The AP reports on U.S. District Judge David Lawson’s dismissal of the lawsuit filed to declare Matthew Dubay’s child support obligation to Lauren Wells, his ex-girlfriend, unconstitutional (excerpt): But Lawson disagreed and rejected Dubay’s argument that Michigan’s paternity law violates…
From technology in the courtroom to the philosophies of sentencing to dealing with children
The Grand Rapids Press reports on the candidates forum sponsored by the Family Law Section. Elizabeth Piet includes comments from her interviews with two members of the audience (excerpt): Alan Bedell, 66, of Grand Rapids Township, came into the forum…
Ferriferous recognition
Kent County Family Division Referee Jon Ferrier is being honored with the State Bar of Michigan’s 2006 Champion of Justice Award. Jon is a past chairperson of the Family Law Section. The State Bar award is given to practicing lawyers…
Don’t send, don’t read?
The ABA Litigation Section updates us on developments related to disclosure of privileged materials. Michael Yablonski writes (excerpt): With little fanfare, the ABA has withdrawn a controversial 1992 ethics opinion requiring a lawyer who inadvertently receives privileged material from an…
Informing voters
The Judicial Candidate Forum for Kent County Circuit Court Candidates is this Thursday, July 13, 2006, at 7:00 PM, at the Wealthy Theatre. Each of the four candidates will field questions on their qualifications to serve as judge, and the…
Hugging epidemic
Andrei Codrescu is worth listening to as he traces the history of public hugging on NPR’s All Things Considered (6/23/06).
Divorcing Myths
20/20’s John Stossel addresses several myths of divorce (excerpt): MYTH: Divorce hurts women much more than men, and many men abandon their kids. TRUTH: Both men and women suffer after divorce, and lots of men want to give more to…
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…
Judge Gregory A. Presnell’s opinion
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT–MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA–ORLANDO DIVISION AVISTA MANAGEMENT, INC., d/b/a Avista Plex, Inc., Plaintiff, -vs- WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant. Case No. 6:05-cv-1430-Orl-31JGG (Consolidated) ______________________________________ ORDER This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff’s Motion to designate location…
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…
At the end of suffering, of mystery
The Grand Rapids Press shows how a moment of kindness can affect profound changes in another person. Ted Roelofs writes (excerpt): Sitting in a court hearing in January 2002, Cheryl Orean abruptly crumpled to the floor, her body twitching in…
The Roberts Court
USA Today focuses on five members of the United Supreme Court and their evolving roles on the bench.
Rewriting history
The New York Times discusses patterns of deceit in teenage sex surveys. That phenomenon extends to our perceptions of relationships, marriage and divorce. Consider the excerpt below in light of our human tendancy to rewrite our personal history. Eric Nagourney…
Waiver by signing judgment
The Michigan Supreme Court issued its decision in Sweebe v Sweebe (April 26, 2006, Docket No(s) 126913), holding that life insurance benefits can be waived by signing a judgment of divorce. Justice Cavanagh wrote: The issue in this case is…
Parenting Coordination with High-Conflict Families
I have been providing Parenting Coordination (PC) since 1995. I learned of this service at the Association of Family Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Annual Conference in 1994. PC is a service often provided by Psychologists for co-parents in post-divorce situations. Parenting…
Paying attention
Fortune spotlights the art of listening with advice from Jacqueline Whitmore of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and her book “Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work.” Fortune’s Anne Fisher lists 10 tips (excerpt): 1. Ask pertinent questions.…
Children Need Limits and Consequences – Not Therapy
Cox News Service explains how spoiled children need loving limits and consequences, not therapy. Gregory Ramey lists the signs of a spoiled child (excerpt): — Rarely shows appreciation or says “thank you.” — Doesn’t seem satisfied with whatever she gets.…
Confronting the confrontation clause
Cornell Law School is previewing Monday’s Supreme Court arguments concerning 911 calls/statements at the scene and domestic violence, in the wake of Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36. Davis v. Washington (05-5224): The trial judge allowed into evidence a 911…
Bringing toward perfection
The New York Times illustrates how the differences between partners can drive each other crazy or move them to embrace each other as the perfect complement. Catherine Lloyd Burns writes (excerpt): But crossing the street I make a startling realization:…
Distinct dates
The Michigan Supreme Court issued its per curiam opinion in People v. Monaco (Case No. 126852, 2/1/2006). All seven justices agreed that the statute of limitations for felony non-support is the six year “catch-all” period in MCL 767.24(5). The justices…