Lawyer for Contested Divorce in Coral Gables, FL
Divorce is never easy. But when spouses can’t agree on how to move forward, issues build up fast. In Miami-Dade County, the average contested divorce takes 12 to 18 months to resolve—and in cases involving real estate, business interests, or significant retirement accounts, the stakes get even higher.
What happens in the early stages of your case often determines the outcome. How marital assets are initially characterized, whether a temporary support order is secured quickly, and how your parenting proposal is made before mediation—these early decisions are hard to undo once the court process is moving.
Without the right lawyer for a contested divorce case, you could walk away with less than you’re entitled to under Florida’s equitable distribution law, bound to a time-sharing schedule that doesn’t fit your family, or put into an alimony obligation that exceeds what Florida law actually requires.
At Feinstein & Mendez, P.A., we’re based in Coral Gables and practice regularly in Miami-Dade’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit. We know the local courts, the mediation process, and how to build a case that protects you—whether it settles or goes before a judge.
What Exactly is a Contested Divorce?
A contested divorce is when spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues before the court. This could be a disagreement on what happens to your assets, your children, or your finances. Under Florida Statutes § 61.052, a court can grant a dissolution of marriage when the marriage is seemingly “irretrievably broken”, but that determination alone doesn’t resolve the disagreements you might have with your spouse.
Usually, divorces become contested due to disagreements about:
- Division of marital assets and debts—including real estate, investment accounts, retirement funds, and business interests
- Child custody and time-sharing—where your children live and how major decisions about their lives are made, such as religious, medical, and educational decisions.
- Child support—the ongoing financial obligations each parent carries for their children
- Alimony—whether spousal support will be paid, in what form, and for how long
When these issues are disputed, your case moves through Miami-Dade’s family court system—mandatory financial disclosures, court-ordered mediation, hearings, and potentially a trial before a judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. Every step requires strategy and precision. A missed deadline or a poorly argued point can change your outcome in ways that are very difficult to undo.
This is where a lawyer for contested divorce comes in to make the situation right. At Feinstein & Mendez, P.A., we handle each of these issues with the same level of preparation and local knowledge. We know how Miami-Dade judges evaluate asset division under § 61.075, what the court looks for in a parenting plan under § 61.13, how child support is calculated under Florida’s income shares model in § 61.29, and how to argue alimony factors under § 61.08 in a way that actually holds up. You don’t have to figure out the court system on your own—that’s exactly what our lawyer for contested divorce is here for.
How Feinstein & Mendez Will Advocate For You
Under Florida law, assets acquired during your marriage are presumed marital property. We know how to identify, value, and argue for what's yours—so nothing gets overlooked or undervalued.
Florida Statute § 61.13 outlines more than 20 factors courts use to determine time-sharing. We know what Miami-Dade judges look for, and we help you put together a plan that reflects your family's real circumstances and holds up in court.
We present your financial picture clearly and argue the relevant factors so the outcome reflects what the law actually intends—not what the other side is pushing for.
Contested divorces in Miami-Dade can drag on for over a year if not well managed. We stay on top of every deadline, disclosure, and filing in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit so nothing slows you down unnecessarily. We ensure you fully understand every step before you take it, from negotiation to strategizing, and if necessary, trial.
Contact Feinstein & Mendez, P.A., Today
The earlier you have a skilled lawyer for a contested divorce on your side, the better positioned you’ll be to protect your assets, your parental rights, and your future.
At Feinstein & Mendez, P.A., we bring decades of experience, precision, and care into every case we take on, and we work hard to make sure the outcome reflects what you’ve built and who you are.
Answering Commonly Asked Questions
How long does a contested divorce take in Miami-Dade County?
What happens to our home in Coral Gables if we can't agree on who keeps it?
The family home is often the largest marital asset in a South Florida divorce. Under § 61.075, it’s subject to equitable distribution. If neither party can agree, the court can order the home sold and the proceeds divided. Having a lawyer for contested divorce who understands Miami-Dade real estate values and how to properly argue for your share matters more than most people expect.
Do Miami-Dade courts favor mothers in custody cases?
No. Florida courts don’t give preference to either parent based on gender. Judges in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit evaluate time-sharing based strictly on the best interests of the child—including school stability, each parent’s involvement, and the home environment each can provide.