Financial circumstances can limit an individual’s ability to secure private legal assistance. Numerous pro bono (free) or reduced-fee legal organizations and opportunities exist throughout the Tampa Bay Area to help members of the local community with various legal issues. Click here for a list. Sessums Black, PA is proud to support and promote programs and projects that assist to the poor and disadvantaged of Tampa Bay.
On December 17, 2014, Broward County Circuit Court Judge Dale Cohen granted the first divorce of a same-sex couple in Florida. Judge Cohen also held Florida’s 2008 ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Click on the link to read more. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are experienced in representing clients with all types of family law issues.
It can be easy for toxicity to sneak into any relationship. Identifying the cause is often the first step to recovery. Click on the link below to read one psychologist’s suggestions on how to identify and address criticism, avoidance, and negativity. Sessums Black, PA provides superior personal service to assist clients whose relationships have become irretrievably broken despite their best efforts.
Sessums Black, PA is thrilled to announce that Attorney Alex Caballero is now a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). The AAML was established in 1962 by highly regarded domestic relations attorneys “To provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law.” Academy Fellows are highly skilled negotiators and litigators who represent individuals in all facets of family law. Attorney Caroline Black Sikorske is also a AAML Fellow. Congratulations, Alex!
Holidays are exciting and busy times, and things can become even more complicated when a child’s parents are living in separate households. Click on the link below to read some suggestions on how to help children enjoy the best holiday celebration possible when celebrating in two homes. Sessums Black, PA offers top-quality legal assistance to clients experiencing all types of co-parenting challenges.
On November 14, 2014, the Florida Supreme Court issued an Administrative Order modifying procedural and registration requirements for Parenting Coordinators and court circuits throughout the State of Florida regarding the parenting coordination qualification process. Click on the link below to read the administrative order. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA pride themselves on staying current on changes in law and procedures which may affect their clients. For more on parenting coordination, click here.
Holidays often inspire talks of engagement – but is the timing right to take the relationship to the next level? Click on the link below to read one psychologist’s suggestions of seven situations when it may be best to postpone “the talk”. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are experienced in counseling and representing clients with all types of marital and family law concerns.
On November 14, 2014, Attorneys Caroline Black Sikorske, and Alex Caballero attended the Tampa Bay Collaborative Divorce Group full day seminar titled Moving from the ‘I’ to the ‘We’.
On November 13, 2014, Paralegals Amy Anderson, Carol Dunlap, and Michele Tawzer, as a part of their regular membership, attended the monthly meeting of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association which included a legal education component titled “Pro Bono Initiatives in the Tampa Bay Area” presented by the Hon. Catherine Peek McEwen. The Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.’s mission includes establishing the standard for excellence in the paralegal profession through its work on issues of regulation, ethics, and education.
On November 17, 2014, Word Processor Mary Dougherty celebrated 28 years of excellent service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Mary!
During the weekend of October 24, 2014, Attorney Caroline Black Sikorske attended the International Association of Collaborative Professionals meeting in Vancouver, Canada to internationally promote the practice of collaborative family law. Click below to see a picture of Caroline with other collaborative law professionals from Florida.
Sessums Black, PA is pleased to announce its inclusion in the 2015 Edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms.”
On November 1, 2014, Attorney Caroline Black Sikorske celebrated 25 years of outstanding service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Caroline!
Section 61.21, Florida Statutes, requires all parents of minor children involved in a divorce or paternity proceeding to attend a state-approved course to help them focus on what is in their children’s best interest before, during, and after resolution of their court case. There is no restriction on who may attend these classes – so individuals contemplating marriage or divorce or simply interested in learning how to support their friends and loved ones involved in a court proceeding may attend as well. Click on the link below to see a list of approved course providers (updated as of October 23, 2014). As Sessums Black, PA’s focus is exclusively marital and family law, we pride ourselves on staying abreast of all types of resources available to assist our clients and their families before, during, and after resolution of their family law issues.
On October 17, 2014, Advanced Certified Paralegal Carol Dunlap celebrated 7 years of outstanding service at Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Carol!
On October 16, 2014, Paralegals Amy Anderson and Heidi Hartwig, as a part of their regular membership, attended the monthly meeting of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association which included a legal education component titled “Litigation and the Paralegal.” The Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.’s mission includes establishing the standard for excellence in the paralegal profession through its work on issues of regulation, ethics, and education.
On October 14, 2014, Paralegal Lorri L. Rowell celebrated one year of top-quality service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Lorri!
Statistics show that, in 2014, people over the age of 50 are twice as likely to divorce as people of similar age in 1990. This trend could carry a significant cost not only for the parties but their families as well. Click on the link below to read an article about the phenomena. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are experienced in representing clients of all ages whose are parties to dissolution of marriage proceedings.
Sessums Black, PA is pleased to announce that Florida Registered Paralegal Heidi L. Hartwig has joined our team as a paralegal. Heidi has over 10 years of family law litigation experience. Congratulations, Heidi!
The United States Supreme Court, on Monday, October 6, 2014, let stand appeals court rulings that permitted same-sex marriages in five states. This decision has cleared the way for same-sex marriages in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Click on the link below to read an article about the decision. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on providing superior personal service to clients to assist with any number of family law issues.
Four years ago, Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals overturned Florida’s 33-year old ban on adoption by same-sex couples. On the anniversary of that ruling, gay rights advocates are calling for a recognition of the rights of same-sex couples to marry and divorce in Florida. Click on the link below to read a recent article on the latest events. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on staying abreast of the latest issues in society and the law that may affect its clients.
On September 13, 2014, Certified Paralegal Michele C. Tawzer celebrated ten years of superior service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Michele!
The birth of a child is a life-changing event which can cause long-lasting unanticipated effects, particularly on the relationship between the child’s parents. Many studies have shown marital satisfaction decreasing after the birth of the first child and not rebounding until the last child leaves home. Click on the link below to read an article discussing ways to maintain a healthy marriage with children. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are experienced in representing clients whose marriages have become irretrievably broken despite their best efforts.
While it is common to spend months – or longer – planning a wedding, it is generally uncommon to spend any time planning a divorce. Nevertheless, a little planning can help ease the transition from married to unmarried life. Click on the link below to read six suggestions on how to plan for a divorce. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on providing personalized legal advice and representation to clients anticipating or facing all types of family law issues.
On August 21, 2014, Paralegal Frank Steinbeck, Jr. celebrated two years of top-quality service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Frank!
On August 7, 2014, Attorney Sarah E. Kay celebrated 8 years of top-quality service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Sarah!
On July 20, 2014, Attorney Jennifer Ficarrotta celebrated three years of outstanding service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Jennifer!
The Florida Supreme Court recently adopted “Rules for Qualified and Court-Appointed Parenting Coordinators.” You should speak with a qualified Florida family law attorney if you have questions about whether parent coordination may be beneficial to you or your case. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA take pride in staying abreast of changes in rules, laws, and trends that may affect their clients.
Click here to read the rules.
Click here to read more about parent coordination.
On June 20, 2014, Scheduling Assistant Nelva Aleman celebrated 16 years of top-quality service at Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Nelva!
On June 12, 2014, Paralegals Amy Anderson, Carol Dunlap, Lorri Rowell, Frank Steinbeck, Jr., and Michele Tawzer, as a part of their regular membership, attended the monthly meeting of the Tampa Bay Paralegal Association which included a legal education component titled “Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Education Amendments of 1972 / Student Discrimination.” Tampa Bay Paralegal Association, Inc.’s mission includes establishing the standard for excellence in the paralegal profession through its work on the issues of regulation, ethics, and education.
Sessums Black, PA is pleased to announce that Attorney Sarah E. Kay has been listed as a 2014 Rising Star in family law in the Florida Super Lawyers publication. Congratulations, Sarah!
Sessums Black, PA is pleased to announce that Attorneys Caroline Black Sikorske, Alex Caballero, and Jennifer Ficarrotta have been listed as 2014 Florida Super Lawyers in family law in the Florida Super Lawyers publication. Congratulations to all!
On June 7, 2014, Attorney Alex Caballero celebrated 15 years of outstanding service with Sessums Black, PA. Congratulations, Alex!
Florida Governor Rick Scott has proclaimed June 2-7, 2014 as Paralegals Week. Click on the link below to see the proclamation. Sessums Black, PA’s Paralegals Amy Anderson, Carol Dunlap, Lorri Rowell, Frank Steinbeck, Jr., and Michele Tawzer are highly skilled professionals and an integral part of our team. Happy Paralegals Week!
Katie Tawzer, daughter of Certified Paralegal Michele Tawzer, and her youth theatre group were featured in the Pasco Tribune section of the Tampa Tribune on Friday, May 16, 2014. Katie performs with Arts in Motion (AIM) community youth theatre group, and played the role of Kelsi Nielsen in Disney’s High School Musical. Click on the links below to read a news article about the performance and see a picture of Katie in the performance. Well done, Katie!
See the Picture (Katie is in the red hat and grey shirt in the center)
On May 16, 2014, the Clearwater Bar Association announced that Sessums Black, PA’s booth The Sweet Taste of Freedom at the 75th annual Oyster Roast won Best Décor. Click here to see a picture of Attorney Jennifer Ficarrotta and Scheduling Assistant Nelva Aleman with the award.
On May 9, 2014, a Hillsborough County judge dismissed a petition for the dissolution of a same sex marriage holding the court did not have jurisdiction to dissolve the marriage because the marriage was not recognized under Florida law. Click on the link to read a news article about the decision. The case is now on appeal to the Second District Court of Appeals. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA pride themselves on staying abreast of news and events that may affect their clients.
On May 15, 2014, Attorneys Caroline Black Sikorske, Jennifer Ficarrotta, and Sarah E. Kay attended the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation 6th annual Law & Liberty Dinner the proceeds of which support and promote programs and projects that encourage assistance to the poor and disadvantaged, primarily with regard to their legal needs, and to educate the public about the legal system. Award-winning commentator, actor, and economist Ben Stein was the key note speaker at the dinner. Sessums Black, PA is proud to support the philanthropic efforts of the Hillsborough County Bar Foundation.
On May 14, 2014, Attorney Sarah E. Kay was sworn in as the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers’ Vice President of Programs. Congratulations, Sarah!
The federal government recently stated that insurers must offer same-sex couples the same health benefits offered to heterosexual couples. Click on the link below to read an article about this recent decision. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA represent clients confronting any number of family law issues.
On March 6, 2014, the Supreme Court of Florida responded to a petition from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners advising that undocumented immigrants are ineligible for admission to the Florida Bar. Click on the link below to read the Supreme Court’s full advisory opinion.
A man in Sacramento County, California who declared bankruptcy and hid his assets to avoid paying child support and alimony, was recently sentenced to a prison term of over 17 years. Click on the link below to read the article. Sessums Black, PA’s attorneys are skilled at representing clients with support-related issues.
As people age, chronic illnesses can make it tough to keep the romantic spark alive. One study has revealed that people can reduce the stress of illness and aging through increased physical intimacy. Click on the link below to read the article. Sessums Black, PA takes pride in offering superior, personal service to clients whose relationships have become irreversibly broken despite their best efforts.
People typically share confidential and sensitive information with spouses and paramours. When couples separate or divorce, that personal information may be misused. Click on the link below to read an article by the Experian credit reporting agency about what can be done if a former confidant, like a former spouse, attempts to retrieve your credit report. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA strive to be responsive to their clients and sensitive to the clients’ unique needs.
Conflict or uncertainty in the law creates disputes and challenges. The question of same-sex marriage has frequently appeared in the headlines as of late. Click on the links below to read four recent articles about the legal issues and questions same sex marriage has raised. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA stay abreast of current legal issues to provide their clients from all types of relationships with top-quality legal representation.
Read More – Flood of Gay Marriage Cases Releasing Stream of Federal Rulings
Read More – Gay-Marriage Battle Moves South, And Religious Right Fights Back
Read More – Oregon Won’t Defend State’s Ban on Gay Marriage
Read More – Virginia’s Same-Sex Marriage Ban is Ruled Unconstitutional
Recent trends are showing birth rates and divorce rates on the rise which are indicative if an improving economy. Click on the link below to read an article about the phenomenon. Sessums Black, PA dedicates itself to professional and high quality legal services for clients facing all types of family law issues.
It is not uncommon for there to be follow-up tasks to be completed after a divorce is finalized. One of those items may be to update a credit report to reflect the change in marital status. Click on the link below to read an article by the Experian credit reporting agency about how to remove a former spouse’s name from your credit report. Sessums Black, PA strives to be worthy of its clients complete confidence by staying abreast of issues relevant to their unique situations.
The 2010 census reveals that one in ten marriages between opposite-sex couples is between a husband and wife of differing races or ethnicities. This represents a 28% increase since 2000. Click on the link below to read a report about the growing trend of interracial marriages. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA strive to stay abreast of all types of trends that may affect, influence, or involve their clients.
Obtaining a divorce oftentimes does not affect contractual agreements for loans, credit cards, lines of credit, or other liabilities. Click on the link below to read two articles published by the Experian credit reporting agency about some credit-related challenges divorce may present. Sessums Black, PA believes in individualized representation because each client’s situation is unique.
Unfortunately, credit troubles are not unheard of in today’s society. Click on the link below to read a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau article with four suggestions on steps you can take if you think your credit or debit card information has been compromised. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA pride themselves on staying abreast of issues that may arise in family law proceedings.
It is not unusual for a couple’s finances to become intertwined during a marriage often resulting in challenges while untangling those finances during a divorce. A divorced or divorcing person may want to consider ordering his or her credit report(s) to ensure all liabilities or debts have been appropriately divided or otherwise addressed. Click on the link below to read more about credit reports, their importance, and how to order them. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on offering personalized and high-quality legal services to its clients to help them address their various family law issues.
Florida law presumes that, regardless of the timesharing or “visitation” schedule, parents are going to “co-parent” or, in other words, jointly make all non-emergency major decisions involving their children. Click on the link below to read one author’s six suggestions for how to make co-parenting work. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are skilled at representing clients who have co-parenting issues.
A bill was introduced during the 2013 legislative session that would changed Florida law to create a presumption in favor of equal timesharing between parents and children. The law did not pass; nevertheless, a similar bill may be proposed in upcoming 2014 legislative session. Is it in the best interest of a child for judges to presume that the child should spend equal time with his/her parents? Click on the link to read an article in which three psychologists’ answer to that question based on a child-centered developmental perspective. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA take pride in staying abreast of changes and potential changes to marital and family laws.
Sessums Black, PA wishes you and your family a safe and joy-filled holiday season!
The Sessums Black family has a new addition. Jonathan David was born on Monday, July 29th to attorney Sarah Kay and her husband Chris Horn. Jonathan weighted 8 lbs. 8oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Congratulations to Sarah and her family.
The celebration of Mother’s Day, a holiday honoring motherhood, began in the United States by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Sessums Black, PA wishes all mothers a joy-filled Mother’s Day!
There are 12 proposed changes to Florida’s Constitution that will be decided on the November 6, 2012 ballot. Click on the link below to learn more about each proposed constitutional amendment. Sessums Black, PA supports informed voting.
On July 23, 2012, Law enforcement and public safety agencies announced security restrictions and a transportation plan for the 2012 Republican National Convention. The plan provides for road closures, vehicle and pedestrian restricted zones and public transportation during the convention. Click on the link below to read the announcement. Sessums Black, PA will continue to watch for additional announcements relating to the Republican National Convention.
The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit has implemented a plan to ensure critical court functions continue in operation during the Republican National Convention (August 22, 2012 through September 3, 2012). Please click on the link below to see a PDF of the announcement listing proceedings, locations, contact information, and scheduled hearing times. Sessums Black, PA will continue to watch for additional announcements relating to the Republican National Convention.
As of 9:00 AM on June 25, 2012, Tampa will offer a domestic partner registry for unmarried persons over the age of 18 who are cohabiting and consider their partner immediate family. Click on the link below to read the news article about the registry which includes a list of the rights registrants may be granted. The attorneys of Sessums Black, PA are skilled in drafting cohabitation agreements for persons of the same or different genders.
Florida’s 2012 legislative session has come to an end. The House and Senate bills proposing changes to, among other things, Florida’s laws governing alimony and equitable distribution did not pass. This means that there are currently no legislative changes to alimony or equitable distribution. Sessums Black, PA will continue to monitor all efforts to change laws affecting all aspects of marital and family law.
2011 has been a year of change. The link below provides a slideshow of high profile weddings and divorces over the past 12 months. Sessums Black, PA prides itself on providing superior legal services for all of its clients before and after they say “I do.”
