Attorney Profiles

Upon graduation from law school from Florida Coastal School of Law, Fiona DeSpain served as an Assistant Public Defender for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. Fiona managed complex criminal cases as well as developed working relations with the local attorneys as a public defender. Since then Fiona has dedicated the majority of her practice to the practice of civil law, including family law, estate planning and probate, and real estate matters.

Family Law: Fiona's practice of family law includes the representation of both men and women who seek legal counsel when faced with the difficult and emotional decision to file for a divorce, or to modify their child support or child custody. Fiona's experience in dependency court has given her a perspective on the roles each parent should play in a child's life. It is her goal to help her clients maintain an active role in their child's life without having to sacrifice any of their rights or interests. Fiona dedication to her client's best interests is often displayed in her personal and hands on approach with each individual family law client whom she has the honor to represent.

Estate Planning/Probate: For clients seeking legal counsel with their estate affairs, Fiona carefully tailors estate plans to satisfy the needs of her clients which are outlined in detail during the initial consultation. Understanding that no two clients have the same needs, Fiona's close attention to detail allows her to craft estate plans that protect her client's interests and preserve those interests for her client's descendants. Whether her clients are in need of a will, trust, or power of attorney, Fiona utilizes her legal skills to craft estate plans for each individual. People in need of legal assistance with the probate process in the state of Florida can also turn to Fiona for help in the difficult time after the death of a friend or loved one.

Real Estate/Real Property: As a member of the real property division of the Florida Bar, Fiona has a particular interest in this area of the law. Whether you are a client needing help with foreclosure, landlord-tenant, rental or lease agreement, real estate closing or other real property litigation, Fiona can assist you with these matters.

Grant Writing: As government and private philanthropy continues to grow, so too, does the number of individuals seeking grants. As a consequence of the growing availability of grant monies, the application process to obtain this assistance becomes more and more complex and difficult. Fiona helps her clients craft a successful proposal which meets the needs of the grant seekers while matching the criteria of the grant makers.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Divorce
• Custody
• Probate
• Guardianships
• Dependencies
• Estate Planning
• Trusts
• Injunctions
• Criminal Law
• Misdemeanors
• Felonies
• Juvenile
• Post Conviction Relief
• Criminal Traffic
• Grant Writing
• Attorney ad Litem
• Real Estate

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 2005

Education

• Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Florida
  J.D.
  
  
• Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA, 2002
  B.A.
  Major: History
  
  

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law, 2009 - Present
  Member
  
  
• Okaloosa-Walton Bar Association, 2088 - Present
  Member
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• Public Defender's Office, Assistant Public Defender, 2006 - 2008

Pro Bono Activities

• Teen Court, 2009 - Present

Birth Information

• January 6, 1981, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States of America