At the Law Office of Shorstein & Lee, Alyssa Shorstein and Sung Lee have over 40 years of combined experience representing residents of Northeast Florida in a wide range of criminal and civil matters. At our office, every case is handled by Mrs. Shorstein or Mr. Lee, as opposed to many other firms that hand cases to an associate. You are paying for our experience and our relationships, and that is what you will get. Whether you need a St. Augustine criminal lawyer or assistance with a family law, estate plan or probate matter, we have the skills, knowledge, and local connections to provide the quality representation that you deserve.
An uncontested divorce does not require any waiting period; however, all issues must be resolved prior to filing. A contested divorce usually takes at least a few months to reach a resolution. Divorce is a difficult time when many issues arise, both emotional and financial. Our family law attorneys provide excellent legal representation, we can guide you through the process and help you work toward an amicable resolution. There are many, often complicated, issues involved in divorce, call us at (904) 829-3035 to discuss your case.
Child Support
When a couple has a child together, they are legally bound to support that child until he or she reaches the age of majority. The amount of child support to be paid is determined by a formula based on the parties' combined incomes and is shared between the parties based on their income relative to each other. Neither party can waive the support of a minor child, and if a party does not pay child support they may face a suspension of their driver's license and possibly jail. There have been recent changes to the child support statute which substantially effect the outcome of many cases. Call us at (904) 829-3035 to discuss your case.
Child Custody and Visitation
In order to get a divorce, you will need to show that a marriage exists, that one party has been a Florida resident for at least six months immediately before the petition was filed, and that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Within 45 days of filing the petition, you are required to turn over a signed financial affidavit on which you disclose certain financial information. During the process you will be ordered to go to mediation, during which a neutral third party will attempt to help you reach a settlement agreement. If an agreement cannot be reached, the remaining issues will need to be resolved at trial by a court. Child Custody
Paternity
Spousal Support
In Florida the Court considers several factors when determining whether to award a party alimony in a dissolution of marriage, including length of marriage. The alimony statute has recently changed, creating bright-line distinctions regarding length of marriage and presumptions of what type of alimony should be awarded (ie. temporary or permanent). If you have questions regarding alimony call us at (904) 829-3035 to discuss your case.
Child Abuse
Violent crimes include murder, kidnapping, burglary, child abuse, aggravated battery, robbery, and aggravated assault. Sometimes the violence is the point of the crime. However, in other situations, the violence is a means to an end, such as when a burglar shoots someone who caught him burglarizing a private residence. Each type of charge contains specific elements. To establish assault, for example, a prosecutor will need to show beyond a reasonable doubt that there was an intentional threat or use of force against a victim. Juvenile Crimes
We understand that every case is different. When you first contact us, we will take the time to ask you the important questions so that we come up with the right approach to handling your case. We know that you are calling us because you or a loved one is in need of assistance, and there are many questions that you need answered. Both of us have many years of courtroom experience, and we are confident that we will be able to competently determine how to handle your case. Criminal Defense
DUI/DWI
At the Law Office of Shorstein & Lee, we are committed to defending the rights of individuals charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Our lawyers have the experience and knowledge to achieve the best possible outcome for you or your loved one. Our attorneys are licensed in Florida and focus their law practice on serving the needs of clients in the 7th circuit, which includes St. Augustine (St. Johns county), Bunnell/Palm Coast (Flagler County), and Palatka (Putnam County). A DUI Charge Is Really Two Separate Cases
Traffic Violations
Both Alyssa and Sung’s practice areas include defending clients from criminal charges in all stages of the proceeding. We strive to fight for what is just in each and every case, whether you are being faced with attempted murder or a traffic ticket. You are not just a number to us, but are a person who deserves fairness and compassion. In your free criminal consultation, you can expect us to explain how the system works, your particular charges, and an honest, realistic evaluation of your case.
Sex Crimes
Client J.M. was indicted for First Degree Felony Murder with a firearm and facing a possible death sentence, however after doing depositions in the case and working diligently on it for months, the case was ultimately dismissed. Later, the Sheriffs Office arrested and convicted the actual murderer in the case. We are happy to say that J.M. was recently married and is a hard working husband and father. Sexual Battery/Rape Cases
Robbery
Client M.B. was arrested for Armed Robbery with a Firearm, which is a possible life sentence felony. Shortly after our law firm was retained, these charges were dropped.
Burglary
Client B.P. was charged with Possession of Cocaine. After showing the prosecutor the relevant case law that applied to the case, all charges were dropped. Robbery/Burglary
Theft
Misdemeanors
In Florida, crimes can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are crimes that carry a possible sentence of over one year in state prison. A misdemeanor is a crime for which the potential jail sentence is less than a year. Even though misdemeanors carry milder consequences, they should be taken seriously because any type of criminal record can affect you far into the future. The criminal attorneys at our St. Augustine firm have substantial experience helping defendants fight both felony and misdemeanor charges.
Drug Crimes
Drug crimes are harshly punished in Florida. They may involve possessing, selling, manufacturing, or trafficking controlled substances. The nature of the charge will be determined by which kind of drug was involved and how much was involved. If you possess more than a certain amount, you may face charges for possession with intent to sell, even if your intention was actually personal consumption. Moreover, you can be charged with drug trafficking if you knowingly sell, buy, make, deliver, or bring into Florida, or if you are in active or constructive possession of more than a certain amount of a drug. Trafficking crimes usually carry mandatory minimum sentences, so it is especially important to consult a St. Augustine criminal attorney as soon as possible. Violent Crimes
Assault
Murder
We have handled over 1000 cases in our careers. While we cannot list a comprehensive list of cases we have handled, we hope the case results below will help give you an idea of the success we have achieved in handling each type of case. We are using initials instead of names to protect each client's identity. Murder Case
Juvenile Crimes
Juvenile crimes are crimes in which the accused is under age 18. Juvenile charges generally are handled in circuit court. There is an exception for traffic misdemeanors, which are handled by a county judge. In certain situations, minors may be charged as adults in felony cases. The penalties in the juvenile justice system are different from those in the adult system. There are various diversionary programs that permit juveniles to keep criminal charges off their records, which is why it is crucial to retain a St. Augustine criminal lawyer who has experience working in the juvenile justice system. Theft Crimes
Homicide
In the courtroom, our lawyers have had great success. Our firm has obtained "not guilty" verdicts or dismissals on a long list of criminal cases, including homicide, sexual assault, drug distribution, battery, and a variety of traffic offenses, including driving under the influence. If your case goes to trial our experience and reputation will guide you. We consult closely with our clients; if they wish to avoid the stress of a trial, we will work toward a favorable settlement through negotiation. Keep in mind that most cases do not go to trial, and we are confident that our reputation for negotiating desired results without the necessity of trial is exceptional.
Kidnapping
Manslaughter
We believe it is important for our clients to understand the charges against them, as well as the implications of the charges. We have defended hundreds of clients charged with DUI in Florida. Our experienced DUI attorneys have a unique perspective when it comes to criminal defense cases such as drunk driving. Our attorneys consist of former prosecutors who have worked on every type of DUI case from first time misdemeanor DUI'S to DUI Manslaughter cases. This experience gives us specific insight many criminal defense attorneys do not have.
Prostitution
Misdemeanors must be taken seriously because the results of the case can have a lasting impact on your life. A first-degree misdemeanor conviction can result in a punishment of up to a year of jail time and up to a $1000.00 fine, in addition to court costs and any other applicable expenses relating to other conditions of your sentence. Our St. Augustine defense attorneys handle all types of misdemeanors, including domestic violence, battery, disorderly conduct, disorderly intoxication, DUI, driving with license suspended or revoked, various other criminal traffic violations, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of paraphernalia, loitering, petit theft, resisting an officer without violence, prostitution (first offense), and more. Call us today at (904) 829-3035 to discuss your misdemeanor charge with us. Felonies
Estate Planning is the process where you decide how and where your assets will go after your death. This is an important process that can save your survivors a lot of money, time, and stress after your death. It can also be an important way to avoid conflicts between your grieving loved ones after your death. Although this may be difficult to think about, it is extremely important to do for those you leave behind. At Shorstein and Lee, Alyssa Shorstein is our St. Augustine estate planning lawyer who will be assisting you with your estate planning needs.
Wills
“Intestate” means that someone passed away and did not have a Last Will & Testament at the time of their death. When there is not a Last Will & Testament, then the statutes of the state of Florida decide who gets what from that person’s estate and who has the preference to be the personal representative.
Trusts
We will also be discussing who you want to leave in charge of your estate or trust. In Florida, we call the person handling your estate the “personal representative”. Most places call that position the executor/trix. If you have a Trust, then the person handling your trust administration is called the “Trustee”. These roles are usually individuals, but can also be corporate.
Power of Attorney
Probate litigation can include many different kinds of claims. One such claim is when someone challenges the validity of a will. Sometimes a will is challenged because there is a claim that the person did not have capacity (was not mentally able) when they signed the will so it is not valid. Another example of a “will contest” is when there is a claim that the will is invalid because someone improperly influenced the person to make the will before the person died. Other types of probate litigation include claims that the personal representative abused their power in some way or is not properly administering the estate, that the beneficiaries are incorrect and should be someone else, or that a financial agent abused their power using a power of attorney while the person was still alive. Mrs. Shorstein has handled many different types of probate litigation and can advise you of how to handle your specific situation. Avoiding Administration
Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that is most commonly initiated by a person or business that cannot pay their debts. The most common types of bankruptcy filed by individuals are Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also known as liquidation bankruptcy. You can file this type of bankruptcy only if you pass a means test, which means your income qualifies for this chapter, or if your debt is considered “Non-Consumer Debt”. Chapter 13 is also known as reorganization bankruptcy, and it requires a debtor to create a payment plan to repay creditors part or all of what they owe. Your payment plan takes into account your income, expenses, debts and assets. Our firm can help you pursue alternatives to bankruptcy that may solve your problems without having to file. However, if bankruptcy is the best option, we can talk to you about which type of bankruptcy would be best for you and the reasons why. Retain an Experienced Attorney in Northeast Florida