FAMILY LAW ATTORNEY FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

 

Every family law case is unique—each with their own challenges and battles to fight. Still, there are certain cases which require specialized representation, such as family law cases involving athletes. These matters usually involve complex contracts and endorsements, as well as other exceptional circumstances which impact the process and outcome of each case. The high-stakes, ever-evolving nature of an athletic career is often reflected in the reality of family law matters involving athletes.  

A successful family attorney representing a parent, spouse, or former partner in a case involving one or more athletes, must understand and appreciate the unique needs of each client. At the Roberts Family Law Firm, we take the time to fully appreciate our clients’ needs, wants, and goals. Further, our proven history reflects significant victories for clients on both sides of the aisle because of our tailored experience and client-driven approach.

Flexibility, Discretion, and Dedication

Flexibility

As your teammate, the right family law attorney will be there for you when you need them, providing you the right kind of support and guidance. At Roberts Family Law Firm, our team of experienced legal professionals strive to meet that standard each and every day. This often means taking calls and answering emails at all hours of the day, working with the schedules of our clients to ensure the success of that case. In family law cases involving athletes, flexibility is vital because of the nature of a career in sports. Having an experienced and skilled attorney, who is ready to run on your time, will set you up for the best shot at the outcome that you want.

Discretion

At Roberts Family Law Firm, we appreciate the unique needs of all of our clients, including those in the public eye. Confidentiality may be at the forefront of your mind, as it is for us. Private, personal matters such as divorce, paternity disputes, child custody and child support agreements, and other family law matters deserve sensitivity and discretion. This need for discretion is amplified by a career which often involves unwanted attention from the media and press. Our team actively works to minimize exposure and protect our clients from the negative impacts these cases could have on their livelihood.

Dedication

In short, the Roberts Family Law team is dedicated to your success, both in and out of court. We will handle your legal battles quickly and efficiently, so you can focus on your life, career, and family. Our fierce advocates are here to provide you with the most powerful legal representation possible for your family law case.

If you would like to speak with an attorney, please contact us at (407) 426-6999 today.

 

Unique Family Law Considerations for Athletes and Their Families

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

High assets, personal net worth, and distributed funds are common when there is a professional athlete in the family. When this is the case, it is crucial for the marriage to be built on a solid foundation where both parties know that they will be secure no matter what happens. Creating a pre-or-postnuptial agreement before or during the marriage can greatly minimize costs in the event divorce is necessary. A prenuptial agreement or prenup can determine the best outcome for both spouses before the marriage. Similarly, a postnuptial agreement provides the same opportunity, but it is done during the marriage. In both cases, the parties work together to protect each other through open, honest communication about their wants and needs.

To read more on Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, please visit our dedicated article on the subject here.

 

Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

Divorce is a difficult process for any person, but it can be exponentially more complex with high assets, contract limitations, and the separation of multiple properties. When a couple seeks to dissolve their marriage (get a divorce), their marital assets must be equitably divided. This means that a couple getting a divorce must decide how their property should be separated between both spouses. Marital property may include real property, like a house; tangible property, like a car or boat; and intangible property, like checking and savings accounts, investments, endorsements, etc. This process of dividing and separating assets often leads to complex litigation, with both parties working to ensure that every detail is covered in favor of their client—especially when there are a lot of assets on the line.

For more information on high-asset divorces (generally involving over $1 million), please visit our dedicated article on the subject here.

 

Child Custody and Child Support

Child custody agreements determine when the child(ren) will stay with either parent, creating a child-sharing or visitation plan. These agreements also authorize one or both parents to have decision-making power over the child(ren).

When coordinating child custody agreements, it is important for both parents to understand the seasonal time limits imposed on athletes due to training and other commitments. By considering the complex schedule and preparing for sudden changes, the parties can plan accordingly when creating the child sharing plan. It is also important to consider the potential for relocation, and plan for a reasonable agreement for how to handle visitation in the event a parent must move. Child custody agreements usually include a provision requiring approval for relocation.

Child support is awarded because each child is entitled to support from each parent. This may come in the form of childcare, health insurance, daycare costs, and/or cash payments.

Florida legislature created a standard formula to calculate child support, based on each child’s need and each parent’s ability to pay. This is used to determine every child support award in Florida. While some states have placed limitations to the amount of child support which may be awarded, this is not the case in Florida. The right attorney will make sure that his or her client will not be unduly burdened by any child support obligation.

For more information on child custody or child support, please see our dedicated article on the subject here.

 

Alimony (Spousal Support)

A higher-earning spouse may be ordered to pay alimony, or spousal support, to the lower-earning spouse. Alimony is designed to maintain the standard of living enjoyed during the course of marriage. This means that certain money may be awarded in order for the lower-earning spouse to have the same or similar budget as he or she had while the marriage.

In determining alimony payments, the court generally considers several factors: the length of the marriage, income inequality, the standard of living during the marriage, and need and ability to pay. Sometimes, the court will consider the lower-earning spouse’s ability to work.

Florida has statutory guidelines for how long alimony payments are to be awarded. If the couple is married over 17 years, permanent alimony is presumed. If the couple is married from 7-17 years, lifelong alimony is possible; but other options are available, such as durational alimony. If the couple is married less than 7 years, short-term alimony is presumed. There are also options for bridge-the-gap alimony, which will help the lower-earning spouse get back on his or her feet, and rehabilitative alimony which is  awarded to assist a spouse with establishing a career.

For athletes and their spouses, it is very common for the family to enjoy a very high standard of living, with a relatively high budget. There is also often a vast income inequality. Further, contract deals and endorsement requirements may complicate the process of awarding alimony. For instance, if an endorsement deal is considered in awarded permanent or lifelong alimony, but the deal falls through a year later, the couple will have to go back into court unless contingencies were considered in the original agreement. As you can imagine, there are many other circumstances which impact alimony arrangements and every other aspect of family law. The right attorney will work to incorporate all of these considerations in the agreement, in favor of his or her client.

 

Paternity

In Florida, the rights and responsibilities of parents are the same whether they are married, divorced, or were never married. The laws governing child support, child custody, relocation, and visitation apply to all parents, regardless of marital or relationship status.

At Roberts Family Law, our family law attorneys represent both mothers and fathers seeking to establish paternity and exercise their rights as parents. We approach paternity issues with the best interests of the child in mind. Children have the right to be safe, supported, and secure in their families. Child support is only awarded if legal paternity is established. Although it is not required in most cases, we can arrange for parents to take a DNA test that will establish legal paternity of the child.

Protecting our clients is our top priority, both in and out of court. While we advocate for your best interests in legal proceedings, we also work to ensure your privacy and confidentiality throughout the process. In the event the media, press, and tabloids want to publish articles on an athlete’s pending paternity or custody suit, our team of highly skilled legal professionals are ready to safeguard that information.

We know what is on the line in paternity cases, especially when one or more parents are athletes, and we are ready to put our unique experience to work for you. Whether you are seeking to establish paternity or to resolve disputed custody claims, you can rely on the Roberts Family Law firm team.

 

On Your Team

Whether you are planning to start a family law matter, or are in the middle of one, the Roberts Family Law Firm is the right team for you. This is especially true when at least one of the parties is a professional athlete, because our team of highly trained legal professionals have the necessary experience and passion to discretely facilitate the best possible outcome for you, no matter the situation.

Let us fight for you. Contact us today by calling (407) 426-6999 or by filling out the form provided on this page, and we will contact you shortly.