When Joan Berry Nassar serves as your family law attorney, she represents and advocates for you — not the other party. Legal representation and mediation are separate professional roles that cannot be combined for the same matter. If Joan Berry Nassar represents you as your attorney, she cannot also serve as the neutral mediator in that matter.
Experienced Family Law Guidance When You Need An Advocate
Not every family law matter can be resolved through mediation or collaborative divorce.
Sometimes disagreements become too significant. Communication breaks down. Important issues remain unresolved. Legal advocacy becomes necessary.
When that happens, you deserve experienced guidance from an attorney who understands both the law and the realities families face during periods of transition.
For more than 35 years, Joan Berry Nassar, P.A. has represented individuals throughout a wide range of family law matters, helping clients protect their rights while working toward practical, long-term solutions.
While Joan believes education and resolution should always be explored first, she also understands when strong legal representation is needed.
Schedule a Family Law Consultation
Family Law Representation
Family law issues affect more than legal rights.
They affect families, finances, children, and futures.
Joan Berry Nassar provides experienced legal representation in matters involving:
- Divorce
- Timeshare schedules for children
- Parenting Plans
- Child Support
- Alimony
- Property Division
- Equitable Distribution
- Post-Judgment Modifications
- Enforcement Actions
- Relocation Matters
- Paternity Actions
- Other Family Law Disputes
Every case is different.
The goal is not simply to pursue a legal outcome. The goal is to help clients make informed decisions that support their future.
Divorce
Divorce is often one of the most significant legal and personal transitions a person will experience.
Important decisions must be made regarding:
- Division of marital assets and debts
- Timeshare schedules for children and parenting arrangements
- Child support
- Alimony
- Retirement accounts
- Real estate
- Business interests
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
Joan Berry Nassar works closely with clients to understand their goals, explain their options, and develop a strategy appropriate to their circumstances.
Whether your divorce is relatively straightforward or highly contested, experienced legal guidance can help you move forward with confidence.
TimeSharing Schedule & Parenting Plans
Few issues are more important than the well-being of your children.
Child related disputes often involve complex questions about parenting schedules, decision-making authority, communication, education, and the long-term needs of children.
Joan Berry Nassar assists clients with:
- Parenting plans
- Timesharing schedules
- Parental responsibility
- Decision-making authority
- Relocation issues
- Modifications of existing custody arrangements
- Child support
- Health insurance
- Payment of health expenses
- Payment of extracurricular expenses
- Life insurance
- Tax issues
Whenever possible, the focus remains on creating stable arrangements that support children’s best interests while preserving meaningful parent-child relationships.
Child Support
Child support plays an important role in ensuring children’s financial needs are met following separation or divorce.
Questions frequently arise regarding:
- Child support calculations
- Cost of health insurance for the child
- Cost of health insurance for the parent as that is a deduction from income for child support calculations
- Extracurricular expenses
- Tax issues
- Income determination
- Healthcare expenses
- Educational expenses
- Modifications
- Enforcement actions
Joan Berry Nassar helps clients understand how support is determined and advocates for fair and appropriate outcomes.
Alimony & Spousal Support
Financial transitions can be one of the most challenging aspects of divorce.
Whether you are seeking support or responding to a request for support, understanding your rights and obligations is essential.
Issues may include:
- Temporary support
- Rehabilitative support
- Bridge the gap alimony
- Durational alimony
- Lump sum alimony
- Modification requests
- Enforcement matters
Joan Berry Nassar provides practical guidance designed to help clients navigate these important financial decisions.
Property Division & Equitable Distribution
Dividing property is often more complicated than it initially appears.
Marital estates may include:
- Homes and real estate
- Retirement accounts
- Investments
- Business interests
- Personal property
- Debts and liabilities
Joan Berry Nassar helps clients identify, value, and divide assets in accordance with applicable family law while working to protect their long-term financial interests.
Frequently, people bring assets into the marriage (pre-marital) or acquire non-marital assets during the marriage from inheritance or gifts. This, also, must be addressed.
Post-Divorce & Post-Judgment Matters
Life continues to change after a divorce is finalized.
Parents relocate. Financial circumstances shift. Children’s needs evolve.
Existing court orders may need to be modified. If someone does not comply with the court order, the terms must be enforced.
Joan Berry Nassar assists clients with:
- Child custody modifications
- Parenting plan modifications
- Child support modifications
- Alimony modifications
- Enforcement actions
- Contempt proceedings
- Relocation disputes
Ongoing legal guidance can help ensure court orders continue to reflect current realities.
When Is Legal Representation Necessary?
Many individuals begin the process uncertain whether they need an attorney, a mediator, or a collaborative divorce professional.
In some situations, mediation or collaborative divorce may be the best path.
In others, legal representation becomes essential.
Family law representation may be appropriate when:
- Domestic violence conflict creates safety concerns
- Court intervention is necessary
- Important legal rights must be protected
Part of Joan Berry Nassar’s role is helping clients determine which process best fits their circumstances.
Why Work With Joan Berry Nassar, P.A.?
More Than 35 Years of Family Law Experience
Joan Berry Nassar was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1990 (now inactive) and the Florida Bar in 1993. Extensive experience handling divorce, custody, support, and property division, modifications and all other family related matters.
More Than 30 Years of Mediation Experience
Joan Berry Nassar is certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a family mediator.A unique understanding of both settlement-focused and litigation-based approaches.
Resolution-Focused Guidance
Even when litigation becomes necessary, the focus remains on practical outcomes that support long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an attorney if my spouse already has one?
It is recommended that you have an attorney or at least seek legal advice whether your spouse is represented by an attorney or not. In most cases, obtaining legal advice is advisable whenever the other party is represented by counsel.
Can I still attempt mediation if I have an attorney?
Yes. Mediation and legal representation often work together and are not mutually exclusive.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. The timeline depends on the complexity of the issues, the level of agreement between the parties, and court scheduling.
Will my case go to trial?
Many family law cases resolve before trial through negotiation, mediation, or settlement discussions. However, some matters require court intervention to reach a final resolution.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Relevant financial documents, court papers, agreements, and any information that may help explain your situation.
You Have More Than One Way Forward
Legal representation is one option.
Mediation is another.
Collaborative Divorce may be a third.
The most important step is understanding which path best fits your goals, your family, and your future.
Joan Berry Nassar, P.A. helps clients evaluate their options and move forward with confidence.
