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…
What Does Child Support Cover, Anyway?
In R.I., child support is carefully modulated by the General Assembly to help with the minor child’s food, clothing, and shelter. Food. Clothing. Shelter. Therefore, if a non-custodial parent pays his (let’s say his for this hypothetical) child support consistently,…
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…
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…
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…
The Things We Do for Our Children!
By Guest Blogger. Have you ever heard of the term “mama bear”? Of course you have, you’re reading this blog. Let me tell you a little story involving this mama bear that happened over the course of the past week.…
Family Court Holiday
by: Guest Blogger As I sit here trying to decide which topic I’d like to write about today I find myself with just a little writer’s block (which I’m not sure is even possible; I could write a book, no,…
No Gavel
There are several misconceptions about the Family Court. The one that is most bothersome is the belief that once the case is over the conflict is over. The (former) couple gets all dressed up, all worried, all stressed, and all…