Legal Name Change - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

We Can Help You Get A Legal Name Change in Florida

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My name is Jennifer, and I’m a Collaborative Family Law Paralegal and Client Care Specialist at Family Diplomacy. I’ve been working closely with residents of Florida to assist them with legal name changes since 2013. Not all residents of Florida whom we have helped actually live in Florida, but they have established residency here. We have worked with clients deployed in the military, people who work or go to school overseas, and people who live some of the year in different parts of the country. We are also able to help clients all over Florida through Zoom; in fact, we have not been required to attend a name change final hearing in person since before the Covid lockdown in March 2020.

Common Reasons For Changing Your Legal Name in Florida

Florida is a great state to change your name.. Counties have different requirements, but we have found the requirements to be relatively simple, for the most part.

I learned early on that people change their names for many reasons. Some people  don’t like their first or last name, or prefer a different name. Some have been called a different name most of their lives and decide to make it official. I’ve also learned that you actually don’t need a reason to change your name at all. You can change it simply because you want to.

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Joint Divorce Process Option Meeting - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

First Step To An Amicable Divorce: Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting

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If you and your spouse are considering divorce in Florida, you may be worried about where to begin. Most separating families aren’t looking for a court battle; they just want to move forward, protect their privacy, and make sure they (and their kids, if any), are okay.

That’s exactly why Family Diplomacy offers a Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting, sometimes called a joint divorce consultation or amicable divorce options meeting. It’s a calm, informative way for both spouses to learn about their main divorce options – litigation, mediation, and Collaborative Divorce – before making any major decisions.

How the Joint Divorce Process Options Meeting Works

This meeting is a one-time, educational conversation with both spouses together. We meet on Zoom to discuss the main process options for divorce in Florida. It just costs our normal hourly rate, and you’ll learn what each option looks like, the pros and cons, and what level of privacy, cooperation, and support each allows.  By the end of the meeting, you likely will be able to make a decision about which option your family wishes to pursue.

Before the meeting, we send out a Joint Process Options Meeting waiver for both spouses to sign confirming three important things:

  1. We will not give legal advice or represent either spouse during this meeting; we are only discussing process options.
  2. The discussion is not confidential since both spouses are present and a process option is not yet chosen.
  3. If one spouse chooses to hire Family Diplomacy to represent them, it will only be the spouse who first contacted our office; we cannot represent both spouses.

This clear structure eliminates confusion and maintains fairness. You’ll leave with reliable information, not pressure or legal posturing.

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Professional Athletes and Seasonal Custody Schedules

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For professional athletes, your life does not follow a standard calendar. Half the year may be spent training, traveling for games, or living in another city during the season. The other half may finally bring you back home with more flexible time. That rhythm is part of your career, but it also brings unique challenges when it comes to raising children. If you are going through a divorce, paternity matter, or otherwise establishing parenting rights or a time-sharing schedule, you need a process that respects your schedule, your privacy, and your children’s well-being.

Why Florida’s Standard Parenting Plans Often Fail for Professional Athletes

Typical custody schedules assume both parents live in the same area with relatively predictable routines. They rarely account for long stretches where one parent is away for work. For athletes, sticking to a week-on, week-off plan is impossible when games, travel, and training dominate half the year. Further, generic parenting plans don’t take into account what happens if you are traded or when you retire from professional sports.  Without flexibility and anticipation of future changes, you risk missing meaningful parenting time and leaving your children caught in the middle of scheduling conflicts.

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Conscious Uncoupling and Collaborative Divorce: A Different Way to End a Marriage

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For many, the word divorce brings to mind courtrooms, conflict, and chaos. But there’s a growing movement—both philosophical and legal—toward a different way. One that emphasizes respect, empathy, and forward-looking resolution. This is where the concept of conscious uncoupling intersects with the legal process of Collaborative Divorce.

What Is Conscious Uncoupling?

Conscious uncoupling is the idea that a relationship can end without destroying the people involved. Popularized in part by public figures like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, the term speaks to the real possibility of ending a marriage with mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and compassion.

In a 2024 PEOPLE article, Paltrow reflected on being “proud” of having used the term when they announced their split in 2014. Another article in Business Insider describes how she and Martin discovered the phrase during their separation, and how they used it to frame their transition in a healthier way.

Rather than blaming one another or escalating tension, couples who choose conscious uncoupling acknowledge that the relationship has served its purpose and now deserves a dignified conclusion. They focus on preserving their individual wellbeing and the wellbeing of any children involved. It’s about moving forward, not tearing each other down.

But philosophy alone only goes so far. That’s where Collaborative Divorce comes in.

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New Collaborative Divorce Study Shows High Success Rate

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A newly published study about Statistics on Collaborative Divorce in Florida sheds light on why more families are turning to this private, respectful alternative to traditional courtroom divorce—because it works.

The article, co-authored by Family Diplomacy’s managing attorney Adam B. Cordover and Dr. Randy Heller, a professor at Nova Southeastern University and fellow leader in this field of alternative dispute resolution, was featured in the Florida Bar Family Law Section’s Commentator magazine,  Volume XLV, Issue 1, 2025. We are proud of Adam’s continued leadership in the Collaborative Divorce field, both here in Florida and internationally, and of the insights this study provides for lawmakers, judges, and professionals evaluating the efficacy of this process and families considering their options.

Key Statistics on Collaborative Divorce in Florida from the Study

The numbers, based on responses to a Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals research survey filled out by Collaborative Professionals from 2014 to 2024 at the end of their cases, tell a powerful story about the effectiveness of Collaborative Divorce in Florida:

  • 85% of cases ended in a full agreement. This mirrors a 2010 study by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, which found an 86% resolution rate. In other words, the vast majority of couples who begin the Collaborative Process reach a complete resolution without having to fight in court.

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Faqs What You Need To Know - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

FAQs – Collaborative Divorce in Florida: What You Need to Know

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When you or your spouse is a professional going through a divorce, your priorities are clear. You want to protect your family and privacy, avoid the public spectacle of a courtroom, and ensure that your complex financial life is handled with care. Collaborative Divorce offers an approach designed with those very concerns in mind. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Collaborative Divorce that you may be wondering about.

Why is there a Disqualification Clause, and How does it Help You?

One of the things that makes Collaborative Divorce unique is the disqualification clause. In essence, this means that if either spouse decides to go to court or end the process, both Collaborative Attorneys and other team members must withdraw. At first glance, you may wonder why this makes sense. In reality, it’s a protective measure. The clause creates a strong incentive for everyone involved to stay committed to reaching an agreement rather than end up where nobody wants to go: fighting in court. Instead of treating Collaboration as a stepping-stone to litigation, you and your spouse know that the only path forward with your lawyers is to resolve matters respectfully and privately by agreement.

In my experience, this clause is one of the strongest safeguards against escalation. It helps keep conversations solution-focused and mitigates against the likelihood that the case will spin out of control into the courtroom battles you hear about on the news.

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Family Diplomacy Hires Former Physician’s Executive Assistant and Medical Interpreter

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At Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, we understand that every client’s journey begins with the first call or message. That initial connection sets the tone for the entire process. This is why we are thrilled to introduce our new Welcome Services Liaison, Isamar Abudeye.

Isamar is often the first voice and smile that clients encounter, and she ensures that each person who reaches out to our firm is met with professionalism, warmth, and discretion.

A Professional Background of Excellence

Isamar brings a rare combination of organizational expertise and creative insight. With a career spanning executive assistance, recruitment, and marketing, she knows how to create seamless systems while never losing sight of the human element. She helps streamline communication, coordinates schedules, and guides clients through the onboarding process with care and clarity. Read more →

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Family Diplomacy’s Adam B. Cordover Launches LawyerFI Podcast on Financial Independence

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At Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, we are proud to share exciting news about our managing attorney, Adam B. Cordover. In addition to being a leader in Collaborative Divorce in Florida and abroad, Adam has just launched a brand-new project: the LawyerFI Podcast.

This podcast is designed for lawyers and other high earners who want to rethink their relationship with work, money, and freedom. The first official episode, released this week, dives into one of the most practical and transformative concepts in personal finance: the 4% Rule.

The podcast can be found on the LawyerFI website, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and most podcast platforms.

Why This Podcast Matters

Our team has seen firsthand how Adam has dedicated his career to helping families find healthier ways to resolve disputes without the stress of court. With this podcast, he’s taking that same problem-solving mindset to the financial side of life, giving professionals the tools to create more stability, choice, and peace of mind.

Lawyers in particular are trained to chase billable hours, not to build wealth. Financial literacy was never part of law school, and yet financial pressure weighs heavily on many professionals. Through the LawyerFI Podcast, Adam brings education and inspiration to help lawyers and other high earners design lives with more freedom—both inside and outside of their careers.  Adam is not a financial planner, accountant, or tax attorney, and the podcast is not financial, tax, or legal advice.  Adam is not selling financial products or services, he is just using his deep knowledge on complex financial topics, which has helped his divorce clients throughout the years, to educate other professionals.

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Best Collaborative Divorce Lawyer in Florida – How to Choose

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When you are facing divorce, the lawyer and process you choose can make all the difference. If privacy, respect, and control over the process are important to you, then Collaborative Divorce may be the right path. But not every attorney who calls themselves “collaborative” has the same training or experience. So how do you know you are choosing the best Collaborative Divorce lawyer in Florida?

Below are the key questions you should ask any attorney you are considering.

Has the Lawyer taken the 14-Hour Introductory Collaborative Divorce Training?

The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (“IACP”) has set Minimum Standards for Collaborative Practitioners which include a requirement to take a 14-hour introductory training.  The IACP has further created standards for what must be included in the training.This 14-hour training ensures the lawyer understands not only the legal aspects of divorce, but also how to work effectively with mental health professionals and financial professionals on your team.

Ask your potential lawyer: Did you take the 14-hour Introductory training? Who were your trainers? Have you gone beyond the basics with advanced training?

For example, Adam B. Cordover, Managing Attorney of Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, completed his Introductory Training in 2011 with the Lone Star Trainers, one of the most respected groups in the field. Since 2014, he has himself been teaching the 14-hour course as well as multi-day advanced trainings throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, and France.  Further, Adam has served as a Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative professionals and as chair of the IACP Ethics & Standards Committee.

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How To Prevent Your Florida Divorce From Spinning Out Of Control - Family Diplomacy | A Collaborative Law Firm

How to Prevent Your Florida Divorce from Spinning Out of Control

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The greatest fear in divorce isn’t just the end of the marriage—it’s losing control. Control of your future. Control of your finances. Control of your privacy. For many professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals, the last thing you want is your divorce turning into a courtroom battle where a judge makes the decisions for you.

There is a way to mitigate against that outcome. It’s called Collaborative Divorce.

Why Collaborative Divorce Keeps Lawyers Calm

In traditional divorce, lawyers often fuel conflict. The more the fight drags on, the more hours billed and the more likely your case ends up in front of a judge.

Collaborative Divorce works differently. By law, Collaborative lawyers are prohibited from representing you in court. Their role is limited to helping you resolve matters by agreement rather than by making arguments in front of a judge. If your case goes to litigation, both Collaborative lawyers must withdraw. That means your lawyer’s incentives are aligned with yours: everyone is motivated to keep the process calm and focused on reaching an agreement.  If the spouses start fighting, and they end up in court, then the Collaborative Lawyers get fired.

This safeguard gives you the confidence that your divorce will not be spun out of control by lawyers eager for a fight.  Further, Collaborative Divorce has a proven track record.  Studies by the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals show that 85% and 86% of Collaborative Matters, respectively, end by reaching a full agreement.

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