Best Family Lawyer in Miami
JESUS SANCHELIMA
Family Lawyer
As a Registered Patent Attorney Mr. Sanchelima co-founded the firm in 1977 as one of the first Hispanic Registered Patent Attorney in the United States. He earned his bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering with honors from the University of Florida and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
He is admitted to the Florida Bar, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), the American Bar Association (ABA), the Inter-American Association of Industrial Property (ASIPI), the Cuban-American Bar Association (CABA) and the International Trademark Association (INTA), Author: Mr. Sanchelima has also written articles in the Trademark Reporter regarding Intellectual Property issues in Cuba. Professor: Adjunct Law School Professor at Florida International University Languages: Spanish and English.
Mrs. Milena Mitraud
Family Lawyer
Upper Canada, Quebec Bar, and the Brazilian Bar, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her practice. Specializing in immigration, trademark, and business-related issues, she offers comprehensive support to clients.
Additionally, Milena Mitraud is a Brazilian Accountant and member of AILA -American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is well-equipped to serve her clients across various legal areas. Clients can rely on her expertise and dedication to assist them in their cross-border transactions and legal matters.
Cristiane Repukna is a skilled immigration paralegal with over 20 years of experience. She possesses a deep understanding of immigration and nationality law, specializing in both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, including family-based and employment-based visas, consular processing,
VAWA, and I-601 waivers.
Cristiane’s expertise extends to the legal requirements and documentation for business immigration filings. With extensive knowledge and experience, clients can expect reliable expertise and exceptional service in navigating the complexities of immigration law.
P.J. Mitchell, JR.
Family Lawyer
P.J. Mitchell, is the founder and an equity partner in Mitchell & West, LLC. Mr. Mitchell is an aggressive lawyer who devotes himself to the fight for justice while maintaining the highest ethical standards of professionalism. To date, Mr. Mitchell has tried over forty cases to a conclusion.
He represents parties in civil and criminal matters. In civil matters, he concentrates his practice on civil litigation, primarily handling plaintiff’s claims, including but not limited to:
- In criminal matters, he concentrates his practice on cases wherein the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution has been implicated.
- Actions for negligent security against property owners wherein the victims have been murdered or sexually assaulted
- Premises liability claims
- Trucking litigation
- Civil rights violations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Product liability claims
- Medical malpractice claims
- Wrongful death claims
Antonio Pagan, P.L.
Family Lawyer
Antonio Pagan, P.L., is a full-service law firm that is dedicated to offering the highest calibre legal representation in a cost-effective manner. In 2008 Attorney Antonio Pagan opened a law firm focusing on the great economic recession and real estate crisis. Our primary practice of bankruptcy and real estate litigation was dedicated to helping families in foreclosure with evaluating their home retention options through foreclosure defense and real estate litigation, the filing of chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, loan modifications, short sales, deed in lieu of foreclosure and other loss mitigation techniques. The firm has also assisted many people in dealing with wage garnishments, car repossessions, collection actions related to medical bills, drivers’ license suspension for not paying car accident judgments, and other debt collection matters and lawsuits. We help each client in developing a plan of rehabilitation and credit repair to quickly reestablish themselves.
In dealing people going through financial hardships and bankruptcy there is a tremendous overlap with family law. Many people who go through a divorce often need to file a bankruptcy at some point, and financial hardships often create great strain on relationships leading to divorce. As a result, we started a full-service family law practice ten years ago specializing in divorce and paternity cases. Attorney Antonio Pagan and his law firm handle all family law matters, including, but not limited to: Adoption, Alimony, Child Custody and Parental Responsibility, Child Support, Divorce, Family Law Mediation and Collaborative Divorces, Marital Settlement Agreements, Modification of Child Support, Modification of Alimony, Military Divorces, Parental-Child Relocation, Paternity, Parenting Plan Agreements, Prenuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements, Property and Marital Settlement Agreements, and Time-sharing and Visitation Cases. Our passionate and caring family law attorneys and family law mediators take pride in offering quality legal services at a reasonable and affordable price. We work diligently to protect our client’s interests while minimizing the adversarial and stressful nature of family law proceedings. Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties for over 10 years
Nicole Alvarez
Family Lawyer
Nicole Alvarez joined Foster-Morales PLLC in 2010. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Alvarez spent her summers clerking for both the Honorable Robert N. Scola, Jr., who was a Florida Circuit Court Judge at the time, and the Honorable Berle M. Schiller, a Federal Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Ms. Alvarez is also a certified family law mediator. Ms. Alvarez attended and successfully completed the Family Law Section Trial Advocacy Workshop in July 2017, and also attended the 2013 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Institute for Family Law Associates in Chicago, Illinois. In 2012, Ms. Alvarez gave a CLE lecture on Handling Pro Bono Divorce, which was organized by the Cuban American Bar Association.
Ms. Alvarez is a member of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, as well as a member of the Dade County Bar Association and the Cuban American Bar Association.
Ms. Alvarez was a member of the Law Review while at Drexel, and was a Founding Member and Vice President of the Latin American Law Student Association of Drexel Law, as well as a Founding Member and Secretary of Drexel Business Law Organization. Prior to law school, Ms. Alvarez earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College where she double-majored in Government and Legal Studies, and Sociology.
Samah T. Abukhodeir
Family Lawyer
Samah (“Sam”) T. Abukhodeir was born and raised in Lake Wales, Florida. Following high school, Ms. Abukhodeir moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Minor in Arabic and Child Development at Florida State University. Ms. Abukhodeir obtained her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she was on the Dean’s List and earned two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Islamic/Sharia Law and Judicial Externship.
While in law school, Ms. Abukhodeir worked as a Graduate Assistant to Law Professor Cyra Choudhury and was a judicial intern for the Honorable Marisa Tinkler Mendez, Circuit Court Judge in the Criminal Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade, Florida, and the Honorable Maria M. Korvick, Circuit Court Judge in the Probate Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade, Florida.
After law school, Ms. Abukhodeir returned to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida as a staff attorney/case manager for the Honorable Maria M. Korvick, the Administrative Probate Judge.
Ms. Abukhodeir has taught Probate, Guardianship, and Estate Planning in the Medical Legal Guardianship Clinic at Florida International University College of Law. Additionally, she currently teaches Epistemology at the Honors College at Florida International University.
Ms. Abukhodeir practices in the areas of Estates, Trusts, Guardianships, Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, Elder Law, and Family Law. Ms. Abukhodeir is fluent in English and Arabic.
Odalys Sanchez Elkins
Family Lawyer
Odalys Sanchez Elkins understands the problems facing many families today and is dedicated to the pursuit of justice for those who need a strong voice in court.
She was born in Havana, Cuba. Her parents were forced to send her to the United States when she was seven years old through an exodus movement known as “Operation Peter Pan”, which protected children in the early 1960’s from the oppressive Cuban government.
When she arrived in the United States with her 4 year old brother, they were both processed at the Freedom Tower in Miami, then placed in temporary foster care with a local family. She attended St. Peter & Paul Catholic School, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Miami.
Her mother fled Cuba two years later, recovered the children, and moved to Chicago in search of better opportunities. They encountered many challenges and learned to overcome and rise above them. Odalys moved back to Miami in 1976 and graduated from American Sr. High School. She was married shortly after that and had three children only to find herself raising her children as a single mother.
Norma Iglesias Pacheco
Family Lawyer
Ms. Pacheco has been practicing since September of 2000. She has conducted jury trials and bench trials. After litigating insurance defense cases for almost eight years, she has focused her area of practice in Family Law for the remaining time. Ms. Pacheco is well versed in the areas of divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic violence. She also handles high conflict and high asset cases. Ms. Pacheco also serves as a Guardian ad Litem, representing children in contested custody cases and she also mediates family cases.
- University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
- J.D. – 2000
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
- B.A. – 1997
- Honors: With Honors
- Honors: President’s List
- Honors: Provost’s List
- Honors: Dean’s List
- Honors: Psi Chi
- Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society
- Major: Psychology
Can spouses get a fair share of marital property via mediation?
Mediation is an increasingly popular method for resolving disputes in divorce, including the division of marital property. It offers a more collaborative and less adversarial approach than traditional litigation. However, whether spouses can achieve a fair share of marital property through mediation depends on several factors.
1. Understanding Mediation
- What is Mediation?: Mediation is a process in which a neutral third-party mediator assists the spouses in negotiating and reaching a mutual agreement on the division of marital property. The mediator does not make decisions but facilitates communication and helps both parties explore potential solutions.
- Voluntary Process: Mediation is a voluntary process, and both parties must agree to participate. It is also confidential, meaning that the discussions and agreements made during mediation are not disclosed in court unless both parties agree.
2. Advantages of Mediation
- Cost-Effective: Mediation is generally less expensive than going to court, as it often requires fewer hours and avoids lengthy legal procedures.
- Time-Saving: The process is usually faster than litigation, allowing spouses to reach an agreement more quickly and move forward with their lives.
- Control and Flexibility: Mediation allows spouses to have more control over the outcome, as they work together to find a solution that suits both parties. The flexibility of mediation can lead to more creative and tailored agreements.
3. Achieving Fairness in Mediation
- Balanced Negotiation: For mediation to result in a fair division of marital property, both spouses must enter the process with a willingness to negotiate in good faith. The presence of a mediator helps ensure that the negotiation is balanced and that neither spouse dominates the discussion.
- Disclosure of Assets: Full disclosure of all marital assets is essential for a fair division. Both parties must be transparent about their financial situation, including income, debts, property, and other assets.
- Legal Advice: While mediators do not provide legal advice, it is advisable for each spouse to consult with their attorney before and during the mediation process. Legal counsel can help ensure that their rights are protected and that the agreement is fair.
4. Potential Challenges
- Power Imbalances: If there is a significant power imbalance between the spouses, such as one spouse being more financially knowledgeable or assertive, this can affect the fairness of the mediation process. In such cases, additional safeguards or the presence of attorneys may be necessary.
- Emotional Dynamics: Divorce can be an emotionally charged process, and unresolved anger or resentment can hinder effective communication. A skilled mediator can help manage these emotions, but spouses must be willing to set aside personal conflicts to reach a fair agreement.
5. Finalizing the Agreement
- Legal Review: Once an agreement is reached in mediation, it should be reviewed by each spouse’s attorney to ensure that it is fair and complies with state laws. The agreement can then be drafted into a formal legal document, often called a “marital settlement agreement.”
- Court Approval: The final agreement is submitted to the court for approval. If the court finds the agreement fair and in compliance with the law, it will be incorporated into the final divorce decree.
Conclusion
Mediation can be an effective way for spouses to achieve a fair share of marital property during a divorce. It provides a more collaborative, cost-effective, and flexible alternative to traditional litigation. However, the fairness of the outcome depends on both parties’ willingness to negotiate in good faith, full disclosure of assets, and access to legal advice. When these conditions are met, mediation can lead to a mutually beneficial agreement that reflects the interests of both spouses.