
  • Florida Bar
    Civil Trial Law
    Board Certified Since 2010
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy
    Trial Advocacy
    Board Certified in 2015

With nearly 30 years of board certification experience, Mark Sessums brings unparalleled expertise to every case

Our Settlements & Verdicts

Sessums Law Group, P.A. Attorneys Take Pride in Delivering Exceptional Results for Our Valued Clients

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • $6,000,000.00 Recovery Fraud Civil Action

    Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully recovered $6,000,000.00 for a client in a fraud civil action.  Prior to the client’s divorce, the client negotiated and executed an agreement with his wife’s boyfriend that sought that the boyfriend would have no contact with the client’s wife.

  • $2,740,000.00 Wrongful Death Hit/Run of Motorcyclist

    Representation of the plaintiff hit from behind on his motorcycle by a driver who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident.  Sued the defendant; the bar that the defendant had been drinking and the defendant’s employer.

  • $1,929,000.00 Verdict Real Estate Deficiency

    Representation of estate in real estate deficiency claim resulting in joint and several liability verdict against various doctors and chiropractors.

  • $1,000,000.00 Settlement Collision

    Representation of estate in an automobile and tractor trailer collision that resulted in multiple deaths.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Medical Malpractice

    Client was burned with a hot pack after delivering her son via Cesarean section.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Nursing Home Negligence

    Representation of the Personal Representative of the Estate of the patient who died due to negligent care while in the care of the nursing home.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Trolley Accident

    Representation of passengers who were enjoying a sight- seeing tour aboard a trolley when the trolley was hit by a bus. The passengers suffered soft tissue injuries.

  • Confidential Settlement Amount Hit & Run

    Sessums Law Group was recently successful in settling a case for a hard working Polk County man whose hit and run accident resulted in a need for a knee replacement.  The defendant argued that our client had caused the accident.  We were able to prove through expert accident reconstruction testimony that the accident happened as our client testified despite the minimal damage involved.

  • Confidential Settlement Stolen Property

    Client’s vehicle was burglarized and her engagement and wedding rings stolen. The perpetrator pawned the stolen items to a local pawn shop. The pawn shop ignored the hold order from the police department and sold the engagement and wedding rings. After suit filed for the Plaintiff, a confidential settlement was reached with the pawn shop for the value to our client of her stolen rings.

Florida Attorneys with Proven Expertise, Devoted to Exceptional Service

"Our firm believes in the integrity of the needs of the each client we represent. We are passionate about obtaining the maximum results allowable under the law for each client."

- Mark A. Sessums