Family Law attorneys
Children and families are the foundation to our society.Â
Family Law
Family Practice Areas
Family law includes almost every legal issue that affects the legal rights of children, parents, grandparents and the exended family. But, family law can be complicated and confusing.
Sometimes family disputes lead to contested court battles about timesharing, support, alimony and divison of property and debts.
In court you will be better off with a lawyer with knowledge and experience in your type case.
Attorneys Johnnie Byrd and David Barnhill have over 60 years combined legal experience in family law.
We are ready to fight for your rights and the future of your family.
1. Divorce
Divorce cases deal with the rights and duties of spouses who separate. The Court must decide on timesharing with children and child support, as well as division of property, debts and alimony.
2. Paternity
Paternity cases address the timesharing and child support issues for children of unmarried parents. If the issue of paternity is disputed, DNA testing will be ordered by the court.
3. Grandparents
Grandparents’ rights are limited in Florida. But, grandparents have certain rights. Grandparents may obtain temporary custody of their grandchildren through a special court proceeding for that purpose.
4. Domestic Violence
Domestic violence injunction petitions are serious cases. Allegations of domestice, repeat, dating and sexual violence can result in no-contact injunctions against abusers to protect victims.
5. Adoptions
A step-parent can adopt a step-child where the birth parent is physically or emotionally absent. The consent of the absent birth parent is required, but excused if the birth parent has abandoned the child.
6. Relocation
A parent who wants to move the residence of a minor child beyond 50 miles away must have the consent of the other parent or the court. If no consent is given the Court will decide on the relocation.
1. Divorce
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Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Issues in Divorce
In a divorce the major issues are time sharing with the children, child support, division of marital property and debts and alimony. These issues can be settled between the parties or if the parties cannot agree to some or all of the issues, the Court will make a final decision.
Contested or Uncontested?
Dissolution of marriage can be contested or uncontested. Divorce is a complex area of Florida law and you should always have the help of an experienced and aggressive divorce attorney at every step in the process.
Served with Divorce Papers?
If you have been served with divorce papers, it is vital that you hire a lawyer immediately.
YOU ONLY HAVE 20 DAYS TO ANSWER THE COURT PAPERS AFTER SERVICE! DO NOT DELAY! Â
2. Paternity
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Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Issues in Paternity
Paternity case involve setting  time sharing and support for children of unmaried parents. The same timeharing and support rules apply as a divorce case.
Contested or Uncontested?
Just like divorce, paternity cases are controlled by a complex area of Florida law. Before you agree to a settlement you should always have the help of an experienced and aggressive paternity attorney at every step in the process.
Served with Paternity Papers?
If you have been served with paternity papers, it is vital that you hire a lawyer who knows paternity law immediately.
YOU ONLY HAVE 20 DAYS TO ANSWER THE COURT PAPERS AFTER SERVICE! DO NOT DELAY! Â
3. Grandparents
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Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Grandparents’ Rights
Grandparents have very limited rights in Florida. Those rights are subject to the rights of the natural parents. A skilled family law attorney can protect these limited rights of grandparents.
Temporary Custody
Grandparents and other close family members can be awarded temporary custody of minor children if the birth parents consent. This procedure allows the grandparents a type of temporary  cutody rights not normally available.
Shelter or Foster Care
Sometimes the child protective agencies will place minor children with the grandparents or other close family members in cases of child neglect or abuse. This may lead to an adoption of the children by the grandparents.
Guardianship of Minors
Grandparents can be given legal guardianship of minor grandchildren in certain cases where the birth parents consent to the appointment or where the birth parents are absent from the child’s life.
4. Domestice ViolenceÂ
Contact Us Right Now!
Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Domestic Violence Cases
Law enforcement and the courts take allegations of domestic violence seriously. Â Domestic violence charges can have a substantial influence on the issues in a pending divorce or paternity case.
Injunctions for Protection
If someone is in imminent danger of violence the court clerk’s office will help file the case. No attorney is required for the filing or defending party. Yet, a party who does not have legal representation will be at a distinct disadvantage at the hearing before the court.
Serious Penalties for Domestic Violence
A domestic violence injunction prohibits the person enjoined from contacting the protected party. The abuser is ordered to turn over all firearms to the Sheriff. The order may also give the complaining party exclusive possession of the parties’ usual residence and even order temporary child custody and support. If the injunction is violated it can mean jail time.Â
5. Adoptions
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Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Stepparent Adoptions
A stepparent may adopt the other spouse’s child with the consent of the other birth parent. The child’s consent is needed if the child to be adopted is 12 years old. A close relative, such as a grandparent, may adopt a minor child with the consent of the birth parents.
Contested Adoptions
If the other birth parent will not consent to the adoption, the adoption may still be granted. The Court can terminate the non-consenting parents’ parental rights if that parent has abandoned the child financially or emotionally. The objecting birth parent is entitled to notice of the case and to participate in the case with or without a lawyer. The Judge will then decide whether there has been abandonement and, if so, whether the adoption by the stepparent is in the best interest of the child.
6. Relocation
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Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Relocation of Minor Children
Florida law requires the consent of both parents to relocate the residence of a minor child beyond 50 miles from the current home.
Contested Relocations
If the other parent will not consent to the relocation, the relocating parent must file a petition with the court seeking approval of the move. Â
Burden of Proof
The relocating parent must show that the move will enhance the life of the chld through better financial, ecucational and cultural opportunities. An experienced family law attorney like Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill is necessary whether a party is objecting or requesting the move.
Get in touch
Contact Us Right Now!
Tell us about your legal issue.
Either Johnnie Byrd or David Barnhill will get right back to you.
If you do not hear from us right away, please call or come by our office.
Contact Us
Visit US
206 North Collins Street
Plant City FL 33563
Call Us
(813) 759-1224
EMail Us
info@byrd-law.com