Family Law

Ways Attorneys and Clients Can Be More Successful

Posted on April 01, 2011
All this week, I have discussed what clients should expect from their attorneys and what attorneys should expect from their clients. Today, I conclude this series with suggestions that can make both lawyers and their clients more successful: Get Specific :: When you set a goal, try to be as specific as possible, because it gives you a clear idea of what success looks like...

What Should Lawyers Expect From Their Clients?

Posted on March 30, 2011
This is the second post in my series about the attorney-client relationship.  Earlier, I took a look at what clients should expect from their attorneys, and today I want to discuss what lawyers should expect from their clients: I am very selective when it comes to deciding which clients I will represent...

What Should Clients Expect From Their Lawyers?

Posted on March 28, 2011
This week, I am publishing a series of posts about the attorney-client relationship.  Specifically, I want to discuss what clients should expect from their attorneys, what attorneys should expect from their clients, and how both can be successful...

Selecting and Supporting the Expert Witness Appraiser

Posted on March 25, 2011
The following guest post is from Charlie Elliott, MAI, SRA, ASA, a real estate appraiser who has served as an expert witness in court over the past 30 years.  Mr. Elliott has written this article describing some trends and pitfalls he has observed over that time in his specialized vocation: Few appraisers are qualified for expert-witness duty...

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Dealing with Anger

Posted on March 23, 2011
Collaborative divorce is often described as a peaceful means of settling very difficult family issues. Just like in litigated cases in the court system, Collaborative divorces sometimes experience displays of anger between the parties. That is unavoidable, and it may not be all bad...

Hiring A Detective For Family Court Investigations

Posted on March 21, 2011
The following Guest Post is from Christopher Halscheid:  If you believe that your significant other is engaging in suspicious behavior, it might be time for you to consider hiring a private investigator. Selecting the right detective for your specific needs can be somewhat intimidating, specifically if there are legal ramifications...

Introduction of New Tax Law in 2011

Posted on March 18, 2011
The following Guest Post is from Marc Brown: Taxpayers are expected to be overwhelmed with the introduction of the list of new tax laws. Both low and high income families will be affected with the new changes in the tax law of 2011. Although there are very limited cost effective changes on the list, the revision will have greater impact on various stratum of the society...

Have You Been Falsely Accused of Sexual Abuse?

Posted on March 16, 2011
NOTE: THIS ENTRY CONCERNS FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND IS IN NO WAY INTENDED TO DIMINISH THE IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL ABUSE. SEXUAL ABUSE IS REAL AND HAPPENS. IF YOU ARE AN ABUSER, THIS ENTRY IS NOT FOR YOU. False sexual abuse allegations have become more common in divorce and custody cases...

Guest Post :: Is Family Court Fair to Both Parents?

Posted on March 14, 2011
The following Guest Post is from Elias Cortez: Family court is responsible for delegating the custody of children in divorce cases. There is physical custody and legal custody. These two types of custody are then divided into sole or joint. Physical custody pertains to living and visitation...

Creative Divorce Solutions

Posted on March 09, 2011
Divorce is a fact of life for nearly half the population these days. But many splitting couples are finding new solutions to raising their children without breaking up their lives -- or their bank accounts. Curtis Harrison suggests the following ways that couples can get divorced with less discord: Nesting:  This is a custody plan in which, rather than the kids moving from Mom's house to Dad's house, the kids stay in the house, and Mom and Dad move in and out of the house according to the schedule they set up...

Divorce by the Numbers - How Likely Are You to Divorce?

Posted on March 07, 2011
There have been many studies done about divorce.  I don't believe that statistics tell the whole story about things, but they do tell "a" story.  The following fifteen statistics might be interesting to you: If you're a woman who got married before the age of eighteen, your marriage faces a 48 percent likelihood of divorce within ten years...

Are Couples Who Marry Young More Likely to Divorce?

Posted on March 04, 2011
Are couples who marry in their twenties more likely to have their marriage end in divorce?  Recent statistics in Great Britain seem to indicate that is the case.  Some suspect that today's celebrity-driven culture may be at least partially to blame...

Guest Post :: Tips to Catch a Cheating Spouse

Posted on March 02, 2011
You've finished the first course, congratulations! Now it's time for the real action. I'll tell you some techniques to catch those 'Unsatisfied Liars'. First is to check their cell phones. We now all that a cheater will hesitate to put their phone on your own 'truth verifying' hands...

Guest Post :: Signs That Your Spouse is Unfaithful

Posted on February 28, 2011
Detecting infidelity from your partner will never be easy. I suggest that if you really want to catch your cheating partner, be sure to yourself that you're ready, not only financially, emotionally but also mentally. Signs of a Cheating Partner I'm sure if you're reading this article, you have suspicions about your partner's faithfulness but you just don't know how to start and where to start investigating...

Hiring a Divorce Lawyer :: The Do's

Posted on February 23, 2011
Divorce involves a series of important decisions that will impact the rest of your life.  One of the first, and most important, decisions that you must make is which attorney to hire to represent you.  There are several things that you should and shouldn't do when making this decision...

Hiring a Divorce Lawyer :: The Don'ts

Posted on February 21, 2011
Divorce involves a series of important decisions that will impact the rest of your life.  One of the first, and most important, decisions that you must make is which attorney to hire to represent you.  There are several things that you should and shouldn't do when making this decision...

South Carolina Family Lawyer Gives Presentation in Nashville

Posted on February 18, 2011
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of giviving two presentations in Nashville at the  Tennessee Bar Association's Tech Conference 2011.  My seminars this year are on two of my favorite topics: "In the Clouds" - Running Your Law Office Using Web-Based Technology Intro to Using Macs In Your Law Practice (with Finis Price) This marked the fourth year in a row that I have spoken at this conference, and I would like to thank the TBA for having me back again.

Guest Post :: Beyond Love - Ensuring a Successful Marriage

Posted on February 16, 2011
Valentine's Day was earlier this week, and I am pleased to publish the following Guest Post from Kitty Holman, which I hope my readers find helpful in their marriages: Therapists, long-time married couples, and anyone who offers to put their two cents in about what constitutes a successful marriage all come from different perspectives...

Do Divorce Filings Rise Around Valentine's Day?

Posted on February 14, 2011
All family law attorneys know that the early part of the year is always the busiest.  Some couples hang on through the holidays only to separate to being the new year.  Others wait to use their income tax refunds to finance their divorces.  Filing after the first of the year also enable the spouse to use the other spouse's earnings as reflected on W2s, 1099s, and other tax documents...

Study Addresses the Economic Downturn's Impact on Marriage

Posted on February 09, 2011
Has the economic downturn really impacted the divorce rate in the United States?  Most have presumed that to be the case, but now a new study from the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia has verified that it does and has quantified the impact...

How Will A Child Custody Attorney Protect My Interests?

Posted on February 07, 2011
The following guest post is from Charles Hooper:  Your Most Important Interest There are few things more traumatic in a child's life than divorce. Try to look at it from their point of view. If the kids are very young, no explanation parents can offer is going to fill the empty space that divorces create...

A Divorce Is NOT a "Failed Marriage"

Posted on January 31, 2011
Have you ever heard someone refer to a divorce as a 'failed marriage'? I recently read an article by Fred Silberberg that argued that term is a misnomer, and I agree with him. Someone who is divorced is no less of a person than someone who isn't, and to believe otherwise is offensive...

SC Family Lawyer Speaking at Guardian ad Litem Training

Posted on January 28, 2011
Today, I am honored to be one of the speakers at "In the Best Interest of the Child: The 2011 Guardian ad Litem Training and Update" presented by the South Carolina Bar.  This annual seminar helps provide education and training to Guardians ad Litem in compliance with South Carolina Code § 63-3-820, which requires that attorney and lay guardians 'annually complete a minimum of six hours of family law continuing legal education credit in the areas of custody and visitation...

Top Ten Myths of Divorce (Part Two)

Posted on January 26, 2011
Earlier this week, we began looking at the top ten myths of divorce, as explained in an article by Lee Block.  Today, we look at myths 6 through 10, and again, I hope that you find Ms. Block's thoughts below helpful: 6.  Myth: After divorce everyone gets along better...

Top Ten Myths of Divorce (Part One)

Posted on January 24, 2011
There are few things in our society so riddled with myths, misperceptions, misunderstandings, and outright lies as divorce.  Lee Block recently published an article that attempts to dispel many of these myths.  I appreciate Ms...

Guest Post :: What This Guardian ad Litem Wants Attorneys to Know

Posted on January 20, 2011
Earlier this week, I published a guest post from my good friend, Joanne Hughes Burkett, that explained what she believes Guardians ad Liten want parents and parties in child custody cases to know.  You can read that post by clicking here.  In the conclusion, she directs her attention toward attorneys to help educate us and help us provide better service to our clients in these cases...

Guest Post :: What This Guardian ad Litem Wants Parents and Parties to Know

Posted on January 19, 2011
In cases that involve custody or significant visitation disputes, the Court appoints a Guardian ad Litem to protect the interests of the children.  The Guardian's role is to investigate the allegations and issues in each case and to try to help the Court act in the children's best interest...

Check In With Your Spouse

Posted on December 29, 2010
Each week, set aside an hour or so to "check in" with your spouse – not for the business of running your home, but to find out what the other person is thinking and feeling. For these conversations to be productive, keep the following in mind: Timing is important...

Holiday Tips for Couples :: Enjoying Christmas Together

Posted on December 24, 2010
The fake snow littering the shopping malls, the Christmas songs in TV commercials and the everyday busyness of the holidays can diminish some of Christmas' peaceful glory. Rediscover the true meaning of the holidays together as a couple. Discuss expectations...

Holiday Tips for Couples :: Visiting the In-Laws

Posted on December 22, 2010
Decking the halls is great. Decking your in-laws? Not so much. Holiday stress, paired with disagreements with or about your spouse's parents, can make you want to climb up the chimney. Annie Chapman, author of The Mother-In-Law Dance, says that anyone who's been married for longer than one Christmas knows just how taxing it can be...

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