Why Family Law Needs a Different Kind of Lawyer
Family law is not like other areas of the law. It rarely begins with a contract dispute or a business decision. It begins with people whose lives are in transition — marriages ending, children whose futures hang in the balance, parents trying to do what is best for their kids, and individuals facing some of the most stressful moments they will ever experience.
At the Law Offices of Granda & Associates PA, we have never lost sight of that distinction. Credit cards don't cry. Houses don't call you at midnight. But people do. And every family law case we handle is someone's real life, real home, and real future.
Stephanie Granda has practiced family law in Miami-Dade County since 2006. In nearly two decades, she has guided hundreds of South Florida families through divorce, custody disputes, child support questions, adoptions, and difficult custody-adjacent matters. She knows that behind every file folder is a real family, and she treats every case with the professional care — and genuine compassion — that responsibility demands.
That is the philosophy behind this firm: fight for your rights with real legal skill while remembering that for you, this is personal. Because for you, it is.
How We Help Families Navigate Legal Challenges
We believe in a simple principle: legal strength and human care are not opposites. We are prepared to litigate aggressively when that is what your case requires, and we are equally prepared to recommend mediation when it protects your family's interests, your finances, and your peace.
The result is a practice that serves people the way they actually want to be served — with clear information, honest guidance, and a lawyer who tells you the truth about your options, even when the truth is not what you hoped to hear.
Divorce
Florida dissolves marriages through a process we prefer to describe accurately. A divorce is more than paperwork — it is the financial and parenting decisions that will shape your family for years to come. We handle uncontested and highly contested divorces, protecting your assets, your children's interests, and your future. Whether you are deciding how to divide a home, negotiate support, or structure parenting time, we are in your corner. Learn more about how we handle Miami divorce representation.
Paternity
Establishing paternity matters — for fathers who want their rights recognized and for children who deserve to know and be supported by both parents. Florida law provides the legal mechanisms to establish, verify, and enforce paternity, and we represent fathers and mothers in these actions. The stakes include parental responsibility, time-sharing rights, and child support obligations, so doing it correctly matters. See how we protect fathers' rights.
Adoption
Few legal processes end with as much joy as adoption. We guide families through the adoption process in Florida — stepparent adoptions, relative adoptions, and agency adoptions — with attention to every procedural detail so the legal work stays on track and the family can focus on the life-changing moment at the end. Whether you are adopting a child or helping a loved one through the process, we make the legal side as smooth as it can honestly be. Read more about our Florida adoption services.
Child Support
Child support exists for a simple reason: children deserve financial security in both homes. Florida uses a structured guideline formula to keep the calculation fair and predictable. We help parents understand how support is calculated, negotiate fair arrangements, enforce unpaid obligations, and — when circumstances change — seek modifications. The goal is a support order that works for the child and is sustainable for both parents. Explore our child support practice.
Alimony
Alimony is one of the most misunderstood areas of family law. It is not a punishment and it is not a windfall — it is a legal mechanism to address the financial impact of a marriage ending. Florida recognizes several types of alimony, and the outcome depends heavily on specifics: the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and earning capacity, and the standard of living established during the marriage. We help our clients understand what is realistic and fight for fair, sustainable outcomes. Review your situation with our Miami alimony attorneys.
Prenuptial Agreements
A prenuptial agreement is not an assumption that your marriage will fail — it is planning for the future together. Couples of all ages are choosing prenuptial agreements to protect prior assets, children from earlier relationships, business interests, and financial independence. Drafted properly, a prenuptial agreement brings clarity rather than conflict. We draft agreements that are enforceable under Florida law and that reflect honest conversations about the future. Find out how a prenuptial agreement works.
Time-Sharing
Florida no longer uses the word "custody." Since 2008, the law has focused on "time-sharing" — the schedule children spend with each parent — and on "parental responsibility" for decision-making. Florida law presumes that both parents should remain involved in a child's life, and courts look to the child's best interests above all. Whether you are seeking a 50/50 arrangement or a schedule that works around jobs and schools, we help parents build parenting plans that are workable, fair, and court-ready. Understand Florida time-sharing law.
Injunctions
Everyone deserves to feel safe. When domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, or stalking threatens your safety or your children's safety, an injunction (often called a protective or restraining order) can provide legal protection. We help victims file for protection — and we also represent individuals who have been accused, ensuring every respondent receives due process and a fair hearing. The distinction matters: protection for those who need it, fairness for all. Learn about Florida family law injunctions.
Modifications
Life does not stop when a court order is entered. Jobs change, incomes rise and fall, children's needs evolve, parents relocate. When a genuine, substantial change in circumstances occurs, Florida law allows court orders to be modified — including child support, time-sharing, and alimony. If you are stuck with an order that no longer reflects reality, you have a legal path forward. We help clients navigate the modification process and get orders updated to match their lives. See how we handle court order modifications.
Relocation
Moving with children after a divorce or custody order is legally complicated in Florida — and the consequences of doing it wrong are severe. Florida's relocation statute requires 60 days' written notice before moving more than 60 miles, and requires either the other parent's written consent or court approval. Violating these requirements can mean contempt, custody loss, or being ordered to return the child. If you are planning a move — or the other parent is — you need experienced guidance before you act. Understand Florida's relocation requirements.
What Makes Our Approach Different
Any lawyer can list services. The harder question — the one that matters — is how we practice and why families choose us. We believe three things genuinely set this firm apart.
Mediation-First Philosophy
Divorce and family conflict are expensive — financially, emotionally, and for children caught in the middle. That is why we recommend mediation when it genuinely serves your family's interests. Florida courts frequently require mediation before trial anyway, and a skilled mediator can help both parties reach resolution faster, cheaper, and with more control over the outcome than a courtroom can offer. We will always tell you honestly when mediation is the right tool — and when it is not.
Real Estate + Family Law Expertise
This is an advantage you will not find at most family law firms. Granda & Associates handles both family law AND real estate closings. When a divorce involves family property, business real estate, or a home that must be divided or transferred, our dual expertise means one team handles both the family law and the real estate dimensions. No dueling firms, no miscommunication, no gaps. For divorcing homeowners, that is a genuine difference.
Bilingual Legal Services
Stephanie Granda is fluent in Spanish, allowing us to serve Miami's Hispanic community without barriers. Miami-Dade County is one of the most culturally rich communities in the United States, and legal representation should never be limited by language. We provide comprehensive bilingual legal services, from initial consultation through resolution, in English and Spanish.
South Florida Families Trust Granda & Associates
The strongest thing we can say about this firm is what our clients say about us. Behind the legal strategy, the negotiation, and the paperwork, our clients remember how they were treated.
Client Testimonials
Our clients consistently describe the firm the same way: responsive, honest, and genuinely caring. They tell us that we explain options in plain language, that we return calls, and that we treat their case as if it were our own family's. Those are the reviews that matter most — because they come from people who lived through the process with us.
Our Track Record
Since 2006, Granda & Associates has handled family law matters across Miami-Dade County — from Miami, Coral Gables, and Doral to Homestead, Miami Beach, and North Miami. We appear regularly in Miami-Dade County courts, and we have built working knowledge of the local judges, mediators, and procedures that shape family law outcomes in this county. That local experience translates into practical, informed advocacy for our clients.
Take the First Step — Schedule a Confidential Consultation
You do not have to figure this out alone. Whether you are considering divorce, facing a custody dispute, planning to adopt, or confronting a complex family legal problem, an honest conversation with an experienced attorney is the place to start.
What to Expect in Your Consultation
Your initial consultation is confidential. We will listen to your situation, ask the questions that matter, explain your legal options in plain language, and give you an honest assessment — including what is realistic, what it may cost, and how the process is likely to unfold. You will leave with a clearer picture and a concrete next step, whether or not you choose to work with us.
Contact Us Today
Call us at 305.595.4011, email sg@grandalaw.com, or contact our office online. Our office is located at 8900 SW 117th Ave, Suite C-208, Miami, FL 33186, conveniently serving clients throughout Miami-Dade County.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami Family Law
What is the difference between family law and divorce law?
Divorce is one part of family law. Family law also covers paternity, adoption, child support, alimony, prenuptial agreements, time-sharing, injunctions, modifications, and relocation. An attorney who practices family law handles the full range of legal issues affecting families.
How do I know if I need a family law attorney?
If you are dealing with any legal matter involving family relationships — divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoption, or protection from domestic violence — a family law attorney can protect your rights and interests. Even apparently "simple" matters carry legal consequences, and mistakes can be expensive and hard to undo.
What is mediation and do I have to use it?
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps both sides reach agreement. Florida courts often require mediation before trial in family matters. We recommend it when it genuinely serves your interests, because it typically saves time, money, and emotional stress — while giving both parties more control over the outcome.
How long does a family law case take in Florida?
It depends on the type of case. An uncontested divorce can be final in 30 to 60 days. Contested cases involving custody disputes or significant property can take six to eighteen months or longer. Your attorney can give you a realistic timeline after reviewing the specifics of your situation.
Do you offer free consultations?
We offer initial consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. Contact our office to schedule a time to speak with us about your situation — there is no cost and no obligation.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Stephanie Granda is fluent in Spanish, and we provide bilingual legal services to Miami's Hispanic community. Language should never be a barrier to quality legal representation.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all of Miami-Dade County, including Miami, Coral Gables, Doral, Homestead, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, North Miami, South Miami, and surrounding communities. Visit our Areas We Serve page for the full list.
How much does a family law case cost?
Costs vary significantly based on the type of case and its complexity. Uncontested matters are less expensive than contested cases that require mediation, discovery, or trial. We provide a fee estimate during your initial consultation so you understand the financial picture before you decide how to proceed.
These answers provide general information and are not legal advice. The appropriate approach depends on the facts of each matter.