Folks hire a private investigator to find evidence. Straighforward. In the divorce arena, I see private investigators retained for three purposes: 1. Prove infidelity. You may have hunch or a gut feeling that your spouse is being unfaithful but nothing more. So you hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance or determine whom an unfamiliar…
Injuries caused by a drunk driver are senseless. A driver swills too much and gets behind the wheel with unfortunate consequences. It could have so easily been avoided. Hail a cab. Phone a friend. Take a walk. Or of course, not drinking at all. Drunk drivers are selfish. According to a recent study performed by…
A grassroots group, Connecticut Alimony Reform, is trying to change how alimony is calculated in Connecticut divorce. Putting limits on the amount that can be paid and adding “guidelines” appear to be the focus. In 2011, Massachusetts substantially reformed its alimony laws but Connecticut has not yet followed suit. Alimony reform has sparked spirited…
Relocation cases involving children are the thorniest case a Family Court decides. Sure, once in awhile, the other parent will agree – particularly if a suitable visitation schedule is worked out. But many times, it’s simply all or nothing. You know if a parent wants to go to California (Led Zep on in the…
A Bridgeport divorce judge recently found a 1989 prenuptial agreement valid and upheld the provisions in the prenup. The husband had been previously married and refused to re-marry unless his potential bride signed a premarital agreement. They hired separate lawyers and negotiated the terms. An agreement was eventually signed, the couple married and the…
I have seen a significant increase in the number of claims of parental alienation in Connecticut Family Courts. So now, more than ever, it is especially important to understand the fine distinction between true parental alienation and other reasons why a child refuses to visit a parent. Parental alienation is a deliberate attempt by…
Effective October 1, 2013 Connecticut judges will be required to consider earning capacity and education as two additional factors when determining alimony. Not really big news. Connecticut judges in calculating alimony have already routinely used both of these factors. The new law simply mandates a judge to consider them. Education of course ties in with…
The first step is to determine paternity. The second step is to establish the amount the non-custodial parent will pay for child support. This blog deals with the next step – collecting child support. In Connecticut, there are three avenues to consider: Hire a lawyer; Represent yourself; or Request the assistance of the State…
According to the DCF Policy Manual, educational neglect occurs when a parent of a child, age seven through fifteen, interferes with the ability of the child to receiver a proper education. Essentially, educational neglect is when a child is not registered in school or not allowed to go to school and there is no state…
Co-parenting involves two parents working together for the benefit of their child. Seems easy enough. But I see all too often that some parents simply cannot co-parent. And in many of those cases, it is simply because a parent puts his or her own needs ahead of what is best for the child. It becomes…