Resources

Helpful links to family law resources

A handy check list to help you use your consultation time wisely

Common family law terms

Helpful Linkstop

Consultation Check Listtop

My free initial consultation help you become familiar with the family law process and learn what to expect. Because anything we discuss is protected by attorney/client privilege, you can be completely honest about your case. This way, I can be as effective as possible in advocating for you. Below is a check list of items to prepare for our meeting. I understand how overwhelming your life is right now, so bring as many you can.

A list of questions:

  • A timetable of the events that caused you to seek an attorney
  • Number and ages of children (from this relationship or another), and current living arrangements
  • Family financial information including copies of your single or joint tax returns, bank statements, retirement and investment account statements
  • Assets that have particular importance to you
  • A list of what assets were brought into the marriage or partnership by both parties
  • Information on family debts including mortgages, loans, credit cards and business debt
  • A copy of any domestic contracts (i.e., a prenuptial agreement)
  • Information about any previous legal proceedings between the spouses or involving any of the children
Common Family Law Termstop
AGREEMENT: a negotiated course of action between two parties of disputed issues
ALIMONY: a support payment paid by one spouse to the other
ARBITRATION: a neutral third party (arbitrator) settles a dispute by hearing arguments, reviewing evidence and making a decision
BINDING ARBITRATION: parties agree in advance to follow the arbitrator’s decision
NON-BINDING ARBITRATION: parties agree in advance to be advised by the arbitrator’s decision, but do not have to follow it
CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES: State guidelines which must be followed in awarding child support, and are typically a formula based on each parent’s salary and timeshare
CUSTODY: the legal arrangement for how much time a child spends with each parent, and how decisions about the child are made. Parents may share custody (“joint”), or one parent may have sole custody. The standard for custody is “what is in the best interest of the child.”
LEGAL CUSTODY: is who makes decisions about issues like school and healthcare.
PHYSICAL CUSTODY: refers to where the child lives on a regular basis.
DISSOLUTION: the legal end of a marriage
FILING: give the court clerk your legal papers
JUDGMENT: a court's decision
MEDIATION: a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third-party facilitator (mediator) facilitates discussions about difficult issues and helps negotiate an agreement. Parties in mediation create their own solutions and the mediator does not have any decision-making power over the outcome.
MOTION: a request to the court
PETITION: a legal paper that starts a case
SERVICE: providing a copy of the papers being filed to the other party
UNBUNDLING: A fairly recent practice allowing clients to choose and pay for just the legal services they need (i.e., document preparation) instead of full service representation.