Sarasota Divorce, Family Law & Estate Planning
Life in Sarasota and Sarasota County moves fast. Between careers, kids’ schedules, retirement planning, and everything in between, legal problems can feel like an unwanted second job. At McNary Law, we help Sarasota residents and Sarasota County families get unstuck with clear guidance, practical strategies, and a process built to reduce stress.
We are a Bradenton-based firm serving Sarasota County (and surrounding counties) with many services handled remotely. That means you can often meet with our team, share documents, and move your case forward without rearranging your entire week around driving and parking.
Family law for Sarasota and Sarasota County families
Family law issues are rarely just “legal.” They touch housing, finances, parenting, and your day-to-day peace of mind. Our role is to help you understand your options, protect what matters most, and move forward with a plan that fits your real life in Sarasota County.
Divorce in Sarasota County
If you are considering divorce in Sarasota County, you probably have the same questions we hear every day:
- How long will this take?
- What happens with the house?
- How will time-sharing work?
- Will I owe or receive support?
Florida divorce has specific requirements and procedures, including a residency requirement and legal grounds for dissolution.
From there, the path depends on your goals and your spouse’s willingness to cooperate. Some Sarasota divorces are largely paperwork and negotiation. Others involve high-conflict litigation, emergency issues, or complex finances. Either way, we focus on a strategy that is defensible, realistic, and aimed at outcomes you can live with long after the case ends.
Parenting plans, time-sharing, and custody-related issues
In Sarasota County, parenting cases often come down to designing a workable parenting plan and time-sharing schedule, then documenting it clearly enough that it can actually be enforced. Florida law uses parenting plans and time-sharing as the framework for custody-related decisions.
If you are dealing with long-distance parenting (including one parent relocating), a changing work schedule, or safety concerns, it is especially important to approach the case with structure and good documentation. We help Sarasota parents pursue clear parenting schedules, handle disputes over decision-making, and seek modifications when circumstances change.
Support, enforcement, and modifications
Child support and alimony issues can become urgent quickly, particularly when income changes, a parent becomes underemployed, or payments fall behind. Sarasota County clients often come to us for:
- Establishing support in a divorce or paternity case
- Enforcing unpaid support
- Modifying support after job loss, promotion, relocation, or a major life change
The “right” move depends on timing, proof, and the specific court order in place. We help you evaluate what the court can do, what you can prove, and how to pursue relief efficiently.
Injunctions and safety concerns
If your situation involves threats, harassment, or domestic violence, safety comes first. Sarasota County courts hear injunction matters through the family division process, and the steps you take early can affect your longer-term family law case.
Estate planning for Sarasota and Sarasota County residents
Estate planning is not just for “later.” It is a way to protect your family now, especially in a place like Sarasota County where many households include blended families, second marriages, retirees, and multigenerational caregiving.
A solid Sarasota estate plan typically focuses on four things:
- Who will make decisions if you cannot
- Who inherits, and how
- How to avoid unnecessary delay, conflict, or expense
- How to keep your plan aligned as life changes
Wills
A will is often the foundation. Without one, state law controls who inherits, and that may not match what you want for your Sarasota family. We help you create a will that clearly reflects your intent, names the right decision-makers, and coordinates with the rest of your plan.
Trusts
Trust planning can be a strong fit for Sarasota County residents who want to reduce probate burdens, provide structured inheritances for children, or plan for blended-family realities. If a trust makes sense for your goals, we will explain it in plain language and build it around your actual assets and priorities.
Powers of attorney and advance directives
A good estate plan is also an incapacity plan. We help Sarasota clients put legal authority in the right hands, so family members are not forced into expensive, stressful court action during a health crisis. This often includes powers of attorney, health care documents, and related planning tools that work together.
Planning for digital assets
Modern estate planning in Sarasota County increasingly includes digital life: email, photos, cloud storage, payment apps, and online accounts. We can help you address digital access in a way that fits your overall plan, so your loved ones are not locked out of important information when it matters most.
Probate and estate administration in Sarasota County
If you are handling a loved one’s estate, the first questions are usually: “Do we need probate?” and “Where do we file?” In Florida, probate venue is typically tied to the county where the person lived. We help Sarasota County families understand what type of administration may apply, what documents are needed, and how to move the process forward without unnecessary delays.
Remote services for Sarasota and Sarasota County clients
Many of our Sarasota County clients prefer remote meetings because it is faster and easier. In many matters, we can:
- Meet by video or phone
- Share and review documents securely
- Collect intake information remotely
- Keep your case progressing without extra time off work
If an in-person appearance is required, we will tell you clearly and early. Otherwise, we build the process around efficiency and responsiveness.
Local court and filing information for Sarasota
Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller (Family Court filings and Clerk services)
Sarasota County Historic Courthouse
2000 Main Street, Room 102
Sarasota, FL 34237
Sarasota County Clerk and Comptroller (South County location)
South County Courthouse
4004 S. Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34293
Self-Help Center and Law Library (helpful resource)
2002 Ringling Boulevard, 1st Floor Lobby
Sarasota, FL 34237
12th Judicial Circuit courthouses
Sarasota County Justice Center
2071 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34237
Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center
2002 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34237
Note: Court departments, filing windows, and hours can change. Always confirm current instructions online before you go in person.
Common Questions We Hear From Sarasota Clients
Florida has a residency requirement for divorce. Whether you file in Sarasota County or another county depends on proper venue and case-specific facts, so it is smart to get legal guidance early.
Florida uses a parenting plan and time-sharing schedule. The details matter: holidays, school breaks, transportation, decision-making, and communication rules can prevent future conflicts.
It depends on how much you and your spouse agree on and how quickly information and documents are exchanged. Uncontested divorces in Sarasota County can move faster, while cases involving disputes over parenting, support, or property division can take longer. The most reliable way to shorten the timeline is to get organized early, respond promptly, and focus on clear priorities.
Without a will, state law controls inheritance. A will lets you choose who inherits, name the right decision-makers, and reduce confusion for your Sarasota family.
A will is enough for many Sarasota County families, but a trust can be helpful if you want to avoid or reduce probate, provide structured inheritances for children, plan for a blended family, or manage assets more efficiently if incapacity becomes an issue. The right answer depends on your goals, your assets, and your family dynamics.
Often, yes. Many Sarasota County clients complete planning meetings and document review remotely. For signing requirements, we will explain what must be done in person and what can be handled online.