Not all divorce lawyers are the same, the best kind of divorce lawyer is one that prioritizes your long-term well-being. They educate you on all available options, including out-of-court paths like Mediation and Collaborative Divorce. A truly supportive lawyer empowers you to make informed decisions and guides you toward peaceful outcomes that protect your emotional health and family relationships.
If you are trying to choose a divorce lawyer, you might be wondering: what really sets one apart from another? Aren’t they all just there to get you divorced? The truth is, there are meaningful differences, and those differences can shape not only your case, but your future peace of mind. Here’s what I believe makes some divorce lawyers stand out.
Putting Your Best Interests Above Their Own
One of the biggest differences I see is whether a lawyer truly has your best interests at heart, even if that means you may ultimately not hire them. In Florida, for example, lawyers are required to tell clients about all their divorce process options including out-of-court options like Mediation and Collaborative Divorce.
I’ve found not all attorneys do this well. Some may steer you toward litigation simply because it is their comfort zone. But the lawyers I admire (and try to be myself) will educate you on all the options, even if it means you decide on a divorce process that they don’t handle. When an attorney is willing to accept losing your business rather than forcing you down a path you don’t want to go, I think that is an admirable quality when that path is genuinely better for you.
Explaining All the Options — Not Just the Ones They Prefer
A good divorce lawyer doesn’t just tell you what to do; they walk you through the possibilities. They lay out the pros and cons of Litigation, Collaborative Divorce, Mediation and other out of court options. They also explain how cost, control over the outcome, privacy, and the emotional impact differ depending on which route you take.
I’ve met litigation-focused attorneys who avoid talking about Collaborative Divorce because if a collaborative case doesn’t work out, you must hire a new lawyer. But what they often fail to share is that Collaborative Divorces settle about 95% of the time.
Helping You Make Truly Informed Decisions
I think another mark of a different kind of divorce lawyer is how they handle your concerns. If someone comes to me convinced that they want to go to court, I don’t dismiss it instead I explore it. I’ll ask, “Why do you think going to court is best? Do you want a judge making these personal decisions, or would you prefer more control?”
Often, people haven’t thought about it that way. When they learn how much litigation might cost or how little control they’d have, they reconsider. A lawyer who takes the time to ask these questions, instead of pushing you one way or another, is giving you the power to make an informed choice.
Guiding You Toward Peace — For You and Your Family
Finally, I believe the best divorce lawyers recognize that while litigation is a legal war, out-of-court solutions are about making peace with your spouse, yourself, and especially your children. A peaceful resolution often means kids can maintain strong relationships with both parents and extended families. That’s an “unintended consequence” that’s hard to measure, but so deeply valuable.
When you are looking for a divorce lawyer, pay attention to whether they are truly exploring all your options, educating you honestly, and prioritizing your family’s future peace. Those are the differences that matter most.
Mr. Diaz is dedicated to his work helping clients with complex family issues by using collaborative practices to reach peaceful agreements.
His offices are located at 2431 Aloma Ave. #124, Winter Park, FL. 32792 and 3270 Suntree Blvd. Suite 103G, Melbourne, FL. 32920.
You may contact Anthony Diaz by calling 407-212-7807 or by email An*****@************aw.com or visit www.AnthonyDiazLaw.com.
Anthony Diaz is a Family Law and Collaborative Divorce attorney, mediator, speaker and coach in Orlando. Known as The Peacemaker, his practice specializes in divorce with dignity, mediation, collaboration, uncontested and out-of-court options to help families find peaceful solutions.
With over 20 years of experience, Anthony is passionate about helping his clients resolve conflict, reduce stress and move peacefully through the divorce process without going to court. He has helped thousands of families experience a more positive outcome.
As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Circuit Civil Mediator, a State Qualified Arbitrator, and an esteemed member of the Leadership Academy of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Anthony’s expertise in mediation and conflict resolution makes him uniquely qualified to help couples navigate the emotional and financial challenges of divorce.
He is an active and highly respected professional in the Florida collaborative community. Anthony serves as Co-Chair of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals Outreach Committee and is a Board Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Prior to opening his private practice, Anthony was a CPA and an Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida. He earned his degree at Stetson University College of Law.
Anthony is also a published author, co-authoring Faces Behind the Pages and Creating Relationships and Family with Courage and Compassion. His solo works include:
• Divorce With Dignity – 3 Powerful Steps to Heal and Move Past Your Divorce N.O.W.
• !n-joy Your Relationships! – 7 Pillars to Deepening Your Connections With Passion and Purpose
• Moving Consciously Through Conflict – 5 Meaningful Steps to Mediating Conflict With Compassion
As a coach and an international speaker, his passion, mission and purpose is to help families move on from their divorce with dignity and embrace a more peaceful future.