Serving Lakeland and beyond
Family Law Attorney Lakeland
Navigating the complexities of family law can be daunting for anyone. Fortunately, a skilled family law lawyer at Advocate Law Firm, P.A. can make all the difference. At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., we understand the sensitivity and significance of these issues. Our team is committed to providing comprehensive support and guidance throughout the family law process. We address each case with the attention and respect it deserves, recognizing the personal and emotional aspects involved. At Advocate Law Firm, P.A., we offer a range of services to address various family law matters. We are here to navigate the legal intricacies, so our clients can focus on what's most important: their family.
To discuss how a family law attorney at Advocate Law Firm, P.A. can help you, please call (863) 644-5566.
Lakeland Family Law Call for More Information Today!863-644-5566
Ms. Wilson and Tina treated our family very specially.
David Lamb
A"Highest of recommendations!"
Melissa Wilson is incredibly knowledgeable and determined.
Ashlee Lamb
G"Mrs. Wilson was nothing short of extraordinary"
Mrs. Wilson was nothing short of extraordinary, with work on the highest level of professionalism, promptness, and thoroughness.
Gerardo Sanchez
L"Always There for Me"
I needed a caring and compassionate group of people to represent me at a critical time in my life.
Laura Scafer
K"The Team Was AMAZING!"
They put 110% into their cases and keep you informed every step of the way.
Keri Carey
She understood and won the case.
Even when my son wasn't the best client, she understood and won the case. My family is so grateful for her professionalism. I would definitely recommend her. Thank you again.
Mary Rice
Worth every penny!
Josh was extremely helpful in helping to resolve our family situation. The entire staff here is amazing! Worth every penny!
Heatherm
Amazing Law Firm!
Amazing law firm! Jenny is a feisty firecracker attorney that's always prepared and put the other party in their place. Such an amazing and caring team of people that go above and beyond and fight for you! I'd give 100 stars if I could!
Amber Suarez
Special Treatment for Our Family
Ms. Wilson and Jenny Salvia worked with us for 9 years helping our family come together. I can’t say enough how special they treated our family. I hope we never need a lawyer again, but if we do it’ll be Ms. Wilson.
David Lamb
Highest of recommendations!
Excellent staff! Ms. Wilson is incredibly knowledgeable and determined. She never failed to know exactly what needed done. Tina B. was also there the entire time helping and answering questions. They both worked incredibly hard to ensure our family was whole and taken care of! Highest of recommendations!
Ashlee Lamb
Mrs. Wilson was nothing short of extraordinary
First, I’d like to express how difficult and very family sensitive my case was. Mrs. Wilson was nothing short of extraordinary, with work on the highest level of professionalism, promptness, thoroughness and when it came time for my trial, Mrs. Wilson was amazing in presenting all and nothing but hard facts aggressively! Tina B. always went above and beyond; in such a stressful time, Ms. Tina B. was very patient and understanding. My heart goes out to all these dedicated women determined to prove that men can be just as much a victim. Thank you all very much!
Gerardo Sanchez
Always There for Me
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Melissa Wilson and her staff. I needed a caring and compassionate group of people to represent me at a critical time in my life. She and her staff were always there for me and always in my corner. If you want an ethical and informed law firm, Advocate Law is the place to represent you!
Laura Scafer
The Team Was AMAZING!
The team at Advocate Law Firm (Melissa, Jenny, Josh, and Martha just to name a few) were AMAZING. They put 110% into their cases and keep you informed every step of the way. I cannot thank them enough for the hard work and diligence they provided for my family. If you need any type of legal help this team is the ONE!
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.
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.
To start a divorce, you need to file a petition with the family court in your area. The requirements can vary by location, so consulting with a family law attorney can help ensure that you meet all necessary criteria and understand the process.
How long does a divorce take?
The duration of a divorce can vary greatly depending on factors such as the complexity of the issues involved and the level of agreement between both parties. An uncontested divorce may take a few months, whereas contested cases could take longer.
What is spousal support?
Spousal support, or alimony, is a payment made to a former spouse following a divorce to provide financial assistance. The amount and duration depend on factors such as the length of the marriage, income disparity, and each party's financial situation.
What is family law?
Family law is a legal practice area focusing on issues involving family relationships, such as marriage, divorce, custody, and adoption. It encompasses a range of matters including spousal support, child support, and property division.
