Episode Overview
In this episode of The Bow Tie Podcast, The Bow Tie Attorney sits down with Francesca Sarmiento, a Florida family law attorney and founder of Sarmiento Law Firm, for a grounded conversation about protection, dignity, and the purpose behind practicing law. We compare Florida injunctions and Illinois orders of protection, unpack a recent digital-privacy win after private photos were posted online, and walk through defamation risks, adoption insights, and the habits that help clients feel safe during their hardest seasons.
“Family law is where procedure meets people. The paperwork matters—but the person matters more.”
About the Guest
Francesca Sarmiento is a Florida family law attorney focused on protection, custody, divorce, and adoption. She founded Sarmiento Law Firm to pair courtroom rigor with compassion, emphasizing trauma-informed intake, clear communication, and practical safety planning. Her personal journey with adoption deepens her professional perspective, and her advocacy extends to digital privacy and reputation protection.
Why This Episode Matters
For Chicago & Cook County residents
- Protection tools vary by state: If you moved from Florida or have cross-border family ties, you’ll learn how Illinois orders of protection track with—but differ from—Florida injunctions.
- Reputation and the internet: Many disputes spill onto social media. You’ll hear how to preserve evidence and avoid making posts that backfire legally.
- Practical empathy: Francesca’s methods—safety planning, expectations, steady check-ins—are a model for working with counsel in crisis.
For Florida listeners and beyond
- Injunctions done right: What to document, where timelines break, and how to move fast without missing required elements.
- Adoption clarity: A humane walkthrough of consent, placement, and final hearing—tempered by lived experience.
- Purpose over posturing: A reminder that client-first advocacy is a daily practice, not a tagline.
What You’ll Learn
Injunctions vs. Orders of Protection—Florida & Illinois
- Florida (Injunctions): Often styled for protection against domestic, dating, repeat, sexual, or stalking violence. Expect a petition → temporary injunction (ex parte, if warranted) → hearing → final injunction, with specific findings and durations.
- Illinois (Orders of Protection): Civil orders under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. Track Emergency → Interim → Plenary stages with service requirements, relief categories, and confirmation hearings.
Practical crossover: Names and forms differ, but facts, safety planning, and evidence discipline travel well. Bring photos, screenshots, medical notes, police reports, witness info, and a concise timeline.
Digital-Privacy Wins When Images Leak Online
Francesca recounts a case victory removing non-consensual images, blending platform reporting, evidence preservation, and parallel legal tools.
Actionable habits:
- Preserve then report: Screenshot with visible URLs, timestamps, and profile identifiers. Save raw files and the page’s HTML if possible.
- Avoid public replies: Don’t comment on the post—you may tip off the poster or create discoverable statements.
- Coordinate remedies: Platform takedowns, protective orders, cease-and-desist letters, and, when appropriate, civil claims.
Defamation in Family Disputes
Not all venting is protected. False statements presented as fact—especially accusing crimes, abuse, or professional misconduct—can create liability.
Risk controls:
- Speak to counsel before posting sensitive allegations.
- Keep communications factual, necessary, and limited.
- Assume screenshots live forever—write like a judge will read it.
Adoption—Heart and Procedure
Francesca pairs personal story with step-by-step clarity: consents, disclosures, home studies, placement, and the final hearing.
Pitfalls to avoid:
- Informal promises or payments that violate statute.
- Incomplete medical/ background records.
- Missed notices or late filings that delay finalization.
Chicago Legal Help
FAQ
What is the difference between a Florida injunction and an Illinois order of protection?
A Florida injunction and an Illinois order of protection both aim to keep people safe from threats or violence. Procedures, forms, and terminology differ, so timelines and evidentiary showings may not match one-to-one.
What should I do if private photos were shared online during a breakup?
Preserve evidence (screenshots with URLs and timestamps), avoid engaging publicly, report through the platform’s abuse tools, and speak to counsel about takedown strategies and potential civil or criminal remedies.
Can defamation arise inside family disputes?
Yes. False statements presented as fact can create defamation exposure—even in heated domestic contexts. Get advice before posting allegations online.
How does adoption generally work in Florida?
Expect consents, background checks, and court oversight. Agencies and attorneys guide matching, placement, and the final hearing. Timelines vary; planning and documentation are key.
How can Chicago/Cook County residents get help now?
Schedule a consult with Mahmoud Faisal Elkhatib The Bow Tie Attorney. If there’s immediate danger, call local authorities and seek an emergency order of protection.
