Written Questions
Up to 2 Questions, 24-Hour Reply$19.99
Up to 2 Questions, 2-Hour Reply$49.99
- Divorce Procedures and Court Expectations
- Custody, Visitation and Child Support
- Alimony and Division of Assets
Cespedes Law Firm
Family · Mediation · Business · Escrow
Attorney & Mediator · Member of the Florida Bar and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida Since 1997
One Counsel for Family, Business and Professional Escrow Services.
Family law, business counsel and professional escrow, all by video in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
29+Years practicing
2003Mediating since
3Languages
100%Video teleconference
DivorceChild CustodyParenting PlansChild Support and AlimonyPre- and Post-NuptialsChild RelocationMediationDispute ResolutionContractsBusiness FormationYacht and Private Jet Escrow ServicesYacht and Private Jet Purchase CoordinationDivorceChild CustodyParenting PlansChild Support and AlimonyPre- and Post-NuptialsChild RelocationMediationDispute ResolutionContractsBusiness FormationYacht and Private Jet Escrow ServicesYacht and Private Jet Purchase Coordination
Practice 01 · Statewide
Family Law Advisor
Affordable guidance on divorce, custody, support and paperwork, before you spend thousands on litigation.
Divorce, Custody, Mediation Practice 02 · StatewideBusiness Law
Contracts, negotiations and dispute resolution from an attorney who has owned and run businesses himself.
Start, Grow, Safeguard Practice 03 · WorldwideProfessional Escrow Services
Neutral third-party escrow services for builds and purchases of yachts and private jets.
Secure Yacht and Private Jet TransactionsHow to Work with Ernesto
Represent Yourself, or Hire Ernesto as Your Attorney.
Option 1 · Pro Se Litigant Services
Representing Yourself
Pre-paid, flat-fee packages for people who will file and appear in court on their own: written questions, video consultations, document review, document drafting and divorce packages. You stay in charge of your case, with an experienced attorney guiding the paperwork.
See Pro Se ServicesOption 2 · Full Representation
Hire Ernesto as Your Attorney of Record
Prefer not to represent yourself? Clients can retain Ernesto to represent them in court as their attorney of record. Representation begins with a consultation and a written engagement agreement, and is separate from the pre-paid packages.
Request RepresentationPractice 01 · Family Law Advisor
Clear Answers Through Life's Hardest Transitions.
Flat-fee guidance on divorce, custody and urgent family matters, by video. Pick a service and prepay online.
Video Consultation
Up to 45 Minutes$225
- Divorce, Custody, Relocation and Modifications
- Paternity, DNA Tests, Pre- and Post-Nuptials
- Domestic Violence: Assistance for Victims and Defendants
Document Review
- Catch Missing Information and Errors Before Filing
- Petitions, Motions, Answers and Responses
- Parenting Plans and Financial Affidavits
Simple Divorce
No Children, No Property$499.99
- Drafting of Uncontested, Simple Divorce Pleadings
- Step-by-Step Filing Instructions
Contested Divorce
Without Children$1,750
With Children, Parenting Plan Included$2,500
- Petitions, Answers and Counter-Petitions
- Marital Settlement Agreement and Final Judgment
Mediation
Per Hour, 2-Hour Minimum$295
- Pre-Divorce, Divorce and Civil Cases
- Private, Confidential, by Video Teleconference
- Faster and Far Less Costly Than Litigation
Document Drafting
Documents Drafted for Self-Represented Litigants.
The most-ordered documents are below. Browse all 19, grouped by case type, on the Document Drafting page.
Card payments carry a 3.5% processing fee, shown at checkout.
No Refund Policy. Once payment has been made by user and attorney has provided an answer via email or engaged in a video teleconference session, no refunds will be made. Questions? Email [email protected].
- 01Marital Settlement AgreementBasic $850, complex $1,500from $850
- 02Parenting Plan with Visitation Schedule$650
- 03Final Judgment – Dissolution of Marriage or Paternity ActionBasic $250, complex $500, one revision includedfrom $250
- 04MotionBasic $175, complex $250from $175
- 05Response to Motion or Petition$350
Mediation Services
Dispute Resolutions – Mediations for Divorce and Business Matters
Statistically, approximately 97% of all lawsuits are settled prior to trial.
If you are contemplating separation and/or divorce, or are a business owner involved in a lawsuit, please give serious consideration to mediation as a method of resolving your differences. In a family law setting, every divorce case filed in court is ordered by a judge to mediation. Because you are going to be ordered to mediation by the judge on your case, it is financially wiser to seek out a mediator yourself prior to entering the court system. It will save you thousands of dollars in attorney fees and costs, while mitigating frustration and stress.
Mediation is an informal and confidential process whereby I, as a neutral and impartial mediator, act to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is a voluntary, informal and non-adversarial process intended to help disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Mediation is a wonderful tool in resolving disputes because it empowers the parties to actively engage in the process. It puts the outcome of your case in your hands, instead of turning over important decisions to a judge or jury (in a business civil case). It’s the smartest alternative.
Mediation
$295/hr
2-Hour Minimum
- Faster Than Litigation
- Significantly Helps Reduce Litigation Expense
- Family and Civil Mediations
- Mediation by Video Teleconference
- Neutral, Impartial Mediator
- Encourages Mutual Agreement
- Pre-Divorce and Divorce Mediations
- Mediation Empowers the Parties
- Private and Confidential
Domestic Violence · Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties Only
Are You a Victim or Defendant/Respondent of Domestic Violence, Stalking, Dating Violence or Cyber Stalking?
As a Victim
I can assist you in filling out forms, for you to file in court when seeking a temporary or permanent restraining order/injunction against someone for any of the above reasons.
As a Defendant/Respondent
Have you been served with a Temporary Restraining Order/Injunction and don’t know what to do, what legal steps to take or how a restraining order can negatively affect your life, business, career or immigration status? Schedule a Consultation now to learn how to defend yourself against any of these allegations.
Available for cases in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Schedule a ConsultationReal Estate · Closings and Title
Residential & Commercial Real Estate Closings and Title Services
Whether you are purchasing, selling, or refinancing real estate, having experienced legal counsel by your side can make all the difference. Our firm provides comprehensive legal services for residential and commercial real estate transactions, guiding clients through every stage of the closing process with professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to protecting their interests. From first-time homebuyers and individual homeowners to real estate investors, developers, and commercial property owners, we work diligently to facilitate smooth, efficient, and timely closings while helping our clients navigate the legal and practical complexities of their transactions.
As both a real estate attorney and title agent, we offer the added advantage of combining legal representation with title and closing services under one roof. Our services include contract review, title searches and examinations, title insurance coordination and issuance as authorized, lien and encumbrance review, closing document preparation, escrow coordination, and the handling of closing funds, as applicable to each transaction. Whether the matter involves a residential purchase or sale, an investment property, a commercial acquisition, or a refinance, we take a thorough and proactive approach to identifying potential issues and addressing them before they become obstacles to closing.
Our goal is to provide every client with personalized service, clear communication, and confidence throughout the real estate transaction. We understand that real estate transactions often represent significant financial commitments, and we approach each matter with the care, diligence, and responsiveness it deserves. From the initial contract through the final closing, we are committed to making the process as seamless as possible while safeguarding our clients’ legal and financial interests. When you choose our firm for your real estate closing and title needs, you can expect knowledgeable guidance, practical solutions, and dedicated service from start to finish.
Practice 02 · Business Counsel
Counsel from Someone Who Has Signed the Payroll.
Before practicing law, Ernesto owned and operated several businesses. He understands the pressure of running one, and he advises accordingly.
Clear, solutions-focused counsel to help you start, grow and protect your company.
From contracts and negotiations to dispute resolution, the goal is to reduce risk while positioning your business for long-term success. We reduce complex legalese to everyday, simple-to-understand language, so every decision is an informed one.
The firm also works with a network of strategic alliances, giving clients access to related professional services well beyond legal counsel.
Start
Entity setup, founding agreements and the contracts you will rely on from day one.
Grow
Negotiations, vendor and client agreements, and deals reviewed before you sign.
Safeguard
Dispute resolution and mediation that keep conflicts out of court where possible. Forward-looking counsel to prevent and/or mitigate potential future litigation.
Meet
Schedule an online appointment and meet by video teleconference.
Practice 03 · Professional Escrow Services
Secure Yacht and Private Jet Transactions, Held to the Letter of Your Contract.
As a neutral third-party paymaster, the firm protects buyers, sellers and brokers in high-value yacht and private jet purchases from fraud, scams and non-compliant deals. Our services are confidential, secure and trusted by clients worldwide.
01
Intake
Confidential review of the purchase or build contract, its parties and its payment milestones.
02
Funds Held
Your funds are held in an FDIC-insured U.S. bank for the duration of the purchase or manufacturing, until all parties are paid and the terms of the contract have been completely fulfilled.
03
Milestone Disbursement
Payments to manufacturers, brokers and inspectors are released only on the terms of your contract.
04
Possession
The engagement closes once you have taken possession and ownership of the yacht and/or private jet, and all parties have been paid.
Funding, inspections, commissions and contract milestones, all disbursed according to your detailed and specific written instructions.
Founder
Ernesto Cespedes, Esq.
Attorney · Mediator
A tri-lingual attorney and mediator fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Ernesto has served clients across Florida as a member of the Florida Bar since 1997, with more than 29 years in family law and civil matters.
Since 2003, he has mediated disputes in family law, business, Medicare disputes and IRS appeals, helping parties reach neutral, informed and practical agreements. He explains procedures, rights and expectations in plain terms so clients can decide with confidence.
1997Florida Bar
2003Mediator
EN ES PTLanguages
Main office in Miami and Boca Raton with virtual offices throughout the state
Trusted Across Florida and Around the World.
Clients
In Their Words.
After hiring and firing 3 different attorney’s, I hired Attorney Cespedes to help me with an ongoing problem; He was very up front and told me the possible good and bad of my situation; Attorney Cespedes argued the best possible solutions and was successful. I just wish I would have hired him 3 attorney's ago. If you are in need of a very good family law attorney, Mr. Cespedes is one of the very best. Again, thank you Attorney Cespedes for your help.
Mark F.Mr. Cespedes, is without a doubt the best attorney. He handled my divorce mediations and final divorce. Mr. Ernesto Cespedes Esq. is a true law professional; a very knowledgeable, skilled, respectful, caring and experienced attorney which he demonstrated in my divorce case. I am very grateful for his guidance, support and for being my attorney at such a difficult time. In my book, Mr. Cespedes is #1 as an attorney and as a person. I would highly recommend him as an attorney.
Robert R.As a repeat client, I want to thank you again for having helped me through my divorce 10 years ago. Forward to 2024, and now my son, a disabled military veteran, was in need of a divorce as well. Throughout the entire process you guided us through every step and even accommodated my son by coming to our home and sitting in our living room during Zoom hearings. We are so very grateful and appreciative of the care and interest you took in making sure my son got through his ordeal with the least amount of impact on him personally. I will no doubt always keep you in mind and without hesitation refer you to anyone I know that needs a caring and knowledgeable attorney on their side.
Robin S. and Denver W.I want to thank you for the great representation you provided me. I was very confused and nervous over the whole divorce situation. You were very patient and understanding with what I was going through. Now that I feel like the weight has been removed from my shoulders, I want to thank you for your patience and the great legal services you provided me. I will be recommending your firm to my friends and family who seek legal help with a divorce or litigation.
Ken BErnesto, I wanted to take a moment and commend you on your amazing service. I have had to rely on attorneys to handle situations for me in the past, and sad to say, with great frustration at times. You have always been available when I needed you, quick to respond, thoughtful in counsel, and understanding when I voiced my concerns or hurt. I am so grateful someone referred me to you when I needed help. You have renewed my view of, and appreciation for, those working in our legal system today. I would "Highly" recommend you to anyone needing a attorney in your area of practice.
Kenneth MMr. Cespedes, I extend this sincere note of appreciation for both your time and advice regarding the legal issues facing my daughter and my granddaughter. Your assistance far exceeded any expectation. You provided clear and consistent counsel, patiently re-visiting several points for clarification. Sir, your actions speak highly of you, and I appreciate your many efforts.
Antonio G
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All services are available by email or a scheduled video teleconference. Submitting this form requests contact and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
- MeetingsScheduled video teleconference
- LanguagesEnglish, Spanish, Portuguese
- Family lawStatewide, Florida
- Business lawStatewide, Florida
- Escrow servicesClients Worldwide
Secure checkoutService
Payments are processed securely. No Refund Policy: once payment has been made and the attorney has provided an answer via email or engaged in a video teleconference session, no refunds will be made. Purchasing a service does not create full legal representation unless agreed in writing.