If you and your spouse are undergoing a divorce with children, there’s a good chance you are thinking about what kind of custody arrangement you will end up with. In Washington, we refer to these as “Residential Provisions”...more
In 2021, I wrote on this blog about a case where a court delayed reunification therapy because a 12 year old child didn’t want to do it. To this day, this continues to be one of the most read posts on our blog, more than...more
In the UAE, Federal Decree-Law No. 41/2022 on Civil Personal Status and Abu Dhabi Law No. 14/2021 on Civil Marriage have introduced significant reforms to ensure equality between men and women, particularly in matters of...more
Typically, in order to modify support or custody/parenting time provisions in an agreement or judgment/order, the party seeking a modification must show a substantial and continuing change of circumstances. Given the goal of...more
In Pennsylvania, custody determinations are decided in the child’s best interest. Parents may be able to resolve custody issues between themselves by way of negotiation and agree to a custody stipulation; however, if the...more
For many years, the question of whether medical records could be used in an Arizona divorce case was settled – so long as the issues of parenting time and legal decision-making were in dispute, all medical records relevant to...more
Pennsylvania codified its custody laws in 1985 and at that time it drew a statutory distinction between decision making power (legal custody) and actual possession of the child (physical custody). In the 1980s there was a...more
In a custody dispute between parents in an Arizona proceeding, if a parent has committed an act of “domestic violence” their right to have equal decision-making authority and unsupervised, or any, parenting time is at risk. ...more
When custody arrangements are in dispute and the parties cannot agree on a parenting plan, the trial court may order that a “parenting evaluator” be assigned to the case. The evaluator acts as a neutral, third-party who...more
Recently, I was at a meeting, and the person across the table from me asked me a very thoughtful question: “Do you believe in settlement or is your philosophy to litigate, litigate, litigate?” Well, it’s not like...more
Marylanders voted that beginning July 1, 2023, adults 21 and older may possess, smoke, and grow cannabis (with some limitations). For many divorcing couples, the question looms – how might legalizing marijuana impact your...more
WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AD LITEM? It is no secret that, inherent in any legal proceeding, are a copious number of Latin terms and phrases. For those not trained in the law—as well as for those that do not have any prior...more
Sunday night not only brought us the news of 1,000 deaths in New York but US officials discussing potential death numbers as high as the number killed in the US civil war. My partner Rhonda Ores from New York posted a brief...more
Domestic violence allegations are unfortunately part of many divorce proceedings. A recent decision by the Arizona Court of Appeals [i] clarifies how domestic violence may impact which parent can make decisions relating to...more
It is common that divorced parents remarry or become involved in other relationships. It is also common that divorced parents (or parents in the midst of a divorce) may want to leave Arizona – to “relocate” to another state...more
Divorce attorneys are frequently asked whether or not children can be moved to another state and why one of the parents cannot simply move their kids without going to court or consulting the other parent. It’s not as easy...more
Where will Emma go to school? Will Jacob’s acne be treated with Accutane? Is Jackson going to see a therapist? For many years divorced parents in Arizona - with equal parenting rights and an inability to agree on such...more
Supreme Court Advance Release Opinions: SC19589 - Velecela v. All Habitat Services, LLC - SC19589 Concurrence - Velecela v. All Habitat Services, LLC - Claim for negligent infliction of bystander emotion...more