Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Family Lawyers in Clearwater, FL

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Clearwater Family Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

81Reviewed

54Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

12027 Whitmarsh Lane, Tampa, FL 33626

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.2 (45)
Facebook
4.3 (23)

Why choose this provider?

Westchase Law P.A. caters to individuals, families, and businesses in Clearwater. One of its practice areas is family law, providing legal counsel and representation to clients dealing with property division, name changes, child support, parental relocation, and domestic violence cases. The firm also takes on matters involving annulment, as well as same-sex, uncontested, and military divorce. Additionally, its team litigates employment, business, and personal injury lawsuits. One of the attorneys, Kelly Albanese, has been board certified in marital and family law since 2020.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

3000 W. Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.4 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Ayo & Iken Attorneys and Advocates caters to the legal needs of families in Clearwater. The firm provides legal counsel for various family law cases, such as spousal maintenance, contested and uncontested divorce, child custody and support, and the establishment of paternity rights. Its team of attorneys fights for clients' rights in settling issues through negotiations, litigation, or mediation proceedings. They have assisted more than 7,000 families. Managing partner Howard Iken is a Florida Supreme Court-certified family law mediator.

  • Divorce

111 N Belcher Rd Ste 205, Clearwater, FL 33765

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Bangos Law Firm, P.A., serves Clearwater residents who need family relations counsel. The practice tackles divorce proceedings, ranging from simple marital dissolutions to complex litigation. It works on child custody and paternity matters. The firm also obtains support orders from original petitions or supplemental pleadings in current cases. Its scope extends to criminal defense and contract drafting. Bangos Law Firm has handled cases involving a father with litigation with the Department of Revenue and had a child support order, as well as a divorce with minor children involved.

  • Alimony
  • Asset Distribution
  • Adoption

28050 US Hwy 19. Suite 206, Clearwater, FL 33761

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Since 1998, Law Offices of Johnny D. Drizis P.A. has been responding to the legal needs of children and fathers in Clearwater. It addresses various family law disputes, from contested and uncontested divorce, property division, and child support and custody to establishing paternity rights, visitation plans, and domestic violence injunctions. Founder Johnny D. Drizis protects the rights of clients in the mediation process. In addition, he has handled over 50 jury trials, giving him the advantage of representing them in both federal and state courts.

  • Domestic Violence
  • Alimony
  • Asset Distribution

1105 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (65)

Why choose this provider?

The McKinney Law Group advocates for the rights of residents in Clearwater. It provides legal counsel in various areas of family law. The firm handles divorce cases and works closely with clients to educate them about the possible effects of their separation. It helps parents address child support and custody, alimony, domestic violence, and adoption disputes. It also assists couples in dividing their assets, including retirement accounts, businesses, stocks, and homes. The practice has been operating for over eight years.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

801 West Bay Drive, Suite 702, Largo, FL 33770

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (12)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Emerson & Valentine provides legal counsel and representation to individuals and families in the Clearwater metro and the surrounding areas facing various matters concerning family law. It handles divorce, child custody, child relocations, temporary custody by extended family, and establishing paternity. The firm also helps clients with relative or stepparent adoption. Emerson & Valentine managing attorney Robert M. Valentine has been practicing law for more than a decade. Since 2014, he is also licensed to practice in Massachusetts.

  • Divorce

3000 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Suite #204, Clearwater, FL 33759

Why choose this provider?

Mayer Law Firm LLC is a Clearwater-based practice that caters to clients throughout the metro. It takes on cases dealing with family law and guides individuals going through the divorce process. The firm also advises fathers seeking to establish paternity. It handles other cases concerning probate law and addresses a client's concerns regarding debt payment. Karen Mayer, the managing partner, is admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut. She is the recipient of the 2008 Pro Bono Award from the Greenwich Probate Court.

  • Divorce

537 Douglas Ave. Suite 15, Dunedin, FL 34698

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Gurley Law, P.A., caters to individuals and families seeking legal assistance in and around Clearwater. Its team takes on various family law cases and helps clients resolve issues related to domestic violence and child support and custody modifications. The firm also counsels couples dealing with divorce problems and handles matters involving marital property division, paternity rights, and spousal support. Its managing attorney, Heather Gurley, is a board-certified family law mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

2454 N McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL 33759

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (298)
Google
5.0 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Kemp, Ruge & Green Law Group is a multi-practice firm serving clients in Clearwater. The office represents individuals involved in family law cases involving divorce, alimony, and child custody. Its legal team explains relevant aspects of the case to help clients understand its status and progress. It also deals with paternity confirmation to address custody issues and other legal concerns. In addition, the firm handles property claims, criminal defense, and personal injury concerns. Partner attorney Stacy Kemp is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

1215 South Myrtle Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Kinnear K. Smith, PA, is a legal office that serves the people of Clearwater. Its founding lawyer, Kinnear Smith, has been working exclusively in the area of family law for more than a decade. Some of the cases he handles are divorce, equitable property distribution, child custody, support and visitation rights, and paternity. As a collaborative law attorney, Smith assists divorcing couples in reaching arrangements that work for both sides and settling issues outside of court.

  • Divorce

200 North Pine Avenue, Suite B, Oldsmar, FL 34677

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (24)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Charles S. Dayhoff III, PLLC, provides clients in the Clearwater area with legal representation. Its attorney, Charles S. Dayhoff III, assists families with their legal challenges. He handles family law cases involving dissolution of marriage, marital settlement agreements, alimony, paternity, and child support. He also helps in drafting pre- and post-marital agreements. Other cases he deals with include corporate and business law, wills and advanced healthcare directives, and civil litigation. Dayhoff has been practicing law since 1978.

  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

600 Bypass Drive, Suite 106, Clearwater, FL 33764
Website

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of David B. Smitherman, P.A., works with families and individuals in Clearwater. It responds to the legal needs of clients dealing with various family disputes. The firm takes on divorce cases and helps couples address marital asset and liability division, child support and custody, and alimony issues. Its team also handles matters involving paternity rights, residency relocation, name changes, step-parent adoption, and marital settlement agreements. Principal partner David Smitherman has been in the field for over four decades.

  • Alimony
  • Asset Distribution
  • Child Custody

1000 West Cass Street, Tampa, FL 33606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (65)

Why choose this provider?

Older Lundy Koch & Martino is a multi-practice firm serving residents in and around Clearwater. Since 2003, it has been addressing the legal concerns of individuals in different areas of family law. The team aggressively represents clients dealing with divorce cases and helps them resolve separation issues through negotiation and settlement. It also takes on matters involving personal injury, real estate, and corporate lawsuits. Founding partner Ben Older has been practicing law in Florida for over two decades.

  • Adoption
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

28050 US Hwy 19 N #208,, Clearwater, FL 33761

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Ristoff & Ristoff serves clients in the Clearwater community. The law firm handles a wide array of family law issues, including dissolution of marriage, alimony, paternity, child custody, and equitable distribution. Ristoff & Ristoff also assists parents relocating with minor children and those facing domestic violence injunctions. Its attorney, David R. Ristoff, has experience representing people with a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, felony arrests, and tax complications. He also takes on personal injury cases.

  • Alimony
  • Child Custody
  • Divorce

Compare our Top Family Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Westchase Law P.A.
12027 Whitmarsh Lane, Tampa, FL 33626
Ayo & Iken Attorneys and Advocates
3000 W. Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760
Bangos Law Firm, P.A.
111 N Belcher Rd Ste 205, Clearwater, FL 33765
Law Offices of Johnny D. Drizis P.A.
28050 US Hwy 19. Suite 206, Clearwater, FL 33761
The McKinney Law Group
1105 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Emerson & Valentine
801 West Bay Drive, Suite 702, Largo, FL 33770
Mayer Law Firm LLC
3000 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Suite #204, Clearwater, FL 33759
Gurley Law, P.A.
537 Douglas Ave. Suite 15, Dunedin, FL 34698
Kemp, Ruge & Green Law Group
2454 N McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater, FL 33759
Kinnear K. Smith, PA
1215 South Myrtle Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756
Law Office of Charles S. Dayhoff III, PLLC
200 North Pine Avenue, Suite B, Oldsmar, FL 34677
Law Office of David B. Smitherman, P.A.
600 Bypass Drive, Suite 106, Clearwater, FL 33764
Older Lundy Koch & Martino
1000 West Cass Street, Tampa, FL 33606
Ristoff & Ristoff
28050 US Hwy 19 N #208,, Clearwater, FL 33761

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What kinds of cases do family lawyers handle?

    Family lawyers handle all types of family-related issues, including divorce, child support and spousal support, custody, adoption, paternity and guardianship. Family attorneys can also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and divide marital assets based on the policies outlined in these documents. Domestic violence cases are also within the purview of family law attorneys.

  • Is family court different from district court?

    In most states, family court is a division of the district court rather than a separate court system. Family law judges primarily preside over family disputes, such as divorce and custody hearings. Most states require family law judges to receive special training on how to best address family law matters.

  • How long do custody cases last in family court?

    The duration of custody cases can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the claim. A case in which parents agree to split custody can be quick, while lawsuits in which both parents or guardians are fighting for full custody can take much longer. Most child custody cases last three to 10 days, but this can vary under more challenging circumstances.

  • Why is there no jury in family court?

    There are no juries in family court cases because the concept of innocence or guilt does not apply. While there may be some cases in which additional opinions could be helpful, most cases are based on the letter of the law versus individual circumstances. Some states, including Texas, permit jury trials for family court cases, but this is uncommon.

  • What are the most common cases in family court?

    Family law covers a variety of different cases pertaining to familial relations. The most common cases in family court include:

    • Divorce cases, including settling issues of alimony, property distribution, and child care
    • Child custody and the determination of paternity
    • Domestic violence protection orders
    • Name changes, including modifications due to adoption or personal preference
    • Guardianship, including who will handle the care of a child or adult should current caretakers be unable to do so
    • Adoptions and the termination of parental rights
    • Juvenile matters, including child abuse and neglect, foster placements, and criminal conduct
    • Emancipation, which is the process of declaring a minor as independent from their parents
    • Approval of underage marriages

  • Do family lawyers handle mediation?

    Mediation can be a valuable part of a divorce case, counseling spouses to work through areas of disagreement in a fair, calm, and unbiased manner. Most, but not all, family lawyers handle mediation. Anyone who believes they may need intervention services is encouraged to ask about an attorney’s experience with resolving disputes, to ensure that support is available if necessary.