Orlando Family Lawyers

The Orlando family lawyers at Goodblatt · Leo offer practical and goal-oriented representation in family law and bankruptcy matters, including divorce, Chapter 7, Chapter 13, mediation, and general litigation. We can help you maximize the positive aspects of family law and insolvency issues, and minimize the negative financial, emotional, and mental effects of significant life changes. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Orlando Family Lawyers Protecting Your Family

Our Orlando family & divorce lawyers know your family is the most important part of your life, and protecting your loved ones is a top priority if you are experiencing marital or financial problems. We can help you do just that, so when your case is complete, you’re ready to move forward, confident you’ve made good decisions for yourself and your family. When you need a legal professional to help you with insolvency issues or a family law matter in Central Florida, please do not hesitate to let us assist you. The right guidance and support during difficult times can steer you away from further hardship and toward a brighter future.

At the law firm of Goodblatt · Leo, our Orlando family & divorce lawyers take a team approach to legal representation, which means you benefit from the strengths of each lawyer at our firm, as well as our 40+ years of combined experience. You’ll also appreciate that there is always someone here who knows you and is familiar with your case.

In many situations, we can use collaborative law and mediation to help resolve your issues without traditional litigation, saving you the time, money, and the stress of adversarial proceedings. Collaboration and mediation allows you to make decisions that are beneficial for everyone involved and to avoid unfair or undesirable decisions mandated by a court. We bring specialists onto our team, if needed, to help you obtain your desired goals quickly and discreetly, contact our experienced Orlando family lawyers today.

The law firm of Goodblatt • Leo is AV rated by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest rating a law firm can receive.  Martindale Hubbell is the premier source for finding and researching attorneys and, since 1868, has provided a global network of over one million lawyers and a portfolio of websites and tools designed to connect lawyers and potential clients.  Martindale Hubbell, recognized as the gold standard in attorney ratings, acknowledges lawyers rated by their peers for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards.  Only 8 percent of all attorneys holds an AV Preeminent Rating.

Florida Family Law, Divorce & Bankruptcy FAQs

What Is the Cost?

Our service for your divorce case begins with a thorough consultation, for which there is a charge. During that consultation, our Orlando divorce lawyers will work with you to create a detailed analysis of your case, develop a strategy, provide insight into the process, and make you aware of possible outcomes. If your case is uncontested, i.e. both parties already agree on all of the issues, we charge a flat fee, based on the time and fees we estimate your case will involve. For more complex divorce cases we require a deposit, which will be determined during your initial consultation, and which will be billed against monthly on an hourly basis.

If you are thinking about declaring Bankruptcy, we offer a half-hour free consultation, which allows us to complete a thorough analysis of your financial situation with one of our Orlando bankruptcy lawyers. We then charge a flat fee to handle your bankruptcy, based on the complexity of your case. We often set up payment plans for our bankruptcy clients, recognizing their financial straits.

For Creditors looking to collect from someone who owes you money, we set up a consultation and charge in half-hour increments. Further work is charged at our hourly rate, determined during the consultation.

At Goodblatt · Leo we tailor our strategies and fees to your case. We are proud of our 25-year history of satisfied clients.

What Forms Do I Need to Fill Out?

We have standard “intake” forms that we ask clients to fill out before we begin the consultation. You may complete the intake form before arriving for your consultation to save time, or do it when you come to our office, whichever is more convenient for you. Once you hire us to represent you, we may ask you to complete additional forms or provide documents.

What Do I Need to Bring With Me to the Consultation?

For Family Law Cases (divorce, custody, support, etc.), the most important thing for you to bring is a list of questions. This can be an overwhelming process, so we encourage you to make a list of your concerns before you come to our office so that we can address them. If your matter is a continuation of a prior or existing case, we ask that you also bring any prior Orders, Agreements, and all paperwork regarding the case.

For Bankruptcy Cases, we ask that you to bring any paperwork that you have been served, such as lawsuits, IRS letters, liens, etc. It is extremely important that you make us aware of any pending deadlines or court dates related to your financial situation. We encourage you to make a list of your questions and concerns before you come to our office so that we can address them. We will make a list together during your consultation of any additional documents that will be required to complete your case.

Why Can’t I Talk to a Lawyer Before I Come In?

Lawyers are professionals, just like your doctor or accountant. We find that the best way to provide quality service is to meet in person on an appointment basis. Ethically, lawyers cannot give legal advice without having full information regarding your matter, and the most effective way to do this is in a face-to-face meeting. An appointment guarantees that we have put aside a time completely dedicated to serving you.

How Long Will the Process Take?

The amount of time necessary to complete a case varies according to its complexity. The estimates below are “rule of thumb” timelines. We can give you a more accurate estimate at your consultation. Bear in mind that the time involved is impacted immensely by the cooperation of our clients providing information on a timely basis.

An Uncontested Divorce usually can be completed within a few months. A more Complex Divorce will take longer, depending on the amount of time the parties take to provide information, how quickly mediation and hearings can be scheduled, and the level of animosity between the parties. We usually can start the legal process within two weeks, if we are provided the necessary information and documents.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (liquidation) normally takes about four months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (reorganization) lasts no longer than five years, depending on the payment plan agreed upon by the Court.

Who is Responsible for Paying Legal Fees for Divorce?

You are responsible initially for paying your lawyers’ fees and costs. Florida law provides a “level playing field” for both parties involved in a divorce proceeding. Legal fees are awardable based on the income and financial circumstances of the parties involved, NOT on a win or lose basis. If the parties’ income and assets are substantially unequal, the Court may award lawyers’ fees from the party who has the greater ability to pay. There is, however, no guarantee that your spouse will be required to pay your fees, although we may request that.

Will I Lose All My Assets if I File Bankruptcy?

Florida law is fairly generous in bankruptcy cases, resulting in a reputation for being a debtor-friendly state. Ordinarily you will be able to keep most or all of your assets. Our team works with you to analyze your situation to allow you to keep as much as possible.

If your bankruptcy case involves a loan, you may be able to reduce the interest rate on your mortgage, car loan, etc. (Chapter 13 only). Due to a recent law change, the Bankruptcy Court orders lenders in mortgage modifications to go to mediation, greatly reducing the time and hassle common in the past.

What Do I Do if I am a Victim of Domestic Violence?

You should call 911 immediately if you are in danger. Domestic violence is a serious matter and you should not wait to see a lawyer before protecting yourself and other family members. You may apply for a Domestic Violence Injunction, with or without an lawyer, at the Clerk’s office at the courthouse in the county where you live. When you call our office, be sure to let us know that domestic violence is involved so we can provide you with options and resources.

Contact Our Experienced Orlando Family Lawyers

Consult with our Orlando family lawyers today. You will discover that we are energetic, strategically-minded, creative problem solvers.  We operate efficiently, with your goals in mind, not ours. From our office conveniently located near downtown Orlando, we are proud to serve individuals and families in the Central Florida area. To schedule a consultation with our experienced Orlando family law firm, call our office at 407-228-7007, or submit a consultation request through our convenient online form. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your legal needs.