USA Today reveals the loneliness of being the only woman on the US Supreme Court. Joan Biskupic writes (excerpt): For now, O’Connor’s absence is more symbolic. In court, the sight of Ginsburg — a slight figure in a tall, black…
Avoiding the Top 10
The ABA includes a pdf paper from the last Tech Show on how to avoid the top ten causes of malpractice. The presenters were Mark C.S. Bassingthwaighte, Risk Management Coordinator, Attorneys Liability Protection Society, and Reba J. Nance, Director, Law…
Accidental bigamists
The LA Times reveals problems with Do-It-Yourself divorces: you might still be married! Jessica Garrison writes (excerpt): Many of them are not quite as divorced as they think they are. Some of them, like Chan, are even accidental bigamists, carrying…
Bratz, not slutz
The New York Times shows us the “Three Ages of Woman: first Mary-Kate, then Britney, then Courtney.” Lawrence Downes writes (excerpt): What surprised me, though, was how completely parents of even younger girls seem to have gotten in step with…
Trumping Paternity Act
The Michigan Court of Appeals is publishing Sinicropi v. Mazurek (Case No. No. 268000, December 7, 2006). The court held that an acknowledgement of paternity precludes entry of an order of filiation. Judge Murphy writes (excerpt): We hold that an…
Accentuate the positive
The New York Times highlights an opportunity to improve your relationship: embrace the positive events in your partner’s life. Benedict Carey writes (excerpt): But the way that partners respond to each other’s triumphs may be even more important for the…
Parenting Children from Love of Limits to Limits of Love
It used to be that kids were seen, but not heard. Now it seems that they are seen, heard, and sometimes in control. Sure there are still “old school” parents and teachers wielding their power over the children like a…
OJ’s “I Did It” propels “If I Did It”
As a psychologist, I’ve done hundreds of assessments for men who batter. When I determine after careful discernment of the data presented that a particular man has a problem with abusive behavior, one personality factor speaks loudly. Men who batter lack empathy. …
Beyond GALs, parenting coordinators . . . Super-Nannies
The BBC reveals Tony Blair’s plan to bring in “Super-nannies” to try to improve parenting in high anti-social areas of England. The BBC notes (excerpt): [Child psychologists] will advise new parents – of children of all ages – and intervene…
CASA Jurist of the Year
Judge Patricia D. Gardner received the Michigan CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Jurist of the Year award, recognizing her for exemplifying the best attributes of a Family Court Judge. The press release quoted one CASA staff member as stating, “Judge…
How can we save marriage?
The NEw York Times includes an op-ed on the emotional connections and personal fulfilment. Stephanie Coontz writes (excerpt): Instead, we should raise our expectations for, and commitment to, other relationships, especially since so many people now live so much of…
Tax-free income
The Michigan Court of Appeals published Peterson v Peterson (October 24, 2006, Case No. 260591), holding that for child support purposes, depreciation is income without an offsetting tax adjustment. Judge Murphy writes (excerpt): Plaintiff appeals by leave granted the trial…
The Ideological Battle between Parental Alienation and Domestic Violence – what is the real cancer in the court?
Written on October 5, 2006 by Randy Flood Newsweek recently published (September 25, 2006) an article titled “Fighting over the Kids”. This was an article describing the phenomenon of battered women loosing custody of their children due to batterers using…
The forms of domestic abuse
Rob Scuka, Ph.D. identifies two forms of domestic violence in the “Checklist for Differentiating Two Different Forms of Interpersonal Violence.” In his introduction to the checklist, Scuka writes (excerpt): Broadly speaking, the following distinctions can be made. With classic cases…
FLS Officers
The 2006-2007 Officers of the State Bar of Michigan’s Family Law Section are: David Sarnacki, Chair Karen Sendelbach, Chair-elect Carlo Martina, Treasurer Barbara Kelly, Corresponding Secretary Amy Yu, Recording Secretary
Your money or your life?
CNN/AP reports on the ‘scorched earth’ divorce case between H. Beatty Chadwick and Barbara Jean Crowther Chadwick, now Bobbie Applegate. Mr. Chadwick has spent 11 years in jail on a charge of civil contempt. Ms. Applegate says–and the courts believe–he…
2006 SBM Awards
The State Bar of Michigan will honor 13 members of the legal community at its 2006 Annual Meeting, which takes place Sept. 13-15 at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest. Eleven of the award recipients will be recognized at the…
Civility
The American Bar Association’s Section of Family Law has adopted Civility Standards. The Standards address the responsibility of the family lawyer to be civil to clients, opposing counsel, and the court. I. To Client 1. Treat the client with respect.…
Murkowski in, another to follow
The Grand Rapids Press reports on Helen Brinkman and Mark Trusock advancing to November’s general election. John Agar writes(excerpt): Assistant Prosecutor Helen Brinkman and attorney Mark Trusock are used to putting together the best case and leaving it to a…