Atty. Sheldon E. Finman
I frequently address professional and other groups, talking about divorce. Those attending always come up to me afterward and refer to my passion when discussing divorce and helping children and families restructure relationships.
Mediation & More Attorney · Serving Fort Myers, FL · 55+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Sheldon E. Finman at a Glance
Sheldon E. Finman is a Member based in Fort Myers, Florida, practicing at Sheldon E. Finman, P.A.. They have 55+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1971. Their practice focuses on divorce and adr. Admitted to practice in Florida (1971) and U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida (1971). Educated at University of Florida (J.D., 1971) and University of Florida (B.A. Political, 1965). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Lee County Bar Association The Florida Bar. Serves clients in Fort Myers, FL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Sheldon E. Finman in Fort Myers
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Sheldon E. Finman
- I frequently address professional and other groups, talking about divorce
- Those attending always come up to me afterward and refer to my passion when discussing divorce and helping children and families restructure relationships
- I am a divorce lawyer, and I love my job
- Let me count the ways
- I like helping people and have found a niche and ability to do just that.I truly care about people, especially those who are sincere and cooperative
- Many persons going through divorce are grieving the loss of a relationship
- They can be fearful regarding not knowing what to expect
- Many do not even want to divorce
- I am able to help by explaining the process, how it works, what to expect in the future, approximately how long the process may take, what is expected of them and the other side, and the approximate cost in terms of fees.I save families every day
- Children are a precious and fragile legacy
- I take the time to explain to my clients the necessity and reasons not to allow a stranger judge to rule
- I encourage my clients to take the responsibility to resolve all issues, problems and concerns, especially those relating to children
- That agreement is a gift that keeps on giving to their children.I sleep well at night
- I know I have done my best to help my clients understand the reasons to resolve matters.I promote my clients’ minor children’s interests as my highest priority.I do not particularly care for the word “DIVORCE.” I prefer “restructuring relationships.” I actually promote marriage, mom and apple pie
- However, if a divorce must occur, I feel fortunate to be able to help my clients with as smooth or less rocky transition from marriage
- I enjoy working with my clients, helping them through a hard time
- My clients often tell me they know I care about them and are so appreciative.Fairness is in the eyes of the beholder
- I promote being firm for fairness
- I do not ever advise my clients to give in to unreasonable demands
- I actually find court enjoyable, as a last resort from the standpoint of a court of competition in which I am always prepared and always professional and never overbearing
- I like to think my clients obtain as good of results as can be from the facts and law
- My courtroom style is effective and appreciated by judges, who have told me this
- With that said, I have never known of a truly good outcome in court in terms of money spent, time expended, and stress and aggravation to the client.My clients are like family
- We cooperate on all of the major matters in the end, but can respectfully agree to disagree
- I ask my clients to be open to alternatives and creative options.If a client wants to fight, I tell that client to hire someone else.After 40 plus years of practice, I finally understand my role and job as a divorce lawyer
- I know my style of practice is different from any other lawyer
- I love my job and hope to be able to continue helping people for many years to come.Divorce is a grief process
- Loss of a relationship can be just as traumatic as death
- I know, because I have had a divorce and am a widower
- I know grief and its impact on coping and decision making
- My past experiences with loss and grief not only make me a better person but better able to understand the emotional torment of clients.The initial consultation between the divorce lawyer and prospective clients will likely determine the outcome of the case
- At the initial consultation, I listen very carefully and assess my clients’ financial and emotional needs, assess my clients’ feelings toward their spouse and ability to be cooperative, reasonable and practical
- I find that I am able to help many who express feelings of distrust, anger and fear
- The key is to allow my clients to fully express their feelings
- Persons with traits of personality disorder are typically difficult to work with and require an entirely different approach from me as their lawyer
- I find overly gracious and overly critical comments by a prospective client can either mean this person is married to a difficult person or this person is the difficult person
- There are ways in which to attempt to work with difficult persons, but that would be the subject of much more time than we have here
- I would also refer any interested persons to Bill Eddy, http://www.highconflictinstitute.com/, the authority on high conflict persons.The fact that I am a Florida Bar Board Certified Family Law Attorney, recipient of numerous awards and professional recognitions, means nothing in the short run or long run
- They are merely the result of years of sincere and dedicated work helping others.Florida Blue Key
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- Certified Family Law Mediator, Florida Supreme Court
- Master of the Bench, Calusa Inn of Court
- Frequent Lecturer, Cooperative Law Model (non-adversarial divorce)
- Member, Florida Supreme Court Family Court Steering Committee (2000-2002)
Practice Areas Explained
Sheldon E. Finman's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Sheldon E. Finman handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Fort Myers.
Divorce in Fort Myers
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Sheldon E. Finman is one of 50,071 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Florida →
Mediation & Arbitration in Fort Myers
Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.
Sheldon E. Finman is one of 73,315 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Florida →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Fort Myers
Practicing law in Florida. Legal matters in Florida are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Fort Myers are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Florida state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Florida brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Florida courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Fort Myers Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Fort Myers-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Florida attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Fort Myers or all attorneys in Florida.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Sheldon E. Finman
Where is Sheldon E. Finman's law office located?
What practice areas does Sheldon E. Finman handle?
How long has Sheldon E. Finman practiced law?
Where did Sheldon E. Finman go to law school?
How can I contact Sheldon E. Finman for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Sheldon E. Finman received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Fort Myers Choose Sheldon E. Finman
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Sheldon E. Finman's practice in the field of divorce and adr.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Sheldon E. Finman brings 55+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Florida and U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, Sheldon E. Finman can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering divorce and adr, Sheldon E. Finman can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Fort Myers
A Fort Myers-based practice means Sheldon E. Finman attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Search Reference
How People Find Sheldon E. Finman Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Fort Myers commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Sheldon E. Finman.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Sheldon E. Finman directly.
Sheldon E. Finman's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Sheldon E. Finman
No reviews yet.