| DIFFICULT ISSUES IN CHILD CUSTODY CASES
Sophisticated Family Law Issues
Sponsored with the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Flaschner Judicial Institute
Please Note: This course has already
been held.
Date: Thursday, November 02, and November 9 2006
Location: Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA
Time: 04:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Registration Information
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Purchase Here! |
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High conflict child custody cases have recently become a central area of dispute in many domestic relations actions. The changing realities of child rearing, the need for both parents to work, greater stress on the need for parental education, alternative methods of reproduction, greater mobility in society causing parental relocation, increased emphasis on shared parenting, increased use of expert testimony and parental support services and other factors have made such cases ever more complex to litigate or resolve.
Difficult Issues in Child Custody Cases explores complicated issues in the handling of high conflict child custody cases. Many of these issues do not have an easy answer but rather are the subject of debate within the bar and the bench. With the recent decision in Mason, how will the courts approach joint custody issues?
The numerous judges on the program faculty will share their perspectives on the topics that touch on areas of judicial discretion. Using discussion techniques under the leadership of leading legal educators serving as commentators, experienced Massachusetts judges and family lawyers will provide attendees with insights and ideas about how to handle such difficult cases. Because the format is interactive, you will have ample opportunity to participate in the discussion and raise questions from your experience.
Attendees who will benefit most from this program are those who have had some experience in handling difficult child custody disputes. The program is designed for judges, attorneys and guardian ad litem.
~PROGRAM COMMENTATORS~ Professor Charles P. Kindregan, Jr., Moderator
Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA Honorable Edward M. Ginsburg (ret.)
Senior Partners for Justice, Volunteer Lawyers Project, Boston, MA Professor Ilene Seidman
Suffolk University Law School, Boston MA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2006 PRELIMINARY TOPICS - Temporary custody: what factors are to be considered?
- Relationship of custody to child support: should there be a connection?
- Impact of the “Father’s Rights” movement on custody
- The A.L.I. Principles
- Is there still a gender-based factual presumption?
- What does the “best interests” test mean?
PROCEDURAL CONCERNS - Representation of the child’s wishes or the child’s interests, is there an inconsistency?
- What is the role of the guardian ad litem?
- Should there be a judicial interview with the child?
- How should counsel for the parents deal with interests of the child?
- How to schedule a parenting program?
SESSION FACULTY Honorable Anne M. Geoffrion
Circuit Justice, Probate & Family Court, Hampden Division Honorable Spencer M. Kagan
Circuit Justice, Probate & Family Court Honorable Randy J. Kaplan
First Justice, Probate & Family Court, Nantucket Division
Circuit Justice, Probate & Family Court Honorable E. Chouteau Merrill
Circuit Justice, Probate & Family Court Honorable Anthony R. Nesi
Associate Justice, Probate & Family Court, Bristol Division Linda S. Fidnick, Esq.
Burres, Fidnick & Booth, LLP, Amherst, MA Julie E. Ginsburg, Esq.
Ginsburg & Leshin, LLP, Wellesley, MA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2006 GETTING AT AND WEIGHTING PARENTAL FACTORS - Why do judges sometimes not want to deal with mental illness or addiction issues?
- Impact of substance, alcohol abuse and mental illness on custody determinations
- Do the lawyers have an obligation to raise the existence of abuse?
- If there is potential criminal activity, how is that raised?
- When there has been psychological evaluation, pursuant to the appointment of a GAL, who has the right to that information?
- Issues of supervised visitation
CURRENT ISSUES - Joint custody issues: what does it really mean and what is impact on child support?
- Is child support an issue affecting shared custody claims?
- Relocation of a parent
- Enforcing visitation orders
- Alienation issues
- Use of parent coordinators/mediation
SESSION FACULTY Honorable Leilah A. Keamy
Associate Justice, Probate & Family Court, Middlesex Division Honorable James V. Menno
Associate Justice, Probate & Family Court, Plymouth Division Honorable Mary Anne Sahagian
Circuit Justice, Probate & Family Court, Essex Division Honorable Jeremy A. Stahlin
Associate Justice, Probate & Family Court, Suffolk Division Charlene A. Caldeira, Esq.
Casner & Edwards, Boston, MA Robert Zibbell, Ph.D.
Framingham, MA
Award Reception Following the conclusion of the course on November 2nd, all are invited to a reception to honor:
Honorable Edward M. Ginsburg (ret.)
Attorney Monroe L. Inker (posthumously)
They are the 2006 recipients of the Charles P. Kindregan, Jr. Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Center for Advanced Legal Studies and CLE. This award recognizes their numerous contributions to the education of the bar and to the practice of family law. Please RSVP to: als@suffolk.edu.
| Date: |
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Thursday, November 02, and November 9 2006 |
| Tuition: |
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Tuition is $249; $199 for members of the MA Chapter of AAML, Suffolk alumni and attorneys admitted to the Bar after 2003. SCHOLARSHIPS: Centennial Scholarships provide a $100 discount off the regular tuition for our programs. They are available to any attorney or professional employed in public service, or unable to afford the tuition. For more information, call 617-573-8627.
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| Walk-Ins: |
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Space is limited. Registrations at the door are welcome, but please register in advance to reserve a seat and your written course materials or call to confirm space availability.
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| Refunds: |
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Written requests for cancellations received via fax or email 24 hours prior to the program will be granted a refund, minus a $15 charge. If you cannot attend, you can send a substitute, otherwise you will receive the written course materials.
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| Location: |
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Suffolk University Law School, 120 Tremont St., Boston, MA
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| Credit: |
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Approved for CLE Credit in RI, NH, VT & ME. Each session provides 3.5 credits for Category E & F GAL Credits.
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Special
Needs: |
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If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please notify us as soon as possible.
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Directions to the Law School.
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Unable to attend but are interested in the course materials?
Purchase Here! |
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