Miami Divorce Attorneys

Family-Centered Divorce Attorneys Serving Miami-Dade County

Divorce involves more than ending a marriage. Property division, parenting plans, support obligations, and financial disclosures all require careful handling under Florida law. At Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa, our practice centers on family law, and our divorce attorneys in Miami appear regularly in the Family Division of the 11th Judicial Circuit, bringing direct familiarity with local scheduling, mediation requirements, and courtroom expectations.

We represent clients in both contested and uncontested divorce throughout Miami-Dade County, including Coral Gables, and extend representation into Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties. Whether your case involves high-net-worth assets, business interests, or a straightforward dissolution, we approach each matter with organized preparation and individualized strategy. Google Reviews from our clients consistently cite responsiveness, timely updates, and clear communication as reasons they felt supported throughout the process.

Call us at (305) 853-9161 to schedule a consultation with one of our Miami divorce attorneys and discuss your goals and options.

Why Miami Families Choose Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa for Divorce

Our practice centers on family law. We don’t divide our time across unrelated legal fields, which keeps our attorneys current on Florida family statutes, case law developments, and procedural changes that directly affect divorce cases in Miami-Dade. That focused practice keeps our preparation sharp and our advice grounded in what courts here actually expect.

Appearing regularly in the Family Division of the 11th Judicial Circuit means we understand how Miami-Dade schedules hearings, structures mediation, and expects filings to be presented. Judges and opposing counsel encounter organized submissions and structured courtroom presentations from our team, which supports efficient case progression rather than avoidable delay.

With decades of combined experience in Florida family law, our attorneys have handled matters across trial courts in Miami-Dade and neighboring counties. We serve a diverse South Florida community, and that perspective shapes how we approach custody arrangements, cultural considerations, and co-parenting dynamics. Every case receives individualized planning based on assets, parenting structures, and long-term financial considerations rather than a standard template.

Legal Pathways for Divorce in Miami

Florida courts require mediation in most contested family law cases before a trial date will be scheduled. Understanding your options before that point, and preparing for each one, shapes how the process unfolds.

Three primary paths are available to Miami couples pursuing dissolution of marriage:

• Mediation allows both parties to work toward a marital settlement agreement with the help of a neutral third party. In Florida, mediation is confidential. If an agreement is reached, the terms are documented and submitted to the court. We enter mediation sessions with organized financial disclosures and structured parenting proposals so discussions stay focused and productive.
• Collaborative divorce involves both spouses and their attorneys negotiating terms outside of court, often resulting in a more private process. This approach can work well when both parties are committed to a respectful process and want more control over the outcome.
• Traditional litigation becomes necessary when negotiation and mediation don’t produce workable terms. When a case proceeds to trial in Miami-Dade Family Court, we bring the same level of preparation we use in mediation. A judge decides contested issues based on what is equitable under Florida law.

Choosing the right path depends on the complexity of your finances, the degree of agreement between spouses, and the parenting issues at stake. We help clients evaluate each option honestly so the approach fits the situation.

The Florida Divorce Process: From Filing to Final Judgment

Divorce in Florida begins with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Under F.S. 61.021, at least one spouse must have been a Florida resident for six months before filing, and no separation period is required.

Both parties in a regular dissolution must fully disclose their financial circumstances through a Family Law Financial Affidavit. These disclosures form the foundation of property division and support discussions. We review income, assets, debts, and account documentation carefully. When businesses, investments, or professional practices are involved, we examine valuation materials with the same attention.

From there, most contested Miami-Dade cases move through mediation before any trial date is set. If mediation produces agreement, the parties sign a marital settlement agreement and the court enters a Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage. If disputes remain, the case proceeds to trial, and a judge resolves them. Contested divorces in Miami-Dade often take a year or longer to finalize. Uncontested cases can be resolved in a matter of months.

At the outset of every case, we walk clients through this sequence, from financial affidavits to mediation to potential hearings at the Lawson E. Thomas Courthouse Center, so they know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. When post-divorce circumstances change, we also handle modifications and enforcement actions to address income shifts, relocation, or evolving child needs.

Uncontested Divorce in Miami

An uncontested divorce requires both spouses to agree on all terms before the court can move forward without a contested hearing. Where no minor children are involved, no alimony is claimed, and both parties agree on all property division, a simplified dissolution of marriage may be available in Miami-Dade.

Full agreement is required on all of the following:

• Property division and allocation of marital debts
• Child support and time-sharing arrangements
• Parental responsibility and parenting plan details
• Alimony or spousal support, if applicable

In most uncontested divorces, a signed agreement outlining the agreed terms is filed with the petition. The respondent may waive the right to file a formal response, which can significantly shorten the overall timeline. This process can save time and reduce legal fees, encourage cooperation, and reduce stress, particularly when children are involved. Our Miami divorce attorneys help facilitate settlements that are fair and built to last, and we make sure each party fully understands what they’re agreeing to before the court order is entered.

Contested Divorce in Miami-Dade

A contested divorce arises when spouses can’t agree on one or more key issues. The respondent files a formal response outlining those disagreements, and the court may issue temporary orders to address immediate matters such as custody, support, or use of marital property while the case is pending.

If disputes remain unresolved after mediation, the case proceeds to trial. A judge then issues a final divorce decree based on equitable distribution principles and the best interests of any children involved. Because of the procedural steps required, contested divorces often take a year or more to finalize and carry significantly higher costs than uncontested cases.

Our divorce lawyers in Miami provide proactive representation through every stage of a contested matter. We analyze the specifics of each case, advise on realistic outcomes, and prepare structured filings and courtroom presentations. Even in highly contested situations, we work to identify settlement opportunities that can reduce delay, stress, and cost. When those opportunities aren’t available, we’re prepared to litigate with the same level of preparation we bring to every case.

Child Custody, Time-Sharing & Parenting Plans in Miami Divorce

Florida child custody law is built around time-sharing and parental responsibility rather than the traditional custody framework. Courts determine time-sharing arrangements based on the best interests of the child, considering each parent’s ability to maintain a stable routine, facilitate the child’s relationship with the other parent, and meet the child’s daily needs. Florida courts generally prefer shared parental responsibility unless it would be detrimental to the child.

What Florida Parenting Plans Must Cover

Parenting plans in Florida must address the child’s daily schedule, holiday and school break time-sharing, parent-child communication, and decision-making authority for education, health care, and other significant matters. We draft parenting plans that cover these details thoroughly because the language in a court order shapes how co-parenting actually functions long after the divorce is finalized. Clients who have gone through custody disputes with our firm often note that they felt heard during the process and that clear explanations of the best interests standard helped reduce confusion during emotionally charged moments.

Modifications and Enforcement After the Final Order

Our team handles post-judgment modifications and enforcement actions when circumstances change. Income shifts, a proposed relocation, or evolving child needs can all require court review. We guide clients through those updates with structured filings and clear timelines, and our familiarity with South Florida’s diverse community informs how we approach the cultural considerations and co-parenting dynamics that shape custody arrangements in practice.