Author Archives: family-divorce-attorney

From all of us here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by Hurricane Milton. 🙏💙

So many families throughout Florida have suffered at the hands of this devastating storm.

As our communities work together to recover from the losses and damages, we are truly inspired by the kindness and love displayed to one another during these difficult times. 🤝❤️

Together, we stand in solidarity with all who are suffering from the devastation.

Family Law Tampa

Paternity Rights Tampa – The law as it pertains to a couple who have a child out of wedlock.

When a child is born out of wedlock, the legal dynamics of parental rights and responsibilities can be complex. However, the law provides clear guidelines to ensure that both parents have a defined role in the child’s life. (See Florida Statutes)

This is crucial for the child’s overall development and well-being, as it ensures that both parents are involved in their upbringing.

In cases where paternity has been established under Florida Statutes s. 742.011 or s. 742.10, both the mother and the father of the child are recognized as the natural guardians. This designation as natural guardians means that both parents are legally acknowledged as having equal rights and responsibilities concerning the upbringing, care, and welfare of the child.

All decisions and arrangements made under the natural guardianship are ultimately guided by what is in the best interest of the child. Courts and legal frameworks prioritize the child’s welfare, ensuring that both parents fulfill their roles effectively. This approach helps to create a stable and supportive environment for the child, promoting their physical, emotional, and psychological development while ensuring that they receive the care and attention they need from both parents.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody issues such as parenting plans for over 33 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you have any questions about parenting plans or any other child custody issues, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody and paternity rights Tampa, by visiting:
Best Child Custody Lawyer in Tampa

Gary S. Dolgin Has Over 33 Years Of Experience as the Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida

Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida

Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida Gary Dolgin is ready to put his vast experience and extensive knowledge in family law to work for you so you can get through your divorce in Tampa Florida as quickly and as peacefully as possible.

“Are you going through a divorce in Tampa, Florida? Are you looking for the Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida?

If you need an Expert in Marital and Family Law in Tampa Florida, I’m Gary Dolgin, one of only 28 lawyers in Hillsborough County who is designated by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law.

When you come into the Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, Tampa’s Best Divorce Lawyer, we will treat you like family.

We will guide you through the process, explain to you everything that’s going to happen and help you get through this stressful time.”

~ Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law

Gary S. Dolgin - Tampa's Best Divorce Lawyer

Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida Testimonials

Watch what our divorce clients have to say about Gary Dolgin as a divorce attorney in Tampa, Florida and how he helped them.

Former Divorce Client, Jennifer Is Grateful To Gary Dolgin For Helping Guide Her Through Her Divorce

One of Gary Dolgin’s former divorce clients, Jennifer, is thankful to Gary for helping to guide her through her divorce 14 years ago.

As a Stay-At-Home Mom, Jennifer needed an aggressive and knowledgeable Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida who would help stand up for her and protect her best interests through her divorce.

It took over 2 years for Jennifer and her ex-husband to come to a final divorce agreement and Jennifer is happy that she selected Gary Dolgin to represent her.

Jennifer greatly appreciated Gary’s superior abilities to prepare her for and help her through numerous mediations.

She was also grateful to Gary for making sure that the details of her settlement agreement would allow her to be financially secure as she transitioned from being a Stay-At-Home Mom to entering the workforce again.

Watch this video to hear what Jennifer has to say about Gary Dolgin’s exceptional representation during her divorce.

Divorce Client Melinda Is Grateful To Gary For Helping Her Get Sole Custody Of Her Children & Helping Her Through Her Complicated Divorce

Melinda’s divorce was challenging because her ex-husband was not willing to negotiate on several issues and tried to discredit her with expert witnesses in court.

Having a child with autism and multiple sclerosis, Melinda had not worked outside of the home for over 6 years and had no source of income when she and her ex-husband separated.

Gary Dolgin helped Melinda get an emergency court order for alimony and child support during her divorce to help pay her bills and medical expenses for her child.

Through Gary’s expertise and knowledge during court proceedings as one of the Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida, Gary was also able to defend Melinda against her ex-husband’s expert witnesses and helped Melinda gain sole custody of her two children.

Melinda is grateful to Gary for all the support and superior representation he provided her during her challenging divorce process.

In this video, Melinda shares what she has to say about Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law, Gary Dolgin representing her during her divorce and helping her with child custody, alimony, equitable distribution and child support.

Former Family Law Judge, Kevin Carey Retained Gary For His Divorce & Highly Recommends Him

When Kevin Carey served as Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge in the Family Law Division, Gary Dolgin appeared before him several times representing clients in family law cases.

Kevin Carey was so impressed with Gary Dolgin’s abilities as a divorce attorney and family law attorney, that Kevin retained Gary to be his own divorce attorney when Kevin’s marriage was ending in 2007.

As a former Family Law Judge and fellow Family Law Attorney, Kevin has the utmost respect for Gary as a top divorce attorney in Tampa and Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law.

Watch this video to hear what former Judge Kevin Carey has to say about Gary Dolgin.

Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida

Gary S. Dolgin Specializes in All Aspects of Divorce

No matter the complexity and difficulty of your Tampa Florida divorce, Gary S. Dolgin has the knowledge and experience to help you.

Not all divorces in Tampa Florida are the same and Gary Dolgin has helped thousands of people going through all types of divorces in Hillsborough County, Florida, including:

  • High asset divorce
  • High conflict divorce
  • Contested divorce
  • Uncontested divorce
  • Collaborative divorce

With over 33 years of experience as a Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa Florida, Gary Dolgin will help guide you through all the complicated issues that need to be addressed when ending a marriage, especially if children and grandparents are involved, including:

Gary Dolgin Best Attorney in Tampa Florida Locations

Gary Dolgin is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator who provides Family and Marital Law divorce services throughout Tampa Bay Florida including

In this New York Times article “You Don’t Need a French Vineyard to Have a Prolonged Divorce Proceeding,” divorce lawyers discuss the importance of guiding divorcing couples towards faster resolutions rather than letting disputes drag on.

You can read the full article at: Avoid A Prolonged Divorce

💔 With all the issues that need to be agreed upon during a divorce, emotions can run high, leading to a long, drawn-out process! Even without high-value assets, divorces can drag on due to child custody battles and asset disputes. 🤯

The length of time it takes to settle a divorce is largely determined by the divorcing parties, and how willing they are to settle.

Emotions can run high, and couples can find themselves arguing for months over trivial items.

Mediation can be a big help in speeding up the process, but it ultimately comes down to whether or not the parties are willing to agree. 🕊️

As divorce lawyers, it is important to remind clients that their emotional well-being is just as important as financial settlements. 💼❤️

When divorce attorneys use collaborative approaches between one another, it can help make the divorce process less stressful and more efficient, avoiding unnecessary court battles for their clients. ⚖️✨

With over 33 years in practice, Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law, Gary Dolgin is an experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney in Tampa who can represent your best interests.

To schedule a consultation with Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law, call (813) 999-2772 and it will be our pleasure to help you.

To see what past clients have to say about retaining Gary Dolgin to represent them during their divorce, and to learn more about divorce, visit:
Tampa Divorce Lawyer – Gary S. Dolgin

Google Business Page:
Divorce Attorney Tampa
625 E. Twiggs St., Suite 101i
Tampa, Florida 33602

Facebook Page:
Best Divorce Attorney In Tampa

Mediation can be an effective, convenient, and cost-effective way to resolve your divorce issues or family law disputes in a more peaceful manner than going through the courts.

As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, Gary Dolgin will use his 33 years of experience and skills in dispute resolution to help you come to a fair agreement regarding your family law issues during mediation.

Gary can assist you in making educated compromises by helping you understand how the courts may decide on specific issues.

This will help you have more control over the outcome of your issues through peaceful negotiation, instead of leaving the final decisions to the courts.

If you are having a dispute involving divorce issues such as child custody, visitation, child support, alimony, equitable distribution, or any other family law issue such as domestic violence or marital misconduct Gary Dolgin can help you resolve your issues efficiently during mediation.

To schedule a mediation session with Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law, call (813) 999-2772 and it will be our pleasure to help you.

To see what past clients have to say about working with Gary Dolgin, and to learn more about mediation, visit:
Divorce Mediator Tampa – Gary S. Dolgin

Google Business Page: Family Mediator Tampa

Facebook Page: Divorce Mediation Tampa

What Are The Types of Alimony in Florida – Understanding Alimony in Florida Dissolution of Marriage Proceedings

In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage (divorce) in Florida, the court has the authority to grant alimony to either spouse. Alimony is financial support provided by one spouse to the other and can take various forms depending on the specific circumstances of the case. The primary goal is to ensure fairness and economic balance post-divorce. Here’s a detailed look at the types of alimony, the payment structures, and the factors influencing the court’s decisions.

Types of Alimony

Temporary Alimony

Temporary alimony is awarded to support a spouse during the divorce proceedings. For example, if one spouse has been a homemaker and lacks immediate income, the court may grant temporary alimony to cover living expenses until the divorce is finalized.

Bridge-the-Gap Alimony

Bridge-the-gap alimony helps a spouse transition from married life to single life, covering short-term needs. This type of alimony is typically limited to a maximum of two years. For instance, it might cover the cost of moving to a new residence or other short-term expenses.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Rehabilitative alimony is designed to assist a spouse in becoming self-sufficient through education, training, or work experience. The receiving spouse must present a specific plan outlining the steps to achieve financial independence. For example, if a spouse needs to complete a degree or vocational training to re-enter the workforce, rehabilitative alimony would cover the associated costs.

Durational Alimony

Durational alimony may be awarded to provide a party with economic assistance for a set period of time. An award of durational alimony terminates upon the death of either party or upon the remarriage of the obligee. Durational alimony may not be awarded following a marriage lasting less than 3 years. An award of durational alimony may not exceed 50 percent of the length of a short-term marriage, 60 percent of the length of a moderate-term marriage, or 75 percent of the length of a long-term marriage. Under exceptional circumstances, the court may extend the term of durational alimony.

Payment Structures

Periodic Payments

The court may order alimony to be paid periodically, typically monthly. For example, the paying spouse might be required to pay $1,000 per month for a specified duration. This method ensures a steady stream of income for the receiving spouse.

Lump Sum Payments

Alternatively, the court may award alimony as a lump sum payment. This could occur when dividing substantial marital assets, where one spouse might receive a one-time payment instead of ongoing support. For instance, instead of monthly payments, the paying spouse might provide a single payment of $50,000 to cover alimony obligations.

Consideration of Adultery and Economic Impact

Adultery and Alimony Awards

In determining the amount and type of alimony, the court may consider the adultery of either spouse and any resulting economic impact. For example, if one spouse’s adultery led to significant financial expenditures, such as lavish gifts for someone or using marital funds for extramarital activities, the court may adjust the alimony award to account for this economic impact.

Example Scenario

Suppose during the marriage, the husband engaged in an extramarital affair and spent considerable marital assets on the affair, including expensive trips and gifts. The wife, seeking a divorce, can present this evidence in court. The court may then consider these expenditures when determining the alimony award, potentially increasing the alimony to compensate for the financial misconduct.

Factors Influencing Alimony Decisions

The court considers various factors to determine the appropriateness and amount of alimony, including:
– The standard of living established during the marriage
– The duration of the marriage
– The age and physical and emotional condition of each spouse
– The financial resources and income potential of each spouse
– The contributions of each spouse to the marriage, including homemaking and childcare
– The responsibilities each spouse will have with regard to any minor children they have in common

Example Considerations

-Standard of Living: If the couple enjoyed a high standard of living during their marriage, the court may aim to allow both parties to maintain a similar standard post-divorce, to the extent possible.
– Duration of Marriage: In a marriage of 15 years, the court might lean towards awarding durational alimony to provide financial support to the lower-earning spouse for a period equivalent to the marriage duration.
– Health and Age: If one spouse is significantly older or has health issues that limit their earning potential, the court may award more substantial or longer-term alimony.

Alimony is a critical aspect of divorce proceedings in Florida, designed to ensure fairness and support for both parties as they transition to independent lives. The court’s decision on the type, amount, and duration of alimony considers various factors, including the contributions and needs of each spouse, as well as any misconduct like adultery that has had an economic impact. Understanding these aspects can help divorcing spouses prepare for the financial implications of dissolution and seek fair support arrangements.

If you or someone you know is facing divorce, and need the guidance of an experienced divorce attorney who can assist you in understanding your alimony rights and obligations, don’t hesitate to look for the best alimony attorney in Tampa who can help you navigate the Florida alimony laws during your divorce.

🌞Happy Summer🌞 From The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin!

We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful summer and having an opportunity to travel, enjoy great times with family and friends, and bask in the summer warmth.

In our Summer 2024, we share Gary Dolgin’s recent travels, including a fantastic trip to Washington D.C. with his son Ari, and an adventurous trip to Croatia and Italy.

Also highlighted in the newsletter is Gary’s involvement in The Tiger Bay Club in Tampa, where he served as a past President.

At a recent event, the Tiger Bay Candidate Forum, candidates for State Attorney and Public Defender were on hand for discussions and a Q&A session. At this event Gary won the Garfield Tiger Award for asking the best question. Gary is honored to have won this award at many past Tiger Bay events.

To view our Summer 2024 Newsletter, please visit:
Dolgin Law’s Summer 2024 Newsletter

To learn more about The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin and to see what his past clients have to say about his exceptional representation, visit:
Family Lawyer in Tampa, Gary S. Dolgin

Google Page:
Family Lawyer Tampa

Facebook Page:
Best Family Law Attorney Tampa

What constitutes marital assets in Florida?

Best divorce attorney in Tampa, Gary Dolgin shares some important information regarding this.

In Florida, the division of assets and liabilities during a divorce follows the principle of equitable distribution. This means that all marital property and debts are divided fairly between the spouses.

The distribution of all marital assets and marital liabilities, whether equal or unequal, shall include specific written findings of fact as to:

(b) Identification of marital assets, including the individual valuation of significant assets, and designation of which spouse shall be entitled to each asset.

This process begins with a thorough inventory of all assets acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name the asset is in.

Marital assets can include real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, vehicles, businesses, and personal property such as jewelry and furniture.

Both parties are required to disclose all relevant financial information and documents to ensure that all assets are accounted for. This might involve gathering financial statements, property deeds, vehicle titles, business records, and appraisals.

If you’re going through a divorce, it’s crucial to understand your rights and the factors that influence asset and liability division. Seeking guidance from a knowledgeable attorney can ensure a fair outcome.

If you are considering divorce and have questions about equitable distribution, we can help you here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin.

With over 33 years in practice, Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law, Gary Dolgin is an experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney in Tampa who can represent your best interests.

To schedule a consultation with Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law, call (813) 999-2772 and it will be our pleasure to help you.

To see what past clients have to say about retaining Gary Dolgin to represent them during their divorce, and to learn more about divorce, visit:
Best Divorce Attorney in Tampa – Gary S. Dolgin

Google Business Page:
Divorce Attorney Near Me – Gary Dolgin
625 E. Twiggs St., Suite 101i
Tampa, Florida 33602

Facebook Page: Tampa Divorce Attorney – Gary Dolgin

🎉 Happy Birthday to Gary Dolgin Today! 🎉🎂

Today, Gary would like to take this opportunity to express his deep gratitude to the clients he has had the honor of representing over the years, and to the wonderful colleagues he has had the pleasure of working with. 🙌

Gary is grateful for being able to serve the Tampa Bay community over the years, helping to provide guidance with their Family Law issues. 👨‍⚖️📜

With over 33 years of experience in all aspects of divorce and family law, being a Board Certified Expert in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar, and being a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, Gary Dolgin has the expertise you need when facing divorce or any type of family law issue.

To schedule a consultation with Gary S. Dolgin, Attorney At Law, call (813) 999-2772 and it will be our pleasure to help you.

To learn more about Gary Dolgin and how he can help with your family law issues and divorce issues, such as alimony, child custody, child support and division of marital assets, visit:
Best Family Attorney Tampa, Gary S. Dolgin

Google Business Page:
Best Family Law Attorney Tampa

The court shall determine all matters relating to parenting and time-sharing of each minor child of the parties in accordance with the best interests of the child and in accordance with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, except that modification of a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule requires a showing of a substantial and material change of circumstances.

The primary focus is always on the child’s well-being and needs. Factors considered include the child’s:

– age;
– health;
– emotional ties with each parent;
– the child’s home
– the child’s school;
– and their community record.

In order to modify a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule the party requesting the modification must show a substantial and material change of circumstances, such as a job relocation, a change in health, or a change in the child’s educational needs.

In determining time-sharing, a judge must consider 20 factors regarding the best interests of the child. Some of these factors include:

(a) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing parent-child relationship, to honor the time-sharing schedule, and to be reasonable when changes are required.
(b) The anticipated division of parental responsibilities after the litigation, including the extent to which parental responsibilities will be delegated to third parties.
(c) The demonstrated capacity and disposition of each parent to determine, consider, and act upon the needs of the child as opposed to the needs or desires of the parent.
(d) The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity.

Here at The Law Offices of Gary S. Dolgin, we have been helping mothers and fathers with child custody issues such as parenting plans for over 33 years in the Tampa area.

We have also been committed to protecting children’s best interests while helping to advocate for their parent’s rights.

If you have any questions about parenting plans or any other child custody issues, give us a call at (813) 999-2772, and it will be our pleasure to help you.

Learn more about child custody by visiting:
Best Tampa Child Custody Lawyers, Gary Dolgin