About Jay Henderlite

Attorney John M. “Jay” Henderlite, III, is committed to the firm’s mission of helping our clients achieve a better life by the end of their case. In 2025, he began a media campaign to change the narrative on divorce, custody and family law. His Split Happens podcast with News4Jax personality Katie Garner turns what you think you know about divorce and family law on its head by delivering witty yet insightful commentary about how your family law case can make your life better than you ever thought possible.

Check out the media page, follow the Split Happens podcast, or follow the firm on social media to check out our content.

Jay is a recognized divorce and custody expert.  He is Board Certified in Marital and Family law by the Florida bar, making him an expert in the field of family law. Only 7% of all lawyers in Florida are board certified, but 100% of the partners at Sasso, Guerrero & Henderlite have earned that distinction. Board certification means Jay passed a rigorous written exam and is recognized by his peers and the judiciary as an expert in family law based on his trial successes, mediation skills, and knowledge of the law.

An adoptive parent, Jay focuses much of his practice on improving the lives of children in high conflict custody cases.  He is the most experienced attorney in Northeast Florida on resist and refuse dynamics in families (commonly referred to as parental alienation).  Known for his calm yet calculating trial demeanor and his fierce negotiation skills, Jay regularly tries complex family law cases. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. While Jay’s practice focuses primarily on litigation, he believes that only the best negotiators are the ones who have sat at every seat in the room. Because of his mediation experience, Jay can see a case from all angles and achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.

Jay is the current co-chair (3 years running) of the Jacksonville Bar Association Family Law Committee, a long-standing Executive Committee member of the Florida Family Law Inn of Court, and the President of the Board of Directors of the Family Nurturing Center of Florida.  He has lectured at numerous Jacksonville Bar Association Continuing Legal Education events and was a prior presenter at January 2025 Jacksonville Bar Association Family Law Section Continuing Legal Education Program. He also regularly consults with his family law colleagues throughout Northeast Florida on high conflict custody cases.  His mission is to raise the standard of practice to make sure the rights of children in family law cases are protected from the conflict between their parents.

Jay splits his time between the Downtown Jacksonville Office (located in the Cathedral District, where he is on the Board of Directors of Cathedral District Jacksonville) and the Fernandina Beach, FL office.