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Garth R Goodman

Divorce and separation Attorney at Saint Petersburg, FL

4.8   31 reviews
  • State Years
    Dist. of Columbia - DC 16 years
    Florida - FL 29 years
  • Licensed for 16 years
    State DC
    Acquired 2007
    Status
    Good Standing No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 29 years
    State FL
    Acquired 1994
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Garth

Learn Garth’s areas of practice.

Sole practitioner with an emphasis in Family/Marital Law, including child-related issues such as establishing parenting plans with time sharing and child support guidelines; division of assets and liabilities; spousal support; as well as post judgment enforcement and modification issues.  I also handle other legal cases involving paternity, domestic or repeat violence and unmarried cohabitant issues.  

Photos and videos

Divorce Law in Florida
My Role
Paternity

Contact Garth

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Garth R. Goodman, Law Office
125 South Fifth Street, Suite 200B
Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701-4168

Reviews

4.8 / 5.0
  31 customer reviews
Posted by Paetra | February 20, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Kind, intelligent, ethical, professional, Advocate
I let go of my first attorney in my divorce case because I felt like a number and my needs weren’t being addressed when it came to my two boys. When I had my consultation with Garth, I knew immediately I wanted to have him represent me. Mr. Goodman is highly intelligent, ethical, caring, experienced, logical, attentive, responsive, empathetic, kind, real, humble, strong, and an unwavering advocate. Even when I didn’t know what was best, he did. He thinks outside the box and he isn’t afraid to delicately tell you to think about things in a way you might not have thought about them. He helped me come to the other side of this spiritually. And it also was a bonus that he has a good sense of humor and he’s genuinely funny. I mention this last part because I honestly think my life is better because he was in it. He was my trusted counsel through a very long (2.5 years) and difficult divorce. He put my boys first in his advice because he understood me as a mother. He helped me come to the other side of something that was more than divorce proceedings. In a world of uncertainties, You can count on Mr. Garth Goodman. His name fits him perfectly. I am forever grateful. My boys and I are better today for having him in our corner.
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Posted by Robert | January 29, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
The areas best attorney
Mr. Goodman provided me a level of professionalism unsurpassed with any previous legal counsel. His attention to detail, compassion and empathy allowed for a smooth life transition.
Posted by Adam | July 24, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding
Well recommended would be an understatement. Mr. Goodman has helped me overcome a very challenging divorce that unfortunately took 3 years. I believe that without his council, I would not have the relationship I have today with my son. Over the years, we’ve spent a total of ~30 hours in meditation, established a temporary long distance time sharing plan, established a revised temporary time sharing plan, and entered into an emergency hearing concerning the mother not returning with our child from her native country if awarded a passport. All of this before the final hearing! This goes to show that whatever may come up, Mr. Goodman has your back and has the experience needed to help his clients. I am completely satisfied with the service Mr. Goodman has provided over the years. I have substantial time sharing with my son, I have a reasonable child support payment, and most importantly I don’t have to worry about my son traveling internationally and not returning. Mr. Goodman was able to convey all my concerns to the court and the judge ruled that they were indeed legitimate. He has set me up for success and I will be forever grateful. SMIB
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Posted by Veronica | July 3, 2022
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
This is the attorney you are looking for!
Garth Goodman is by far the best attorney there is in family law. He is upfront about the cost, will take diligent time with your case, and treat it as if it were his own. Guides you through the process with ease and grace. I can assure you, he did wonders in my case. I would recommended him to others needling a good, fair, honest family law attorney. Most importantly, he did what was fair for my child, which makes him outshine other attorneys. He will most certainly put you and your child’s needs first. He is very reasonable in pricing compared to other law firms. Go to Garth, you wont regret it!
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Response from Garth Goodman July 5, 2022
Thank you Veronica for your review. I consider the practice of law to be a noble profession. As such, I will continue to zealously advocate for my Clients.
Posted by anonymous | October 11, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Mentally Incompetent ex-spouse w/ POA vs ex-spouse 12 years post divorce, motion of contempt
Power of Attorney, ex-spouse, and Garth Goodman vs. ex-spouse and ex-spouse's attorney, 12 years post divorce motion of contempt, in failure to comply to the divorce decree. Thank you Garth for taking this on and the judge awarding the mentally incompetent ex-spouse an equitable lien against the other party for unjust enrichment, which involved intentional/willful financial civil fraud. Great job, Garth, in defending a mentally incompetent party, 12 years post divorce, and prevailing.
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Posted by Mary Ann | September 27, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding Representation, Easy to work with, professional
I did not want to hire an attorney, however I did not know my rights and was capable of protecting my interest. I am very happy with the professional services I recieved. Mr Goodman was very patient, ensured I fully understood my options and help me to protect myself. I recieved twice what I would have gotten without his representation. My husband needed a reality check, the support I received enabled me to set myself up for success in the future.
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Posted by Veronica | August 26, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Supportive and Professional
I hired Garth after receiving subpar representation from my first attorney. I consulted with Garth regarding my current situation. Garth was honest and confident with the outcomes that could be achieved, but made no unrealistic promises. Garth did deliver on what he felt could be achieved with his representation. Upon hiring Garth I felt I had a chance at the outcome I was hoping for. Garth didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear, and for someone such as myself this was crucial. Garth was punctual, responsive, and always explanatory of the legal process. Divorce is difficult and terrifying and I believe having Garth by my side was a source of light through the process. My divorce was contentious and grueling, but Garth remained vigilant. I highly recommend Garth and would consult him again in the future.
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Posted by Susan | February 4, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Fantastic Support during a Difficult Time
Thanks to Garth for making the process very straightforward and not a prolonged divorce proceeding. I would highly recommend him to anyone dealing with divorce and child custody.
Posted by Lewis | December 24, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
One of the Best
I would definitely recommend Mr Goodman he help me navigate my way thru a 22yr marriage that unfortunately grew apart and reached it breaking point. . He was easy to talk to and never tried to get me to agree to anything I wasn't comfortable with. Hie is a reasonably priced lawyer never charging any over-inflated fees .Mr Goodman always kept me informed about an specifics or changes in my case. The end result of my case wss that I was very pleased with the outcome
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Posted by anonymous | September 26, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Best attorney in Pinellas County
Garth Goodman represented me in my very contencious divorce and custody case. Mine was definitely not an easy case. He was thrown curveballs constantly and never gave up on me.
Posted by Elias | July 25, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review of my experiences with Garth Goodman
When I was getting ready to hire Garth Goodman the first thing I wanted to do was meet him in person. He has a good presence, good eye contact, friendly, direct, very good communicator, and commands respect. He spent a great deal of time preparing. He made sure that all our pretrial data was clear and accurate. He has a long track record and understands what needs to be done. He anticipates what the opposing side will ask about and understands what their most likely strategy will be going forward. He was everything an attorney should be: He was spot on during the period before the actual signing of the divorce papers. He gave me the facts and did not sugar coat it. He didn’t nickel and dime me trying to boost up his charges for the case with useless phone discussions. I felt like he watched my money very closely. In the end he negotiated a good settlement. He counter offered twice resulting in a substantial savings. He is not only a great lawyer but I consider him a good friend. If you want a very competent lawyer that has a burning desire to do what’s best for his client, then Garth Goodman is who you should hire.
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Posted by J,Jordi | March 8, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Could not have found a better man!
After two years of hard work, Garth helped me settle a family matter with ease. He is caring, trustworthy and a no nonsense person. He is intelligent and I trusted his advice, I'm glad I did! I highly recommend him.
Posted by anonymous | August 26, 2016
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
| Consulted Attorney
Prompt, honest, in depth help
Didn't waste time. Explained matters in depth even though previous attorneys had failed to mention vital facts pertinent to my case (to my wallet).
Posted by Jason | August 18, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Knowledgeable, Fair, No Gimmicks
In consulting several area attorneys regarding my pending divorce, Mr. Goodman was the only counsel I found to be both clear about my rights within the law and legitimately interested in what I wanted as far as representation. There was no offer of gimmicks or scare tactics regarding the other party involved, and he was aggressive ONLY within the confines of the law, and it's relation to my specific situation. In this idea, every issue regarding my case was handled efficiently, effectively, and with expert precision from day one.
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Posted by F. A. | July 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent, professional and compassionate.
Mr. Goodman represented me twice--first during my divorce and again for my parental plan modification. He always has his client’s best interest as the focal point of his representation and always primarily interested in fully exploring settlement possibilities prior to involving his client in lengthy expensive litigation. He was excellent, professional and compassionate. Everything a divorce and family lawyer should be. He possesses the insight and demeanor for this often difficult specialty. He prepared me well for the 2-year long fight that I had not fully anticipated and aggressively moved the case to a conclusion that was to my advantage. I felt very comfortable and confident in both his knowledge and experience. I definitely think having him fight for me made a difference and highly recommend him.
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Posted by anonymous | June 24, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Great help during a difficult time
Mr. Goodman steered and shepherded me through a very difficult divorce. At every turn I feel he offered me prudent and rational advice. He was very respectful of my concerns and handled the divorce with tact and diplomacy. While I would not want to need to use his services again, I would definitely hire him again. I recommend him highly.
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Posted by anonymous | October 20, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Spectacular attorney
I was very pleased with the attorney and staff. Each call had the utmost professionalism and I would use this firm again in the future. Every step along the way, I was kept informed of the progress, promises were maintained and all of our questions and concerns were addressed promptly... I could not have asked for more! I thank and commend Garth and his team for truly being there!! Thank you so much for your help.
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Posted by Julie | July 29, 2015
Recommendation
Would highly recommend Garth. He is knowledgeable, responsible and compassionate. There were no unforeseen problems with my divorce and Garth was able to advise me on what needed to be done so that I would be prepared. Documents were prepared and submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
Posted by anonymous | January 15, 2015
Thorough and effective
Mr. Goodman strikes a balance between being an effective and thorough advocate, without being overly litigious and expensive. My divorce seemed to take a long time, however we were able to avoid being in and out of the courtroom, which saved a lot of money, time, and grief. Eventually, everything was settled without having to let a judge make decisions that would affect my family. I attribute a lot of this to Mr. Goodman's negotiation skills and perseverance.
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Posted by Brian | June 26, 2014
Top Notch Attorney, Highly Recommended!
Garth Goodman is an experienced, knowledgeable attorney who I can't recommend enough. From day one he did an excellent job of listening to what I hoped to accomplish in my case and set the ball in motion to do just that. Based on his experience in family law, Garth did a superb job communicating the likely outcome of my case which was the key to helping me keep my own expectations in check. In the end, the result was almost exactly what he predicted at the very beginning. Even when dealing with difficult situations during my case, Garth stayed the course and fought for me as a client both in the courtroom and out which is why anyone in need of a family law attorney should hire Garth Goodman immediately
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.6 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Attorney
  • Garth R. Goodman, P.A.
  • 1994 - Present

Education

  • Stetson University College Of Law, Gulfport, Florida
  • JD - Juris Doctor - cum laude
  • 1991
  • Stetson University, DeLand, Florida
  • Bachelor’s Arts, cum laude
  • 1989

Legal Cases

  • Divorce/ alimony
  • Wife received durational alimony in an amount to meet her needs including uncovered medical expenses
  • Divorce/ post judgment modification of timesharing
  • Father's petition for modification of timesharing was granted
  • Divorce/ relocation
  • Mother permitted to relocate with her child to California

Associations

  • Canakaris American Inn of Court
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Bar Association of the District of Columbia
  • Member
  • 2008 - Present
  • Community Law Program
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Florida Bar
  • Member
  • 1994 - Present
  • Florida Bar, Family Law Section, Marital and Family Law Certification Committee
  • Member
  • N/A
  • St. Petersburg Bar Association, Marital and Family Law Section
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Collaborative Divorce Law Institute of Tampa Bay
  • N/A
  • St. Petersburg Bar Association, Marital and Family Law Section
  • Section Chairperson
  • 2007 - 2008
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • BV Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2016
  • David L. Stout Award for services to the indigent community
  • Community Law Program
  • N/A

Speaking Engagements

  • Emergency Motion practice
  • Practice of law- emergency matters
  • 2015
  • Guardian ad Litem training
  • Guardian Litem
  • 2015
  • Canakaris American Inn of Court
  • Attorney Ethics
  • 2012

Attorney endorsements

Received (21)
Given (20)
Endorse Garth
Divorce and separation Attorney | Aug 22
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Garth Goodman aided our clients in reaching a fair and equitable settlement. After coming onto the case late, his skills and advocacy effort helped both clients finally conclude their pending legal matter. I endorse this attorney."
Divorce and separation Attorney | May 07
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Highly recommend Attorney Goodman for any of your family law needs. He is highly skilled in his area and won't disappoint."
Child custody Attorney | Apr 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Garth Goodman is a fantastic attorney whose client-focused approach ensures excellent outcomes in his cases."
Child custody Attorney | Apr 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Garth R. Goodman knows the law extremely well and cares about making sure people understand their rights and obligations. Anyone needing assistance with a child custody law legal matter would be well served to contact him."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Mar 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer.garth is a very caring and professional attorney. If you need an attorney for a family law matter I would highly recommend using Mr. Goodman."
Child custody Attorney | Nov 11
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Mr. Goodman is an excellent attorney. He has a command of the law in his practice areas and zealously represents his client's position in Court. I absolutely endorse this lawyer."
Child custody Attorney | May 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Goodman is very knowledgeable and handles complex family law issues with ease. He has the ability to skillfully negotiate settlement for his clients as well as prevail in the courtroom. He truly cares about the well-being of his clients. I have consulted with Mr. Goodman in relation to strategy with my cases. I recommend this attorney!"
Family Attorney | Aug 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 02
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. Aggressive representation in the court room is something every client needs. Look no further."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Jul 18
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Mr. Goodman is trustworthy, no nonsense attorney who knows what he's doing but isn't going to advocate his client's finances into the ground."
Divorce and separation Attorney | May 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer.. A highly experienced attorney who is always professional, and well respected in the legal community."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Jul 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Apr 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Goodman is a very experienced family law attorney. His answers to the questions posed in AVVO are excellent and well explained. If you are in need of a family law attorney in Pinellas County he would have to be a very serious consideration."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Goodman has an excellent reputation in the community. If you choose to retain him, you will soon know why. I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Mar 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Feb 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. His advice on Avvo is thoughtful and practical."
Family Attorney | Nov 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Goodman has a reputation for honoring his word and doing a good job representing his family law clients without causing them extra attorney fees due to unnecessary litigation."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Sep 21
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I wholeheartedly endorse Garth. I have sent several clients to him and each has come back telling me that Garth was very knowledgeable, kept them well informed about their case and followed through on everything related to their matters. One fear an attorney has when they refer someone to another attorney is that the person will come back with a complaint. I never worry about that with Garth."
Family Attorney | Sep 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Garth is a very professional and experienced attorney. I have worked with him on difficult adversarial matters and have been able to reach amicable resolutions. I feel comfortable referring cases to him, and have done so on several occassions."
Family Attorney | Sep 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"NOT ALL LAWYERS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Garth meets the high bar of excellence and sets a new standard well above. The greatest compliment one lawyer can give another is having the full confidence to refer one of their own clients to another attorney for a collateral legal issue. If I receive a phone call from one in need of a divorce, one in need of a custody alteration, or anything involving a family issue, I immediately refer them to Garth. Garth cares about his clients and it shows in both his outstanding results but also in the way he treats people. I refer my clients to Garth for their family law needs and I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a family law attorney."
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Saint Petersburg Divorce and separation Lawyer Garth R Goodman
Garth R Goodman
Divorce and separation Attorney
Saint Petersburg, FL
Licensed for 29 years