Agenda

Registration:                    8:00 – 8:30 am

Morning Session:             8:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lunch (On your own):       12:00 – 1:00 pm

Afternoon Session:           1:00 – 4:30 pm

Taking on a Family Law Case                                                                    C. Dienstag

   Responding to the initial contact from the prospective client
   Conducting the initial client interview
   Preparing engagement letter, opening file
   Collecting information

Preparing Pleadings and Participating                                                    C. Dienstag
in Motion Practice

   Preparing initial pleading
   Requesting temporary relief
   Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
   Preparing the temporary orders

Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information                                     C. Dienstag

   Identifying relevant information on assets, debts,
      income and expenses
   Obtaining financial information
      • Using financial information questionnaires
      • Using interrogatories, requests for production,
           deposition testimony, private investigators
      • Valuing assets
   Evaluating the information you have obtained
   Working with accountants and financial experts
   Preparing financial statements

Handling Time-Sharing and Parenting Issues                                      D. Hernandez

   Current status of time-sharing law in Florida
   Obtaining relevant information
       • Client interview, questionnaires, authorizations
           for disclosure, using formal discovery
   Working with guardian-ad-litem
       • Working with a parenting coordinator
   Working with experts
   Drafting and reviewing parenting plans

Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders                       M. Mitropoulos-Gonzalez
and Decrees

   Implementing divorce decrees and orders
   Preparing and filing the decree
      • Preparing other necessary documents
   Enforcing judgments and orders
   Modifying decrees and orders
      • Determining which parts of a decree or order are
           subject to modification, deciding when to seek modification
   Assisting in modification actions

Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice                                     K. Lungarelli

   Complying with rules of professional responsibility
      and ethics guidelines for attorneys and paralegals
   Avoiding conflicts of interest
   Maintaining client confidentiality
   Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
   Working with the secretive or dishonest client
   Handling allegations of abuse or neglect
   Zealous (vs. over-zealous) representation
   Fee agreements, retainers, and collection of unpaid fees

Credits

Florida Attorneys
     8.0 CLE Credits, Including
     1.0 Ethics Hour

Florida Attorney
Certification Credits
     8.0 Marital & Family Law

Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and is approved by The Florida Bar for 8.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics hour. This program has been accredited for 8.0 certification credits in Marital and Family Law.

The Florida Bar approval qualifies this program for 8.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics credit for Florida paralegals.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.

Speakers

Cynthia J. Dienstag, Esq.

Cynthia Dienstag P.A. in Miami, FL

Ms. Dienstag has focused her practice on marital and family law since 1989, and has expanded her specialization to include domestic partnership matters. She is a Florida Supreme Court-certified family mediator, and Martindale-Hubbell AV preeminent rated attorney. Ms. Dienstag has been chosen by Florida Trend Magazine as one of the Florida Legal Elite since 2006, and she has been named a Florida Super Lawyer since 2007. She was named Nation’s Top One Percent 2015 by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Ms. Dienstag is a frequent lecturer on complex areas of family law. She received her J.D. degree from University of Miami School of Law.

Maria Gonzalez

Young, Berman, Karpf & Gonzalez

Of Counsel, Young, Berman, Karpf & Gonzalez in Ft. LauderdaleMs. Gonzalez was born in Havana, Cuba, and was raised in the United States. She attended the University of Miami and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 and her paralegal degree in 1985. She graduated from Nova University, receiving her Juris Doctorate degree in 1990. Ms. Gonzalez is a board-certified marital and family lawyer by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education as well as a Florida Supreme Court certified family law mediator. She was appointed as chair of the Family Law Certification Committee for 2010-2011 and is immediate past-chair of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar.

Dolly Hernandez, Esq.

Partner at Rafool, PLLC in Miami

Ms. Hernandez represents high-net-worth individuals in complex marital and family law matters. She assists individuals in the dissolution of marriage, equitable distribution, alimony, child support, parenting and time-share issues, paternity, and prenuptial agreements. Ms. Hernandez has obtained the AV Preeminent peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. In addition, she has been selected for inclusion in the Super Lawyers list since 2014, including Top 100: Miami Super Lawyers in 2018, 2020- 2022 and Top 50: Women Florida Super Lawyers in 2015 and 2018, The Best Lawyers in America list since 2019, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite list, and South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers list. In addition, Ms. Hernandez is a Fellow of The American Bar Foundation and is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law.

LinkedIn

Karen Lungarelli, Esq.

Law Office of Karen E. Lungarelli, P.A.

Law Office of Karen E. Lungarelli, P.A., in MiamiThe Law Office of Karen E. Lungarelli, PA, is a boutique law firm dedicated to providing professional marital and family law services throughout the South Florida area, including Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Highly knowledgeable in family matters, Ms. Lungarelli uses her experience, compassion, and skill to work with each client, to determine the best and most efficient route to achieving their goals. Each client receives the utmost personal attention and vigorous representation. Ms. Lungarelli represents clients at every stage of legal family matters, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, paternity, children’s issues, and post-judgment matters, from the initial consultation through settlement negotiations, litigation and trial.