Experienced Law Firm Serving Sarasota, FL
Sessums Law Group, P.A., founded by Attorney Mark A. Sessums, has grown to include a deep team of attorneys and legal staff. Our Sarasota law firm works with clients on wide-ranging legal affairs that cover everything from divorce and family law, to business and contract disputes, personal injury cases, and more.
Call our office at (813) 212-8330 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We’re located on Main Street, right down the road from Ringling Park and serve both English and Spanish-speaking clients.
How Our Sarasota Lawyers Can Help You
Sessums Law Group, P.A. is fortunate to have a quality team of lawyers backing up our founder and his 72-plus years of experience. With these wide-ranging skillsets at our disposal, clients can feel confident coming to us with issues that include the following:
Divorce Settlements
Here are some key issues that typically arise during the divorce process in Florida:
- Asset division: Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means that marital assets and debts are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally.
- Debt division: Just as assets are divided, marital debts also need to be addressed. This includes mortgages, loans, credit card debts, and any other financial obligations.
- Spousal support: Known more casually as alimony, this, may be awarded to provide financial support to the lower-earning spouse.
- Child custody and visitation: This outlines how parents will share responsibilities and make decisions regarding their children's upbringing after the divorce.
- Child support: Child support calculations in Florida are based on the parents' income, the number of children, expenses, and the parenting time arrangement.
- Name change: If one spouse wishes to change their name after the divorce, this can be addressed during the proceedings.
Resolving these issues requires careful consideration and negotiation. Our Sarasota lawyers also offer collaborative mediation services, to help facilitate an agreement without going to court. However, when it becomes necessary, clients can count on us to help put their best foot forward in a trial.
Other Family Law Areas
The practice of family law goes well beyond the initial divorce proceedings. Other issues include:
- Paternity: This process involves establishing legal fatherhood and determining custody, visitation, and support when parents are unmarried, or there is a dispute over paternity.
- Modifications: Changes can be made to existing court orders related to divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, or alimony if there are significant life changes that warrant it.
- Enforcement: Enforcement actions may be sought when one party fails to fulfill their legal responsibilities, such as child support payments or visitation rights.
Personal Injury
When people have been injured because of someone else’s fault, Sessums Law Group, P.A. can work with them to prove the four elements of negligence in a personal injury case. These elements are:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
All four elements must be present for an injured plaintiff to collect the settlement they need and deserve. Our team devotes themselves to gathering evidence, conducting investigations, and presenting a compelling case to demonstrate these four pieces of negligence. The work of experienced legal counsel may well be the difference in whether a settlement is secured, and for how much.
Appellate Law
Appealing a court’s decision involves a process that is very different from that of the original trial. For example:
- The appeals process focuses on reviewing the legal decisions made during the trial rather than reexamining the evidence or calling new witnesses. In short, the appeals court is not a “do-over.”
- The appeals process is limited to legal arguments and issues rather than matters of fact. The focus is on whether the trial court correctly applied the law, interpreted it accurately, and made proper procedural decisions.
All of this means that your lawyer ought to have a deep knowledge of the unique dynamic that is involved in appeals cases. We do. Even if we weren’t your original lawyer, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Commercial and Business Law
Sessums Law Group, P.A. works with everyone from business owners, to banks to investors, to professional athletes. Our work includes:
- Lender liability: These claims typically arise when a borrower believes that a lender has violated its duties or obligations in a lending relationship.
- Contract disputes: We handle disputes related to breach of contract--issues like non-payment, failure to deliver goods or services, or disputes over contract interpretation.
Our office has a strong background in alternative dispute resolution. These methods include arbitration and mediation. Arbitration involves presenting the dispute to a neutral party or panel, whose decision is binding on the parties. Mediation, on the other hand, involves using a mediator to facilitate negotiations and reach a mutually acceptable agreement between the parties involved.
We’re Here When You Need Us Most
When people go through legal challenges, it’s often a difficult time in their lives, be it personally or professionally. They need to know that their Sarasota attorney is in the trenches with them, doing the diligent legal footwork and providing the passionate advocacy they need. Sessums Law Group, P.A. aims to deliver that kind of counsel to everyone we serve.
Call Sessums Law Group, P.A. today at (813) 212-8330.
Client Testimonials
Real Stories, Real Success — Our Clients Speak for Us.
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"Mark Sessums and his firm are top notch!"There has never been a day, were he hasn’t responded to an email or text by the end of the day (usually within an hour). His grasp of the law and legal system is unbelievable, he remembers details of my case like no other.- Chris L.
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"Mark is a fabulous, caring attorney with a wonderful staff."They care deeply about making sure that they understand the needs of their clients and then do everything they can to achieve those goals. I can’t recommend Mark and his team highly enough.- Sean D.
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"Sessums Law is an excellent firm for complex cases."Highly recommended for strong written and oral communication, in-depth knowledge of the law, and a practical, no-nonsense approach. If divorce is pending, this is the team you want.- Kristan H.
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"The entire group is gracious and genuinely caring."I came to Mark Sessums when I realized it had become necessary to replace my previous attorney. I found myself in a totally different atmosphere…one of genuine compassion, utmost respect, and legal brilliance.- Beverly L.
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"I could write all day about Heidi. She is an amazing lawyer and human being."I could write all day about Heidi. She is an amazing lawyer and human being. She gives you the respect and help you deserve.- Former Client
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"Brittany and her team were a breath of fresh air."I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding service provided by Brittany Pinson and her paralegal team. From the moment I transferred my case from another lawyer who overcharged me and did nothing, Brittany and her team were a breath of fresh air.- E.Q.
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"Honesty and Kindness"Lawyers are not all created equal. Mark Sessums came highly recommended to me after having an initial lawyer who made it seem I would have to give an equal distribution of all my assets. I would like to thank Mark and his team for all of their hard work an- Sheri J.
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"I respect his work and highly recommend him and his staff!"I had a very difficult and toxic divorce case and Mark and his team handled everything FAST and Professional.- Jason D.