Tampa Divorce Attorney
Board-Certified Family Law & Trial Representation in Hillsborough County
Divorce is among the most financially and emotionally consequential legal events a person faces. The attorney you choose affects not just how the process unfolds but how prepared you are for each stage of it. At Sessums Law Group, P.A., our Tampa divorce attorneys bring a level of credentialed depth that is uncommon in family law practice.
Attorney Mark A. Sessums holds Florida Bar board certification in both Marital and Family Law (since 1997) and Civil Trial Law (since 2010), and is additionally board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (2015). Attorney Brittany Pokriefke is also Florida Bar board-certified in Marital and Family Law, giving our firm a second certified family law attorney. Together, our team handles matters ranging from property division and child custody to spousal support, drawing on family law knowledge and full trial readiness from the same team.
To speak with our experienced Tampa divorce lawyers, call us at (813) 212-8330 or contact us online today.
Requirements for Filing a Divorce in Florida
To file for divorce in Florida, at least one spouse must have resided in the state for a minimum of six months before filing.
Florida is a no-fault divorce state, meaning neither spouse is required to prove marital misconduct to obtain a divorce. Two grounds exist under Florida law: the marriage is irretrievably broken, meaning there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, or one spouse has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated for at least three years prior to filing. While fault isn’t required to obtain the divorce itself, conduct during the marriage can still become relevant when a court evaluates alimony, property division, or parenting decisions.
The Florida Divorce Process: What to Expect in Tampa
Cases in Tampa are filed in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County. While each case follows its own path, the divorce process generally moves through these stages:
Key stages in a Florida dissolution of marriage:
- Filing the petition: One spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage identifying the grounds and any requests for custody, support, or asset division.
- Service and response: The other spouse is served and has the opportunity to respond, a step that can shape how the proceedings unfold.
- Mandatory financial disclosure: Both parties in most dissolution types must exchange financial documents. Simplified dissolution cases are generally exempt from these mandatory disclosure requirements under Florida Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.285.
- Discovery: Both sides gather information and documentation relevant to property, income, and parenting, providing the factual foundation for negotiation or trial.
- Negotiation and mediation: Many cases are resolved at this stage. Courts in the Tampa area commonly require spouses to attempt mediation before a final trial is scheduled.
- Final hearing or trial: A judge reviews and approves agreed terms or, in contested cases, makes final rulings on disputed issues.
We guide clients through each stage, from filing or responding to the initial petition through discovery, mediation, and trial when necessary. Getting mandatory financial disclosures organized early helps avoid delays and puts clients in a stronger position at the negotiation table.
3 Types of Divorce in Florida
There are three types of divorce Floridians can pursue, depending on their circumstances and how many unresolved legal and financial issues remain:
- If you have no minor children and can agree on dividing assets and debts, Simplified divorce is an option.
- In an uncontested divorce, when you and your spouse can reach agreement on all terms, you can present a marital settlement agreement to the court for approval, avoiding the cost and stress of a trial.
- In a contested divorce, where you can’t agree on key issues, the court will adjudicate the disputed matters.
In Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County, the type of divorce you pursue affects how quickly your case moves through the local courts and how much documentation you’ll need to provide. Even in an uncontested matter, mandatory financial disclosures and at least one court hearing are typically required before a judge finalizes the dissolution. Simplified dissolution cases are exempt from the mandatory disclosure requirements under Rule 12.285, though both spouses must appear together to finalize. Contested cases involving children or significant property typically require multiple hearings, mediation, and more extensive discovery, which can substantially extend the timeline.
When you meet with a Tampa divorce attorney at our firm, we walk through your assets, debts, parenting concerns, and communication dynamics with your spouse to help you evaluate which path is realistic for your situation. We discuss the tradeoffs between speed and control, the level of court involvement each option requires, and how each path may affect your children and long-term financial stability. That analysis lets you choose a filing strategy aligned with your goals rather than one driven by conflict.
The Role of Mediation in Tampa Divorce Cases
Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps both spouses negotiate a resolution without going to trial. It can address all divorce issues, including property division, alimony, and parenting plans. In many Florida circuits serving Tampa, courts require spouses to attempt mediation before a final trial is scheduled, particularly in cases involving children or significant property.
Effective mediation preparation means understanding your financial priorities, having organized documentation, and knowing which issues allow room for compromise and which don’t. We help clients prepare by thinking through potential parenting plans, evaluating settlement proposals, and clarifying the full financial picture so that time in mediation is productive rather than reactive.
Call Sessums Law Group, P.A. at (813) 212-8330 to schedule a consultation. We can help you through the process of filing for a Florida divorce.
Our Divorce Services
Guiding Floridians Through Matrimonial and Parenting Challenges
Unmatched Credentials
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
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Florida BarMarital & Family LawBoard Certified Since 1997 -
Florida BarCivil Trial LawBoard Certified Since 2010
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National Board of Trial AdvocacyTrial AdvocacyBoard Certified in 2015
Dividing Property in a Florida Divorce
Property division in a Florida divorce is governed by equitable distribution. This means marital property must be divided fairly between spouses, but fairly doesn’t mean equally. Equitable distribution doesn’t require a 50/50 split; it requires that the outcome be fair given the full picture of the marriage.
Equitable distribution applies only to marital property, which is, with limited exceptions, property acquired after the wedding date. Separate property, what each spouse brought into the marriage, belongs to that spouse and isn’t subject to division.
In practice, the line between marital and separate property gets complicated. If one spouse owned a home before the marriage, it’s separate property. But if marital funds were used to make improvements, any increase in value attributable to those improvements may itself be treated as marital property. The same principle applies to stocks, retirement accounts, and other assets that appreciate over time.
Our goal is to reach fair settlements through negotiation or mediation. We use collaborative family law as a preferred approach, while remaining fully prepared to go to trial when that’s what it takes to protect our clients’ interests.
Child Custody & Time-Sharing in a Tampa Divorce
Florida uses the term “time-sharing” rather than custody. Courts require a parenting plan that addresses where children live, how decision-making authority is shared, and how child support is calculated. Every dissolution involving minor children must include a parenting plan, which becomes a court-enforceable order.
Parenting plans should be as detailed as possible. It’s common for spouses to specify where children will spend holidays, birthdays, school breaks, and vacations. For a non-custodial parent, visitation schedules are established in the parenting plan. Child support is calculated under Florida’s statutory guidelines and applies in every dissolution involving minor children. Florida courts evaluate all parenting decisions based on the child’s best interests, weighing each parent’s ability to maintain stability, the child’s relationships with siblings, and ties to school and community. The more detail built into a parenting plan at the outset, the less room there is for future disputes over interpretation.
Florida Alimony After the 2023 Reform
Florida’s alimony law changed substantially on July 1, 2023, when SB 1416 took effect. The most significant change: permanent alimony was eliminated. All alimony awards in cases filed on or after that date now have a defined end date. Four types of support remain available.
The four remaining alimony types under Florida law:
- Temporary alimony: Awarded during the pendency of the case to address immediate financial needs while the divorce is ongoing.
- Bridge-the-gap alimony: Short-term support of up to two years to help a spouse transition to single life and address identifiable near-term needs.
- Rehabilitative alimony: Available for up to five years to support a spouse pursuing education or retraining and requires a specific rehabilitative plan.
- Durational alimony: Support for a defined period capped by the length of the marriage: up to 50% of marriage length for marriages under 10 years, 60% for marriages of 10 to 20 years, and 75% for marriages over 20 years.
Durational alimony cannot exceed the lesser of the recipient spouse’s reasonable need or 35% of the difference between the parties’ net incomes. Existing permanent alimony awards finalized before July 1, 2023 aren’t automatically terminated, but they may be subject to modification under specified circumstances.
Florida law values all contributions to a marriage equally. Raising children, caring for elderly parents, and other non-income-producing roles carry the same weight as earned income when a court evaluates support. If alimony is contested, the judge considers the length of the marriage, each spouse’s age and health, income available to each party, the standard of living during the marriage, parenting responsibilities after the divorce, and the time needed for the lower-earning spouse to build earning capacity.
Our Tampa divorce attorneys can negotiate alimony terms that account for career breaks, future earning capacity, and educational opportunities for each spouse. We evaluate income sources thoroughly and build a comprehensive picture of spousal support needs before any court proceeding.
Sessums Law Group, P.A. has Florida Bar board-certified lawyers ready to help. Call (813) 212-8330 today or contact us online.
Why Choose Sessums Law Group, P.A. for Your Tampa Divorce
Choosing the right law firm for a Tampa divorce means having a team whose credentials match the complexity of what you’re facing. Mark A. Sessums holds Florida Bar board certification in both Marital and Family Law and Civil Trial Law, a combination that gives clients family law knowledge and full trial readiness from the same attorney. Attorney Brittany Pokriefke is also Florida Bar board-certified in Marital and Family Law, giving our firm a second certified family law attorney. Florida Bar board certification requires demonstrated competence, substantial involvement in the specialty, peer review, and passage of a written examination. It’s not a designation every attorney carries.
Our firm has been serving clients since 2008, and our team regularly handles complex situations including closely held businesses, professional practices, and high-conflict parenting disputes. Because we work regularly in Hillsborough County courts, we’re familiar with local procedures and what judges in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit expect at each stage. For clients more comfortable communicating in Spanish, our bilingual services mean important details are understood and questions are answered without language barriers. We also offer virtual consultations for clients who prefer to meet remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Divorce Usually Take in Florida?
The timeline depends on how many issues are contested and how quickly both sides can exchange information. A simplified or uncontested divorce may resolve in a few months once required disclosures and hearings are completed. Contested matters involving disputed parenting issues or complex assets take longer because of discovery, mediation requirements, and court scheduling.
Do I Have to Go to Court for a Divorce in Tampa?
Many cases resolve without a full trial, but you should expect at least one brief court appearance so a judge can review and finalize the agreement. If you and your spouse can’t agree on some or all terms, additional hearings may be necessary. Mediation is commonly used to narrow disagreements before the court makes final decisions.
What Should I Bring to My First Consultation About Divorce?
Bring basic financial information: recent pay stubs, tax returns, and a list of major assets and debts. If children are involved, a general outline of current parenting responsibilities and schedules is also helpful. These materials allow us to provide more tailored guidance about likely areas of dispute, potential approaches, and the documentation your case will require.
Did Florida’s Alimony Law Change Recently?
Yes. Florida eliminated permanent alimony effective July 1, 2023, under SB 1416, and all alimony awards in cases filed on or after that date now have a defined end date. The four remaining types are temporary, bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational, each with specific duration limits and amount caps tied to marriage length and the parties’ net incomes. If you have questions about how this reform affects your situation, our Tampa divorce attorneys can walk you through the current law and what it means for your case.
Client Testimonials
Real Stories, Real Success — Our Clients Speak for Us.
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"Mark Sessums and his firm are top notch!"There has never been a day, were he hasn’t responded to an email or text by the end of the day (usually within an hour). His grasp of the law and legal system is unbelievable, he remembers details of my case like no other.- Chris L.
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"Mark is a fabulous, caring attorney with a wonderful staff."They care deeply about making sure that they understand the needs of their clients and then do everything they can to achieve those goals. I can’t recommend Mark and his team highly enough.- Sean D.
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"Sessums Law is an excellent firm for complex cases."Highly recommended for strong written and oral communication, in-depth knowledge of the law, and a practical, no-nonsense approach. If divorce is pending, this is the team you want.- Kristan H.
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"The entire group is gracious and genuinely caring."I came to Mark Sessums when I realized it had become necessary to replace my previous attorney. I found myself in a totally different atmosphere…one of genuine compassion, utmost respect, and legal brilliance.- Beverly L.
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"If you want proper representation and a battle ground law firm Sessums Law Group, P.A is who you are going to call"I went into the firm expecting to be laughed out of the building but it was just the opposite. My experience was one of someone listening and was very serious about my wellbeing after years of telling my story I felt that someone actually cared about what- Jermaine
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"Thank you Sessums Law Group & more importantly, thank you Brittany."Brittany was nothing but amazing. Every question, answered and not always to benefit me, but just an honest answer. She is driven and determined to win each case. Would never want to have to work against her with the skills and attitude she brings to the t- Rhiannon S.
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"I would recommend!"Brittany was my lawyer for my divorce process in 2026. She handled everything quickly and professionally. Working with her and Jill, paralegal, made me feel I was in good hands and could trust them. Their communication was clear in both phone calls and ema- Manuela P.
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"I would highly recommend Sessums Law Group to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated legal team"I recently worked with Sessums Law Group and was very pleased with the representation I received throughout my case. Mark Sessums and his team were professional, knowledgeable, and responsive every step of the way. They- Scott J.