Tampa Family Law Appeals Attorney

Experienced Florida Family Law Appellate Representation Across the Tampa Bay Area

A family court ruling is not always the final answer. If a trial judge applied Florida law incorrectly, abused their discretion, or entered a judgment not supported by the evidence at trial, you have the right to seek appellate review.

At Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A., our family law appeals practice is led by Mark F. Baseman, an attorney with over a decade of dedicated family law appellate experience. Mark joined Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. in 2026, establishing a dedicated appellate arm to serve clients across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the entire Second District Court of Appeal (2nd DCA).

Whether appealing a final judgment or defending a favorable trial outcome, we represent clients in complex appellate matters involving divorce, child custody, alimony, high-net-worth property division, and post-judgment modifications.

Facing a strict 30-day appellate deadline? Contact Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. online or call (813) 223-5421 to evaluate your legal grounds for appeal.

Why Choose Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. for Your Family Law Appeal?

Appellate litigation requires a fundamentally different strategy than trial-level representation. An appeal is not a re-trial. Appellate judges do not hear new testimony, evaluate witness credibility, or accept new evidence. Success depends strictly on analyzing the trial court record, identifying reversible legal errors, and writing persuasive briefs.

Meet Appellate Attorney Mark F. Baseman

Mark F. Baseman brings a focused family law appellate background to Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A.. Before joining the firm in 2026, he was a founding partner at Felix, Felix & Baseman, LLC, where he spent a decade concentrating almost exclusively on family law appeals before Florida's Second District Court of Appeal.

• Deep Subject Matter Expertise: Argued and briefed complex appeals on forum selection, equitable distribution, timesharing modifications, relocation, and alimony calculations.
• Thought Leadership: Regular speaker for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses on Florida appellate procedure.
• Published Author: Contributor to prestigious legal publications, including The Florida Bar Family Law Commentator.

"An appeal is won or lost in the written trial record and the appellate brief. Our practice is built on meticulous legal research, crisp writing, and identifying the precise legal errors that warrant relief." — Mark F. Baseman

Family Law Appellate Practice Areas

We represent clients seeking to appeal or defend trial court decisions in the following areas:

1. Divorce & Marriage Dissolution Appeals: Errors in final dissolution judgments can impact your financial security and parental rights for decades. We review trial records to identify misapplications of Florida dissolution statutes, procedural flaws, or judicial bias. 

Learn more about our Divorce Litigation Services.

2. Child Custody, Parenting Plans & Timesharing: Decisions impacting parental responsibility and timesharing must strictly adhere to the "best interests of the child" standard. If a trial court ignored critical evidence or misapplied statutory factors, an appeal can challenge the order.

Learn more about Child Custody & Timesharing.

3. Alimony & Spousal Support: Florida's spousal support laws require precise calculations of financial need and ability to pay. We handle appeals involving erroneous alimony determinations, duration miscalculations, or failure to account for tax consequences. 

Learn more about Alimony Representation.

4. Property Division & High-Net-Worth Equitable Distribution: Complex divorces involving business valuations, hidden assets, executive compensation, or retirement accounts often feature complicated legal determinations. We appeal trial court errors in asset characterization, valuation, and distribution. 

Learn more about High-Net-Worth Property Division.

5. Post-Judgment Modification Appeals: Life changes, but modifying a court order requires meeting strict legal burdens. We represent clients appealing or defending post-judgment orders regarding support modifications, timesharing adjustments, or parental relocations.

6. Non-Final Orders & Emergency Appeals: Certain non-final court orders, such as temporary support, temporary injunctions, or jurisdictional rulings, can be reviewed immediately under Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.130 without waiting for a final judgment.

The Florida Family Law Appellate Process

Understanding what to expect during a family court appeal helps you make informed decisions:

1. Case Evaluation & Record Review: We audit the trial transcripts, exhibits, pleadings, and court orders to determine if a viable, reversible error exists under Florida law.
2. Filing the Notice of Appeal: For final judgments, a Notice of Appeal must generally be filed within 30 days of rendition.
3. Compiling the Index & Record: We coordinate with the local Circuit Court clerk to assemble the complete record on appeal.
4. Appellate Briefing: We draft detailed Initial, Answer, and Reply briefs applying statutory authority and case law precedent from Florida appellate courts.
5. Oral Argument: When granted by the appellate panel, we present oral arguments and answer panel questions at the Second District Court of Appeal.
6. Post-Opinion Motions: If needed, we file motions for rehearing, clarification, or certified conflict review.

Local Representation: Florida's Second District Court of Appeal

Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. represents clients originating from local circuit courts across Greater Tampa Bay. Appeals arising from these local family courts are governed by Florida's Second District Court of Appeal (2nd DCA).

Whether your trial was held in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, or Sarasota County, our local presence in Tampa and St. Petersburg positions us to handle your appellate needs seamlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Law Appeals

Speak with a Tampa Family Law Appellate Attorney Today

Do not let an erroneous trial court ruling compromise your family's financial future or your parental rights. Time is critical in appellate matters.

Contact Harris, Hunt & Derr, P.A. today to discuss your options with an experienced appellate lawyer.

• Tampa Office: (813) 223-5421 | 100 S Ashley Dr, Suite 500, Tampa, FL 33602
• St. Petersburg Office: (813) 223-5421 | 200 2nd Ave S, Suite 450, St. Petersburg, FL 33701