The New York City Family Court Legal Services Project
September 29, 2008
Since Fall 2006, over 1,200 low-income families have been helped by an innovative pro bono project run by the New York City Family Court. The project is administering a much-needed jolt to a system overwhelmed by unrepresented litigants and a lack of resources.
Non-employee Spouse Waivers of ERISA Plan Benefits Not Reliable
September 29, 2008
In an aging population, accumulations in employee retirement plans assume greater and greater importance. Nowhere is this more true than in divorce, when, for many couples, retirement savings represent the most significant part of their savings.
Same-Sex Marriage: Survey on Policies
September 29, 2008
The start of same-sex marriages in California on June 16 made headlines across the country. However, it was not such a big deal for many U.S. companies. These businesses already give their gay and lesbian employees many of the same benefits that they provide to their married straight workers.
Diagnostic Distractions
August 25, 2008
This article explores the question of whether diagnostic labels have a legitimate place in the custody evaluation context and related evidentiary considerations of reliability, validity, relevance, and prejudice.
Discharge of Family Law Obligations in Bankruptcy
August 25, 2008
BAPCPA made significant changes in the treatment of alimony, child support and other obligations arising out of the dissolution of the marital relationship. This article refers to these obligations collectively as "family law obligations." Although many articles appeared in 2005 regarding the changes made by BAPCPA, it is worth revisiting these changes as they apply to the family law practitioner because the current economic downturn will lead to many more consumer bankruptcy filings in the remainder of 2008 and in 2009.
Practical Suggestions for Matrimonial Arbitration
August 25, 2008
At the May 2008 AAML (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) Matrimonial Arbitration Training Institute, presenters from North Carolina, Michigan and Texas, with scores of years of arbitration experience, gave advice about the responsibility of arbitrators and the smooth presentation of an arbitration case. That training is being considered through the lens of an important Pennsylvania matrimonial arbitration case: <i>Deborah Kennedy v. Michael Kennedy.</i>
Litigation
July 31, 2008
A review of recent cases.