Sarah E. Kay

Sarah is a trial-tested litigator Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar who also is experienced in collaborative divorce. She is a Certified Family Law Mediator by The Florida Supreme Court and serves as a Guardian ad Litem. Sarah is passionate about supporting her community by helping families resolve, reduce and perhaps even prevent family conflicts in positive, effective, efficient, and dignified ways. Because Sarah is experienced in both private dispute resolution and litigation, her family law and special needs law clients can choose from options that are the most beneficial to their cases. She is also mother to three children, two of whom have unique needs and gifts. For Sarah, it’s all about family. She offers a professional commitment to understand and embrace each family’s exceptional qualities. Sarah proudly serves the greater Tampa Bay area through her law firm Kay Family Law PLLC in Tampa, Florida.

For a full bio and CV, visit https://kayfamilylaw.com

Stetson University

MBA (2010)

2006 - 2010

Honors: Graduated with Academic Honors Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society Member

Stetson University College of Law

J.D. (2010)

2006 - 2010

Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, Cardozo Inn Member

Activities: Law Review

Worcester State College

M.Ed. (2003) | Secondary Education

2001 - 2003

Gordon College

B.S. (1999) | Middle School Education and Spanish

1995 - 1999

Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude Phi Alpha Chi Honor Society Member Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honor Society Member

Attorney

Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta

2010 - Current

Receptionist, File Clerk, Paralegal

Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta

2006 - 2010

Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Word in Legal Document Preparation

Florida Family Law Commentator

July, 2018

Ten Mobile Apps to Upgrade Your Practice

Florida Family Law Commentator

December, 2016

Upgrading Technical Competence

Florida Family Law Commentator

March, 2016

Purposeful Navigation Through the Seas of Social Change: A Theory-Based Approach to Florida Alimony Reform

Florida Bar Journal

November, 2014

Proposed Collaborative Law Legislation in Florida

Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine

May, 2014

The 7 Deadly Sins in a Family Law Case, CLE, Tampa, FL

March 12, 2015

Tampa Bay Paralegal Association

The New Family Law Rules Explained, CLE, St. Petersburg, FL

August 17, 2017

St. Petersburg Bar Association Family Law Section

Unleashing the Power of Microsoft Office and Adobe for Lawyers, CLE, Tampa, FL

August 29, 2017

National Business Institute

The Mechanics of Board Certification, Webinar, Tampa, FL

November 30, 2017

The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar

Marital & Family Law Board Certification Exam Tips & Nibbles, Certification Review Course, Orlando, FL

January 24, 2018

The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar & AAML

Board Certified in Marital and Family Law

The Florida Bar

Certified Family Law Mediator

Florida Supreme Court

Chair's Award of Extraordinary Service

The Florida Bar Family Law Section

2018

AV Preeminent Rating

Martindale Hubbell

2018

Ten Best Florida Female Attorney

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2018

Rising Star in Family Law

Florida Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Legal Elite in Family Law

Florida Trend

2017

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

2015 - Current

Next Generation Divorce

2015 - Current

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

2014 - Current

Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers

2010 - Current

Florida Association for Women Lawyers

2010 - Current

Florida

Since 2010

Federal Circuit

Since 2014

• Credit Cards Accepted
  All major credit cards accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  I offer flat-fee payments and payment plans in certain cases

• Family Law Mediation
• Family Law Guardian ad Litem

Q. If my daughter turns 18, but is still in highschool, but left mothers care and moved in with a boyfriend

August 9, 2018

A: The statutes which may be applicable to the scenario described would be:

* Fla. Stat. s61.13(1)(a) - providing, in relevant part, that child support is to terminate on a child's birthday unless the court finds or previously found that Fla. Stat. s.743.07(2) applies, or is otherwise agreed to by the parties

* Fla. Stat. s743.07 - permitting a court of competent jurisdiction to require support for a dependent person beyond the age of 18 years... if the person is dependent in fact, is between the ages of 18 and 19, and is still in high school, performing in good faith with a reasonable expectation of graduation before the age of 19.

Full text of the statues available at: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes

Depending on all the facts of the case, there may be an argument that the child is no longer dependent in fact and, therefore, even if there was an agreement or court order to extend the support past the child's 18th birthday, Section 743.07 would permit the termination of support.

You should consult with a qualified Florida family law attorney to explore all available options. You should consider acting as soon as possible because modification or termination of child support generally, with limited exceptions, is applicable retroactively no further back than the petition for modification or termination. ... Read More

Q. What is the process to request a change of venue regarding nonpayment of child support/contempt of court in Alabama?

August 8, 2018

A: There are several potential legal issues embedded in your question such as contempt, enforcement, and jurisdiction. You should consult with qualified family law attorney to explore all your options. You may want to consider conferring with an attorney in the jurisdiction of the court which entered the original order (for example, if an Alabama court originally entered the order, you should confer with an Alabama family law attorney) as well as the jurisdiction where the person who is supposed to be paying the child support is residing.

Q. What are my rights as a single parent and owning a home with my husband ?

August 3, 2018

A: The answer to your question will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, whether or not you and your husband will be or are getting a divorce and each of your respective financial circumstances. You should consult with a qualified family law attorney who can explain the options available based on your unique circumstances.