Miami Divorce Attorney

Last updated on August 5, 2026

Ending a marriage is a major life change that requires a smart plan to protect your rights as a parent and your financial future. Led by Miami divorce lawyer Lawrence S. Katz – a respected fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) with over 50 years of experience – The Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katz, P.A., focuses on the strategic “ferreting” of hidden assets. He solves international legal disputes that standard firms are not prepared to handle. As a premier divorce lawyer in Miami, he provides the high-level representation needed for high-stakes child custody, child support changes and the complex division of property in South Florida and abroad.

Whether you are creating a parenting plan or finding offshore bank accounts, you can rely on Miami divorce attorney Lawrence Katz to provide the careful and professional legal help your case deserves. To get a professional assessment of your situation, call the firm at 786-304-1180 today or use the contact form to schedule your consultation.

Why Hire A Miami Divorce Attorney?

Choosing the right lawyer during a divorce can make all the difference. Attorney Katz offers a unique combination of experience, recognition and results that few others can match.

• Over five decades of proven experience: With more than 50 years focused on family law and complex international divorce cases, Mr. Katz provides a depth of knowledge that only decades of high-level practice can produce.
• A legacy of excellence in Miami and beyond: Since founding the firm in 1968, he has established a long-standing reputation for excellence, serving clients in Miami-Dade County and throughout the international legal community.
• Elite global leadership in international disputes: As a recognized leader in child abduction and foreign relocation cases, he is a fellow of IAFL, an elite group representing the top tier of practitioners worldwide.
• A trusted adviser to the legal profession: He frequently serves as a consultant and expert witness for other law firms, providing guidance on the most difficult multijurisdictional and international matters.
• The highest level of peer recognition: His work has earned him the AV Preeminent peer-review rating* through Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers for 15 years, demonstrating a high level of trust and respect from fellow attorneys across the country and abroad.
• A track record of shaping international law. His litigation and published works have influenced policy and changed laws regarding international custody. For these lasting contributions, he received the prestigious Bill Hilton Memorial Award for exceptional contributions to international family law.

Clients benefit from working directly with a seasoned attorney who provides strategic, effective representation tailored to the complexity of their case. Whether you are facing a straightforward dissolution of marriage or a multijurisdictional dispute involving international custody or high-value assets, you will have a trusted advocate committed to protecting your rights.

Trusted By The Legal Community

Mr. Katz is not just a practitioner; he is a teacher to the legal profession. His deep knowledge of financial recovery and jurisdictional strategy makes him a sought-after authority for other law firms.

He has served as a featured lecturer for the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section and the IAFL. He educates the legal community on critical topics such as “Ferreting and Fetching Hidden Assets Abroad” and the use of “Economic Injunctions and Freeze Orders” to stop the disappearance of marital wealth.

What Is Dissolution Of Marriage?

Florida law refers to divorce as a dissolution of marriage. The bonds of matrimony are dissolved, and if necessary, a judge decides how to divide marital property, time with the children and other issues, including:

• Division of marital assets
• Division of businesses and investment properties
• Division of debts
• Parenting and time-sharing arrangements with the children
• Child support
• Spousal support or alimony
• Attorney fees and costs

The Divorce Process In Florida

The Florida divorce process involves multiple steps that vary in complexity depending on the circumstances of the marriage and the parties’ ability to reach an agreement. Typically, one spouse files a petition for dissolution of marriage in the circuit court in the county where the couple last lived together as husband and wife.

Either spouse can file with or without a Miami divorce attorney, but an experienced family law lawyer is highly recommended if you have children or assets and debts to divide, as these issues are very complex and can have a long-lasting impact.

The length of time it takes to complete a divorce in Florida depends on the circumstances of the case. When spouses are in full agreement, an uncontested divorce can sometimes be settled within a few weeks. Contested divorces, on the other hand, may take many months or even longer than a year, especially if complex financial issues or custody disputes arise.

Couples who want to move the process forward more quickly can prepare in advance by collecting financial records, drafting proposed plans for dividing assets and debts, and, when children are involved, creating a parenting plan for the court’s review.

Is Florida A No-Fault Divorce State?

Florida is a no-fault state, which means that it is not necessary to prove that either party is at fault for the marriage ending in divorce. Nonetheless, fault may be relevant to issues such as child custody, alimony and dividing assets. For this reason, depending on your circumstances, it may be advisable to prove that the other spouse was at fault, which attorney Katz will determine as part of developing a strategy.

Responding To Divorce Papers In Florida

The responding spouse must file an answer within 20 days of being served with a copy of the divorce petition. If minor children are involved, each party must provide financial information and submit child support worksheets. If you and your spouse agree on property division, a parenting plan inclusive of time-sharing, child support and other issues, you may enter into a written agreement and present the agreement to the court.

What Is A Contested Divorce?

A divorce becomes contested when spouses cannot agree on key issues such as child custody, child support, property division or alimony. Communication often breaks down in these situations, making compromise difficult. Even couples without children may find themselves in a contested divorce if they cannot resolve disagreements over how marital and nonmarital property or debts should be divided.

Contested divorces move through Florida’s divorce process in an adversarial manner. The party who files a divorce petition first is known as the petitioner. He or she must allege in the petition that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that the other spouse is mentally incapacitated.

Often, courts order parties to mediate their cases before the final hearing. Successful mediation can save both parties significant time and money. Mr. Katz has extensive training and experience in the process.

What Is An Uncontested Divorce?

An uncontested divorce happens when both spouses reach an agreement on all major matters. Because there is no dispute to resolve, the process is typically quicker, less complicated and less costly than a contested case. Still, the outcome is important and should not be rushed. The terms you agree to, especially when children are involved, can shape your financial stability and your parenting responsibilities for years to come.

Once both spouses sign a settlement agreement that resolves all major issues, the case still requires a short hearing before a judge. In an uncontested divorce, this hearing is typically quick, and only the filing spouse needs to appear unless the other spouse is also requesting a legal name change.

Working with an experienced Miami uncontested divorce lawyer like Lawrence Katz can make the process more efficient and less stressful. He helps clients prepare agreements that meet legal requirements, protect their rights and minimize the chance of future disputes.

In many cases, uncontested divorce mediation can be a helpful tool, allowing couples to work out the details of property division, parenting time and support with the assistance of a neutral mediator. Mediation not only saves time and expense but also encourages cooperative solutions that reduce conflict and help families move forward.

Property And Asset Division In A Divorce

One of the most challenging aspects of divorce is determining how to fairly divide property, assets and debts. Florida follows the principle of equitable distribution, which means that marital property is divided fairly, though not always equally, between both spouses. In most cases, marital property covers both assets and debts accumulated during the marriage, including:

• Real estate, including the family home and investment properties
• Bank accounts, retirement funds and pensions
• Businesses or professional practices
• Vehicles, valuable collections and personal property
• Debts such as mortgages, credit cards and loans

Certain property may be classified as nonmarital, such as inheritances or assets acquired before the marriage, but disputes often arise over how these items should be treated.

Attorney Katz provides the knowledge and strategy needed to handle complex property division. He works with financial experts when necessary to ensure accurate valuations, reveal hidden assets and protect his clients’ financial interests. His decades of experience help clients pursue fair outcomes while reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

Whether your case involves dividing a family home, multiple properties or substantial business holdings, you can count on his firm to provide clear guidance and strong advocacy at every step.

Beyond Equitable Distribution: Strategic “Ferreting” Of Marital Assets

Sometimes, spouses with significant wealth often use complex maneuvers to shield assets, from underreporting cash income to placing money in offshore trusts where ownership remains hidden. Miami divorce attorney Lawrence S. Katz focuses on the strategic “ferreting” of hidden assets. Drawing on over 50 years of experience and a deep understanding of financial tracking, he uses powerful legal tools to protect your interests:

• Economic injunctions and freeze orders: He is a recognized leader in securing domestic and foreign “freeze orders.” These legal actions prevent a spouse from spending or hiding marital property while the case is active.
• Discovery of offshore interests: The divorce attorney goes beyond basic financial forms. He identifies and values international business interests, foreign real estate and offshore accounts that standard firms often miss.
• Valuation of complex holdings: From intellectual property and art collections to the value of a family business, he ensures every marital asset is accurately valued under Florida law.
• Fiduciary duty enforcement: He holds spouses accountable to their legal duty to act in good faith. He seeks financial penalties or a larger share of the assets when a spouse tries to hide money.
• Foreign asset retrieval: When money has already been moved out of the country, he uses international legal protocols to track and fetch those marital funds.

Under Florida law, the goal is a fair distribution. However, “fair” is only possible when the entire marital estate is fully transparent. Whether your case involves a family home in Miami or a global investment portfolio, attorney Katz provides the relentless advocacy needed to secure the wealth you deserve.

Same-Sex Divorce In Florida

Same-sex couples in Florida have the same right to divorce as any other couple, but unique challenges can arise in these cases. Questions may surface around parental rights, the division of property obtained before marriage equality became law or international custody concerns. These factors can add layers of complexity that require knowledgeable legal guidance.

Working with an experienced Miami same-sex divorce lawyer ensures that your rights are protected throughout the process. Attorney Katz has decades of family law experience and a long history of resolving complicated legal matters. He can guide you through property division, child custody, support arrangements and, if needed, international jurisdictional disputes. His goal is to help clients achieve fair resolutions while minimizing unnecessary conflict.

Complex And High-Asset Divorces

Some divorces involve more than just dividing a home and shared bank account. When there are multiple properties, business interests, retirement accounts, inheritances or valuable investments, the process becomes significantly more complicated. In these situations, it is critical to work with an attorney who understands the financial and legal complexities of a high-stakes case.

Attorney Katz regularly represents clients in high-asset divorce matters throughout Miami and beyond. He also has the knowledge and resources to uncover hidden assets that could impact the fair distribution of marital property. His extensive background in complex family law makes him uniquely qualified to protect your financial future.

Complex Divorce Resolution Options In Miami

High-asset cases often benefit from customized strategies that go beyond standard litigation. Depending on your circumstances, potential approaches may include:

• Divorce mediation to reduce conflict and work toward practical, cooperative agreements
• Collaborative divorce, where both spouses and their attorneys commit to resolving issues outside of court
• Targeted litigation for disputes involving property valuation, inheritance claims or international assets
• Expert financial analysis to ensure a fair accounting of businesses, real estate and investments

With more than 50 years of legal experience, Lawrence Katz helps clients select the most effective resolution path for their unique situation, always with the goal of achieving efficient, fair and lasting results.

Seeking Resolutions Through Divorce Mediation In Miami

If parties are not able to reach an agreement, some counties in Florida require mediation before setting a trial date. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party meets with the spouses, facilitates negotiations and encourages resolution of disputed issues.

If mediation is unsuccessful, your case must go to trial, at which time both spouses have an opportunity to present evidence to the court. The judge makes the final decision on all contested issues.

How Long Do You Have To Live In Florida To File For A Divorce?

One of the spouses must have lived in Florida for a minimum of six months prior to filing. This residency requirement gives Florida courts jurisdiction over divorce proceedings.

Is My Divorce A Public Record In Florida?

In Florida, divorce records that are filed with the court are generally public records. This means that the documents filed during the divorce process are accessible to the public. However, sensitive information such as financial disclosures and details involving children may be sealed by the court. A Miami divorce attorney like Lawrence Katz can guide clients on how to protect their privacy and what information might be accessible to the public. He can help you take the right steps to safeguard sensitive information.

What Is The Divorce Rate In Florida?

According to recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics, Florida has a slightly higher divorce rate than the national average, at 3.1 divorces per 1,000 people. The national average is 2.4 per 1,000, according to that same data. However, Florida divorce rates have slightly declined over the past decade. The rate varies for specific demographics and is influenced by socioeconomic factors.

International Divorce Representation

Divorce cases that cross international borders involve unique challenges such as jurisdiction disputes, enforcement of foreign court orders and international custody matters. Few attorneys have the experience to handle these cases effectively.

Attorney Katz is a seasoned Miami international divorce lawyer who has represented clients in cases involving multiple countries and legal systems, including matters in Russia, Turkey, China and Latin America. He provides strategic guidance on complex jurisdictional issues, international child abduction cases and enforcement of international custody and support orders. His global perspective and proven track record set him apart as a trusted advocate in international family law.

For instance, attorney Katz demonstrated his skill in complex jurisdictional disputes in the case Sarpel v. Eflanli, where he effectively utilized anti-suit injunctions and “mirror orders” to manage legal proceedings in Turkey.

Call An Experienced Miami Divorce Attorney For Guidance On Your Divorce

Miami divorce lawyer Lawrence Katz can help you understand the divorce process and guide you through each step in a timely and cost-effective manner. He will take a firm stand to protect your rights and work to achieve the best possible resolution for you and your family. If you are seeking a divorce or have been served with divorce papers, contact attorney Katz today at 786-304-1180. Se habla español.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.