Communicate!
Months into a contested custody case I have (I represent the mother), opposing party (father) racked up his second DUI by wrapping his car around a utility pole. Mercifully, the child was not in the car at the time. But…
How to Get Yourself Divorced in RI
In a recent blog entry I magnanimously agreed to get one lucky, sweet couple divorced for free in honor of Valentine's Day. Because even when I'm nice I'm a jerk. But I am only doing one of those, and there…
Toddler Trouble
Consider this worst-case scenario. You are a new parent of a very young child. You are doing your best, but you are on your own and (let’s all face it) there is a learning curve to all parenting. You try…
Evil Granny!
Imagine you are a young dad (that would make you “Dad” in our story). You just found out that your ex-girlfriend (“Mom”) is pregnant. You are dubious but you need to find out. So, you ask your friends, family, pastor,…
When Does Child Support End, Anyway?
In R.I., child support can be terminated when a child BOTH reaches eighteen (18) years of age AND graduates from high school. The obligation will not end until the latter of these two milestones is reached. For example, if the…
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…
Ain’t Hardly No Law Gainst it
An associate of mine was speaking with a father / client of ours one time, and passed on a concern of the Mother’s that he (father) was smoking in the car with the kiddo. Father was confused. He pointed out…
I Want to Move to Greenland Because Greenland is Pretty
The number one rule for clients / parties to a Family Law case is to not have the judge hate you. This is the single number one thing. This is more important than paying your lawyer or wearing pants to…
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,…
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…