BOSTON, MA — Attorneys who represent the elderly and those who suffer from some level of mental incapacity are hopeful the Legislature will finally pass a bill authorizing “supported decision-making agreements,” all the while pressing for what they view as ...
Read More »Massachusetts elder law bar latest to weigh guardianship reforms
Virginia judge finds no jurisdiction over foster care system lawsuit 
RICHMOND, VA — Where a mother alleged that social workers and agencies failed to provide services required under a foster care agreement, there was no federal cause of action in her complaint nor complete diversity between the parties, ruled a ...
Read More »Divorce is even messier now with a tightening real estate market 
ROCHESTER, NY — Soaring home prices coupled with still record-low inventory has created unforeseen complications in divorce settlements, a process that already was stressful and often cantankerous. If the house isn’t being sold and the proceeds split between the parties, ...
Read More »Missouri jury sides with foster parents accused of assaulting teen 
ST. LOUIS, MO — A southwest Missouri jury sided with two former foster parents accused of sexual assault and negligent supervision by a St. Clair County woman while she was in their care 14 years ago. The 28-year-old woman, identified ...
Read More »Working with parenting coordinators in divorce 
DETROIT, MI — It’s not always simple to co-parent with an ex-spouse or former partner. Often, the parents face litigation for years, attempting to determine the best custody and visitation plans. Children suffer due to these conflicts. In most cases, ...
Read More »Wife established need for spousal support, Va. appeals court rules 
RICHMOND, VA — Even though wife did not put her income and expense report into evidence, she established a need for spousal support through her testimony, which the circuit court found credible, the Virginia Court of Appeals has ruled. Overview ...
Read More »Judge finds for trust in Kansas quiet title case 
ST. LOUIS, MO — A suburban Kansas City woman’s effort to claim title to a 10-acre family estate as marital property amid a divorce from her estranged husband was rejected by a Johnson County, Kansas, judge. Sarah Staten alleged that ...
Read More »Thwarted beneficiary can’t bring civil RICO action 
BOSTON, MA — The 1st U.S. Circuit of Appeals has found that a beneficiary could not bring civil RICO claims arising from a scheme involving her uncle’s business that allegedly reduced her inheritance from his estate. The decedent, Bill Colman, ...
Read More »Study shows parent education reduces family strife, court disputes 
Parent education for couples involved in family disputes works. As lawyers, judges and educators, we have long known that parent education can ease conflicts in families and promote reasonable family-based solutions to divorce, custody, visitation and other family disputes. Now ...
Read More »Order to name wife as policy beneficiary was error, Va. appeals court says 
RICHMOND, VA — The trial court lacked authority to order husband to name wife as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy because she was not a named beneficiary during the parties’ marriage, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled. The ...
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