February 20, 2007

The Juvenile and Family Law Program sponsored a lunchtime presentation titled,

Proponents of the Web cam option seek to get it included in custody agreements and in state custody laws. But not everyone is ready for it.

Instead of counting the months until she would see her son each summer, Carrie Hammond needed only count the hours until Kegan’s face would light up her computer screen. Though Kegan, 6, was in Tennessee with his father, and Hammond, 27, lived in San Marcos, the two were participating in virtual visitation as part of the family’s child-custody agreement by making video calls via Web cameras. "It’s been instrumental in keeping the relationship strong," Hammond said, recalling their hours-long, twice-weekly Web cam sessions.

Recently, Kegan chose to move in with Hammond, a decision she attributes to the emotional closeness the Web cams afforded them for four years.

Virtual visitation is becoming a popular way to incorporate the potential of modern technology into the lives of parents and children separated by divorce and distance. Utah, Wisconsin and most recently, Missouri, have made virtual visitation state law, and several other state legislatures, including those in California and Ohio, are considering making it a formal supplement to physical custody arrangements.

(more…)

"Divorce Without Dishonor" is the brand name for the upcoming book and seminar series. It is in the formative stages and we are looking for titles and topic ideas. We can do it, you can help.

Got any ideas you would like to share?

For some of our current ideas….read on:

Georgia Family Law Blog

News and Thoughts on Family Law Issues on Divorce, Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody, Visitation, Property Division, Adoption, Paternity, Legitimation, Grandparent’s Visitation and More

http://sworrall.typepad.com/georgia_family_law

Interview with a divorced couple who used the collaborative law process. February 12, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_1qOpk2GRA

Lawyers and prospective clients alike share some common myths about using the collaborative family law approach for resolving divorce and child custody and visitation disputes. However, differentiating between fact and fiction is not too difficult. The bottom line is that collaboration beats the hell out of litigation. Some common myths are addressed here.

(more…)

Legal Quotation of the Month

Do you believe that you have you been screwed by your ex, your divorce lawyer, a judge, the system?

Please share your story on this thread. The purpose is not just to create a meaningless "complaint department." It is intended to help "new-bees" (those new to the divorce process) realize that litigation does not usually end in a positive outcome, especially when children are involved.   People need to realize that much more time and effort needs to be spent in trying to avoid going to court rather than preparing to "prove your case" in court.  While there are times when litigation is needed, more often than not, hindsight says otherwise.  What do you think?

Help others by posting your comments to the "Hall of Shame."  Post your comments here. Thank you for sharing!

www.mikethelawyer.com

Margaret H. Oliver, Esquire wrote the following article published in the December 2006 issue of Family Law News, a newsletter published by the Section Council of the Section of Family and Juvenile Law of the Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.

Margaret H. Oliver, Esquire 
Collaborative Law, Mediation and Litigation 
         in Family Law
HODES, ULMAN, PESSIN & KATZ, P.A. 
Big firm talent, small firm appeal.

10500 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 650 
Columbia, Maryland 21044 
(Tel) 410-339-5798
(Fax) 410-832-5673 
www.hupk.com

Blended Families/Stepfamilies

            The blended family is becoming increasingly common.  The US Bureau of Census provides the following statistics from the 2000 Census:

• 1300 new stepfamilies are forming every day;
• Over 50% of US families are remarried or re-coupled;
• The average marriage in the US lasts seven years;
• One out of two marriages ends in divorce;
• 75% remarry;
• 66% of those living together or remarried break up when children are involved.

These statistics are not surprising to those of us working in the field of family law.  They do, however, provide insight into the issues that face blended families, particularly as it relates to children

(more…)

February 2007 - Website of the month:

www.emilypost.com

Good manners and social graces often seem to get lost in our hurried lives. This awesome site is packed with things that we all know, but often lose sight of throughout the day. Just like one of the "Divorce Without Dishonor" practice pointers, "it is healthy to keep things in perspective." Size up your annoyances. Is it worth it to make a fuss over something small, or is it a waste of your emotional time?

Remember:   Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Post your tips and resources!, Please. Thank you. Have a wonderful day.