What Does It Mean to Be a Board-Certified Family Law Attorney in Florida? – When Split Happens Episode 12

This post is part of a series summarizing each episode of When Split Happens, Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite’s podcast. Access all episode topics here.

In this episode of When Split Happens, Jay Henderlite of Sasso Guerrero & Henderlite explains what it actually means to be a board-certified marital and family law attorney in Florida.

Jay walks through the exact standards set by The Florida Bar, including the required years of practice, documented case experience, specialty continuing legal education, the written certification exam, and the confidential peer review process.

You’ll also learn why board certification is considered the highest level of attorney evaluation in Florida, how few lawyers earn the designation, and why it can be an important quality signal when choosing a divorce or custody attorney.

If you’re navigating divorce, custody, or other family law issues in Florida, this episode helps clarify what attorney credentials really mean and how they can affect your choice of representation.

Related: Announcing When Split Happens, New Family Law Podcast Hosted by Jay Henderlite

When you’re choosing a divorce or custody lawyer, you’ll often see the phrase board-certified in bios and firm websites. In Florida, that wording isn’t just marketing. It’s tied to a regulated, specialist designation issued through the Florida Bar—specifically for lawyers who focus on family law.

So what does it actually mean to be a board-certified family law attorney in Florida? And how does it help you as a client? Here’s a clear breakdown.

Board certification in Florida: not marketing, but a specialist credential

In many states, terms like “specialist” can be loosely used. In Florida, board-certified has a precise meaning. It refers to the highest level of evaluation by the Florida Bar for attorneys in a specialty area.

For family lawyers, the certification covers marital and family law. That includes matters such as divorce, custody, support, and related issues like property division and relocation disputes.

Is every family lawyer board certified?

No. Only a small percentage of eligible lawyers earn this designation. The Bar’s standards are strict and multi-layered, and the path to certification requires proving both experience and competency in the specialty—not just general legal knowledge.

What are the requirements to be board certified in family law

To earn board certification, an attorney must meet several hurdles. Think of it as a combined test of time in the field, depth of case involvement, specialized training, demonstrated knowledge, and professional vetting.

1) Minimum practice and experience

To even apply, the attorney must meet baseline requirements:

• Be a member of the Florida Bar for at least five years
• Have been substantially involved in the active practice of law for at least five of the previous seven years

And importantly: general legal experience doesn’t count on its own. The experience must be focused on marital and family law.

2) Documented case involvement

The Bar requires proof of real involvement in family law matters:

• At least 40 marital and family law matters where the lawyer played a significant role

What about uncontested cases? Some can count—but they’re not enough by themselves. The Bar requires that at least 20 of the qualifying matters involve contested proceedings, such as:

• Trials
• Evidentiary hearings

This is designed to ensure the attorney has hands-on dispute resolution and litigation experience—not just paperwork-based filings.

3) Extra continuing education (beyond the usual bar requirements)

All Florida lawyers complete continuing legal education, but board certification demands specialized, additional training.

Board certification applicants must complete a substantial number of CLE hours focused specifically on marital and family law topics during the qualifying period.

In other words, yes—there is extra education beyond simply being a licensed attorney.

4) A written specialty exam

Earning certification isn’t just about time and case counts. The Florida Bar also requires passing a specialty exam focused on marital and family law.

The exam tests substantive knowledge and practical legal foundations, including:

• Substantive law
• Procedure
• Evidence
• Ethics

It’s centered on the kinds of legal issues that come up in divorce and family law—like custody disputes, child and spousal support, and property division.

5) Confidential peer review

Even if an attorney meets the experience and testing standards, certification can still be denied. That’s where peer review comes in.

The Bar contacts judges and opposing counsel who have worked with the applicant to evaluate areas such as:

• Professionalism
• Ethics
• Competence
• Reputation

This component reflects a key idea: family law representation isn’t only about legal knowledge—it’s also about how an attorney practices and earns trust in the courtroom system.

Does board certification last forever?

No. Certification is maintained, not permanent.

Board-certified family lawyers must complete enhanced family law CLE every year and periodically apply for recertification. If ongoing standards aren’t met, the attorney can lose the designation.

How board certification can benefit you as a client

Board certification doesn’t guarantee a specific outcome in your case. Divorce and custody results can depend on facts, credibility, and evidence.

But board certification does provide an objective quality signal. It indicates that the lawyer has verified:

• Depth of experience in marital and family law
• Advanced tested knowledge through a specialty exam
• Significant contested case involvement (including trials and evidentiary hearings)
• Professional reputation based on peer review

If you’re dealing with complex issues—such as custody disputes, relocation, support disputes, or high-stakes property division—this kind of verified specialization can be especially meaningful.

What to look for when you’re hiring a Florida family law attorney

If board certification is on the table, consider it a starting point—not the only factor. You can also ask questions like:

• How much of their practice is devoted to family law (not general litigation)?
• How often do they handle contested matters (hearings, trial)?
• What is their approach to strategy and evidence preparation?
• How do they communicate updates and manage timelines during the case?

Those answers help you evaluate fit, not just credentials.

So can any lawyer call themselves a specialist in Florida?

No. In Florida, the ability to describe oneself as a specialist in marital and family law is regulated. Only attorneys certified by the Florida Bar in that specialty can ethically use that designation.

That protection exists to prevent vague claims and to help the public make more informed decisions during stressful, high-stakes situations.

Local note: board-certified concentration matters

In Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, credentials matter when the case requires precision and strategy. A strong team can provide consistency across filings, negotiations, and court proceedings—especially in contested cases.

One example is the firm Sasso Guerrero and Henderlight, which has three board-certified family law attorneys at the helm. That level of certified specialization is rare and intentional.

FAQ

What does “board-certified” mean for Florida family law attorneys?

In Florida, “board-certified” is a regulated specialist designation issued by the Florida Bar for lawyers certified in marital and family law. It’s not marketing language and requires strict standards for experience, education, testing, and peer review.

Does being a family law attorney automatically mean the lawyer is board certified?

No. Only a small percentage of eligible lawyers earn the designation because the requirements are stringent and focused on marital and family law—not general legal practice.

Do uncontested divorces count toward board certification?

Some uncontested matters may count, but they are not sufficient by themselves. The Bar requires a minimum number of qualifying matters that involve contested proceedings such as trials or evidentiary hearings.

Is extra training required beyond being licensed to practice law?

Yes. Board certification requires specialized continuing legal education in marital and family law topics, beyond the standard bar requirements.

Do board-certified attorneys have to pass another exam?

Yes. Florida’s board certification includes a specialty written exam focused on marital and family law, covering substantive law, procedure, evidence, and ethics.

How is peer review used in the certification process?

The Florida Bar conducts confidential peer review by contacting judges and opposing counsel who have worked with the applicant to assess professionalism, ethics, competence, and reputation.

Can board certification be lost?

Yes. Board certification must be maintained through enhanced family law CLE and periodic recertification. If ongoing requirements aren’t met, the designation can be removed.

Does board certification guarantee a better result in my case?

No. Outcomes depend on the facts of your case. However, board certification is a strong, verified signal of specialized experience, advanced tested knowledge, and a proven professional record in family law.