Letter from the Chairman

You are invited to participate in this publication by your comments, suggestions and even criticism. Feel as though this publication can be, at least in part, a “chat room” to exchange ideas and to partake in the notions and suggestions of others. The articles will be straightforward and provide the basis for a significant working knowledge of various subjects such as fault, valuation, custody and visitation (or, preferably, the “principal caregiver” and “parenting time”), same-sex relationships, relocation issues, classification of marital or community property as contrasted to separate property, bankruptcy, tax problems and a myriad of other subjects, with particular emphasis on developing trends in the law.

The authors are top-rated attorneys throughout the country who have pledged themselves to provide the necessary “hands on” tools for the workaday practice of lawyers handling matrimonial and family law cases.

Willard H. DaSilva has had a long and distinguished career in the law, and is a nationally respected expert in the field of matrimonial litigation. Having published literally hundreds of articles and books over the years, he has also served as Editor-in-Chief, New York State Domestic Relations Reporter; Editor, Matrimonial Law Journal, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; Editor-in-Chief, Family Advocate, American Bar Association; Editor-in-Chief, FairShare Magazine, Member, Board of Editors, New York State Bar Association Journal; Elder Law Attorney, New York State Bar Association, Editor, ABA Fax News Update; Lecturer of Law: New York Law School, Brooklyn Law School, St. John's Law School, Touro Law School, Hofstra Law School, Nassau Community College; Officer: Suffolk Academy of Law; Trustee: North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical College; Chair: Advisory Board, Family in Transition Program, North Shore University Hospital; Member: National Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association; Former Member: The Association of Trial Lawyers of America and New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Fellow: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Manager, NY Chapter, Director, Continuing Legal Education, 1979-1983; Vice-President, 1980-1982; President, 1982-1983; Member, National Board of Governors, 1982-1983). Diplomate: American College of Family Trial Lawyers; Master, Secretary, 1999-2000 and Counsel, 2001-2002, New York Family Law American Inn of Court.

The Matrimonial Strategist is honored to welcome him as Chairman of our Editorial Board.

This issue of the The Matrimonial Strategist marks the beginning of a new approach to informative, down to earth, practical and instructive articles as a resource and tool in the everyday practice of lawyers in the matrimonial field. Our editorial team plans to focus even more on new trends in the law, innovative legal ideas, and also “minefields” to avoid in representing clients in this highly emotionally charged field of law.

The Board of Editors has been substantially reconstituted to provide the most knowledgeable and respected authorities throughout the country, whose experience and background will provide, not just basics, but more often the novel and unique approaches in dealing with simple as well as complex issues that confront an attorney who represents a spouse, parent, grandparent or other person interested in family life.

The goal in the “new slant” of this publication is to provide an informative, current and practical working tool to save time and to produce effective results. This is not a publication for esoteric discussions of law and sophisticated theories of jurisprudence; rather, it is to provide a “hands-on” working tool for those who deal on a day-to-day basis with clients, judges, court personnel, experts and support staff and resources of all kinds.

You are invited to participate in this publication by your comments, suggestions and even criticism. Feel as though this publication can be, at least in part, a “chat room” to exchange ideas and to partake in the notions and suggestions of others. The articles will be straightforward and provide the basis for a significant working knowledge of various subjects such as fault, valuation, custody and visitation (or, preferably, the “principal caregiver” and “parenting time”), same-sex relationships, relocation issues, classification of marital or community property as contrasted to separate property, bankruptcy, tax problems and a myriad of other subjects, with particular emphasis on developing trends in the law.

The authors are top-rated attorneys throughout the country who have pledged themselves to provide the necessary “hands on” tools for the workaday practice of lawyers handling matrimonial and family law cases.

Willard H. DaSilva has had a long and distinguished career in the law, and is a nationally respected expert in the field of matrimonial litigation. Having published literally hundreds of articles and books over the years, he has also served as Editor-in-Chief, New York State Domestic Relations Reporter ; Editor, Matrimonial Law Journal, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; Editor-in-Chief, Family Advocate, American Bar Association; Editor-in-Chief, FairShare Magazine, Member, Board of Editors, New York State Bar Association Journal; Elder Law Attorney, New York State Bar Association, Editor, ABA Fax News Update; Lecturer of Law: New York Law School, Brooklyn Law School, St. John's Law School, Touro Law School, Hofstra Law School, Nassau Community College; Officer: Suffolk Academy of Law; Trustee: North Shore University Hospital-Cornell Medical College; Chair: Advisory Board, Family in Transition Program, North Shore University Hospital; Member: National Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association; Former Member: The Association of Trial Lawyers of America and New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Fellow: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Manager, NY Chapter, Director, Continuing Legal Education, 1979-1983; Vice-President, 1980-1982; President, 1982-1983; Member, National Board of Governors, 1982-1983). Diplomate: American College of Family Trial Lawyers; Master, Secretary, 1999-2000 and Counsel, 2001-2002, New York Family Law American Inn of Court.

The Matrimonial Strategist is honored to welcome him as Chairman of our Editorial Board.