DIRECT. DETERMINED. DEDICATED.
 Experience you need. Results you want.
Our law office is conveniently located in Pensacola, FL 
(850) 456-5779

Practice Areas


Our team is well-versed in a variety of family & criminal law-related matters and we can help you understand the legal, emotional and financial implications of your case and the issues and benefits that go along with it.
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Divorce

Whether your divorce requires aggressive representation or a more harmonious approach, we will help you resolve everything with as little drama as possible.

Family Law

When a marriage begins to fail, it is natural to be filled with uncertainty. Get the answers to your questions and stop feeling helpless.

Military Divorce

We are located near Corry Station and NAS Pensacola. For 35 years we have handled problems that are unique to active duty and retired military service members.

Criminal Defense 

We have tried, settled or defended numerous criminal cases. Steven W. Bowden is a former Assistant State Attorney.
Picture of Steven W. Bowden
FREE CONSULTATION 
FROM A LOCAL PENSACOLA, FL ATTORNEY

Contact our Pensacola, Florida law office today to schedule a free, no obligation case assessment. Steven W. Bowden will personally review your case and explain your legal options. We’ll do our best to address any questions that you might have and help you understand the process that’s about to unfold. 
FREE CONSULTATION

Paying attention to client expectations


"Have you read enough web pages that are all fluff and buzz words? Maybe they all read alike, because they are all written by Marketing Gurus."
I, Steven W. Bowden, a lawyer with 35 years of experience, wrote the contents of this web page. Almost all of that experience involves depositions, trials, hearings or representing clients in court. This firm represents clients throughout Florida with client contact in person or by email.

If you are in the Military, there are particular things you must know if involved in a court in Florida. This firm has the knowledge and experience required to address the special needs of its Military clients. We have many Military clients since we are located 1 mile outside of Corry Station entrance off New Warrington Rd. and near NAS Pensacola. The firm has also represented service members and spouses stationed on NAS, Pensacola, Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton beach and Eglin Air Force Base among others.

My firm’s practice areas are listed in the menu at the top of the page. The information included on each one is intended to give you a start as to what you need to know regarding each subject matter. Maybe it will help you get through the night or weekend, or save you from making a mistake.
It is written for you. If you need more information, call or make a free appointment to discuss your situation with me. If you come in, I will discuss your problem with you and give you experienced advice regarding the issue and the expectations of what is going to happen next. I won’t tell you “what you want to hear" or offer a low price just to get your business. You may not like what you are told, but it will be realistic and what you need to hear. You will get my best effort, expertise and experience with aggression and maybe a little attitude! My staff will treat you like your Grandmother might. They will listen to you and help you get through tough times in a comforting manner. We make a good team to represent you.

If you need help after reading our practice area content, call or come in. It is FREE for the initial consultation.

Respectfully Yours,
Steven W. Bowden, Esq.
FREE Consultation

What Our Clients Say About Us


“Mr. Bowden has extensive knowledge serving clients with military background and knows all of the in and outs of said law. Thanks to him and his team, I filed in June, and divorce was final in November of the same year.”
David Helvey
Hurlburt Field, FL
“He fought for me like I was family and that is the best feeling in the world when you feel like your back is to a wall! I would recommend Mr. Bowden to anyone!”
Giovanni LaCognata
 Gulf Breeze, FL
“Mr. Bowden is an exceptional attorney, caring professional and outstanding person. He bent over backwards to help me in my time of need and took the time to listen to all details about my case.” 
Tony Crisco 
Pensacola, FL
Steven Bowden worked aggressively on my case and was able to get the case moved from Escambia to Bay County. I was able to keep my child from moving to another school in Pensacola.”
Daniel Simmons
Milton, FL

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Blog & News


stalking photograph
By Steven Bowden 20 Dec, 2018
Stalking is a very serious offense under Florida law, as well it should be. From a victim’s perspective, stalking is one of the more scary crimes that can be committed against them. Stalking not only involves an invasion of privacy, but it also incites a great deal of fear in the victim, and more often than not results in grave harm or danger to the victim. Because of this, stalking is a criminal offense in all 50 states; however, in Florida, stalking can be charged as a misdemeanor as well, which will be explained in more detail later on. No matter the degree of stalking committed, however, the perpetrator can expect to spend up to at least one full year in jail for the crime. What is Considered “Stalking”? Stalking is generally considered to be a pattern of following, watching, or monitoring another person with the sole intent to harass, frighten, intimidate, threaten, or cause emotional duress. The act of stalking is varied in nature, and can include the following: Following someone, both on a one-time and on a routine basis; Driving past or randomly showing up at someone’s residence, place of work, or school; Monitoring a person’s computer, cell phone, or social networking activity (otherwise known as cyberstalking); Monitoring a person’s whereabouts via a secretly implanted GPS device on their vehicle or person; Sending unwanted letters, gifts, or emails; Creating unwanted contact via phone calls and text messages; Secretly videotaping or photographing someone; Gathering information about a person without their permission via public records, internet searches, private investigators, or by contacting the person’s friends, family members, and acquaintances; Threatening to harm the victim’s friends, family members, or pets, or even the victim themselves; and Performing damage to the person’s home, vehicle, or other property. So, When is Stalking Considered a Misdemeanor, and when is It Considered a Felony? Under Florida law, a person who repeatedly, willfully, and maliciously follows or harasses another person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. However, should the stalker repeatedly, willfully, and maliciously follow or harass another individual, and make a credible threat towards that person with the intent to cause fear of death or bodily harm, the offender will be charged with a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, and a $5,000 fine, or no less than five years, and no more than 10 for a habitual felony offender.
By Steven Bowden 29 Sep, 2018
While most married couples choose where to reside, the U.S. military decides where active service members live and for how long. Relocating, often repeatedly, and lengthy deployments place a lot of stress on Florida military families and marriages. Laws applicable to military divorces differ from non-military divorces, whether a service member is stationed stateside or overseas. In some ways, military spouses have more divorce issues than other couples. Jurisdictional options open when divorcing service members have been stationed or married somewhere other than their states of origin. You don’t have to divorce in the state where you were married, but you must divorce in a state where residency requirements have been satisfied. Federal laws are incorporated in military divorces which are granted by states under civilian laws. States have different requirements for how long a person must live there before being considered an official resident. Some states have no time limits to establish residency — in Florida, at least one spouse must live in or be stationed in the state a minimum of six months before a divorce petition can be filed. A half year residency may seem like an easily attainable goal, unless your address has been bounced around by the U.S. military. There may be several states where you can file, but divorce laws vary widely. Spouses also must consider how individual states view separation, grounds for divorce, division of military benefits, child custody, support and alimony. A complete legal assessment should factor in any added time and costs of taking legal action in another state. Keep in mind, if you do file for divorce in a state other than the one in which you now live, you may need to retain another lawyer, specifically licensed to practice family law in that state. Among other services, a civilian attorney can advise military personnel or their spouses about jurisdictional rules for divorce.
By Steven Bowden 02 Aug, 2018
A law that went into effect on July 1, the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act addresses issues of child custody and visitation that arise when parents are deployed in the military or another national service. With several military bases around and near Pensacola, FL. an effort to widen control military service members being deployed have over issues concerning their children is great for those dealing with Family Law issues here in Florida. This act has been enacted in 13 states and provides more framework for military parents deploying to find agreements for their child’s care. Florida will be the 14th state to take on the new law which allows a deploying person to enter into quick agreements for child time-sharing and custody issues with the other parent. In addition, it allows for timely court hearings to decide settlements if there are disagreements between parents, prohibits the entry of a permanent custody arrangement prior to a deployment, and termination of a temporary agreement when a service member returns. In addition, the new law allows a person who is deploying to have a broader selection of people who can be given “caretaking” authority over a child where the current law only allows for a designee to be a “family member, step-parent, or relative of the child by marriage,” according to a House staff analysis. “The bill allows a deployed parent to grant caretaking authority to a nonparent with whom the child has a close positive relationship of substantial duration and depth,” the report states. The law’s ultimate goal is to empower the deploying parent so that when they deploy, they are not compromising or negatively affecting their relationship with their child. To read the full bill that took effect, visit the Florida Senate’s page .
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