A transactional family practice
The firm's family law work is limited to agreements and planning documents. It does not handle contested divorce, custody, or support litigation. That focus keeps the work oriented toward drafting instruments that are clear, fair in process and durable.
What makes an agreement durable
- Full and candid financial disclosure by both parties.
- Independent counsel for each party, or a documented, informed decision to proceed otherwise.
- Adequate time before the wedding or signing, so that voluntariness is evident.
- Terms that are internally consistent and clearly drafted, including what the agreement does not cover.
- Attention to the categories Florida law treats differently and to provisions that cannot be contracted away.
Where family, business and immigration overlap
A marital agreement that touches a closely held business has to be consistent with the operating or shareholder agreement, buy-sell provisions and any investor documents. Where one spouse is a foreign national, the agreement should also be reviewed against the record in a marriage-based immigration case so that the two are not in tension.
How an agreement is prepared
Marital and personal agreements are drafted around disclosure and the documents that already govern the business.
- 01
Objectives
What each person wants protected, and what already exists on paper.
- 02
Disclosure
Organized financial and ownership information from both sides.
- 03
Drafting
Terms written to match company and estate documents rather than contradict them.
- 04
Review and signing
Independent review, revisions and execution with proper formalities.
General sequence only. It is not legal advice and does not predict eligibility, cost or timing in any particular matter.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- Does the firm handle divorce litigation?
- No. The practice is limited to marital and family agreements and related planning documents. Contested divorce, custody and support litigation are referred to family law trial counsel.
- Can one attorney represent both of us?
- No. The firm represents one party. Independent representation for the other party supports both fairness and the durability of the agreement.
- How far before the wedding should we start?
- As early as practicable. Agreements signed close to a wedding date invite arguments about pressure, and disclosure and negotiation take time to do properly.
- Does a prenuptial agreement affect an immigration case?
- It can be part of the overall record in a marriage-based case. The agreement and the immigration filing should be reviewed together so that the financial picture they present is consistent.
- Can an agreement decide child custody?
- Provisions concerning children are treated differently from financial provisions and courts retain authority over matters affecting children. Agreements should be drafted with that limitation in mind.
Official sources
Consult the official sources above for current rules and procedures.