I Need My Judge to Know…
Something to know before you stroll into the Rhode Island Family Court for your date with a judge. You will see misery, crying, screaming, and a fist fight. You will see a couple get into a fight and then make-up…
The Christopher Explanation of Jurisdiction
As a Family Law attorney in Rhode Island, I am accustomed to legal cases where two parents are fighting over children. Occasionally, a grandparent will even be thrown in to the fray just off the top rope, just for fun. …
What CAN’T I Tell My Family Court Attorney?
It is well known that a client, or even a potential client, enjoys confidentiality when discussing his or her Family Court case with their attorney. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Per the R.I. Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6,…
Why Do Children Act the Way They Act?
First of all, lovely Friday to you. To celebrate the weekend I have an unanswerable question for you about our darling children. As a Family Law attorney focusing on child custody I am well-placed to agonize over why children do…
(Almost) Everything the Family Court Can’t Do For You
The Family Court can't help you understand that the breakdown of your marriage was not your fault, and it was not anyone else's fault either. The Family Court can't grant you the belief that you did all that you could…
The R.I. Uniform Parentage Act
The R.I. House & Senate have now passed a final version of the R.I.U.P.A., or Rhode Island Uniform Parentage Act. Governor Raimondo is expected to sign the legislation, which will allow for same-sex couples who have a child via surrogacy,…
Do Not Spit on Your Spouse
Actress Christina Ricci has filed for divorce (and a restraining order) from her spouse of seven years James Heerdegen, claiming that the idiot allegedly spit at her. The police were called, but not arrests were made. Christina Ricci, perhaps best…
{S} ex-Parte?!
As I waited in line at the Family Court clerk's office to file an ex-parte case with the patience of a Nichiren Buddhist monk, the gentleman and scholar directly in front of me was having himself a moment. Causing quite…
Can I Change My Child Support Amount?
In R.I., once a child support amount is calculated and set in an Order, it can only be changed in the future if there is a, "significant change of circumstances." To reduce that to simple math, this means the child…