Family Law Attorneys in Clearwater, FL

Clearwater divorce, custody, and support cases run through Pinellas County family court, where preparation shapes outcomes. A Florida-licensed family law attorney serving Clearwater will discuss your situation for free.

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How we match your Clearwater family law case

When you submit a Clearwater family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under Florida law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Florida who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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Family Law cases in Clearwater

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Clearwater's mix of long-settled neighborhoods like Countryside and Island Estates, seasonal residents, and families split between Pinellas and Hillsborough counties makes divorce, custody, and support cases logistically complicated, especially when one parent commutes across the bay. These matters are filed in the family division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County, with hearings at the county's courthouse facilities. Florida requires a residency showing before a divorce can proceed, and parenting plans must spell out time-sharing and decision-making in detail. DearLegal matches you with a Florida-licensed attorney who handles family law cases in Clearwater, with a free review.

Divorce, custody, and support cases for Clearwater residents are filed in the family division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County.
Florida requires proof of state residency before a divorce petition can move forward, which matters for seasonal and recently relocated residents.
Parents living across the bay in Hillsborough or Pasco County face commute and school-district issues that shape time-sharing schedules.

Florida family law rules at a glance

Clearwater cases run under Florida law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Florida page.

Read the full Florida family law guide →

Residency Requirement: 6 months
6 months in Florida (Fla. Stat. § 61.021)
Property Division System: Equitable distribution
Equitable distribution with presumption of equal division (Fla. Stat. § 61.075)
Custody Standard: Time-sharing
Time-sharing and parental responsibility under 20 factors; shared parental responsibility presumed (Fla. Stat. § 61.13)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model (Fla. Stat. § 61.30)
Spousal Support Framework: 50%
2023 reform (SB 1416) — bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative, and durational alimony; permanent alimony abolished; duration cap of 50% short, 60% moderate, 75% long-term marriages
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

Exhibit D

How much do Clearwater family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Florida · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in Florida are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in Florida are not handled on contingency. Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-1.5(f)(3) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. Florida family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under Fla. Stat. § 61.16 based on relative need and ability to pay.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

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Exhibit F

Clearwater family law questions, answered

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The family division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County handles divorce, time-sharing, and support for Clearwater residents. If your spouse lives in another county or state, an attorney will confirm which court has jurisdiction before anything is filed.

Florida courts use parenting plans that set out time-sharing and decision-making, and a cross-bay move affects exchanges, school choice, and travel time. Relocations past a certain distance can require court approval or the other parent's agreement, so raise a planned move with an attorney before it happens.

Florida sets residency requirements and procedural timelines that vary with the type of case and whether it is contested. Rather than rely on general figures, have a Florida attorney confirm the specific requirements and dates that apply to your filing.

Florida has a 20-day mandatory waiting period from filing before the court can enter a final judgment (Fla. Stat. § 61.19). Uncontested divorces (simplified dissolution if eligible) typically finalize in 30–60 days. Contested cases generally take 6–18 months.

Yes — Florida is a no-fault state. The only grounds under Fla. Stat. § 61.052 are irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or mental incapacity of a spouse for at least 3 years. Fault is generally not a ground but can be relevant to equitable distribution and alimony.