Sarah E. Kay

Sarah E. Kay

Family law attorney, mediator, and guardian ad litem
  • Family Law, Divorce, Domestic Violence
  • Florida
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Biography

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

Education
Stetson University
MBA (2010)
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Honors: Graduated with Academic Honors Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society Member
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Stetson University College of Law
J.D. (2010)
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Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity, Cardozo Inn Member
Activities: Law Review
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Worcester State College
M.Ed. (2003) | Secondary Education
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Gordon College
B.S. (1999) | Middle School Education and Spanish
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Honors: Graduated Summa Cum Laude Phi Alpha Chi Honor Society Member Alpha Mu Gamma Foreign Language Honor Society Member
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Professional Experience
Attorney
Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta
- Current
Receptionist, File Clerk, Paralegal
Sessums Black Caballero Ficarrotta
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Word in Legal Document Preparation
Florida Family Law Commentator
Ten Mobile Apps to Upgrade Your Practice
Florida Family Law Commentator
Upgrading Technical Competence
Florida Family Law Commentator
Purposeful Navigation Through the Seas of Social Change: A Theory-Based Approach to Florida Alimony Reform
Florida Bar Journal
Proposed Collaborative Law Legislation in Florida
Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer Magazine
The Florida Family Law Lawyer’s User Guide to Electronic Evidence
Florida Bar Family Law Commentator
Redefining Parenthood: Removing Nostalgia from Third Party Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Florida
Stetson Law Review
Speaking Engagements
The 7 Deadly Sins in a Family Law Case, CLE, Tampa, FL
Tampa Bay Paralegal Association
The New Family Law Rules Explained, CLE, St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg Bar Association Family Law Section
Unleashing the Power of Microsoft Office and Adobe for Lawyers, CLE, Tampa, FL
National Business Institute
The Mechanics of Board Certification, Webinar, Tampa, FL
The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
Marital & Family Law Board Certification Exam Tips & Nibbles, Certification Review Course, Orlando, FL
The Family Law Section of The Florida Bar & AAML
Certifications
Board Certified in Marital and Family Law
The Florida Bar
Certified Family Law Mediator
Florida Supreme Court
Awards
Chair's Award of Extraordinary Service
The Florida Bar Family Law Section
AV Preeminent Rating
Martindale Hubbell
Ten Best Florida Female Attorney
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Rising Star in Family Law
Florida Super Lawyers Magazine
Legal Elite in Family Law
Florida Trend
Best Florida Family Law Attorneys
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Professional Associations
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Current
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Next Generation Divorce
- Current
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Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
- Current
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Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
- Current
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Florida Association for Women Lawyers
- Current
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Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Current
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The Florida Bar
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Florida
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Federal Circuit
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Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    All major credit cards accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    I offer flat-fee payments and payment plans in certain cases
Practice Areas
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights , Victims Rights
Additional Practice Areas
  • Family Law Mediation
  • Family Law Guardian ad Litem
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. If my daughter turns 18, but is still in highschool, but left mothers care and moved in with a boyfriend
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?
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 ?
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.
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Sarah E. Kay - Family law attorney and mediator profile
Contact & Map
Kay Family Law PLLC
2602 W Cypress St
Tampa, FL 33609
Telephone: (813) 520-2700