5 Reasons to Stay Out of Court

May 18, 2020

As a retired Superior Court Family Law Commissioner, I firmly believe that if you can find a way to stay out of court, do so for the following reasons: Time Constraints – The Family Court system is underfunded and understaffed.  Even a relatively simple case can...

Why I Won’t Settle Disputes in Court

Feb 17, 2015

In the midst of parental separation feelings run high. If there are complicating factors such as violence, abuse and infidelity, those feelings typically run even higher. To add, if the decision to separate is more one-sided than mutual, the person being left can feel...

Can We Still Be Friends (after Divorce)?

Mar 1, 2021

from Song by Todd Rundgren, 1978 If you’ve had enough birthdays, you may remember this 70’s song by Todd Rundgren. He poses a question that comes up at the end of relationships. Maybe, if we can still be friends, it will soften the blow, lessen the pain. A more...

Making Sense of Those Divorce Legal Forms

Feb 1, 2021

The Petition Opens a file: Filing a petition for dissolution of marriage (divorce) simply opens a file at the courthouse and gives you a file number to use in the future.  Nothing else will ever happen if no one files anything further.  In fact, the court is obligated...