Whether you are dealing with a child custody issue, contested divorce, spousal support (alimony) dispute, paternity or child support case, your needs are the same: knowledgeable representation that gets the job done. You might not know where to start looking for an attorney if you have never needed legal assistance before. Thankfully, the State of Florida's court system has distinguished the most skilled, experienced and successful family law attorneys by granting them status as Board Certified Marital and Family Law Specialists.

What does it mean to be a Board Certified Martial and Family Law Specialist?

Board Certified Marital and Family Law Specialists must go through a rigorous application process that is not even available to them until they have met stringent standards designed to weed out those without sufficient practice experience or special knowledge.

Family law attorneys cannot apply for Marital and Family Law Specialist status until they have practiced for at least five years immediately preceding their application, and can prove that they handled a minimum of 25 contested family law cases - at least 18 in which they can prove "substantial involvement...sufficient to demonstrate special competence as a marital and family lawyer" (Rule 6-6.3(b)(2) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar) and seven of which have gone to trial - during that time.

Furthermore, they need the recommendations of six fellow attorneys or judicial officers with knowledge of the applicant's legal practice that are willing to support the applicant's certification. There are also additional educational requirements above and beyond those that all attorneys must complete, including 75 credit hours devoted to marital and family law, and five hours dedicated to ethics, mental health, collaborative law or dispute resolution before their application for specialization will be considered.

Finally, attorneys seeking certification must pass rigorous testing designed to ensure they do have the requisite knowledge necessary to be deemed a "specialist" in their field.

Why choose a Board Certified attorney?

In a word: security. When you have a Florida Board Certified Marital and Family Law Specialist at your side, you can be confident that you have someone who is recognized for his or her knowledge, education and skill, and that he or she has a reputation among peers for acting with integrity.

No matter what type or how complex your family law issue is, having the right attorney at your side can make a huge difference. When a Florida Board Certified Marital and Family Law attorney handles your case, you can rest assured that your future is in good hands.

Article provided by Law Office of Curtis R. Cowan Visit us at www.curtcowanlaw.com