ALM Media/Martindale-Hubbell selected David C. Sarnacki as a 2022 Top Rated Litigator. With 37 years experience in problem solving and powerful advocacy, he is a top-rated attorney and mediator in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. Sarnacki’s Grand Rapids practice helps clients…
Aiding the advocate: A Visual Refresher Course on Courtroom Persuasion
A Visual Refresher Course on Courtroom Persuasion simplifies understanding with a practical, visual approach to trial persuasion. Learn how to become the guiding advocate, develop a simple core message, and skillfully make memories at trial. Like A Visual Refresher Course…
Book Reviews endorsing A Visual Refresher Course on Expert Testimony
Initial reviews for A Visual Refresher Course on Expert Testimony have been uniformly favorable, and book reviews are being published in State Bar Section journals across Michigan. Jennie Boldish Bryan published her review in the October 2020 issue of The…
New Book Available: A Visual Refresher Course on Expert Testimony
A Visual Refresher Course on Expert Testimony is the book you will actually use. Expert testimony puzzles even seasoned attorneys and experienced judges. This Visual Refresher Course simplifies understanding with a practical approach to mapping the expert’s argument and assessing…
IRS publications on children of divorced or separated parents
The IRS has its “Tax Information for Non-Custodial Parents” posted online. The one-page resource addresses: Child support payments [not tax deductible by the payer] Claiming Your Child as a Dependent Child Tax Credit Earned Income Credit (EIC) Treasury Offset Program…
Robbie in The Wedding Singer (1998): “Once again, things that could’ve been brought to my attention YESTERDAY!”
CNN reports on the Saudi Ministry of Justice’s move to protect the rights of women in divorce.* *Apropos of nothing, the phrase “Knowledge is power” was originally attributed to Imam Ali, known as the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. Nada…
Women’s loss is government’s gain: the last year of alimony deductibility
The ABA notes the tax law change eliminating the deduction for spousal support (alimony) payers, something around for the last 8 decades. The change is effective at the end of this year (2018). The practical effect in divorces was to…
Do It Yourself Divorce? Sure, unless your future matters
It’s always sad when a good person comes in to meet with me about a post-judgment problem only to discover their DIY divorce locked him or her into a bad, unworkable situation. We’ve seen this many times, and it recently…
To object or not to object: how to handle defending a deposition
Susan Minsberg discusses depositions–preparing your client/witness, improper objections and proper objections. Minsberg highlights these 9 deposition objections as “proper” [excerpt]: Privilege. This is the big one. It must be made or it is waived. . . . Privilege is also…
From courtroom to the capitol: Fathers rights in custody cases
The Wall Street Journal covers the push for legislation in about 20 states to give fathers more child custody rights in divorce cases.
Conflicting perceptions and, yet, collaboration
“Everything you can imagine is real.”–Pablo Picasso You’ve heard the saying: Perception is reality. So how can we collaborate through divorce negotiations to a fair resolution when you and your spouse start with such vastly different sets of perceptions? As…
Footnoting button pushing, wedding gifts, infidelity gene, Hell’s Angels, a finger, jackass, emails, “stupid person”
Ontario Superior Court Justice J.W. Quinn wrote some interesting footnotes to his decision in Bruni v. Bruni, 2010 ONSC 6568 (COURT FILE NO.: 384/07; November 29, 2010): [2] At one point in the trial, I asked Catherine: “If you could…
Kent County’s Parenting Pilot Program: “Expedited Process in the Resolution of the Low Conflict Docket of the Family Division”
Domestic Diversions previously announced our new parenting pilot project. Now, The Grand Rapids Press covered the new Kent County Parenting Plan, a pilot project approved by the Michigan Supreme Court. Theresa D. Mcclellan writes (excerpt): The hope is that by…
New Rule 502: Inadvertent disclosure of attorney-client privilege and work product materials
The Federal Rules of Evidence will see a new rule addressing the disclosure of attorney-client and work-product information. New Rule 502 helps in those case where there are tremendous efforts to review voluminous documents and where inadvertent disclosure often occur.…
Kent County’s Pilot Project: Grand Rapids divorce attorneys to use nicer labels, parenting plan proposals, more ADR
The Michigan Supreme Court has issued Administrative Order No. 2008-1 (Pilot Project No. 1), 17th Judicial Circuit Court, (Expedited Process in the Resolution of the Low Conflict Docket of the Family Division), for Kent County divorces. “The pilot project will…
Opting in with Direct Deposit
Though not posted on its website, Kent County Circuit Court adopted an administrative order “opting in” anyone who tries direct pay without “opting out.” The order reads: IN RE: INTERPRETATION OF UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY: CHILD SUPPORT ORDERED/NO. 2006-01 FOC SERVICES…
Kent County Child Support: Direct Deposit/Debit Cards
Kent County’s Friend of the Court is planning to move to direct deposit/debit card in June 2006. After that date, checks would no longer be issued for Kent County payments. The Kent County FOC is recommending that clients sign up…
“If I can’t have you . . . “
Project Peace published the Judicial Checklist prepared by the Judicial Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic Violence, including the following “Red Flags to Judges” (excerpt): *suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, threats or attempts *escalation in frequency and severity…
Giving notice to parties in default
By ADM File No. 2004-09 the Michigan Supreme Court has amended MRC 2.603 (default and default judgment), effective January 1, 2005. The stated intent was to clarify “some ambiguities created by the former rule’s inconsistent usage of ‘default,’ ‘default judgment,’…
Declining modification of prior bad acts rule
The Justices action on 2001-51 – Proposed Amendment of Rule 404 of the Michigan Rules of Evidence provides an interesting diversity in approaches to the problem of domestic violence prosecutions, including wedges between usual allies. Excerpts: Kelly: I am unwilling…