Nicole L. Goetz

Overview

Nicole Goetz understands the sensitive and often highly-emotional nature of family law. With over twenty-five (25) years of legal experience, she has endeavored to provide skilled and compassionate counseling to assist her clients through every aspect of divorce, marital and family law, including pre-suit counseling and negotiations, collaborative law processes, mediations, litigation and appeals.

Nicole has focused her practice on complex and high-net worth cases, often handling high-net-worth divorces involving complex jurisdictional and equitable distribution issues. She has handled matters involving the valuation and division of closely-held companies, equity compensation, pensions and other significant assets, as well as matters involving alimony/spousal support, annulment, enforcement, modification, parental responsibility, paternity, and timesharing to name a few. During her career, she has provided assistance and advice to other attorneys in appellate matters, and she is admitted to practice in Florida and is a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar. Some of her significant published opinions include:

• Erp v. Erp, 976 So. 2d 1234 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008)
• Barlow v. Barlow, 224 So. 3d 868 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017)

Nicole has authored multiple pieces for a legal publisher, Aspatore Books, including the book: Divorce Proceedings in Florida: What You Need to Know (Quick Prep), a book that provides an overview of the divorce process and serves as a guide to anyone considering filing, responding to a filing, or who has already filed for divorce. In addition, Nicole has written articles and provided insights into family law. Some of her most recent articles include:

• Is Mediation An Option In My Divorce Case?
• What is ‘Discovery’ in a Divorce Case? 
• Insights From An Experienced Divorce Lawyer
• My Ex Is Not Stable. How Can I Get Supervised Time-Sharing?
• Can Social Media Affect My Divorce Or Family Law Case?
• How Does The Coronavirus Affect My Family Law Case?
• What If I Have Good Reasons To Deviate From Our Time-Sharing Schedule?

Throughout her career, Nicole has been honored as Florida Trend Magazine’s “Legal Elite” (2007-2010), named a Florida Super Lawyer “Rising Star” (2010-11), a Florida Super Lawyer (2021-24), and a “Top Lawyer” by Naples Illustrated Magazine (2019-2024). Prior to joining Henderson Franklin, Nicole was the managing shareholder of two boutique family law firms, including her own firm in Naples, Florida. She was born in Virginia and has called Southwest Florida home for over 40 years.

Professional & Civic Affiliations

Throughout much of her career, Nicole has been actively involved with the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, a Section with approximately 4,000 statewide members. She has served the Section in countless ways, including ultimately leading the Section as Chair during the 2017-2018 bar year. During that year, she proudly accomplished a re-write of the Bounds of Advocacy. Nicole remains a Trustee of the Section, committed to the Section’s mission.

In addition to her involvement with the Family Law Section, she has previously served on the Florida Bar’s Family Law Rules Committee as well as serving as both a member and Chair of the Florida Bar’s Twentieth Circuit Grievance Committee “B.” Nicole is a member of the American, Florida, Lee and Collier County Bar Associations. She is also a Florida Supreme Court certified Family Law Mediator.