Family Law

The traditional divorce model pits husband versus wife, mother versus father. Collaborative Law is a refreshing team-oriented alternative. Each client retains a separate attorney whose job is to counsel the client and help resolve disputes. The attorneys work together to help both clients meet their needs. Open communication is advanced by a trained facilitator, while support and property options are developed by a neutral financial professional. The clients, attorneys, and other team members agree beforehand that the matter will not be brought into the court system until a full agreement is reached.

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO FAMILY MATTERS

The Collaborative Process allows for flexible, creative solutions to a family law matter. The team explores options that look beyond a legal framework by incorporating the skills and expertise of the facilitator and financial professional. Clients are encouraged to focus on the best interests of their family, rather than rigid negotiation positions, to reach their goals. In the unlikely event that a settlement is not reached, the Collaborative attorneys withdraw and litigation lawyers may be retained. The knowledge that the Collaborative attorneys cannot bring the case in front of a judge further permits the parties to speak openly about potential settlement options (and frees attorneys from conducting exhaustive, costly opposition research).

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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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 →

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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Cordover Launches LawyerFI Podcast – Equipping Lawyers and Other Professionals to Achieve Financial Independence

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Family Diplomacy Managing Attorney Adam B. Cordover, a Florida-based Collaborative Divorce lawyer and internationally recognized leader in out-of-court dispute resolution, has launched a brand-new podcast: LawyerFI – Financial Independence for Legal and Other Professionals.

If you’re a lawyer who wants to get off the cycle of burnout, billable hours, and financial confusion, this podcast was made for you.

The preview episode is now live. Watch and listen below or on the LawyerFI website:

Welcome to the LawyerFI Podcast – A New Path for Purpose-Driven Legal Professionals

You can also find it on the following platforms:

Equipping Lawyers and Other Professionals To Achieve Financial Independence

Cordover created LawyerFI after more than a decade working with high-achieving professionals—lawyers, doctors, business owners—who were doing well on the outside but quietly struggling with money, time, and fulfillment.

He understands the problem because he lived it. Even after earning a law degree from a private university, building a successful practice, and publishing a book with the American Bar Association, he found himself wondering why financial stability still felt out of reach.  As addressed in the preview episode, he then started taking affirmative steps towards financial independence.

LawyerFI shares Adam’s story and is a podcast designed to help you take control of your finances, reclaim your time, and start building a legal or other professional career that actually supports the life you want.

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How Our Refundable Evergreen Retainer Works: No Surprises, No Commitments

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How a Refundable Evergreen Retainer Works at Our Law Firm

At Family Diplomacy: A Collaborative Law Firm, we recently transitioned from using a non-refundable initial fee to a refundable evergreen retainer. This change creates far more flexibility for our clients and reflects the way we practice law.

Many—if not most—family law firms in Tampa Bay still use a non-refundable initial fee structure for their retainers. That means once you place a deposit with them, you don’t get it back, even if circumstances change (these fees must be reasonable, and the Florida Bar would likely still require a refund, for example, if you changed your mind immediately after retaining the firm). For years, we followed that same model. But because we work exclusively in out-of-court dispute resolution—specializing in Collaborative Divorce—we heard concerns from potential clients.

People would ask, “What happens to my non-refundable initial fee if my spouse decides they only want to fight in court?” While this is exceedingly rare (hardly anyone truly wants to battle it out in a courtroom), we understand why it gave pause. With our refundable evergreen retainer, you now have peace of mind: if you ever decide to go in a different direction, you’ll receive a refund of all unearned funds.

This client-centered approach ensures you stay in control throughout your case. Let’s break down what it means and how it works.

What Is an Evergreen Retainer?

An evergreen retainer is a predictable way for you and the firm to make sure there are always funds available to cover the work we’re doing on your case. When you hire us, you’ll place an initial refundable deposit into a special trust account. This isn’t a flat fee—it’s your money, and we only withdraw from it as we earn fees for the actual time we spend helping you or to cover certain costs, such as a filing fee with the clerk of the court.

As your case progresses, we’ll send you invoices showing how much time was spent and for what tasks. If the balance in your account drops below the agreed amount, we’ll replenish it by charging the credit or debit card you’ve placed on file. This ensures we can continue working without interruptions. And here’s the key part: when your matter is complete, any unused funds in your trust balance are refunded back to you.

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Final TBCT Virtual Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Family Law Training (August-September 2025)

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Step into a Better Way to Help Families: Final Virtual Introductory Collaborative Divorce Training This Year

Are you a mental health professional, attorney, or financial expert searching for a way to help families resolve conflict without court battles, without trauma, and with dignity? Do you want to be part of a team that helps clients navigate divorce with compassion and clarity—while staying true to your own professional values?

This is your opportunity.

The Tampa Bay Collaborative Trainers—an internationally recognized interdisciplinary team—will be offering our final virtual introductory Collaborative Divorce training later this year (we will still be available for practice groups to bring us to their locale for in-person trainings). This immersive course is specifically focused on the Neutral Facilitator / One Coach / Neutral Mental Health Professional model of Collaborative Practice, and it’s designed for professionals who are ready to make a difference.

Whether you’re brand new to Collaborative Divorce or you’re looking to refresh your skills and reconnect with the heart of this work, we invite you to join us for this powerful experience.

Where

This is a virtual training that will take place 100% on Zoom.

When

August 13, 2025 1:30 – 5:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)
August 20, 2025 1:30 – 5:30 PM ET
August 27, 2025 1:30 – 5:30 PM ET
September 3, 2025 1:30 – 5:30 PM ET

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St. Petersburg Divorce Lawyer Review: “[Sped] Up The Process…Eased the tension”

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I recently received a review from a divorce client on our St. Petersburg Google Page.  Please note that every case and circumstance is different, and I can’t promise the same or similar results in your matter.

It was a blessing to partner with Adam and Jennifer to help navigate me through the divorce process. They both were responsive, thorough and professional throughout the highs and lows of the process.

I found Adam’s advice to be logical, [rational] and while he certainly represented and protected my interests, he was also considerate and mindful to my ex-wife which was important to me. I believe this certainly [sped] up the process and eased the tension/relationship with her throughout the proceedings. He also took also took an intense interest in the protection and wellbeing of my son.

I will always be grateful to Adam and his team.

Five Stars.

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Sarasota Family Law Review: “Very Well Managed From Intake Through Resolution”

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We are so appreciative of our clients, and we feel fortunate when they let others know about their experience with us.  Recently, a client left a review on Google for our Sarasota office.  Please note that every situation is different, and we cannot guarantee the same or similar results in your case.  Here is the review:

“Clear and consistent pricing, very well managed from intake through resolution, proactive clear communication; excellent overall.”

Five Stars

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Cordover Appears on Great Practice Great Life Podcast

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Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of being featured on Episode 114 of the podcast Great Practice, Great Life, where I shared insights into my journey as an international thought leader in Collaborative Divorce and my efforts to revolutionize out-of-court dispute resolution through my law firm, where we virtually represent clients throughout the State of Florida and also have offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. This conversation gave me the chance to reflect on some of the key moments and principles that have shaped both my professional and personal life.

One of the topics we discussed was the profound impact of Hurricane Helene in 2024, when, like many others, I lost my home from the flood surge. In the aftermath of that challenging time, I found an opportunity to reassess my approach to work and life, leaning into gratitude. The hurricane, like so many challenges we face, served as a catalyst for growth and transformation. My story highlights how adversity can push us to innovate and strengthen our resolve.

 

We also dove into the unique world of Collaborative Divorce, an area of practice I’m deeply passionate about. This process brings together attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial experts to help families resolve disputes amicably, privately, and outside the courtroom. It’s a particularly valuable approach for professionals, doctors, executives, members of the LGBTQ+ community, business owners, politicians, celebrities, professional athletes, and others who place a premium on privacy and self-determination. In the podcast, I emphasized the importance of teamwork and how shifting from a competitive to a collaborative mindset can lead to more fulfilling and effective outcomes for everyone involved.

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Video: Cordover Keynotes Family Law Now Virtual Summit

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Family Diplomacy managing attorney Adam B. Cordover recently gave the keynote address at the Third Annual Family Law Now Virtual Summit. The aim of the Summit is to provide legal professionals and those individuals facing separation, divorce, and other family law matters with vital information, strategies, and tools to support them as they navigate through the process.  The Summit was hosted by veteran Canadian lawyer Russell Alexander and benefitted The Denise House, which provides a safe shelter and supportive programs in Canada for women, with or without children, experiencing gender-based violence.

Examining Models of Collaborative Practice

The topic of the keynote address was “All the Ways to Collaborate: Examining Different Models of Collaborative Practice.”  In the keynote, Cordover urged lawyers to tailor the Collaborative Process to meet the needs of their family law clients.

You can view a video of the keynote, which is about 20 minutes long, below.

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