Tampa Divorce, Family Law & Estate Planning
When a family situation shifts or you are planning ahead for the people you love, you want clear guidance and a steady hand. McNary Law helps clients across Tampa and Hillsborough County with divorce, family law, and estate planning, with a practical approach focused on solutions and long-term stability.
Even if you are busy with work, kids, or travel, many services can be handled remotely, including consultations, document review, and much of the planning and case preparation. That means Tampa and Hillsborough County clients can get experienced help without fighting traffic or rearranging their week.
Family law in Tampa is local, even when the law is statewide
Florida family law applies statewide, but your case is still very local because it is filed and managed in Hillsborough County. Court expectations, scheduling practices, and required paperwork can vary. If you are in Tampa, the goal is usually the same: move your case forward efficiently while protecting what matters most.
Divorce in Tampa and Hillsborough County
Divorce can be emotionally heavy, but the legal path is usually easier when you break it into steps. In Florida, divorce is called “dissolution of marriage,” and the court can grant a dissolution when the marriage is irretrievably broken.
A few Tampa divorce issues we regularly see include:
- Uncontested divorce where both spouses agree on the major terms and want it done correctly and cleanly
- Property and debt division (including the home, retirement accounts, and business interests)
- Support questions involving alimony or child support
- Parenting plans and time-sharing where stability and a workable schedule matter more than courtroom drama
Florida also requires that at least one spouse meet the six-month Florida residency requirement before filing for divorce. If you recently moved to Tampa or Hillsborough County, that timing issue can shape the strategy.
Parenting plans, time-sharing, and custody questions
In Tampa, custody concerns are often the most personal part of any case. Whether you are creating a parenting plan for the first time, seeking a modification, or enforcing an existing order, it helps to focus on what the court needs to see: clear facts, a child-centered plan, and a schedule that fits real life.
If you are dealing with long-distance parenting, school issues, or high-conflict communication, we help you build a plan that is specific enough to work, and structured enough to reduce repeated disputes.
Paternity, child support, and modifications
Many Hillsborough County family law cases are not divorces at all. They involve:
- Paternity and establishing parental rights and responsibilities
- Child support establishment, enforcement, or modification
- Post-judgment modifications when life changes (job changes, relocation, new needs for a child)
When you are trying to adjust an existing order in Tampa, the details matter. We help you understand what needs to be proven and what documents and evidence typically support a modification request.
Domestic violence and urgent court relief
If safety is a concern, you may need fast action. Florida has a separate process for domestic violence injunctions, and these filings can move quickly. If you believe you need immediate protection, do not wait to get advice.
Estate planning for Tampa families is about control and clarity
Estate planning is not only for retirees. In Tampa and Hillsborough County, we see estate planning needs across every stage of life, including young families, blended families, and business owners.
A strong plan usually includes:
Wills
A will allows you to name who inherits, choose a personal representative, and nominate a guardian for minor children. If someone dies without a will, Florida intestacy rules control who inherits, including the surviving spouse’s share depending on the family structure.
Trust planning
Trusts can be useful when you want privacy, long-term control, or a smoother transfer of assets. Florida’s Trust Code provides the framework for how trusts are created and administered.
We help Tampa clients decide whether a revocable living trust makes sense, and if it does, we tailor it to the goals that matter most.
Powers of attorney and health care planning
A solid estate plan also plans for incapacity, not only death. Florida law recognizes advance directives such as designation of a health care surrogate and living will.
These documents can reduce confusion and conflict during medical emergencies and help your loved ones act with confidence.
Planning for digital assets
Modern estate plans should address online accounts and digital property. Florida’s Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act is part of that picture.
Disclaimers in estate planning
In some situations, a beneficiary may choose to disclaim an inheritance for tax planning or other reasons. Florida provides a statutory framework for disclaimers.
Probate and estate administration in Hillsborough County
Sometimes planning did not happen in time, or probate is needed even with a will. Florida probate rules cover where probate is filed and how an estate is administered, including venue rules.
If a loved one lived in Tampa or Hillsborough County, probate is commonly handled through the Hillsborough County Clerk’s probate process, which includes requirements about filing the original will once someone passes away.
Remote legal services for Tampa and Hillsborough County clients
Tampa clients are busy, and many legal tasks do not require an in-person meeting. We offer remote options for:
- Consultations by phone or video
- Secure document review and sharing
- Drafting and revising settlement agreements and estate planning documents
- Case preparation and strategy meetings
When an in-person appearance is required, we will tell you early so you can plan around it.
Local court and filing information for Tampa
Hillsborough County Family Law (13th Judicial Circuit / Edgecomb Courthouse)
George Edgecomb Courthouse
800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602
Family Law Division location details (Clerk) are listed at the Edgecomb Courthouse.
Hillsborough County Clerk: Probate, Guardianship, and Trust (mailing and filing notes)
Hillsborough County Clerk’s probate page notes that wills are filed with Probate Court after death and that the original will is required, with a listed mailing address.
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (online filing option)
Florida Courts E-Filing Portal: statewide filing access point, available to registered users.
Note: Court addresses, filing locations, hours, and division procedures can change. Always confirm current requirements with the Clerk or the court before going in person or submitting time-sensitive filings.
Common Questions We Hear From Tampa Clients
Florida requires that at least one spouse reside in the state for 6 months before filing. If you recently moved to Tampa or Hillsborough County, timing can affect when you can file.
It means the marriage cannot be repaired, and reconciliation is not realistic. Florida allows dissolution of marriage on that basis.
It depends on your goals. Many Tampa clients choose a trust when they want added privacy, smoother asset transfer, or ongoing control for minors or beneficiaries. Florida’s Trust Code governs how trusts work and what duties apply. A will may still be appropriate in simpler situations.
Florida intestacy rules decide who inherits. The surviving spouse’s share depends on whether there are descendants and whether those descendants are shared with the surviving spouse. Probate venue is generally tied to the decedent’s domicile.