Michael P. Sampson
Orlando Collaborative Divorce Attorney
Since 2017, Orlando Collaborative Divorce attorney, Michael P. Sampson, has accepted collaborative matters only. His clients have committed to resolve their family law issues out-of-court and respectfully.
Your collaborative practice team can help you resolve Florida divorce and other family law cases.
Benefits of Collaborative Divorce
Your collaborative divorce process will be private, confidential, peaceful, and creative.
Successful collaborating couples can spare themselves pain and exorbitant costs that litigation often makes worse.
Consider if the collaborative option might fit you and your family. Read more about the Florida collaborative process! Here is a step-by-step guide to Florida Collaborative Divorce.
Parents: Model Problem Solving for your Children
If you’re a mom or dad, you can emerge from a traumatic life event – your breakup or divorce – emotionally intact. Will you be prepared to model for your kids how adults can work with each other to solve problems? If so, collaborative divorce may fit your family’s needs.
Background
- Sampson Collaborative Law (2017-present)
- Carlton Fields (2002-2016) Shareholder
- Holland & Knight (1986-2002)
Partner (1994-2002)
Associate (1986-1994)
Professional and Civic Activities
- Central Florida Collaborative Divorce (Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida), 2025 receipient of the Thomas V. Behan Collaborative Excellence Award, presented to a collaborative professional who, through achievement and leadership, supports the mission and values of Central Florida Collaborative Divorce: To empower families to divorce privately, efficiently and respectfully.
- Central Florida Collaborative Divorce (Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida), Board Member (2017-2020)
- Central Florida Collaborative Divorce (Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida) Member, (2014-present)
- Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals (FACP)
- Outreach and Research Subcommittees (2019-2023)
- Bronze Sponsor of Statewide Annual Conference (2017-2020, 2022-2024)
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) (2014-present)
- American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section – Collaborative Law Subcommittee (2018-present)
- Global Collaborative Law Council (February 1, 2023-present)
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and Florida Chapter (FLAFCC) (2023-2025)
- Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee of the Florida Bar (2006-2012)
- Rules Committee of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar (2000-2006)
Education
- Duke University School of Law (J.D., 1986)
- Duke University (M.A., 1986 – Economics)
- Cornell University (A.B., 1983), with distinction
Collaborative Practice Training
Resources, Publications, and Blog Articles
** CALCULATORS **
- Florida Durational Alimony Calculator
- Marital Appreciation Nonmarital Real Property Calculator
- Premarital Accounts – Calculate Marital and Nonmarital Shares
** FLORIDA’S COLLABORATIVE PROCESS **
- FAQs Florida Collaborative Divorce
- Harness Collaborative Contract Power!
When Clients Retain Their Power: The Collaborative Law Process
- Florida’s Collaborative Law System
- Florida Collaborative Law Process Act, §61.55 – 61.58, Florida Statutes
- Florida Collaborative Family Law Rule of Procedure 12.745
- Florida’s Collaborative Divorce Forms
- Uniform Collaborative Law Act (UCLA) in the US
** COLLABORATIVE PARENTING PLANS **
- Florida Parenting Plan Basics: Collaborative Family Law
- Collaborative Parenting Plans: A Child’s Prospective Best Interests
- Collaborative Family Law Agreements: A Child’s Future Best Interests
- Florida Parenting Plans & Events Reasonably Certain to Occur
- Children’s Best Interests: Parenting Plans Entail Prediction
- Collaborative Parenting Plans: Extraordinary Burden for Modification
- Collaborative Parenting Plans: Judges Must Safeguard Children
- Anticipating Events Reasonably Certain to Occur: Collaborative Parenting Plans
- Enlist Court Review When Events Occur: Collaborative Parenting Plans
- Resolve Future Impasses: Collaborative Parenting Plans
- Contingencies Parents Build into their Parenting Plans in Florida Divorces
- Agreeing to a Different Burden for Modification: Florida Parenting Plans
- Florida Dependent Adult Children
- Florida Parenting Coordinator Rules
- Custody of Children by Extended Family Member Including Fictive Kin
** SHARED PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY – MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT **
- Parenting Plans – Consent to Child’s Mental Health Treatment
- Parental Responsibility & Decision Making
- Shared Parental Responsibility and Sole Parental Responsibility
- Shared Parenting – Retained Consent to Mental Health Treatment
- Florida Law: Each Parent Retains Consent to Mental Health Treatment
- Collaborative Practice: Shared Parental Responsibility for Health Care
- Collaborative Process: Clarifying Intent About “Mental Health Treatment”
- What Is “Mental Health Treatment”?
- Language – “Mental Health Treatment”
- Informed Consent By One Parent – Florida Mental Health Professionals
- Florida Mental Health Providers & Informed Consent
- What If Parents Disagree About Child’s Mental Health Treatment?
** BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS AFTER DIVORCE **
- Update Florida Beneficiary Designations After Divorce
- Remind Divorced Employees to Update Beneficiary Designations
- Divorce and Beneficiary Designations — Florida Statutes §732.703
- Beneficiary Designations Checklist for Collaborative Teams
- Collaborative Marital Settlement Agreements: Insurance Policies
- Automatic Revocation of Will Provisions that Affect an Ex-Spouse
- Collaborative Marital Agreements — Beneficiary Designations After Divorce
** CORPORATIONS AND TRUSTS – JURISDICTION **
- Corporation or Trust Challenges to Service of Process and Jurisdiction
- Challenge to Service of Process in Florida Divorce
- Family Law Pleadings: Allege Personal Jurisdiction
- Long-Arm Statute or Alter Ego? Personal Jurisdiction Over Corporation in Florida Divorce
- Long-Arm Jurisdiction: Specific or General?
- Alter Ego Basis for Jurisdiction in Florida Family Law Action
- Jurisdiction Over Property at Issue in Florida Divorce
- Sworn Affidavits to Support Challenges to Jurisdiction in Florida Divorce
** DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS **
- Domestic Partnership Agreements: FAQs
- Domestic Partnership Agreements: Financial Disclosures
- Survivor’s Rights on Domestic Partner’s Death
- Domestic Partnership Agreements: The Home and Joint Expenses
- Domestic Partnership Agreements: Overview
- Domestic Partners: Support When the Relationship Ends
- Domestic Partnership Agreements: Separate and Joint Property
** OTHER **
