Compassionate Guidance for Your Family Law Needs

Advocate Law Firm, P.A.

5.0

Over 90 5-Star Reviews

Serving Bartow and beyond Custody Attorney Bartow

Navigating child custody matters requires a thoughtful approach that puts the needs and well-being of the child first. At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., we understand the emotional complexity involved in these situations. A child custody lawyer at our firm can help guide you through the process, ensuring that the child's best interests are at the forefront of every decision. Advocate Law Firm, P.A. comprehends the intricacies of child custody law and works diligently to achieve resolutions that serve the child's welfare and parental rights. Whether negotiating custody agreements or representing clients in court, Advocate Law Firm, P.A. is committed to providing sound legal representation.

For guidance tailored to your needs, contact a child custody attorney at Advocate Law Firm, P.A.: (863) 644-5566.

Bartow Child Custody
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863-644-5566
Voices of Victory
  • E
    "Strength, Resilience, and Courage"
    Attorney Wilson showed nothing but strength, resilience, and courage.
    Elizabeth Olivares
Strength, Resilience, and Courage
I hired Advocate Law Firm because they were highly recommended from a very trusted source, and I am very glad I did. My custody case is extremely complicated and has been ongoing for years. I have had attorneys bail on me before because of the high-powered, aggressive, big city dream team my child's father hires. I came to Attorney Wilson desperate, emotional, and distraught. She was empathetic and seemed to relate to what I was going through but put me in my place and demanded that I toughen up. She did not sugarcoat anything and did not hesitate to call me out when I acted on my emotions rather than my intelligence. Attorney Wilson showed nothing but strength, resilience, and courage to help me go up against the opposition. The legal advice she gave me was detrimental to my case, and she was able to get me out of a horrible, unfair agreement I made the mistake of signing due to emotional exhaustion and fear with a previous attorney prior to hiring Advocate Law Firm. Attorney Wilson is sometimes short and direct. I did not take it personally because I felt that she truly put herself in my place when fighting my case. It is at times not easy to quickly get a hold of her, which is to be expected when you hire a highly sought-after attorney who is not only working round the clock to help you but many others as well and is herself a working mother. Either Attorney Wilson or her staff always got back to me as soon as they could. I was charged a retainer that is slightly higher than most average attorneys in the area. However, I felt that was fair due to the complexity of my case as well as my experience with previous lawyers who did not help me. You get what you pay for, and I was glad to pay for the above-average level of representation I received. I had to work harder than ever to get through and afford this case, but it was worth it! None of my previously hired lawyers came close to helping me the way Attorney Wilson did. By the end of the case, she acknowledged that I seemed like a different person and recognized that I worked hard to better myself financially, mentally, and emotionally. I would highly recommend Advocate Law Firm to anyone who is serious about winning their family court case and is ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard alongside Attorney Wilson and her team to make that happen.
Elizabeth Olivares
Our Results
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm Acquitted by Court.
    The defendant was charged by the State of Florida in a Six Count Information (the charging document) which charged him ...
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client charged with Burglary of a Residence found Not Guilty.
    According to law enforcement officers, the Defendant kicked down the door of his ex-girlfriend and hit her. The ...
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client Charged with DUI and Driving with No Valid Driver’s License found Not Guilty.
    According to law enforcement officers, on December 23, 1995, the 15 year old Defendant, who did not have a valid ...
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client charged with First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking Found Not Guilty.
    Shortly after midnight on November 15, 2001, an individual was shot in the head and killed. According to law enforcement ...
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell & Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Found Not Guilty.
    According to police, on August 12, 2005, a Detective from the Miami Dade Police Department was conducting surveillance ...
  • JOSHUA SCHOEN
    Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Illegal Liquor, Possession of Beverage Sold Without a License.
    According to law enforcement, a week before Defendant’s arrest, an undercover police went inside a convenience store, ...
JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client charged with Aggravated Assault with a Firearm Acquitted by Court.
The defendant was charged by the State of Florida in a Six Count Information (the charging document) which charged him with two separate counts of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony, Discharge of a Firearm in Public, Possession of Methamphetamine, and use or Possession of Paraphernalia. The State ended up Nolle Prossing (Dismissing) Counts 2 through 6 of the State’s Information. With regard to the only remaining count, the Aggravated Assault with a Firearm charge, following the State’s presentation of evidence at a Jury Trial, the Court agreed with the defense that there was insufficient evidence to allow the case to proceed any further, and the dismissed the only remaining charge.
JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client charged with Burglary of a Residence found Not Guilty.
According to law enforcement officers, the Defendant kicked down the door of his ex-girlfriend and hit her. The Defendant was charged with Burglary of her residence and was also facing a violation of felony probation. After a jury trial, the Defendant was found Not Guilty and was found not to be in violation of his felony probation.
JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client Charged with DUI and Driving with No Valid Driver’s License found Not Guilty.
According to law enforcement officers, on December 23, 1995, the 15 year old Defendant, who did not have a valid driver’s license, borrowed a car of one of her friends. While in a Publix Supermarket parking lot, the Defendant was driving the car in circles and upon seeing one of her friends, drove towards her friend. Due to the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol, law enforcement claimed that the Defendant lost control of the car, and after her friend got out of the way in the nick of time, Defendant smashed the car she was driving into another vehicle in the parking lot. A few minutes before this accident, a Publix employee noticed the Defendant when she attempted to use the store bathroom, and described her condition as visibly intoxicated. A few minutes after the accident, police responded to the Publix parking lot, where they found the Defendant visibly intoxicated and arrested her for DUI and No Valid Driver’s License. A Breath Test showed that Defendant’s Blood-Alcohol level was approximately .175 g/ml, which is more than two times the legal limit in Florida of .08 g/ml. Following a jury trial on both charges, Defendant was found Not Guilty.
JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client charged with First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking Found Not Guilty.

Shortly after midnight on November 15, 2001, an individual was shot in the head and killed. According to law enforcement investigators, three individuals were talking in the parking lot of an apartment complex, when the Defendant and a Co-Defendant confronted them at gun point and demanded the keys to one of the individuals’ vehicles. After being unable to start the vehicle the assailants had carjacked, the three individuals ran, at which point the Defendant shot one of the individuals in the head, killing him. After successfully severing the trials of the Defendant and Co-Defendant (meaning a separate trial for the Defendant and Co-Defendant) and after keeping out of evidence, testimony regarding traces of gun shot residue found on the defendant’s hand as well as an incriminating letter alleged to have been written by the Defendant, the case proceeded to a jury trial. After a week long trial, Joshua Schoen and his co-counsel, were able to convince a jury that the Defendant was Not Guilty of First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking.

In a separate trial of the Co-Defendant, who was represented by an attorney from another law firm, the Co-Defendant was found Guilty of both First Degree Murder and Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to life in prison.

Click Here to View Trial Report

JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell & Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell, Found Not Guilty.
According to police, on August 12, 2005, a Detective from the Miami Dade Police Department was conducting surveillance in a high crime area. The detective personally observed the Defendant engage in five separate drug transactions, over an approximate half hour period. After the fifth transaction, the officer had his back up team move in to arrest the buyer and the Defendant (seller). Narcotics were found on the buyer and money was found on the Defendant (seller). Following a two and half day jury trial, the Defendant was found not guilty on all charges.
JOSHUA SCHOEN
Client Charged with Sale of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Illegal Liquor, Possession of Beverage Sold Without a License.
According to law enforcement, a week before Defendant’s arrest, an undercover police went inside a convenience store, and in the back of the store, the officer purchased cocaine from the Defendant. So as not to disclose his status as an undercover police officer, the police did not arrest the defendant until a week later. Immediately prior to trial, the State dismissed the charge of possession of beverage sold without a license. Following a jury trial on the remaining three charges, wherein the undercover officer testified in open court that the individual he purchased the cocaine from was the defendant, the jury found the Defendant Not Guilty of the remaining three counts, including the charge of Sale of Cocaine.
Why Choose Advocate Law Firm, P.A.

At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., I am dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal support for your family law needs in Polk, Hillsborough, and Osceola County. With over 20 years of experience, I guide clients step-by-step through challenging situations, always focused on protecting your rights and securing the best outcome.

Why Choose Us:

  • Expertise in all areas of family law
  • Personalized, attentive client care
  • Bilingual services in English and Spanish
  • Aggressive, results-driven representation
  • Clear guidance through each step of the legal process
  • Advocate for Clients

    I am always aggressive and determined to obtain the most favorable case outcome for my clients.

  • Over 20 Years of Family Law Expertise

    Benefit from decades of experience in divorce and custody cases.

  • Aggressive and Personalized Representation

    Get legal support tailored to your unique family law needs.

  • Clear Guidance Every Step of the Way

    We simplify complex legal processes for peace of mind.

Meet the Advocate Law Firm, P.A. Team

At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., I am dedicated to guiding clients through challenging family law matters with care and expertise. With over 20 years of experience, I focus on protecting your rights and providing practical solutions for divorce, custody, child support, and alimony. My approach is both aggressive and supportive, ensuring your needs are prioritized every step of the way. Serving Polk, Hillsborough, and Osceola County, I offer services in both English and Spanish, making legal help accessible to more families. Every client receives personalized attention and thoughtful guidance, so you never feel overwhelmed by the legal process. Your case will always be treated with the respect and dedication it deserves.

Answers to Your Top Questions
  • What are parenting plans?
    Parenting plans are detailed agreements between parents outlining how they will raise their child post-separation. This includes scheduling, decision-making, and dispute resolution methods. A well-crafted plan helps ensure both parents are engaged in the child's life and can help minimize conflicts.
  • What is sole custody?
    Sole custody means one parent has the primary responsibility for the child's upbringing. This parent makes key decisions regarding the child's welfare, education, and health. The non-custodial parent may have visitation rights but not decision-making authority without agreement from the custodial parent.
  • Do I need a lawyer for custody cases?
    While not required, having a lawyer can be beneficial for understanding your rights and navigating the legal system effectively. A lawyer can help draft custody agreements, represent you in court, and ensure that the custody arrangements are in your child's best interests. Legal advice is especially valuable if disputes arise.
  • Can custody arrangements be changed?
    Yes, custody arrangements can be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances that affects the child's best interests. A formal request to modify the custody order must be filed with the court, which will assess the proposed changes and decide if they benefit the child.
Legal Help Where You Need It
  • Fort Meade
  • Polk
  • Bowling Green
  • Wauchula
  • Bartow
  • Homeland
  • Alturas
  • Bradley Junction
  • Willow Oak
  • Lakeland
  • Winter Haven
  • Eagle Lake
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