Flaherty Law Firm
Family Law Attorneys · Sarasota, FL

Protect What
Matters Most —
Your Family's Future

Flaherty Law Firm delivers direct, personalized legal representation across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice — with over 50 years of combined experience in marital and family law.

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50+
Years Combined Experience
1997
Trial Practice Est.
4
Counties Served
Direct Attorney Access — Always
You speak with and are represented by our attorneys directly. Never handed off to an associate.
50+ Years Combined Experience
Deep, tested family law knowledge from decades navigating Florida's most complex matters.
FL Supreme Court Certified Mediator
A credentialed, peaceful path to resolution that courts recognize and enforce.
Strategies Built for the Long Term
We solve today's legal problem and build strategies that protect your family for years ahead.
Highly Credentialed Legal Team
Florida Bar membership, Family Law Section, and founding collaborative law practice in Sarasota.
Practice Areas

Comprehensive
Family Law
Representation

From the earliest stages of a difficult divorce to the complexities of high-net-worth asset division, our team provides the caliber of legal counsel that only comes from decades of hands-on Florida family law experience. Every matter we take on receives our full, direct attention.

01

Divorce

We guide clients through every stage of divorce — from initial filings to final settlements — crafting personalized strategies that address both the emotional and financial dimensions.

02

Divorce Mediation

Our Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator facilitates constructive dialogue, offering a faster, less adversarial alternative that keeps you in control of the outcome.

03

Child Support

We advocate for child support arrangements that reflect your child's actual needs, factoring in income, living arrangements, and Florida law.

04

Child Relocation

When a parent needs to move, custody agreements become complicated. We protect your parental rights and your child's best interests under Florida's relocation statutes.

05

Non-Marital Property

Backed by nearly three decades of experience, we carefully evaluate and distinguish marital from non-marital assets to ensure you receive rightful ownership.

06

Complex Property Division

From business valuations and investment portfolios to retirement accounts and hidden asset discovery, we manage intricate property divisions with precision.

07

Establishing Paternity

We assist with paternity testing, legal filings, and related custody and support matters — securing the legal recognition that protects both parent and child.

08

High Net Worth Divorce

High-asset divorces demand a higher level of legal acumen. We provide thorough asset valuation, risk management, and wealth-protection strategies.

09

Domestic Violence Protection

If you or your children are in danger, we act swiftly — guiding you through restraining orders, emergency protective measures, and long-term legal safeguards with compassion.

10

Custody & Parental Rights

We advocate for custody and parenting arrangements that prioritize your child's stability and well-being while ensuring your rights as a parent are fully protected under Florida law.

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About the Firm

Your Legal Partner
From First Call to
Final Resolution

Flaherty Law Firm was built on a single conviction: that people facing the most difficult moments of their lives deserve direct, personal attention from experienced attorneys — not a rotating cast of associates. From our offices in Sarasota, we have served families across Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice, becoming a trusted name in Florida marital and family law.

Our firm is led by Mark Flaherty, a trial attorney whose legal career began in 1997 as an Assistant State Attorney with the 12th Judicial Circuit. A member of the Florida Bar, the Sarasota County Bar Association's Family Law Section, and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator since 2015, Mark is also a founding member of Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals.

When you work with Flaherty Law Firm, you are not a case number. You are a family with real stakes, real emotions, and a real future that deserves to be protected. We will stand beside you from the first conversation to the final resolution.

Call (941) 706-2860
Flaherty Law Firm
Mark Flaherty
Mark Flaherty
Managing Attorney
Angela D. Flaherty
Angela D. Flaherty
Attorney
Why Clients Choose Us

What Sets Flaherty Law Apart

You Work Directly With Our Attorneys

At Flaherty Law Firm, you are never passed off to an associate. From first consultation to final resolution, you have direct access to our attorneys throughout your case.

Over 50 Years of Combined Experience

Our team brings deep, tested family law knowledge to every case — giving you the benefit of decades spent navigating Florida's most complex marital and custody matters.

Trial-Tested Representation Since 1997

Led by a trial attorney with a practice dating to 1997, we are fully prepared to advocate for you both at the negotiating table and inside the courtroom.

Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator

Our firm offers mediation through a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, providing a structured, cost-effective path to resolution when court isn't the best option.

Short-Term Solutions, Long-Term Strategy

We don't just resolve your immediate legal crisis — we build strategies that account for your family's needs months and years down the road.

Founding Members of Collaborative Family Law

As a founding member of Sarasota Collaborative Family Law Professionals, we pursue cooperative solutions that protect relationships and minimize conflict wherever possible.

Our Process

How We Work
With You

1

Initial Consultation

We meet with you directly — no intake forms passed to junior staff — to understand your situation, your goals, and the legal landscape specific to your case.

2

Case Strategy Development

Our attorneys craft a customized legal strategy that addresses your immediate needs while accounting for the long-term implications of every decision.

3

Negotiation & Mediation

Where possible, we pursue amicable resolutions through negotiation or mediation, reducing cost, conflict, and the emotional toll on your family.

4

Litigation & Court Representation

When negotiation isn't enough, our trial-tested attorneys step into the courtroom fully prepared to advocate for your rights with skill and conviction.

5

Resolution & Ongoing Counsel

We see your matter through to a clear, enforceable resolution — and remain available to assist with modifications, enforcement, or new developments as your life evolves.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked
Questions

We serve clients throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice, Florida.

You will work directly with our attorneys. We do not pass clients off to associates — direct attorney access is a core principle of how we operate.

Mediation is a structured process where a neutral mediator helps both parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement without going to court. It tends to be faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than litigation. Our firm offers mediation services through a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator.

Florida uses an income shares model that considers both parents' income, the number of overnights with each parent, healthcare costs, and childcare expenses. We help ensure the calculation reflects your child's actual circumstances and that any order is fair and enforceable.

Marital property is generally what was acquired during the marriage and is subject to equitable distribution. Non-marital property — such as assets owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance — typically belongs to the individual spouse. Tracing and protecting non-marital assets requires careful legal analysis.

Your safety is the immediate priority. Our attorneys can help you pursue emergency protective orders and restraining orders, and we will guide you through the legal steps needed to protect yourself and your children both immediately and long-term.

High-asset divorces involve greater complexity — business valuations, investment portfolios, real estate holdings, and retirement accounts all require careful analysis. The stakes are higher and the strategies must be more sophisticated to protect your financial future.

Yes. Florida courts can modify existing orders when there has been a substantial change in circumstances. Our attorneys can evaluate whether modification is appropriate in your situation and represent you through that process.

Begin Today

You Don't Have to
Navigate This Alone

Facing a family law matter can be overwhelming. Reach out to our experienced team to schedule a consultation with a reliable family attorney in Sarasota, FL. Your rights deserve to be fully protected — and we will stand beside you from the first conversation to the final resolution.

Call (941) 706-2860 mark@srqfamilylaw.com
Office Location
2180 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34237
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Areas Served
Sarasota Bradenton Lakewood Ranch Venice