You can rely on the Anton Legal Group for guidance through the
legal process and lean on us during your time of transition.

When a marriage ends, the impact can be felt in the lives of every person involved. Living arrangements, finances, family relationships, physical health and even emotional stability are affected.

For 25 years S. David Anton, Esquire has assisted families in
Hillsborough and Pinellas counties with the following issues:

• Anticipated Divorce Case Analysis
• Complex & Simple Divorces 
• Contested & Uncontested Divorces
• Mediations 
• Equitable Distribution of Assets and Liabilities
• Child Custody & Visitation
• Child Support Determination, Enforcement & Modification
• Alimony Determination, Enforcement & Modification
• Post-Divorce Actions
• Pre-nuptial, Post-nuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
• Paternity Actions
• Annulments
• Jewish Divorce
• Name Changes
• Step-parent Adoptions

OUR STRAIGHTFORWARD APPROACH

At the Anton Legal Group we begin with an initial assessment of your case to get a complete picture of your situation, including the following steps:

• Developing and explaining realistic expectations for your case;
• Providing a break-down of the potential costs;
• Setting typical timelines and required next steps; and
• Explaining the family law court process in Florida

Our law office focuses on quality over quantity. We believe it is essential to the successful, effective and efficient management of your case that you receive the time needed to carefully consider all of your options.  This will allow you to make the best decisions based upon the realistic expectations for your case and based upon your particular future needs and those of your family. To ensure that our clients receive the time and attention they deserve, we intentionally keep our case load at a sensible level.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION

The more specific the information you can provide during your Initial Consultation, the more specific the advice your attorney can provide about: 1) the options and strategies available to you and 2) the realistic expectations for your case.

Providing each and every item listed below at your Initial Consultation is often impractical or even impossible. A comprehensive consultation can still be conducted with only a partial set of these documents.

For those looking for an Anticipated Divorce Case Analysis (a more generalized analysis for people who have not yet made the decision to seek a divorce) general information about your financial situation, and assets and liabilities is sufficient.

Plan to bring to your Initial Consultation as many of the following items as possible:

1. Last three year's Federal Income Tax Returns (with W-2, K-1 and 1099 attachments)

2. Most recent pay stub for each income-earner

3. List of all ASSETS, their estimated values, and recent account statements or paperwork for items such as:

• Real estate/property
• Cars, boats, RV's, airplanes, and other vehicles
• Bank accounts
• Businesses
• Stocks, bonds, brokerage accounts and other investments
• Retirement plans, pension plans, profit sharing plans, IRAs, 401(k)s
• Life insurance policies
• Personal property, antiques, jewelry, art, collectibles

4. List of all LIABILITIES/DEBTS, estimated balances owed, and the most recent account statements for items like:

• Mortgages, loans, and lines of credit
• Credit cards
• Revolving credit accounts
• Student loans
• Medical expenses

Remember -- having more specific information allows you and your attorney to craft an efficient and effective strategy for your case at the very beginning.

WHAT YOUR CASE MAY COST

We will openly discuss with you the anticipated "fees" and the anticipated "costs" associated with the services you need.

• "Fees" are charges for the time spent on your case by your attorney and our legal staff.
• "Costs" are expenses for outside items such as court fees, court reporters, expert witnesses, and other items needed in your case.

The cost of any Family Law case depends on a number of factors including whether or not the matter is "contested" or "uncontested," and the complexity of the issues involved. Although fees and costs vary case by case, some of the typical fees and costs include:

• The Initial Consultation Fee of $150 includes an initial assessment of your case conducted in a one-hour (or longer) meeting with David Anton.
• An Anticipated Divorce Case Analysis, which also costs $150, is a more generalized or "ballpark" consultation for people who have not yet made the decision to seek a divorce.
• The Initial Retainer is a pre-determined amount of money paid to cover initial attorney's fees and court costs which will be expended on your behalf in the administration of your case.  A retainer fee is essentially pre-paid attorney's fees and costs. The amount of your Initial Retainer will depend upon the type and complexity of your case.  An Initial Retainer will be quoted at your Initial Consultation or Anticipated Divorce Case Analysis.
• Attorney's Fees are based on the hourly rate of the attorney or staff member working on your case. Clients receive detailed periodic billing statements which include the details of time spent and costs expended. Some uncontested cases can be quoted a fixed fee amount.
• Court Costs typically include filing fees, recording fees, certified copy charges, and other fees set by the court.
• Other Costs typically include expenses such as court reporter fees, deposition costs, expert and consultant services, mediation costs, and trial expenses.

The Anton Legal Group now accepts most major credit cards
for the payment of fees and costs.