Most attorneys aren’t numbers people. They are strategists, networkers, brawlers—answering a myriad of client demands while always considering the cost of each approach. Forensic accountants help cut through the fat to answer the driving question, “is this claim or case cost effective for the client from an accounting standpoint?”…
We have all had cases where the parents are so enmeshed in their own arguments, their child’s best interest takes a back seat in their case. When a case presents high-conflict issues regarding children, the Court will frequently appoint a guardian ad litem to investigate the allegations of the parties’ pleadings and motions and make recommendations to the Court that protect the child’s best interests. As described in Section 61.401, Florida Statutes, the guardian ad litem acts as “next friend of the children.”…
Florida, as virtually every state, has a law that pertains to abuse of children. In Florida, it is referred to as Chapter 39 Proceedings Relating to Children. Within Chapter 39 is section 39.01(2) which provides the definition of Abuse, and it includes, among other things: “Abuse” means: any willful act or threatened act that results in any physical,
mental, or sexual abuse, injury, or harm that causes or is likely to cause the child’s physical, mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired.
In many cases in Family Court psychological evaluations provide an essential role. The primary purpose of the evaluation in a Family Court context is to provide information to the court and the family about the best psychological interest of the child or children. Divorce affects a great number of children in the United States, more than one million annually, an estimated forty percent of these divorces occurring before the child is 18 years of age…
Researching this article on professionalism and civility in our family law practices, I realized how apropos the topic is as we return to the Courtroom following a year of practicing law via Zoom. As one of our esteemed Family Division judges observed, while Zoom may have increased our efficiency these last fifteen months, it was also a trade-off as practitioners “stepped back in the professionalism department” – more casual dress, informal settings, even our demeanor and interactions changed this past year as some practitioners and parties felt more emboldened to speak out of turn during court proceedings or be more vocal in challenging a judge’s ruling…