You Need a Divorce Dolphin!
People first shopping for a family law attorney in their state never consider the value of a dolphin, everyone wants (or at least they think they want) a shark. Everyone wants a shark, right?! That’s how those moms in TV…
What is a Guardian ad Litem?
A Guardian ad Litem is an attorney who represents the child, and only the child. She is not beholden to either party and is thus independent of the burden of having a paying client to impress. Mother’s attorney is expected…
Do I Need a Family Court Attorney?
There are some things in life you can do on your own – and maybe even do well. I’m sure a great many of you do your own taxes. Some of you can manage your own minor car repairs. A…
I Need All the Custody
There are two kinds of custody, depending on where you live. Brief tutorial. Where I practice, in the great State of Rhode Island, “custody” means the right to remain informed of the child’s significant life events and be reasonably informed…
OMG Why Does That Attorney Hate Me?!?!?!
Family Law attorneys are known for our dead eyes and desiccated souls. Any Family Law attorney with more than five years experience is only worth her weight in apathy. Truly, we are just well-dressed mall walkers, always moving quickly from…
Childish.
What follows is the worst fu*(&ng phone call from child custody clients (and that is really, really saying something): "My four-year-old told me she would rather live with me. So we don't need to go to court anymore and I win,…
“I feel badgered!”: the problem with trials
The one lament I hear more than any other in Family Court is some version of, "I want a trial!". To which I respond something snarky like, "No, you really don't", or, "Everyone wants a trial until they get a…
Can My Husband Introduce Our Child to His Mistress?!?
Short answer: depends on the child! The marital covenant isn’t what it used to be. Infidelity (of all kinds) has become so commonplace that RI Family Court judges will often shrug it off. He cheated on her. She emptied the…
Good Lawyering and Bad Parenting
Don’t ask if your child can speak to the judge. Your child doesn’t want to talk to your judge and your judge doesn’t want to have to talk to your child. Don’t put your kid in a situation like that. You’re only job…
My #$**% is such a $@%&!
It is the great human tragedy to fall in love with someone just long enough to create a human being and thereafter come to hate the other parent so perfectly that you would do anything real or imagined to cause…