Protecting What Matters to You Most
Fully Considered Advocacy, Whether in Court or Through Alternative Dispute Resolution
Disputes or issues involving your family can be acutely stressful. Because of the emotion involved, there is often no easy way to interact with loved ones. That is why the help of an experienced and open-minded legal professional can be a good idea.
My name is Robert Segal, and I combine relevant family experience as an attorney and litigator with formal certification by the Florida Supreme Court as a family law mediator. Please call my Melbourne, Florida, office at 321-757-6906 to schedule an appointment.
Family Law Covers Many Areas
Because there is a wide range of family law issues, many people need a family lawyer at some time in their lives. Please contact me if you are involved, or plan to be, in any of the following or related matters:
- Divorce — The broadest of all cases handled by the firm, it typically involves parenting, time sharing of children, property and debt (called equitable distribution), alimony (spousal support) and child support.
- Child custody — Florida does not formally recognize the concept of "child custody." Rather, the issues concerning children deal with 1) parental responsibility and 2)time sharing. Resolution of these issues involves the management of day-to-day issues concerning your children, determining where they will live and how they will spend their time with their parents, how major decisions concerning the children will be made and creating a parenting plan.
- Child support — Children come first. Their needs, above all else, are a major concern of the courts and Florida law. Issues relating to child support include: how it is calculated, how obligations for the children are apportioned, who will provide for the children's health insurance, how medical bills will be paid, and who will claim them for tax purposes.
- Paternity — Establishing the legal father of a child is important for many legal reasons, as well as for the potential health of the child.
- Same-sex and LGBT issues — No matter who you are, you value the company of your children and the right to be their parents. Unfortunately, the current state of the law makes inappropriate distinctions presenting complex issues that don't arise in every family law case. At this office, we not only have the experience to handle these sorts of issues, but are absolutely committed to treating everyone fairly, competently and compassionately.
- Domestic violence — This area of the law encompasses parties seeking legal remedy against an act or actions of domestic violence and those seeking to defend against a domestic assault or other charge.
- Mediation — As a Supreme Court certified family law mediator, I am able to help couples work through their differences with the goal of reaching an agreement that will keep them away from the unnecessary problems associated with litigation (going to court). As a mediator, I work with people representing themselves and those that have hired an attorney.
- Collaborative law — This tool for managing and resolving cases recognizes that decisions about your family should be made by you. Collaborative law allows you to deal with all of the issues associated with a divorce or other family law matter, many of which cannot be handled by the court. It is a decent and humane approach that removes much of the stress that arises in family conflicts.
If You Need Legal Help, Talk To an Experienced Attorney Today
Send me an e-mail or call my office at 321-757-6906 to make an appointment.
