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Jacksonville family law attorney

Jennifer M. Erlinger, Esq.

Founder of Erlinger Family Law · Former Florida Assistant State Attorney

For more than 22 years, Jennifer has stood beside Florida families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Her approach is straightforward: understand the facts, understand the law, tell you the truth, and build a strategy around what matters most to your family.

  • 22+years of Florida legal experience
  • 2004admitted to The Florida Bar
  • 9.9Avvo rating
  • 71+verified client reviews
Call (904) 742-9117
Attorney Jennifer M. Erlinger
Jennifer M. Erlinger, Esq.Florida Bar member since 2004
4.8average client rating

About Jennifer

Experience built from more than one side of the legal system.

Understand the facts, understand the law, tell clients the truth, and build a strategy around what matters most to their family.

Jennifer M. Erlinger served as a Florida Assistant State Attorney, worked with the Florida Attorney General’s Ethics Bureau, and gained experience with Florida’s Guardian ad Litem Program before founding Erlinger Family Law.

Today she brings that perspective to families facing divorce, child custody, time-sharing and other difficult family law matters across Northeast Florida.

How Jennifer approaches every case

1

Understand the facts

Every family’s story is different. Strategy starts with listening to yours.

2

Understand the law

Florida family law changed in 2023. Jennifer explains what it means for you.

3

Tell you the truth

Honest answers about your options, so you can decide with confidence.

4

Build the right strategy

A plan built around what matters most to your children and your future.

2004Admitted to The Florida Bar
ASAServed as a Florida Assistant State Attorney
EthicsWorked with the Florida Attorney General’s Ethics Bureau
GALExperience with Florida’s Guardian ad Litem Program
2024Founded Erlinger Family Law in Jacksonville

Practice areas

What are you facing right now?

Family law rarely starts with a legal question. It starts with something happening in your life. Choose the situation closest to yours and let’s talk about what comes next.

Thinking about divorce?

Understand what may happen with your children, home, finances and future before you make your next move.

What this covers
  • Division of marital assets and debts
  • Contested vs. uncontested divorce paths
  • Impact on children and parenting plans
  • Timeline and what to expect in Florida courts

Worried about time with your children?

If custody or time-sharing is becoming a conflict, learn what Florida law means for your parenting rights.

What this covers
  • Florida's 2023 equal time-sharing presumption
  • Creating or modifying parenting plans
  • Relocating with children under Florida law
  • Enforcement when the other parent won't comply

Concerned about child support?

Whether support needs to be established, enforced or modified, understand your options under Florida law.

What this covers
  • How Florida calculates support under § 61.30
  • Requesting a modification when income changes
  • Enforcement options when payments stop
  • Healthcare and extraordinary expenses

Protecting your rights as a father?

Florida's 2023 law changed everything for fathers. Know your rights under the equal time-sharing presumption.

What this covers
  • Equal time-sharing is now the legal starting point
  • Establishing paternity to secure legal rights
  • Challenging or modifying unjust existing orders
  • Protecting your relationship from interference

Has your situation changed?

Life changes. Sometimes existing court orders need to change with it. Modifications are available under Florida law.

What this covers
  • Job loss, relocation or major income changes
  • Modifying child custody or time-sharing orders
  • Adjusting alimony after the 2023 reform
  • What qualifies as a "substantial change" in Florida

Need to protect yourself or your children?

When safety is at stake, swift legal action matters. Jennifer handles emergency injunctions and domestic violence matters.

What this covers
  • Emergency injunctions, filed and served quickly
  • Long-term domestic violence protective orders
  • Protecting children in high-conflict situations
  • Former ASA experience in court, when it counts

Concerned about alimony?

Bridge-the-gap, rehabilitative and durational alimony all changed under Florida's 2023 reform. Know where you stand, whether you pay or receive.

What this covers
  • Which type of alimony may apply to your case
  • How length of marriage affects support
  • Modifying alimony orders that predate 2023
  • What courts weigh when deciding an amount

Need to establish paternity?

Establishing paternity is often the critical first step toward securing your rights as a parent, and your child's right to support and inheritance.

What this covers
  • Legally establishing paternity in Florida
  • Securing time-sharing and decision-making rights
  • Your child's right to support and inheritance
  • Contesting or confirming disputed paternity

Protecting assets before or after marriage?

Clear, enforceable prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, drafted to stand up in Florida courts when it matters most.

What this covers
  • Protecting assets you're bringing into a marriage
  • Formalizing agreements after the wedding
  • What makes an agreement enforceable in Florida
  • Reviewing an agreement someone else has drafted

Some decisions are too important to make without understanding the consequences.

Your consultation with Jennifer could change the trajectory of your case, your finances, and your relationship with your children.

Call (904) 742-9117

Client reviews

Real results. Real families.

“My choice to retain Ms. Erlinger was the best decision I could have made for my divorce after 19 years of marriage. She skillfully guided me through the process that ended with a positive outcome and a great path forward for the rest of my life.”

Kurt M., verified divorce client on Justia

When she says she is fighting for you, believe it. She never gives up and never stops. She helped me deal with my divorce and also helped with my kids’ feelings and my anxiety about the whole process.

Verified client, family law

I had one of those lifetime-movie family law cases, scary and never seeming to end. Jennifer stuck by me and empowered me to keep moving forward. I highly recommend her to those needing a stellar attorney.

Verified client, high-conflict family law

Jennifer went above and beyond while displaying a personal interest in the situation. I would highly recommend her to anyone with a family law issue.

Verified Avvo review, family law
9.9Avvo rating
4.8average rating
71+verified reviews
22+years licensed

How it works

What happens when you contact Erlinger Family Law?

Tell us what’s happening

Call (904) 742-9117 or submit our short form and tell us briefly what is going on.

Speak with our team

Our paralegal, Michelle Lisenby, gathers information and helps determine the right next step.

Michelle Lisenby

Meet Jennifer

Discuss your circumstances and options directly with Jennifer M. Erlinger, Esq. One-on-one and confidential.

Jennifer M. Erlinger, Esq.

Decide your next move

If you retain Erlinger Family Law, we begin preparing your case right away.

Where we practice

Family law representation across Northeast Florida

Based in Jacksonville at 12412 San Jose Blvd., Suite 405, Erlinger Family Law assists families throughout Northeast Florida. Jennifer appears regularly in courthouses across all four counties.

  • Jacksonville
  • Duval County
  • Ponte Vedra Beach
  • St. Johns County
  • Orange Park
  • Clay County
  • Fernandina Beach
  • Nassau County
  • Yulee
  • Fleming Island
  • Atlantic Beach
  • Green Cove Springs
Address
12412 San Jose Blvd., Suite 405, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Hours
Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

FAQ

Common questions, answered honestly

Don’t see your question? Call us or send a message and our team will help.

Call (904) 742-9117
How does divorce work in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault divorce state. You only need to state the marriage is "irretrievably broken." An uncontested divorce can take 4–8 weeks. Contested divorces typically run 6–18 months depending on the issues involved.
How is child custody determined in Florida?
Florida uses "time-sharing" rather than custody. Since 2023, courts begin with a presumption of equal time-sharing (50/50) unless there is a documented reason it does not serve the child's best interests. Judges consider 20 statutory factors under Florida law.
Can an existing parenting plan be modified?
Yes. Florida allows modifications when there is a substantial, material and unanticipated change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, relocation, or change in the child's needs.
What should I bring to my consultation?
Bring what you have. Don't let the lack of documents stop you from calling. Helpful items include existing court orders, financial records if relevant, and a list of your questions. Jennifer's team will guide you on what else is needed.
How much does a family law attorney cost?
Fees depend on the nature and complexity of your matter. Erlinger Family Law will explain its fee structure clearly during the consultation, with no surprises. Courts can also order the higher-earning spouse to contribute toward the other's attorney fees in some cases.
Can my spouse refuse to give me a divorce?
No. Florida is a no-fault state, so your spouse cannot prevent a divorce. They can only dispute the terms. If a spouse refuses to participate, the case can proceed by default under Florida law.
Do I need an attorney for my family law matter?
While not legally required, it is strongly advisable, especially when children, significant assets or high-conflict situations are involved. Agreements that seem fair today can have serious long-term consequences.
How does Florida calculate child support?
Florida uses an income shares model under § 61.30, based on both parents' net monthly incomes, the number of overnights, health insurance costs and childcare expenses. Jennifer walks every client through the actual calculation during the consultation.

Get started

You don’t have to figure out your next move alone.

Whether you’re considering divorce, worried about custody, dealing with a parenting-plan dispute or facing another family law problem, understanding your options is the first step.

  • Confidential consultation
  • No obligation or commitment required
  • Speak directly with Attorney Jennifer Erlinger
  • Any schedule: pick the time that works
  • Credit cards, cash & check accepted
12412 San Jose Blvd., Suite 405, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Mon – Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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