Samah Abukhodeir (Sam)

About the LawyerSamah “Sam” Abukhodeir is the founder and managing partner of The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm in Miami, Florida, where she focuses her practice on Florida family law and related matters affecting families during major life transitions. She is a bilingual family law and probate attorney who helps diverse Florida families navigate issues such as divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and prenuptial agreements, often arising alongside probate and inheritance concerns.Since establishing the firm in 2018 as a two-person operation, Ms. Abukhodeir has led its growth into a statewide practice with 12 attorneys, more than 40 employees, and nine offices across Florida by 2025. Under her leadership, approximately half of the firm’s work is devoted to family law, reflecting her deep commitment to protecting Florida families through life’s toughest transitions—from divorce to matters involving children and complex family dynamics.Ms. Abukhodeir is active in the legal community, serving in leadership roles that intersect with family issues, estates, and guardianships, including Vice Chair of the Dade County Bar Association Probate and Guardianship Committee and fellow of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Committee of The Florida Bar. She has also been appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem or Attorney Ad Litem in various Florida cases, allowing her to advocate for the interests of vulnerable individuals and children within family-related proceedings.In addition to her work in practice, Ms. Abukhodeir is an adjunct professor at Florida International University, where she co-teaches courses and contributes to the education of future lawyers. Her experience as both a practitioner and educator informs her practical, client-centered approach to family law and her focus on guiding families through emotionally and legally complex situations.ExperienceMs. Abukhodeir has been licensed to practice law in Florida for over a decade and has built her career around serving families in both family law and probate matters. Early in her career, she served as a staff attorney and case manager for the Honorable Maria M. Korvick, the Administrative Probate Judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. That role gave her substantial exposure to guardianship, estate, and family-related issues arising in the probate courts, strengthening her understanding of how family dynamics intersect with property, inheritance, and long-term care.In 2018, she founded The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm, initially as a small, two-person practice. Through strategic growth and a focus on client service, she expanded the firm from one office to six offices in Florida within five years, and later to nine offices, with a team of 12 attorneys and over 40 employees. This growth reflects her leadership and ability to build a multidisciplinary team capable of handling complex family law matters alongside probate, guardianship, and related issues.As managing partner, Ms. Abukhodeir oversees a practice in which roughly half of the firm’s caseload is dedicated to family law. Her firm regularly represents clients in divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and prenuptial agreement matters, as well as family disputes connected to inheritance and guardianship. She is frequently involved in cases where family court and probate court issues overlap, such as disputes involving guardianship of minors or vulnerable adults, or family conflicts arising during estate administration.Beyond her firm, Ms. Abukhodeir plays an active role in the broader legal community. She serves as Vice Chair of the Dade County Bar Association Probate and Guardianship Committee, demonstrating leadership in areas that frequently intersect with family law, especially in cases involving children, incapacitated adults, and family caregivers. She is a fellow and active member of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar, and she has participated in other Bar committees that address diversity, inclusion, elder law, and young lawyers’ issues, all of which inform her sensitivity to the varied needs of Florida families.Her experience as an appointed Guardian Ad Litem and Attorney Ad Litem in multiple Florida cases adds another dimension to her family law practice. In these roles, she has been tasked with independently representing the best interests of children or vulnerable individuals, an experience that aligns closely with custody, visitation, and guardianship disputes often seen in family court.Parallel to her practice, Ms. Abukhodeir has served as an adjunct professor at Florida International University’s Honors College, co-teaching courses and sharing her practical insight with law students and undergraduates interested in legal careers. This academic involvement underscores her commitment to the profession and contributes to her ability to explain complex family law issues clearly to clients.SpecialtyMs. Abukhodeir specializes in Florida family law, with a practice that focuses on:

• Divorce and separationShe guides clients through contested and uncontested divorce proceedings, addressing issues such as equitable distribution of marital assets and debts, spousal support, and the restructuring of family life after separation.
• Child custody and time-sharingMs. Abukhodeir represents parents in establishing and modifying parenting plans, time-sharing arrangements, and decision-making authority for children, prioritizing the best interests of the child while balancing each parent’s rights and responsibilities.
• Child supportShe advises on child support calculations, enforcement, and modification, ensuring that support orders align with Florida’s guidelines and the changing financial circumstances of families.
• Alimony (spousal support)Her practice includes negotiating and litigating alimony awards, considering factors such as length of marriage, standard of living, earning capacities, and future financial needs of both spouses.
• Paternity mattersMs. Abukhodeir handles paternity actions involving the establishment of legal parentage, parenting plans, and child support, often working with families seeking clarity and stability in parental rights and obligations.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreementsShe assists clients in drafting, reviewing, and enforcing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, helping couples address property rights, support obligations, and expectations before or during marriage.
• Family law matters intersecting with probate and guardianshipDue to her firm’s dual focus, Ms. Abukhodeir frequently addresses family law disputes that arise alongside probate, guardianship, and estate planning—such as conflicts over guardianship of minors or incapacitated adults, or family disagreements linked to inheritance and estate administration. Her background in guardianships and estates enables her to approach these cases with a comprehensive view of both family law and probate court requirements.

Her bilingual capabilities and experience working with diverse communities across Florida position her to serve families from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She emphasizes clear communication, practical guidance, and empathy in cases that can be emotionally charged and complex.EducationSamah Abukhodeir earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, graduating magna cum laude, from Florida State University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed minors in Arabic and Child Development, giving her a strong foundation in understanding family dynamics, child growth and behavior, and cross-cultural communication—skills that support her work in family law.She obtained her Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law. While in law school, she made the Dean’s List and earned two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards, reflecting high academic performance in specific courses. Her legal education, combined with her psychology and child development background, informs her holistic perspective on the legal and emotional aspects of family law cases.In addition to her degrees, Ms. Abukhodeir serves as an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University, co-teaching courses through the Honors College. This role allows her to stay engaged with legal scholarship and to mentor students, further enhancing her ability to explain complex legal concepts to clients and colleagues in an accessible way.Achievements and Recognition

• Industry Rankings
  • Selected to Super Lawyers for 2024–2026 in Estate Planning & Probate .
  • Named a Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Coral Gables, Florida .
• Leadership Roles
  • Serving as Managing Partner of The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm in Miami .
  • Appointed Adjunct Professor at Florida International University .
  • Fellow of the Civil Society Fellowship .
  • Member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network .
  • Fellow of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Committee of The Florida Bar .
  • Vice Chair of the Dade County Bar Association Probate and Guardianship Committee .
  • Appointed member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee .
  • Active as an appointed Guardian Ad Litem and Attorney Ad Litem for various cases in Florida .
• Notable Contributions
  • Graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University .
  • Earned a Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law, where she was on the Dean's List and received two CALI Excellence awards .
  • Served as a facilitator for the Birzeit International Humanitarian Camp, which aided six refugee camps in the West Bank .
  • Promotes inclusion and diversity within her legal team at The Florida Probate & Family Law Firm .