Divorce & Mediation

Miami Divorce  & Mediation Attorneys

Protecting Your Interests with Experience, Compassion, and Discretion

Regardless of how you came to this point, many issues must be resolved in a divorce. The attorneys at  Karlan & Associates, P.A. protect your best interests while guiding you through the wrenching process. For every decision, we extend advice and support. For every dispute, we're behind you as strong legal advocates.

Free 30 minute in office consultation by appointment   305.914.5677

We represent men and women of Miami, greater Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties and communities throughout the southern Florida area. Arrange an appointment today to sit down with an experienced divorce attorney to discuss your goals and concerns.

Exploring Your Options Under Florida Divorce Law

We take the time to get to know our clients. Once we understand what's most important to you, we can devise strategies and pursue a course of action. Perhaps decisions about custody and visitation or child support are your chief concern. If your kids are adults or you didn't have any children together, the focus of your divorce may be on division of assets or spousal support.

Your divorce may take one of three paths:

• Dissolution of Marriage ("absolute divorce") - Florida is a no-fault divorce state. Either party can file to legally end the marriage, and the only grounds required are "irreconcilable differences" or "incurable insanity." All issues of property division, custody, and financial support must be resolved before the decree is granted. Our divorce lawyers can help you work out an agreement through mediation and negotiation, or vigorously state your case in divorce court litigation.
• Legal Separation ("limited divorce") - Legal separation is identical to a divorce, without the divorce decree. Property and marital assets are divided between the parties; child custody, visitation, and support matters are determined; and separate finances are established. We can advise you whether a divorce or a legal separation is the best way to protect yourself.
• Annulment - Similar to a Catholic annulment, a legal annulment is a determination that the marriage was not valid in the first place. Assets may be divided differently than in a divorce, and you should consult a divorce attorney to see if you qualify. Grounds for annulment include: incestuous marriage; bigamous marriage; petitioner's age at time of marriage; prior existing marriage; unsound mind; fraud; force; and physical incapacity.

What is Divorce & Custody Mediation?

Mediation is a process that helps all parties communicate effectively as they clarify information, better understand each other's perspectives, develop possible alternatives, explore consequences, and make decisions. The Mediator will not make decisions about “right and wrong” or determine how to resolve the conflict. If both parties choose, the Mediator can prepare a Memorandum of Understanding containing decisions reached in mediation.

Couples get divorced for a reason. Once it is clear that this is to be their path, the focus should turn to the present and to tomorrow, rather than yesterday. Divorce Litigation is all about yesterday.  Mediation is about making tomorrow better. If the split is civil today, it will be easier to focus on themselves and support their kids. Parents can still enjoy being in the same room and can share their kids' birthdays, graduations and weddings. Rather than live in the past—which each spouse is getting divorced to escape—focus on tomorrow, which is the reason you're getting divorced....so tomorrow can be better.

Mediation is a confidential process, and the Mediator will not reveal anything discussed in mediation without permission from all parties.

Compassionate and Discreet

We understand that you may not want the other spouse or family members to know you have consulted an attorney. Your discussion is kept in strictest confidence. We take the time to listen to your needs and goals, and explain the process step-by-step. We explore alternatives to litigation (mediation or collaborative divorce), but our dedicated divorce lawyers will aggressively protect your interests if your case goes to court. We have the knowledge to handle all related issues, including premarital agreements, paternity, and domestic violence.

Contact our Miami office at 305.914.5677 for experienced, compassionate, and discreet representation. In your free consultation, we will explain the process, discuss your options, and estimate your costs