Bridget Ann Heptner

Bridget Ann Heptner

4.5
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 40 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Clearwater, FL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Family, Alimony, Child Custody

2560 Gulf To Bay Blvd., Suite 250, Clearwater, FL

About Bridget

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Family 25%

Contested and Uncontested Divorces

36 years

25%
Alimony 20%

36 years

20%
Child Custody 20%

36 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 350-350 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 40 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1986

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Bridget Heptner Law Office

2560 Gulf To Bay Blvd., Suite 250, Clearwater, FL, 33765-4434

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Bridget Ann Heptner's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

28 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (28) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by Jack | July 18, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family

Bridget Heptner is the best Family Lawyer in Pinellas County

When you hire Bridget Heptner you are receiving a Family Law expert, an incredibly passionate and energetic Lawyer and a person that has a complete understanding of the inner-workings of our local Court system and its process. Bridget carries a high moral standard which she will not compromise. She i...s a strong advocate for her clients and will demonstrate an unshakable willingness to fight for your cause. Bridget Heptner is the best Family Lawyer in Pinellas County. It is truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to write a recommendation about a legal professional that represents her field with high integrity, dignity, and skill. Bridget Heptner exemplifies all of those traits.

Posted by Michael | June 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Family

Honest, trustworthy, professional, fair, and knowledgeable

I would highly recommend Bridget without reservation. She has all the attributes and integrity that one would hope for in a family law attorney. I spent over 150,000 in attorney fees with a "billboard attorney" who never was able to facilitate or promote a mediation, with my contentious divorce, ...that was dragged out for over 2 years. In fact, I believe some of my initial attorney's advice actually promoted more motions, mediations, useless depositions, court hearings and most importantly more attorney fees. From my first meeting with Bridget, the interaction was very different compared to my initial attorney. She only has one assistant Nikki who is always a pleasure to deal with regarding correspondence, and leaving messages. Bridget only takes enough clients in order to properly handle a case. This is crucial if you want your divorce to come to a real settlement. She is not trying to build an empire. There was no absurd paralegal fees or abuse of billing, which in my opinion was rampant with my first attorney. The most important difference was the one on one attentiveness with my very complex case, which resulted in her mediating my divorce within less than a month. She actually would answer question or concerns via email or phone promptly. I truly believe if I had her as my family law attorney, my Divorce may have never been dragged out for 2 1/2 years, and I wouldn't have lost my entire retirement to attorney fees. I already have been recommending other colleagues and friends to at least obtain a second opinion from her. She was a pleasure to work with due to her compassion, integrity, intelligence, experience and professionalism!!! 5 stars and excellent review is was earned and deserved.

Posted by anonymous | May 21, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

Left me days before trial and communicated with me unprofessionally

I retained Ms. Heptner in a divorce case. In the beginning she was very thorough & friendly. Her disposition changed dramatically as I would not agree to her terms of the divorce settlement she was demanding. She withdrew from my case, without informing only days before trial & left me with noth...ing. I consider this type of behavior extremely unprofessional & unjust. Save your $ and find a lawyer who takes into consideration your needs & not just her own. What a disgrace!

Bridget Heptner

Replied last May 21, 2015

I withdrew from representation after many years due to client taking an impossible position and owing a large amount of fees she was without the ability to pay. Our retainer Contract contains a provision addressing this issue, which this client was well aware.

Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Former Limited Appearance Client

I hired this attorney for a specific purpose in my post dissolution divorce case. At the time I retained her, my ex-spouse was pro-se. Ms. Heptner was very supportive of me and my case until my ex-spouse retained an Attorney. At that time she immediately turned against me. She then went beyond he...r scope of limited appearance and spoke to the opposing counsel regarding issues I was strictly dealing with pro se. Although I told her not to speak to the Attorney unless it involved her limited appearance, she continued to do so and charge me for it. She ran up my bill in these matters but I had to represent myself in court. To make matters worse, once we finally had a hearing date and it was clear we were going to win fees to continue, she called me three hours before the hearing and informed me she made a deal on my behalf and basicly shut down my case. I was forced to once again represent myself in court. When I returned from Court I received the order she and the opposing counsel agreed upon. I then sent Ms. Heptner a letter stating I did not agree with her making the deal behind my back and I wanted her to withdraw the order. She called me a few days later and was very disrespectful. She then filed a notice of non-representation and a notice of withdrawal of the original motion in which I hired her. I asked her to refund my retainer but she refused . In my opinion, what starts out as a very pleasant experience with Bridget Heptner, ends in a nightmare. I must add, I have all respect for her Legal Assistant, Nikki.

Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2012 | Uncontested Divorce

Attention to Detail, less than desirable.

If you're looking to retain a divorce attorney that doesn't have an attention to detail retain Bridget Heptner. All joking aside, my divorce was uncontested and went smoothly, but her repeated typographical errors on the court documents created a headache for myself and my ex-wife. Quit Claim Deeds w...ere drafted incorrectly and had typographical errors which subsequently caused myself and my ex-wife to have them corrected, notarized and recorded a second time, at our expense. The response I received from her office "Well you should have proof read before you signed, technically we're now working for free." My answer is I would expect an attorney to have the information and the docs drafted properly the first time. The divorce was finalized we paid for her half-rate services, and I was left to feel as if I was inconveniencing them for asking to have it corrected. I literally paid for her to draft the uncontested divorce doc, and two Quit Claim Deeds. In hindsight I could have saved money to draft the docs on legalzoom.com myself. There are many attorneys in the area, I would suggest you retain one that will do things correctly the first time.

Bridget Heptner

Replied last August 28, 2012

This was not a client of our law office; we represented his wife and he was disgruntled. His wife was provided the quit claim deeds, not him. He executed the deeds without proof reading it. We provided corrective deeds free of charge nonetheless

See All Client Reviews

Bridget Ann Heptner's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bridget
Sidney Wallis Kilgore headshot
Sidney Kilgore

Family lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Bridget Heptner since we were fellow law students at Stetson University College of Law. She is a highly competent family attorney of impeccable integrity. Indeed, it was Bridget to whom I turned for representation in my own divorce from my first wife."

James Emerson Royal headshot
James Royal

Family lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. She is an excellent advocate for her clients."

Wendi L Hall-Gonzales headshot
Wendi Hall-Gonzales

Family lawyer | Sep 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer as a highly skilled and knowledgeable family law attorney. I have worked with her as opposing counsel on many family law cases and find her to be an excellent advocate for her client and very professional."

Mary Ellen Borja headshot
Mary Borja

Family lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. She is top notch in every way, well respected by her peers and a consummate professional."

Robert M Valentine headshot
Robert Valentine

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Bridget. She's a consummate professional and always advocates zealously for and appropriately advises her clients."

Patrick Francis Gaffney headshot
Patrick Gaffney

Family lawyer | Apr 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Bridget is a hard working and very smart lawyer. I have worked with her extensively and have always found her well prepared. Her background in criminal law reveals strong trial skills. However, she does not lead her clients into needless litigation. I recommend her without hesitation."

Kathy Czepiel George headshot
Kathy George

Family lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Bridget for over ten (10) years. She is a pillar to our legal community."

Robert Edward Heyman headshot
Robert Heyman

Family lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

". I have known Bridget for her entire career, first as a Public Defender and now as a family law practitioner. She has earned a reputation as a strong advocate for her clients, especially dealing with the difficult issues presented in family law. I refer clients to her without hesitation. I strongly endorse her work."

Carin Manders Constantine headshot
Carin Constantine

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

View All Endorsements
Mark Andrew Ossian headshot
Mark Ossian

Family lawyer

E. Lynn Gibbons headshot
E. Lynn Gibbons

Workers compensation lawyer

Amanda Lea Colon headshot
Amanda Colon

Family lawyer

Robert M Valentine headshot
Robert Valentine

Family lawyer

Patrick Francis Gaffney headshot
Patrick Gaffney

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Ralph Richards Award, Clearwater Bar Association

2010

President's Award, President Clearwater Bar

2009

President's Award, President Clearwater Bar

2008

President's Award, Clearwater Bar Association

1990

Outstanding Service Award, Pinellas County Public Defender's Office

Work Experience

1990 - Present

Sole Practioner, Bridget Heptner Law Office

1986 - 1990

Public Defender, Pinellas County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2010 - Present

Canakaris American Inn of Court

Executive Director

Clearwater Bar Association

2012 - 2013

Clearwater Bar Association

President

2011 - 2012

Clearwater Bar Association

President-Elect

2008 - 2010

Clearwater Bar Association

Senior Director

2007 - 2010

Clearwater Bar Association, Family Law Section

Chairman

Education

1985

Stetson University College of Law

law

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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