The newly enacted tax code will effect some very significant changes that directly impact the practice of family law and the nature of settlement negotiations in both divorce and custody cases. This article considers the impact on the payment of spousal support in divorce cases. As of this writing, I have practiced family law for […]
Some years ago, I represented a wife in a divorce involving three children. The children ranged in ages from kindergarten to middle school. My client was a savvy business woman, and her husband owned a small, successful business as well. One of my favorite things about this case is that my opposing counsel (husband’s attorney) […]
I was fascinated to read in a recent American Bar Association newsletter that a Los Angeles law firm (Quinn Emanuel) has opened a museum in LA known as the “Museum of Broken Relationships.” Is it just me or is there some irony to the fact that the museum occupies space that was previously a Frederick’s […]
In my experience, many people consider divorce for a lengthy period of time before taking that huge life-altering step. It is not unusual for me to meet with a potential client to discuss the divorce process and then not hear from the person for months – or even years – that the client is […]
A package of bills introduced by Democrats in the Michigan state legislature months ago is finally gaining steam. The Michigan Senate has, by an overwhelming majority approved a package of bills that will overhaul the state’s domestic violence laws, providing key protections for victims and impacting decisions in family courts – particularly concerning custody and […]
A few days ago, one of my esteemed colleagues commented on the role of a family law attorney by stating that it is our job to “stay neutral” and to not pass judgment on our clients. He asserted that he chooses to “not blindly accept allegations of one angry parent against the other” because, in […]
My son called me recently and asked “What do you know about Parental Alienation Syndrome?” (PAS) He explained that he asked because a friend is going through a divorce and is alleging that his estranged wife is attempting to turn the children against him. My son observed that he had often seen his friend with […]
One of the most challenging issues that can arise in a family law case occurs when the opposing party is self-employed. Simply put, throughout my career in family law practice, I can safely say that virtually every self-employed person in litigation reports a downturn in business that is coincident to the legal case, whether it […]
One of the most common legal disputes in family court that occurs after entry of a divorce judgment relates to a child’s extra-curricular activities. Invariably, a divorce client will return to my practice with one or both of the following common complaints: (a) the other parent has violated the divorce judgment by enrolling the […]
A divorce is the dissolution of a legal relationship and, perhaps equally as important, the breaking of emotional bonds between the spouses. If you read my November 15, 2015 blog on do-it-yourself divorces, then you know there are precious few divorces that should go forward without the benefit of an attorney representing your interests. […]
