Attorneys - General Practice

Elizabeth F. Schwartz is currently in her tenth year of law practice. Also a certified family mediator, her firm treats the law as a therapeutic profession, helping clients protect their families and facilitating relationship dissolution with minimal investment of emotional and financial resources. Elizabeth's practice focuses on traditional and non-traditional families, estate planning and probate, as well as divorce and creative conflict resolution. With an emphasis on addressing the unique legal needs of the gay community, Elizabeth lectures locally and nationally about the importance of gay couples protecting their loved ones through estate planning and contract. Her work also includes assisting with the legal aspects of adoption, insemination and surrogacy. Elizabeth is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, the Probate and Guardianship Committee of the Dade County Bar Association and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. She is also a founding member on the board of the Women’s Community Fund, raising money by and for South Florida’s lesbian community, and the Collaborative Family Law Institute, an organization reforming the divorce process. Elizabeth is an AV Rated attorney, which is awarded by Martindale-Hubbell LexisNexis and identifies a lawyer with high legal ability, expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional experience. For her years of service, Elizabeth was honored with the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 2005 Community Award. A native of Miami Beach, she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993. She received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami, in 1997. A lefty and a Scorpio, she lives with her partner, Lydia Martin and their dog, Buttercup, in downtown Miami's urban core.

Law Offices of Karlan & Associates, P.A. is a boutique law firm located in Miami, Florida. Our knowledgeable attorneys are dedicated to the highest level of personal service as we guide clients through divorce, custody, and other family law matters. Providing dependable advice to our clients requires extensive knowledge of the underlying legal issues. Our attorneys are well versed in all aspects of Florida family law, from marital property division and prenuptial agreements to DNA paternity testing and domestic violence restraining orders. Our lawyers have the trial experience to protect your interests in court, and the negotiating skills to resolve matters out of court through alternative dispute resolution and other forms of mediation. We understand that ending a marriage or fighting for custody are emotional issues requiring tough decisions. We are sympathetic to your questions and concerns about the end result. The attorneys and staff at Law Offices of Karlan & Associates, P.A. strive to be accessible, responsive, and supportive throughout the process. We take the time to explain the process, the steps we take on your behalf, and the expected timeline of events. We provide a free initial phone consultation, and we can arrange evening or weekend appointments for your convenience. Phone calls are promptly returned and clients are regularly updated on the progress of their case. We explain our fee structure up front and the estimated cost of resolving your legal matter. We recognize that divorce, domestic violence, paternity, and related matters are intensely personal, and that you may not want your spouse, partner, or family members to know about your visit with us, therefore your discussions with us our kept in strict confidence. We will work toward private, out-of-court resolutions per your wishes. Contact our Miami office at 305-914-5677 for a Free 30 minute in office consultation. In your free consultation, we will explain the process, discuss your options, and estimate your costs. For experienced, compassionate, and discreet representation call now.

If you seek assistance with purchasing property or planning or administering an estate, we will help you achieve your goals, perhaps even some you haven’t thought of, yet.

Samuel M. Silver has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1977; his practice is limited to real estate, social security disability issues and elder law with emphasis on probate and guardianship concerns.