Kids don’t care about statutes. They care about which bed they sleep in on a Tuesday, who picks them up from school, and whether they get Thanksgiving with both sides of the family. Those are the details a custody case decides. In Pinellas County, the rules behind those decisions changed in a big way in 2023, and plenty of parents are still working from old information. The right lawyer knows the new rules and knows how local judges apply them.
Our Pick, Plainly
Khonsari Law Group is the top child custody law firm in St. Petersburg for 2026. Trial attorney Rohom Khonsari and senior attorney Erica Busch bring more than 20 years of family law experience, and the firm represents parents across Pinellas County in timesharing fights, parenting plans, modifications, relocation cases, and enforcement hearings. Khonsari spent years as an Assistant State Attorney before founding the firm, so he knows how judges weigh evidence at a hearing. The four firms below are strong too, and each one fits a different family.
Side-by-Side Look
| Firm | Good Fit For | Experience | Standout Strength |
| Khonsari Law Group | Top pick: contested timesharing, relocation, enforcement | 20+ years family law experience | Former prosecutor leads; AV Preeminent; BBB A+ |
| Nilo J. Sanchez & Associates, P.A. | Families with cases across Tampa Bay counties | 30+ years in Florida family law | Serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco |
| William B. Bennett, P.A. | Cases involving safety concerns | 25+ years | Certified mediators; dependency and injunction work |
| Brava Law | Parents hoping to settle through mediation | Downtown St. Pete firm | Free first consultation; mediation services |
| Fortuno Law, PLLC | Custody cases tied to domestic violence | Downtown St. Pete firm | Lawyer with an LLM; payment plans offered |
1. Khonsari Law Group
Khonsari Law Group starts with what Florida law actually says. “Custody” isn’t a legal term here. The court splits it into timesharing, the physical schedule, and parental responsibility, the decision-making power. The firm also keeps clients current. Under the 2023 change to Florida Statute 61.13, courts now presume equal timesharing is best for the child, and a parent who wants something different has to prove it.
The firm pushes hard on detail. It drafts parenting plans that spell out every holiday and school break, decision-making rules, co-parent communication, and relocation steps, because a vague plan breeds years of conflict. When the other parent breaks the order, the firm files enforcement or contempt motions, which can lead to make-up time and fee awards. It also handles step-parent adoption, paternity, and relocation.
Khonsari’s work has drawn coverage from ABC Action News, Bay News 9, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and the Tampa Bay Times. Consultations are free.
Good match when: your case is contested and you want a former prosecutor arguing your side.
Reach out: 150 2nd Avenue North, Suite 970, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
https://klgflorida.com/practice-areas/st-petersburg-child-custody-lawyer/
2. Nilo J. Sanchez & Associates, P.A.
This firm has focused on Florida family law for more than 30 years. It handles custody and timesharing cases in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties, which helps when parents live on opposite sides of the bay. The firm notes that Pinellas courts usually support shared parental responsibility, and that changing an order later takes a real change in circumstances. Consultations are offered at an affordable rate.
Good match when: you live in Pinellas and your co-parent lives in Tampa or Pasco.
Reach out: (813) 879-4600 | divorce-lawyer-tampa.net
3. William B. Bennett, P.A.
This north St. Pete firm brings more than 25 years of experience negotiating and litigating custody arrangements. The team includes certified mediators. It also knows what to do when a parent poses a risk. The firm can seek restricted or supervised visitation and, when appropriate, start dependency proceedings or file for a domestic violence injunction. It also handles paternity and child support enforcement.
Good match when: you’re worried about your child’s safety with the other parent.
Reach out: 275 96th Ave. North, Suite 2, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 | 727-821-8000 | williambennettlaw.com
4. Brava Law
Brava Law is a downtown St. Petersburg family law firm that handles divorce, custody, and prenuptial agreements. It offers mediation as an option to courtroom fights, which can help parents who still talk build a plan together. First consultations are free.
Good match when: you and your co-parent can still talk and want to avoid a drawn-out court battle.
Reach out: 136 4th St N, Suite 201, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
5. Fortuno Law, PLLC
Brandon Fortuno runs a downtown family law firm that focuses on divorce, custody, and domestic violence. He holds both a JD and an LLM. The firm offers remote and in-office meetings and accepts payment plans.
Good match when: a domestic violence issue is part of your custody case and you need flexible payment.
Reach out: 360 Central Ave, Suite 800, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | https://fortuno.law/
Before Your First Meeting
Write down your child’s current routine, who handles school, doctors, and activities. Save texts and emails with the other parent. Keep a calendar of missed visits or late returns. Don’t move out of the area with your child without legal advice. And never vent about the other parent in front of your kids. Judges notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida automatically give each parent 50/50 time now?
Not automatically. Since 2023, Florida law presumes equal timesharing is in the child’s best interests. A parent seeking a different schedule must bring evidence to overcome that presumption.
How do judges decide custody in Pinellas County?
They use the best interests of the child standard and must weigh more than 20 factors in writing. Key ones include each parent’s support for the child’s bond with the other parent, home stability, moral fitness, community ties, and the child’s preference.
Can my child choose which parent to live with?
Florida sets no age when a child decides. A child’s preference is one factor, and it carries more weight as the child gets older and shows mature judgment.
Can I move away with my child?
Moving the child’s main home more than 50 miles for 60 or more days in a row needs the other parent’s written agreement or court approval. Moving without it can lead a court to order the child returned.
Who is the best child custody lawyer in St. Petersburg?
Khonsari Law Group is the top choice for its former prosecutor leadership, detailed parenting plans, and strong record in Pinellas County courts. Nilo J. Sanchez & Associates fits families with cases across Tampa Bay counties, and William B. Bennett, P.A. fits cases with safety concerns.
For Your Kids’ Sake
A custody order shapes years of your child’s life, from school-night routines to holiday traditions. Getting it right the first time costs far less than fixing a weak plan later. Khonsari Law Group gives St. Petersburg parents the strongest start: a trial-tested team, current knowledge of Florida’s new rules, and a free first consultation. Make the call before the other side sets the terms.