Felecia Walker
St. Augustine Family Law & Guardianship Attorney
Experienced Trial Attorney Protecting Families, Children, Estates, and Vulnerable Adults Throughout Northeast Florida.
When legal disputes involve your children, your family, or the estate of someone you love, the stakes are far greater than money alone. These cases affect relationships, financial security, and futures.
Attorney Felecia Walker represents individuals and families throughout St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Palm Coast, Jacksonville, and Northeast Florida in complex family law, probate litigation, guardianship, and estate disputes. Since being admitted to The Florida Bar in 2006, she has devoted her practice to helping clients resolve emotionally difficult legal matters through thoughtful negotiation, strategic litigation, and, when necessary, skilled courtroom advocacy.
As part of St. Johns Law Group, Felecia works alongside one of Northeast Florida’s largest legal teams, giving clients access to attorneys experienced in real estate, tax law, business law, litigation, estate planning, and appellate practice whenever a case requires multidisciplinary representation.
Representative Matters
Every legal matter is unique, and prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. The following examples illustrate the types of matters Attorney Walker has successfully handled.
Protecting an Abused Child
Successfully obtained a Final Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence on behalf of a minor child who had endured years of physical and emotional abuse. Despite the absence of intervention by the Department of Children and Families, the court entered a permanent injunction after hearing the evidence, providing long-overdue legal protection for the child.
Multi-Million Dollar Probate Litigation
Successfully defended the inheritance rights of a surviving spouse during a contested probate proceeding involving a multi-million-dollar estate after adult children sought to disinherit the surviving spouse from a long-term second marriage.
High-Asset Divorce Trial
Successfully represented a client through a contested dissolution involving:
- Closely held businesses
- Business valuation
- Significant marital assets
- Parenting disputes
- Equitable distribution
- Alimony
The court ruled in the client’s favor on every contested issue presented at trial.
Parenting Plans Focused on Children’s Safety
Obtained a parenting plan protecting a child with special needs where evidence demonstrated neglectful parenting. The court entered a graduated timesharing schedule while awarding retroactive child support designed to protect the child’s well-being.
Defending Against Parental Alienation Allegations
Successfully defended a parent against allegations of parental alienation, preserving the parent-child relationship after the court declined to grant the requested relief.
Financial Security Following Divorce
Represented a stay-at-home mother who had devoted years to raising and educating her children. Successfully obtained child support, alimony, and majority timesharing after demonstrating her significant contributions to the family.
Enforcing Court Orders
Recovered substantial unpaid alimony through a final judgment that included pre- and post-judgment interest while securing additional enforcement remedies after repeated non-compliance.
Protecting Vulnerable Adults
Successfully represented the adult child of an elderly woman suffering from dementia during a fiercely contested guardianship proceeding involving allegations of financial exploitation and isolation. The court appointed the client as guardian, restoring oversight of the ward’s personal care and financial affairs.
Practice Areas
Probate & Estate Litigation – Representing heirs, beneficiaries, and personal representatives in contested probate matters, will challenges, and trust disputes.
Guardianship Law – Guiding families through adult and minor guardianship proceedings, including incapacity determinations, fiduciary disputes, and court appointments.
Trust Litigation – Handling complex trust administration conflicts and beneficiary representation.
Family Law – Providing strategic counsel in divorce, child custody and support, modifications, time-sharing, and marital property division cases.
Why Clients Choose Felecia Walker
Clients choose Attorney Walker because she combines compassionate counsel with courtroom experience. She understands that family law and probate disputes are often emotionally overwhelming, requiring both careful legal analysis and practical solutions.
Her experience includes:
- Family law litigation
- Probate litigation
- Trust disputes
- Guardianship proceedings
- Domestic violence injunctions
- High-conflict custody litigation
- High-net-worth divorces
- Enforcement proceedings
- Trial advocacy
- Settlement negotiations
Community Leadership & Recognition
Felecia has served as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast, Inc., where she championed advocacy for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. She has received recognition for her service to the community, both in and out of the courtroom.
Her commitment to public service is matched by her dedication to mentoring young legal professionals and her active involvement in the Northeast Florida legal community.
Education & Professional Credentials
J.D., Florida Coastal School of Law
Member, The Florida Bar
Admitted to practice in all Florida state courts
The Florida Bar Association
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida
Professional and Civic Leadership
- Jacksonville Bar Association
- St. Johns County Bar Association
- Jacksonville Women Lawyer’s Association
- Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast, Inc., Board Chair
- University of North Florida Library Dean Leadership Council, President.
- The Florida Bar Marital and Family Law Section
Awards
- St. Johns County Legal Aid Pro Bono Award – 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
- St. Johns County Legal Aid Pro Bono Honor Roll – 2009 to 2018
- Fourth Circuit Pro Bono Committee Award – 2016
Personal Life
Residing in North Florida with her family, amazing children and three golden retrievers, Ms. Walker enjoys life in Northeast Florida. She spends time with family in the mountains, on the water, and traveling as far as the journey will take her. Interestingly, Ms. Walker is a classically trained pianist and loves live music and Broadway shows. Driven to give back to the community, Ms. Walker is the Board Chair for the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Florida’s First Coast and the President of the UNF Library Dean Leadership Council.
Serving Northeast Florida
Attorney Walker represents clients throughout:
- St. Augustine
- Ponte Vedra
- Nocatee
- Palm Coast
- Flagler County
- Jacksonville
- St. Johns County
- Clay County
- Putnam County
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Family Law, Probate & Guardianship
1. Can grandparents obtain custody of a child in Florida?
Florida law generally recognizes the rights of parents to raise their children. However, in limited circumstances, grandparents or other relatives may seek custody or guardianship when a child’s parents are unable or unwilling to provide appropriate care. Every case depends on its specific facts and applicable Florida law.
2. What is a contested guardianship in Florida?
A contested guardianship occurs when family members or other interested persons disagree about whether a guardianship is necessary, who should serve as guardian, or how a guardian is managing the ward’s affairs. These cases often involve complex medical, financial, and family issues.
3. How long does probate litigation take in Florida?
The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity of the estate, the number of parties involved, discovery issues, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Some disputes resolve in several months, while others may take a year or longer.
4. What happens if someone refuses to pay court-ordered alimony?
Florida courts have several enforcement tools available, including contempt proceedings, money judgments, wage garnishment, liens, interest on unpaid support, and other enforcement remedies depending on the circumstances.
5. Can a parenting plan be modified after the divorce is final?
Yes. Florida courts may modify parenting plans when there has been a substantial, material, and unanticipated change in circumstances and the requested modification serves the child’s best interests.
6. What factors do Florida courts consider when determining child custody?
Florida courts focus on the child’s best interests by considering numerous statutory factors, including each parent’s ability to meet the child’s needs, encourage a relationship with the other parent, provide stability, and promote the child’s overall health, safety, and welfare.
7. What is considered a high-asset divorce?
A high-asset divorce typically involves significant marital wealth, business ownership, investment portfolios, retirement accounts, real estate holdings, executive compensation, professional practices, or other complex financial assets requiring detailed valuation.
8. How are closely held businesses divided during a Florida divorce?
Business interests may require professional valuation before the court determines whether the business should be divided, offset with other assets, sold, or retained by one spouse with appropriate compensation to the other.
9. What is equitable distribution in Florida?
Florida follows equitable distribution, meaning marital assets and liabilities are divided fairly, although not always equally. Courts consider numerous statutory factors when determining an appropriate division.
10. Can I obtain a domestic violence injunction without criminal charges being filed?
Yes. A civil injunction for protection against domestic violence is separate from a criminal prosecution. The court evaluates the evidence presented under the applicable legal standard regardless of whether criminal charges have been filed.
11. What evidence is helpful in obtaining a domestic violence injunction?
Evidence may include testimony, photographs, medical records, text messages, emails, social media communications, police reports, witness testimony, or other documentation demonstrating domestic violence or a reasonable fear of imminent harm.
12. What is parental alienation?
Parental alienation generally refers to allegations that one parent has intentionally interfered with a child’s relationship with the other parent. These claims are highly fact-specific and require careful evaluation by the court.
13. Can a parent relocate with a child after a divorce?
Florida law generally requires either the other parent’s written agreement or court approval before relocating a child a significant distance. Courts evaluate whether relocation is in the child’s best interests.
14. What happens if a former spouse violates a parenting plan?
The court may enforce the parenting plan through various remedies, including makeup parenting time, modification proceedings, contempt, attorney’s fees, or other appropriate relief depending on the circumstances.
15. Who can contest a will in Florida?
Generally, only interested persons with legal standing—such as beneficiaries, heirs, or others whose rights may be affected—may challenge the validity of a will under Florida law.
16. What are common reasons a will is challenged?
Common claims include lack of testamentary capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution, duress, or the existence of a more recent valid will.
17. What is undue influence in a probate case?
Undue influence generally involves allegations that someone improperly pressured or manipulated another person into changing estate planning documents against that person’s true wishes.
18. When should a guardianship be established for an elderly parent?
Guardianship may become appropriate when an individual can no longer make informed personal or financial decisions and less restrictive alternatives, such as powers of attorney or trusts, are unavailable or insufficient.
19. Can guardianship be avoided?
In many situations, properly drafted estate planning documents—including durable powers of attorney, health care surrogate designations, and revocable trusts—may reduce or eliminate the need for a guardianship if executed before incapacity occurs.
20. What should I do if I suspect financial exploitation of an elderly parent?
Prompt legal action may be necessary to protect assets, investigate suspicious transactions, seek emergency court relief when appropriate, and determine whether guardianship or other legal remedies are available.
21. Do I need an attorney for probate litigation?
While not every probate matter becomes contested, probate litigation often involves complex procedural rules, evidentiary issues, and significant financial interests. Experienced legal representation can help protect your rights throughout the process.
22. How is child support calculated in Florida?
Florida uses statutory child support guidelines that consider each parent’s income, the parenting schedule, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and other factors established by law.
23. Can alimony be modified after a divorce?
Depending on the type of alimony awarded and the specific facts, Florida law may permit modification when there has been a qualifying change in circumstances. Whether modification is available depends on the governing judgment and current law.
24. What should I bring to my first consultation with a family law attorney?
Helpful documents may include court orders, financial records, tax returns, business information, parenting schedules, prenuptial agreements, correspondence, and any documents relating to your legal concerns. Bringing a timeline of important events can also help your attorney evaluate your case.
25. Why should I hire St. Johns Law Group for a family law, probate, or guardianship matter?
St. Johns Law Group combines the personalized attention of an experienced attorney like Felecia Walker with the resources of one of Northeast Florida’s largest law firms. Clients benefit from collaborative support across family law, probate, estate planning, business law, tax, real estate, and litigation, allowing the firm to address even the most complex legal matters under one roof.
Schedule a Consultation with Felecia Walker
Whether you are facing a contested divorce, protecting your children, administering an estate, defending your inheritance rights, or seeking guardianship for a vulnerable loved one, Attorney Felecia Walker provides experienced legal representation backed by the resources of one of Northeast Florida’s largest law firms.
fwalker@sjlawgroup.com