Areas of Practice

Family Law

Family Law is a large area of services including uncontested divorce, contested or adversarial divorce, paternity, child custody, alimony, modification of custody, child support, time-sharing, pre-nuptials, post-nuptials and co-habitation agreements, modification of alimony, relocation of minors, military dissolution, and more.  Any matters within the realm of family law are a particular skill set for this firm.  Both Attorneys Rhoden handle matters within family law and often work together on cases giving clients the best of both for the cost of just one.

Dependency cases are a particular area of Family Law. Read more about what to expect in a DCF case by Attorney Bonnie Rhoden.

Post Dissolution or Post Paternity matters come up often after the final court order(s) are issued. Rhoden Law Group will help you with Motions for Contempt and Enforcement, name changes, custody or alimony modifications, and other matters that need attention after the judge rules.

Guardian Ad Litem services for family law matters are available from Bonnie Rhoden, Esquire, BA (Psych)

Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements

In the decision to marry your love you may want to consider a premarital agreement. If you are already married and want to protect business ventures, inheritances, or property a post marital agreement may be a good choice. You can reach our attorneys by phone or text on 321-549-3162 or by email using the Contact form below. We have decades of experience dealing with marital agreements from simple agreements that have few issues and assets, to complex agreements involving substantial assets, corporations, and income.

Adoptions of Adults and StepChildren

Adoption falls into the area of family law but requires certain skills for such a a special set of circumstances.  Adult adoptions are common and such cases have very particular requirements. Your attorney from Rhoden Law Group will know what is needed and will guide your through the process to the joyous final hearing of adoption.

Biological adoptions or stepparent adoptions are available to adults adopting a relative child.  This is a specific portion of family law and you will need an attorney who has a strong understanding of the factors that must be proven and the specific process to follow.  Non-biologically related adults may adopt a minor child and Attorney Bonnie Rhoden can guide you through this process.  Perhaps it is a friend’s child, an infant made known to you by family working in a local business, or some other child to whom you want to give a loving home.  These adoptions are the most complicated and it is smart to consult with Attorney Rhoden as soon as you think you may be adopting.  

Guardianship

Guardianship is an extended area of family law and it involves both the mental health court and the guardianship court.  These matters often involve family or friends who need help due to physical or mental limitations from age, an accident, or other conditions. Guardianship of a minor child is often necessary when the child inherits money, loses a parent in a tragedy, or is emancipating and still needs support such as those with disabilities or a diagnosis of autism, for example. If guardianship becomes necessary for an adult or minor, an attorney is required under Florida Statutes and you need one who knows what she is doing. The forms and procedures can be complex, and you’ll need help preparing for the required testimony to the court. Guardian Advocate or Guardian Advocacy is also an option for children who are aging out (turning 18) who still need help making decisions and navigating adulthood. Let Bonnie help you navigate this process and if possible she may be able to help you avoid the need for guardianship. View a list of online resources for Guardians compiled by Attorney Rhoden.

Criminal Law

Any type of criminal charge from the minor misdemeanor to a capital crime should be handled by an experienced criminal litigator.   Rhoden Law Group  has a  37+ year litigator who is also  qualified under Florida Supreme Court to  handle capital or death penalty cases.  This is a valuable skill in your  attorney.  We handle DUI, Violation of Probation, Sex Crimes, Domestic Violence,  Theft /  Burglary,   Assault, Battery, Manslaughter, Custodial Interference.  

Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts

Estate Planning may sound fancy but it is a necessary exercise for all adults and especially for those with minor children. The documents provided in a basic planning package include not only your last will and testament but also a power of attorney, health care designation and pre-need guardianship instructions among other documents.  Our basic, flat fee planning package is only $2,000 per person (6 docs) or $3,000 for a married couple (12 docs) and includes the six most important documents each person needs to plan for incapacity and avoid guardianship. Trusts are also available for those that may need more complex planning. Specialty deeds are also options to assist clients to transfer property without the need for probate. Other topics include medicaid/medicare planning, probate & long term care, when a power of attorney goes wrong

Probate

Probate is sometimes considered a dirty word.  What it really is: the court’s process to oversee the transfer of a decedent’s assets to the persons, entities, or charities that should receive it. Proper planning in the estate planning portion of your preparations can avoid probate without much extra effort. But the steps you should take to avoid probate are specific and must be completed during times of full capacity.  Items that many people want to keep out of probate are homestead property, holiday property, vehicles, pets, IRA accounts, and life insurance – all of these are able to be distributed without probate.  When probate administration becomes necessary you need a skilled and patient attorney to get your loved one’s will processed and the procedures completed to distribute the assets that may have ended up in the probate system. Proper planning will help you avoid intestate succession. With the right guidance you can get it done properly.   

Personal injury and Dog Bite Offense/Defense

Personal Injury and Dog Bite Offense or Defense are large areas of the law.  If you find yourself injured in a car accident, boating accident, motorcycle crash, or other injuries call us for recommendations regarding your next steps.  If your dog bites someone else or their pet – you need good advice and to learn your exposure.  If you or your pet is bitten by another person’s dog – call us for help determining your rights. 

Landlord Tenant matters (Eviction)

Those with Landlord Tenant matters should immediately call Bonnie Rhoden for information about rights under a written or oral lease, for assistance fighting against eviction, or evicting tenants in violation of the lease.  Other alternatives include cases of ejectment and unlawful detainer – variants of a situation between owners and occupants of a property in Florida. Rhoden Law Group can help you with these types of cases.