Family Law and Divorce Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Curtis R. Cowan, P.A.

200 SW 1st Avenue Suite 1200 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 USA

 (954) 769-0670 or (888) 342-9931
 (954) 768-0730

www.curtcowanlaw.com
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Law Firm Overview

The Law Offices of Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan is an experienced, dedicated law firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As your legal counsel or as a certified mediator, I can guide you to efficient, cost-conscious out-of-court settlements in most matters. As a *board-certified attorney, I am also qualified to vigorously represent your interests if litigation cannot be avoided. Contact me to discuss your child custody, property settlement, child support, alimony, or paternity issue. I offer a reduced-rate initial consultation, and waive that fee if you decide to hire me to handle your case.

If you find yourself on the wrong side of that statistic, you may be struggling with a range of emotions and some difficult choices. Because those decisions will affect you for many years to come, they should not be taken lightly, nor guided by anger or impulse.

You should discuss these issues with an attorney who can help you explore all the possible ramifications — for you and your children, for your mental well-being as well as your financial interests. My Fort Lauderdale law practice is committed to amicable, comprehensive resolutions of all marital and family law matters

If a legal fight is unavoidable, I will vigorously protect your interests while working to limit the negative and unintended consequences of court-imposed solutions. I am a *Board Certified Marital and Family Lawyer and certified mediator with 24 years of experience. As a solo practitioner, I am accessible to the clients I serve in Broward County and Palm Beach County.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Parenting Plans; Property Division; Modification & Enforcement; Parent Relocation

Practice Areas Description

Our practice includes:

- Divorce

A divorce is a painful and difficult experience. There are various emotional stages of divorce that involve shock, anger, sadness, and eventually moving forward. In helping clients toward resolution, I emphasize cooperation and problem-solving and consideration of both the legal and emotional aspects. While I can certainly protect your interests if litigation cannot be avoided, I believe that amicable, out-of-court settlements are possible in most divorces — and best for all involved. I educate clients about the functions and limitations of the legal system, guiding them to realistic expectations and workable goals.

- Custody / Parenting Plans

Divorce is always detrimental to children. However, as parents, you have considerable power to minimize the impact. It's not your decision to lead separate lives that is most harmful to your kids — it's the bitter legal wrangling during divorce and inability to get along afterward that takes a toll. For your children's sake, I encourage you to put emotions aside to strive for an out-of-court parenting agreement.

- Property Division

In any divorce, marital property division is a major source of contention. But it is not always necessary (or advisable) to go to trial to get your fair share. Litigation drains resources through substantial legal fees — do you really "win" if you end up with a larger share of a smaller pot? Litigation also puts your fate in the hands of a judge, with no guarantee that you will prevail.

- Alimony

Alimony is the least predictable aspect of divorce. Judges have wide latitude in determining whether financial support is merited in your case. Even with 24 years of experience as a Florida divorce attorney, I cannot say for sure whether alimony will be awarded or its amount and duration. However, I can give a fair idea based on your circumstances, and help you plan for whichever way the court may rule.

- Child Support

Aside from continuing to provide love and regular attention, parents have no higher obligation than to provide financially for their children after the divorce. Child support is more important than any other debt or financial obligation. What level of support will be required? A court will determine the amount, and an attorney can help assure that the determination is fair under the law.

- Modification & Enforcement

If your financial and personal circumstances have changed since the divorce or court-ordered divorce decree—such as through job loss, or a new job in another town or state—you can petition the court to alter your parenting plan or level of child support or alimony. Likewise, if the parent with less timesharing (or non-residential parent) is not living up to their obligations, you have legal recourse to force them to adhere to a judge's orders.

- Parent Relocation


The court has no presumption either way when one parent wishes to move out of Florida or to a distant part of the state. The child's best interests are the only criteria. However, over the years the burden has shifted to make it more difficult for a mother or father to take their kids away from a loving and actively involved parent with the least timesharing (formerly "non-residential" parent) rights. And the law has recently changed regarding the allowable distance.

- Prenuptial Agreements

The Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan, P.A. has drafted and reviewed pre-marital and post-marital agreements for owners of closely held businesses, executives, professionals, and a wide range of clients, including those who are "marrying money" and want to make sure they are not signing away legitimate rights to property.

- Paternity Issues

My Fort Lauderdale practice represents both women and men in paternity law matters in Palm Beach and Broward counties. I can help file petitions to establish parentage or arrange DNA testing to challenge false claims of fatherhood.

- Mediation Service

Marriages involving hidden assets or the business division of a family-held company can complicate a divorce and make resolving matters more contentious. A contested divorce can also take a heavy emotional toll, especially on children. Divorce in court should always be used as a last resort. When you do need aggressive representation in order to protect your rights in a contested divorce, my goal as your experienced Florida divorce attorney is to help you achieve a fair and just divorce settlement.

- Contested Divorce

As a certified mediator, board-certified in Matrimonial and Family Law and offering over 20 years of skilled divorce help, I have the background and insight required to understand such sensitive issues as child custody, child support, property division and other concerns facing spouses that choose to separate. My law firm offers divorcing couples the opportunity to avoid the stress, expense and the often devastating impact on their children. Divorce mediation offers parents an alternative resolution option that is less about who gets what and more about coming to a sensible agreement about what will benefit everyone in the family moving forward.

Attorneys

Mr. Curtis R. Cowan Attorney Family Law, Litigation

More Information on Curtis R. Cowan, P.A.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida Divorce Law Firm
Fort Lauderdale, FL Custody Attorney
Property Division Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL Alimony Law Firm
Child Support Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, FL Prenuptial Agreements Lawyer
Paternity Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Mediation Attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL
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