CNN/Oprah helps us differentiate between fantasy love and real love. Martha Beck writes (excerpt): Want an honest and long lasting relationship? Make sure you and your partner can recite these five statements. I can live without you, no problem ***…
The interplay between retirement benefits, spouse’s option to elect earnings records, and survivor benefits
US News & World Report helps potential retirees figure out their Social Security benefits with Emily Brandon’s article “Marriage and Social Security Benefits.” The article provides a good overview of the interplay between retirement benefits, spouse’s option to elect earnings…
Harassment in divorce case versus free speech under First Amendment
The New York Times reports on the Vermont divorce court handling Garrido v. Krasnansky. The court ordered the husband to stop posting blog items about his wife and their crumbled marriage, possibly turning an ordinary divorce into a much broader…
Britney Spears teaching America . . . Divorce and Custody 101?
FindLaw explains how Britney Spears is highlighting principles of Family Law and child custody disputes. Joanna Grossman identifies and discusses three lessons: Lesson #1: Courts, not Divorcing Parents, Ultimately Decide Custody Lesson #2: Parental Behavior Matters in Custody Battles Lesson…
No modification of QDRO, hearing before modifying spousal suppport (alimony), and adoption subsidy is for the minor child
The Michigan Court of Appeals is publishing its decision in Thornton v. Thronton (January 3, 2008, Case No. 270931). The per curiam decision held (excerpt): In this domestic relations action, plaintiff appeals by leave granted two orders signed by the…
We Can Do It! (with a good marriage)
The Washington Post reports on the study published in Health Psychology that a happy marriage helps relieve a woman’s stress from work–but apparently not a man’s (excerpt): Coming home to a loving spouse and a good marriage helps working women…
Spiderman chooses new form of divorce?
Ireland On-Line reveals the breakup of Peter Parker’s marriage to Mary Jane (excerpt): In Spider-Man No. 545 the web-slinger agrees a deal with villain Mephisto, to protect his identity and spare his elderly Aunt May. In return Spider-Man’s alter ego…
When same-sex couples divorce
The Washington Post describes how divorces of same-sex marriages challenge the legal framework for divorce, including issues related to jurisdiction and venue, child custody, parenting time, alimony (spousal support), property division, retirement and taxation. Dafna Linzer writes (excerpt): . .…
No fair peeking: Attorney-work product off limits
The California Supreme Court disqualified an attorney who used opposing counsel’s notes of a meeting with expert witnesses. In Rico v. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the court stated: Here we consider what action is required of an attorney who receives privileged…
“It’s a perfect time of year. It’s the best Christmas present ever.”
The Grand Rapids Press reports on the adopted man who found his birth mother at work. Pat Shellenbarger writes (excerpt): For more than two months, Steve Flaig eyed the woman running the cash register in the home improvement store where…
Make peace, not war: methods of resolving divorce cases
The Associated Press discusses the options of collaborative divorce and mediation. David Crary writes (excerpt): In contrast to mediation, in which divorcing couples entrust a resolution to a single neutral mediator, collaborative divorce involves the use of attorneys for each…
Collaborative Divorce: Pollyanna crap?
The Maryland Daily Record addresses the concerns of traditional divorce attorneys about collaborative divorce. Caryn Tamber’s article gives voice to opponents who poo-poo Collaborative Divorce. In considering the arguments, it is helpful to keep in mind that: Not every case…
Is it better to give than to receive?
The New York Times unwraps the gift within the act of giving. Tara Parker-Pope writes (excerpt): . . . [G]iving gifts is a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family…
Being in middle of “constant push and pull” between parents is worse than testifying against one parent?
The Michigan Court of Appeals is publishing Surman v Surman (Case No. 276615, 12/4/2007), which addresses children as witnesses (excerpt): While courts should seek to avoid, trial court may call child to testify in court about his or her allegations…
Ringtones lead to jail cells
The New York Times rings up “two hours of inexplicable madness” with a report on the Niagara Falls judge who heard a cellphone ring in his courtroom. When no one fessed up, he played the “Go Directly to Jail, Do…
Child abuse by boyfriends and other unmarried companions
The Associated Press/Grand Rapids Press shows the abuse risk in cohabitation, including the abusive-boyfriend syndrome and the risk to children in nontraditional family structures. David Crary writes (excerpt): Among the findings: *Children living in households with unrelated adults are nearly…
Forgetting your spouse and falling in love with someone else
USA Today showed the power of love through the eyes of retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and her husband, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Joan Biskupic writes (excerpt): “Mom was thrilled that Dad was relaxed and happy and comfortable living here…
The carrot and stick of collaborative divorce
Divorce Online announced their support for collaborative divorce (excerpt): . . . [F]amily law is different. Who is the winner and who the loser in an argument about what should happen to the family home, or in a dispute about…
Turning winning in court upside down
James W. McElhaney highlights how to make a losing argument. He discusses seven methods: Argue with the judge. Bury your argument in clutter. Misstate the facts. Base your argument on obscure technicalities. Read your argument. Push a good point too…
“Win Others Over” without coercion
The News Journal summarizes wooing to win [“The Art of Woo: Using Strategic Persuasion to Sell Your Ideas” by Wharton professor G. Richard Shell and management consultant Mario Moussa] (excerpt): The word “woo,” the authors note, has many meanings, but…