The ABA STANDING COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY rejects the reasoning of the Colorado Bar Association Ethics Opinion No. 115, the sole dissenting voice on the ethics of collaborative divorce. Formal Opinion 07-447 (August 9, 2007) reaffirms the value…
Death of Grand Rapids Service to the Profession Award Winner [Western Michigan Federal Bar Association]
Obituary for Judge Stephen Karr Judge Stephen W. Karr, died on September 28, 2007. He was born on the Island of Samos, Greece on June 20, 1919, and emigrated to the United States with his parents, William and Angeline Karr,…
Selected 2006-2007 published Michigan family law decisions
Proving best interests for change in custody Dumm v. Brodbeck, Mich.App., July 19, 2007: Defendant failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that a change in custody was in Gwyneth’s best interest. Defendant alleged that plaintiff forced Gwyneth to…
Would your relationship improve with no coveting, no lying, no gossiping?
USA Today opens A.J. Jacobs’ journey as revealed in his The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. Carol Memmott writes (excerpt): Biggest lesson? “Your behavior shapes your beliefs. If you…
Celebrating a moment a day keeps the divorce lawyer away
CNN/Oprahpresent “8 entirely new ideas about love.” As corny as the title sounds, it’s really worth a read. Everyone would benefit by knowing this tidbit (excerpt): A new study has found that the way you respond to your partner’s good…
Does the “attorneys advocate, judges referee” rule apply in divorce trials too?
The ABA Journal shows how a New York judge [Arlene Silverman]’s ‘incessant’ questions interfered with a trial and resulted in reversal. Debra Cassens Weiss reports (excerpt): “While we recognize that the dynamics of a criminal trial may result in some…
Engaging in risky behavior
USAToday reports on census data detailing marriage and divorce statistics. Sharon Jayson writes (excerpt): More than 70% of those who married since 1970 celebrated a 10th anniversary. That statistic — one of many released Wednesday by the U.S. Census —…
The side effects of shacking up
The Edmonton Sun documents how cohabitation and living together are poor substitutes for marriage, especially when children are involved. Licia Corbella writes (excerpt): Couples have common-law relationships for a myriad of reasons — most of them terribly unromantic — and…
Romantic visions
Redbook reveals “8 Things No One Tells You About Marriage” (excerpt): I still struggle as a work in progress. But I am completely clear in the knowledge that many of the deepest frustrations in your relationship are an opportunity for…
Collaborating with settlement specialists
My new website promotes the concept of collaborative divorce. It’s not for everyone. But for the right couple, the difference is night and day. Here’s a peek at the introductory comments: “If you are looking for the most self-righteous people…
Breaking up is hard to do . . . for grandparents too
The New York Times peels back divorce proceedings to reveal the pain felt by the parents of the parties. Mireya Navarro writes (excerpt): And when children divorce, their parents’ lives are often dramatically changed, an impact that is receiving increasing…
Another victim of domestic violence
The Grand Rapids Press reports on the death of Leontyne “Tina” Partee-Elder, a lawyer with “‘such a big heart.’” Barton Deiters writes (excerpt): As an attorney, Leontyne “Tina” Partee-Elder represented some of the most hardened criminal offenders in the system.…
Deadbeats and dead plans
The AP/New York Times reports on how some parents fail to fully plan their vacations (excerpt): The State Department denies passports to noncustodial parents who owe more than $2,500 in child support. Once the parents make good on their debts,…
“It’s pretty much a free-for-all.”
USA Today examines “extended adolescence,” the risks being taken by 20-somethings, and the growing up that comes with careers and marriage. Sharon Jayson writes (excerpt): Recent statistics back this up: 56% of births among women ages 20-24 were to unwed…
Couples therapy, intimacy & croutons
The New York Times looks deeply into couples therapy and the road to saving a marriage. Laurie Abraham writes (excerpt): . . . But what I discovered sitting in on this couples group for a year is that every family…
Understanding and respecting your fiancee’s choices
CNN/Oprah raises the matters that come after “Will you marry me?” and “Yes.” Susan Piver poses questions about: income and spending house and yard care, cleanliness and organization financial goals work hours ambitions sexuality and desires meals, shopping, cooking, cleaning…
Lord of a Ring
The New York Times includes memories of lost rings, now and then. Erwin R. Tiongson writes (excerpt): I have worn my wedding ring every single day since my wedding more than seven years ago. I had never misplaced it before.…
Failing to make things better
In two recent decisions by the Michigan Court of Appeals, the trial court’s findings of continued troublemaking by one parent led to changes and restrictions on that parent’s custodial and parenting rights. Roodvoets v. Royce: The trial court changed custody…
Déjà “I do”
USA Today explains the challenge facing second-time-around couples. Olivia Barker writes (excerpt): The quandary couples face is “how to balance telling people, ‘Oh, please come again, please come to our wedding,’ with, ‘We know you just came to one, but…
As couple, whole
The New York Times distinguishes between being compatible and being complementary. Amy Sohn wties (excerpt): At the time I was seeing a 92-year-old Austrian psychoanalyst, and whenever I expressed concern about the financial inequity of my relationship, he would shake…