Facebook, MySpace and Twitter Evidence in Custody Battles and Divorce

In this new age of technology, watch what you put on the web. Did you friend your soon-to-be ex wife's aunt and forget about it because she never posts? If so, then you can be guaranteed she will be gleefully printing pictures and posts on your page and handing them to her attorney for evidence against you. Did you playfully suggest on Facebook that you want to "leave the kids at home and get smashed tonight?" Then, be prepared for it to turn up as Exhibit A at your trial.

Edwards & Associates recently won custody for a father at trial. Included as primary exhibits were her Facebook and Myspace pages. Of particular interest were several scantily clad pictures of the young mother of 4, and posting of her announcing that she "goes to the club too much" and that she "was drinking IN THE CAR on the way to the club." She turned bright red and said that was her personal business. The Court did not agree and stripped her of custody and ordered her to pay child support. Here is a great recent article printed in the AJC.

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Facebook a treasure trove for divorce lawyers

By Larry Hartstein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
9:55 a.m. Thursday, February 11, 2010

As if divorce lawyers needed more ammunition.

In a new survey, 81 percent say they've seen an increase in the use of Facebook and other social networking sites for evidence in divorce cases. Notes to lovers, compromising photos -- Facebook provides a wealth of incriminating information.

"Every client I've seen in the last six months had a Facebook page," said Ken Altshuler, a longtime divorce lawyer from Portland, Maine, who is first vice president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. "And the first piece of advice I give them is to terminate their page immediately."

Sixty-six percent of the attorneys surveyed by the AAML called Facebook the unrivaled leader for online divorce evidence, followed by MySpace (15 percent) and Twitter (5 percent).

"Going through a divorce always results in heightened levels of personal scrutiny," said Marlene Eskind Moses of Nashville, the group's president. "If you publicly post any contradictions to previously made statements and promises, an estranged spouse will certainly be one of the first people to notice and make use of that evidence."

Altshuler cited a couple cases in which Facebook proved key:

A woman was getting divorced from her alcoholic husband and seeking custody of their kids. The husband told the judge he had found God and hadn't had a drink in months, but Altshuler found a recent Facebook photo showing him "holding a beer in each hand with a joint in his mouth," the lawyer said.

Then there was the custody case in which his client's ex-wife claimed to be engaged. She was trying to show she'd provide a stable household for the kids.

But the same woman had posted on Facebook that she'd broken up with her abusive boyfriend and "if anybody had a rich friend to let her know," Altshuler said.

The ex-husband's friend gave him the posting; he was still Facebook friends with the ex-wife.

"People don't think about who has access to their Facebook page," Altshuler said. "A good attorney can have a field day with this information."

How To Win A Custody Case

Because of our tremendous success in the field of Georgia Father’s Rights, I am often asked what I do to “win” a difficult custody case.

The reality is, every successful attorney who wins fathers’ rights cases, simply manages the facts and presents the case to the judge. We argue positions that other attorneys are not willing to argue. However, the most important aspect of winning a fathers’ rights case is the client. There is no attorney in the world that can turn bad facts into a good case. If you left your wife, moved to another state, have not seen your children in years, and have not paid any child support in years, you will most likely not get custody.

On the other hand, if you have been involved in your children’s lives, and care more about the children than about hurting their mother, there is no reason for the court to assume that you are less of a candidate for a primary custodian than the mother.

The hardest cases to try are those where the father is as good of a parent as the mother. There is not really anything negative about either parent, and each wants custody. These are also the most difficult cases for judges to hear. How do they decide who should get custody? I attempt to “tell the story” of my client through collateral witness, through the children, through the use of the Guardian ad Litem, through neighbors, school counselors and other professionals who can attest to the benefit the children have had from having an involved father.

Another difficult case is where the father really is a better parent, but it is difficult to prove. The Mother may have been the stay-at-home primary caretaker, but she is not really doing a good job. The children still have all of their arms and legs, but they are not receiving the emotional nurturing and support they need. She feeds them fast food, although she does not work outside of the home. She sleeps all day, and does not keep up the house. Her days are spent sleeping, or attending tennis clinics or spa appointments, and the children are an afterthought. The Mother wants custody, but mostly because she needs the child support. These kinds of cases baffle my clients. They know they are the better parent, but they need help proving it. That is where an experienced attorney can make a difference.

The bottom line is - it really is an uphill battle for Fathers most of the time. I think this can be attributed to Fathers’ rights advocates who talk the talk but do not walk the walk. I recently represented a Mother, where the Father had been trying to reinstate his parenting rights after having been arrested 100 times, driving the 10 year old child around to buy drugs in hotel room, and abandoning the child at a bus stop and calling the mother to pick him up after he had left the child. The “Fathers’ Rights attorney” in his closing argument, eloquently stated how the presumption for fathers should be for joint custody, at which point, everyone in the courtroom rolled their eyes. That particular father was not exactly a cause the attorney should have gotten behind. It destroys credibility in the eyes of the court. Needless to say, that Father is still prohibited from seeing his child.

The only way to “win” a custody case is this: be a good father at all times, even when the mother makes it difficult. Spend quality time with your children. Help them with their homework, take them on educational experiences. Don’t be a Disneyland dad. If you are a good father, then others will see it. That way, when it is time to go to court, you will have no shortage of witnesses to testify about your exemplary parenting skills. That makes my job easier.

Single parents create happy new homes after divorce

Single parents create happy new homes after divorce

By H.M. CAULEY Atlanta Journal-Constitution Published on: 05/29/08

With the divorce rate hovering around 50 percent, it's no surprise that many of Stephanie Andrews' design clients find themselves starting over again. Unlike the recent grad who's just rented a new apartment or newlyweds moving into a starter home, the newly single often come with bits and pieces of their past to sort through, as well as a passion to put their own imprint on their surroundings quickly.

"There's so much psychology that goes into designing a home," said Andrews, owner of the Candler Park-based Balance Design. "Newly single people want to explore who they are and put that in their house. It's a chance for them to show their own personal style."
There's also something liberating about putting together a home without anyone else's approval. "They have full control and there's no need for compromise, which is very freeing for them," said Andrews. "They can have fun. About the only compromise they may have to make ends up being the cost."

For divorced parents, there's the additional desire to make a house a home very quickly for the children. And there are considerations such as where the family will spend time together. Where will the kids do their homework?
Here's a peek inside three Atlanta residences where single parents have put their own style on a new space.

Getting more for less in Doraville
Graphic designer Gabrielle LeBlanc's post-divorce budget made finding a new home in her 8-year-old's school district a challenge. But after 18 months in a Dunwoody apartment, she uncovered a 1960s brick ranch in Doraville that needed a bit of TLC."I knew I could make it work," she said.

LeBlanc ripped out carpeting and refinished the wood floors. She painted the trim and ceilings; installed new light fixtures; and added her own small details, such as replacing the wall switch covers. Her thriftiness extended to the furnishings. An inexpensive, three-tiered chandelier she found at IKEA got an upgrade when she added rows of crystals. A friend donated her kids' old crayon-covered art table that LeBlanc refinished to show off the wood. Instead of payment for a job, she traded her work for a futon. And she picked up some framed artworks for $1 at a yard sale.

LeBlanc scoured stores for decor deals and snagged several. A crescent-shaped table with repairable scratches was $90 at Ballard Designs. A low, glass-fronted buffet in the red dining room came from Crate and Barrel. A green suede sofa was a steal from World Market. Inexpensive cube shelving from IKEA created a storage unit for her son's toys.
LeBlanc warmed the house with personal items. Framed photos of New Orleans, her hometown, line the halls. A portrait of her grandmother, painted by her grandfather on their wedding day, graces her home office.
"I wanted a fresh slate," said LeBlanc. "And I liked being able to create my own space without having to ask anyone's permission."

Kids come first in Avondale Estates
Attorney Sheryl McCalla gave her real estate agent a short list of requirements when she went house shopping five years ago. She wanted to be close to her job in Midtown and near the intown school that her two children attend. Though the three-bedroom house in Avondale Estates wasn't an exact fit, McCalla knew it was a terrific place to start over after a divorce.
"I was looking for a family friendly house in a nice neighborhood," said McCalla. "Here, we can walk to the pool and playground and I have the support of other parents in the neighborhood."
The 1950s house had already undergone an extensive renovation, including the addition of a second floor and an open kitchen and family room. "That was key, because I wasn't in a position to do that kind of work," said McCalla.
In the large foyer, the base of the staircase leads to the second floor and into the family room as well. A former living room, with a fireplace, is now the red dining room. McCalla turned the old glass-enclosed porch into the art room, where her kids are free to paint on the walls, floors or windows as their creativity moves them.
The expanded kitchen has cherry cabinets and an island where the kids can do their homework while McCalla cooks. A corner eating area has a banquette for cozy seating. An adjacent small room holds all of the kids' toys and several musical instruments, while a former first-floor bedroom is now the TV room.
McCalla decorated her son's room with a space theme and had an artist paint her daughter's favorite flowers and garden scenes around her bed.
The move meant buying all new furniture. "The only things I had were a king-sized bed, two night stands, a dresser and an exercise bike," said McCalla. But she took her time tracking down the large wood dining table, with chairs and bench seating; a beige sofa and two chocolate chairs around the family room fireplace; and a round dining table in the breakfast nook.
The kids' artwork on various walls and framed playbills from New York shows that McCalla's parents collected are constant reminders of family connections.
"Simplicity was my goal," said McCalla. "But it was also important to make the house comfortable. And it had to feel like home."

At home at Dad's

Attorney Doug Kertscher started his search for a post-divorce house for his two young children by drawing a 10-mile circle around their primary residence. The perfect place turned up in the form of a 6-year-old house in Morningside.
"The house had been well-maintained, which was important because I work a lot of long hours, and I didn't want to have my children with me while I was fixing the roof," said Kertscher.
The three-story house came with enough open spaces for his children to run around and several areas that double as adult and kid areas. In the library, book shelves are lined with Dad's collection on the top rows; all of the kids' favorites are within their short reach below. A large rectangular ottoman opens to reveal a toy chest.
Kertscher was also insistent that the bedrooms be on the same level so the children would be close by. "And I wanted their rooms to have neat things," he said. In his boy's room, there's an outdoor theme with stars on the ceiling, star lights and camping knick-knacks. His daughter's room, painted in pinks and greens, has stick-on fairies and her name on the walls. The third level of the house has one big room outfitted with a desk and computer, including two kid-sized chairs that double as recliners. Another corner holds a drawing area and chalk boards where the kids can get creative.
A sun room houses the entertainment center in front of an over-sized chaise lounge big enough Kertscher and his tykes. "This is where we do our night-time reading," he said.
Kertscher furnished the house with new pieces, including the large-screen plasma on the wall of the living area, and what he describes as "strong, male colors."
"They're blues and grays, with some greens and reds, that are strong but still warm," he said.
Most of his attention was devoted to creating a home that was functional for him while also being a comfort zone for his kids.
"It was very important to have a place where they'd want to come," he said. "They love coming to Daddy's house; sometimes they'd rather come here than go to the park. And I've been really happy about that."

Tips for making a house a home fast:
• Instead of ordering furniture, ask about buying a floor sample that you can take home immediately. Not only can you get it right away, you may get a discount.
• Shop for ready-made items, such as curtains, drapes and bedding that can punch up a room in minutes.
• The biggest bang for your makeover buck is color. Select a color scheme that will flow throughout the house and make you feel good every time you enter.
• Make it personal by displaying your favorite items that have good memories.

Signs in Decatur point to marriage in trouble

Signs in Decatur point to marriage in trouble
By MICHELLE HISKEY
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 04/19/08

The signs of Rob and Karen Byers' marriage have been bleak the past three months.He's been living apart from her and their 1-year-old son.Last week, morning commuters near Emory University passed dozens of these signs posted by Rob Byers. "I made a big mistake," he says of what led to their separate homes in Decatur.They've been married for 11 years, college friends for a decade before. They were the quiet pair who always hung back at parties.

He's 38 and still in his head too much.She's 39, angry and confused by him, long wanting more emotion from him.In an effort to come home, he dreamed up something really big.
"I'm going to surprise you tomorrow," he told her by phone one night early last week. "And you're really going to like it."
The first yellow signs were stuck under her car wiper blades."Rob Loves Karen.""Karen I'm Sorry."Perplexed, she drove off — along the same route she takes every morning to her favorite bagel shop.

The same six words shouted from telephone poles along busy Clairmont and North Druid Hills roads. Along this popular commuting route to Emory University, the posters burst in the color of war ribbons.
He was wrong: She didn't really like it.At all.Have a loved one's best intentions ever ended up making you even madder? Then you know how she felt.

"Totally freaked," she said. "I felt like it was advertising to the world we had problems. I felt embarrassed that that was thrown out into the world. These are things I have only told a handful of close friends."
She tore down the first few, but "there were so, so many and the baby was in the car, I knew I was getting nowhere."She thought back on their pattern: his bad timing, her disappointment.
"It was like when he proposed," she says. "I was weak and in bed with a cold, and he got me out of bed and I was in my bathrobe when asked me. And I was furious that this is what I would remember forever."

He was at work when she called to vent about the posters: "If that was a surprise, it was really lame!"Her view changed after she talked to friends, who urged her to see his gestures as sweet and romantic, if misguided.

He did express how he felt, just not the way she ever imagined.Making something private so public opened up her eyes to a hidden truth."People have been so supportive and opened up," she says. "Everyone has problems even though they act like everything is fine."
Even though they don't know exactly where their marriage is headed or how they will get there, after all this, they realize that neither wants to give up.And both agree that's a good sign.

How Much Life Insurance do You Need After Divorce?

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need After Divorce?
(provided by Ann O'Flanagan, Esq.)

Experts believe that a surviving spouse with children needs at least $100,000.00 worth of insurance for every $500.00 of pre-tax income. If you require $3,000.00 a month ($36,000.00 per year) to cover your expenses, your spouse should have $600,000.00 of life insurance. ($3,000.00/500.00 = 6; 6 x 100,000.00 = $600,000.00) of insurance to meet your bills. The surviving souse would invest the $600,000.00 at a conservative interest rate of 6 % which would generate $36,000.00 a year in interest before taxes. Because the surviving spouse and children would be living off the interest, rather than the principal. the income would last forever. Many people feel that $50.000.00 worth of insurance, that's commonly part of, an employee benefit's package. is enough. It is not.Therefore, at the time of divorce, it is imperative that additional insurance be obtained so that, in the event that your spouse dies, and alimony and child support ceases, the surviving spouse and children have sufficient funds to live on.To get life insurance "by telephone or on line" the following sources can be considered:

InsuranceQuote Services 800-972-1104
http://www.iquote.com/

MasterQuote 800-337-5433
http://www.masterquote.com/

QuickQuote 800-867-2404
http://www.quickquote.com/

Quotesmith.com 800-556-9393
http://www.insure.com/

TermQuote 800-444-8376
http://www.termquote.com/

Information provided by: Ann O'Flanagan located at http://www.divorcesource.com/NJ/oflanagan.html

Estranged evangelists meet, no resolution yet

By D. AILEEN DODD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 03/10/08

National evangelist Juanita Bynum on Monday finally met with her estranged husband, Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III, and his attorney for a deposition in preparation for divorce proceedings. The meeting, which began at 9 a.m. in the law office of Randy Kessler, attorney for Weeks, lasted for more than six hours. Bynum came to the deposition with her attorney, Karla Walker, of Valdosta. Weeks, who will face criminal charges Tuesday for allegedly beating Bynum, also attended the meeting. So did Ed Garland, his defense attorney in the criminal case.

The deposition lasted for about three hours, but the group continued a closed-door discussion afterwards. Weeks emerged from the law office about 3:40 p.m. smiling.

"Things are good, they are always good," he said as the elevator doors closed behind him. Ten minutes later, Bynum appeared in black coat and tinted sunglasses. When asked was the divorce resolved she said "no," and would not comment further.

Kessler sought a court order to sit Bynum down for a deposition after several attempts to meet with the pastor failed because of scheduling conflicts. He said he wanted an opportunity to talk with Bynum on the record about allegations of cruelty in the marriage before the divorce case went to court. The couple has been separated since June.

Kessler said he asked Bynum what she would accuse Weeks of and what Bynum did to Weeks in their stormy marriage. "This was a normal standard deposition," Kessler said. "There was no yelling and arguing. I think it was helpful for everybody."

At about 1:50 p.m. the attorneys Kessler, Walker and Garland left the law office to go to lunch and talk. Garland would not say why he attended the proceedings.
Bynum and Weeks remained in the law office while their lawyers, who didn't return by the close of the business day, were away. A lawyer at Kessler's firm, Monica Hanrahan said she later joined the couple but would not say what was being discussed.

Kessler returned alone after 5 p.m. and said the divorce case and criminal case share similarities. Bynum also has alleged abuse in the divorce case. She is seeking divorce for "cruel treatment." "The facts are the same," Kessler said. "She is claiming mental cruelty based on the incident that occurred on Aug. 21."

On that day Weeks allegedly assaulted Bynum in the Renaissance Concourse Hotel parking lot near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Garland was in the law office while Bynum was deposed, which allowed him to hear the testimony of the main witness in the criminal case the day before trial, scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. today in Fulton County Superior Court.

Garland will be representing Weeks as he faces charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and simple battery. Weeks has pleaded not guilty and has said that he has been a victim of domestic violence in his marriage to Bynum.

Family Wars: The Alienation of Children

Family Wars: The Alienation of Children

(provided by Dr. Peggie Ward)

Composite case from actual examples
The parents of Amy (age 10) and Kevin (age 7) are divorcing after 13 years of marriage. Their father, by temporary stipulation, has moved from the marital home. He is entitled to visit with the children on alternating weekends and one evening, during the week. Soon, the children begin to refuse to go with him. At first, they do not want to leave Mom; they say that they are afraid to go. When Dad comes to the house, Mom tells him that she\he will "not force the children to go." "Visitation is up to them." and she\he will "not interfere in their decision".

The children refuse to talk with him on the phone. Mom calls him names when he telephones and complains constantly about her financial situation, blaming him, all within hearing of the children.Dad attempts to talk with the children about the situation, then to bribe them with movies, shopping trips, toys. They become more and more sullen with him and resistant to coming. Anything, routine doctor visits, invitations from a friend, a visit to Aunt Beth, serves as an excuse to avoid visits.A court appointed guardian ad litem learns from the children that "Dad is abusive and mean to us. " They do not want to go on visits. However, when asked to give specific examples of how he is abusive, their stories are not convincing, "He yells too loud when we make noise." "He made me climb all the way to the top of a mountain." "He gets mad at me about my homework." "He makes me wear my bike helmet." "He pounds the wall to get us up in the morning and it makes me afraid that he'll hit me." They say that he has never hit them, although they state that they are very afraid that he will. These children are in the process of becoming alienated from their father.An increasing number of children are experiencing the divorce of their parents or litigation over their custody some time during their minority. Some children experience the concerted, albeit often unconscious or unintended, attempt of one parent to alienate them from their other parent. It is the purpose of this article to alert lawyers, judges and parents involved in divorce and custody wars to the serious nature of parental alienation and to provide suggestions for court based intervention.
I. Definitions
II. Harm to The Child
III. Motivation for Alienation
IV. Recognition of Alienating Behaviors

A. The Continuum: Distiquishing between"typical Divorce and "Alienation"
B. Mild
C. Moderate
D. Overt
E. Severe

1. Prevention

A. Education
B. Attorneys
C. Courts
2. Mild Alienation cases
3. Moderate
4. The Parent Evaluation
5. Severe: The Fully Enmeshed Child
6. Conclusion

Information provided by: Dr. Peggie Ward located at http://www.divorcesource.com/NH/DS/ward.html

The perfect client

The perfect client Written by C. Sean Stephens

What a lawyer thinks of as a “perfect client” in the domestic relations sense is a client who helps the process of the dissolution, custody, or support matter along. We know how hard this process is to be going through, but it can be a much more difficult process the longer it drags on — and a much more expensive one for you. (Although we like getting paid as much as anyone else, we believe we should be problem-solvers, not problem-creators.)

Good attorneys will always treat their clients — all of their clients — with the same professionalism and respect they treat any other client. However, by helping us help you, you can make the process smoother, lower your costs, and get a better result! Here are some things you can do to help your attorney in your domestic relations case, to make things run more smoothly.

Tell us everything — the good, the bad, the ugly. We want to know the nastiest things the other side might throw at us, true or not. If you have hidden sources of income, a stake in Anna Nicole Smith’s love nest in the Bahamas, or a rare coin collection, we need to know and plan accordingly.

Provide us with your tax, banking, investment, insurance, titles to cars and whatnot, and any other requested information quickly in the process (if you can bring this stuff to your first meeting, we might very well cry with joy). If you’re not in a place where you can get the information, sign a release that allows the attorney to request the information on your behalf.
Keep in contact with us. We’ll provide you with frequent updates, but there are times when we need to get in contact with you quickly, too.

Similarly, let us know the best way to contact you. If you’re one of those people who hates checking her voicemail but lives on her computer (wait, that would be me when I’m at home), let us know your email address and if that’s a better way to stay in touch.

Understand that a contested divorce may take a while, even if it ultimately settles. We want closure for you as soon as we can get it, too, but not at the expense of a good settlement for you.
If your case involves child custody, parenting time, or support, sign up and follow through with the mandatory education classes as soon as you can.

Remember that your attorney is there to give you expert advice and recommendations, but isn’t going to be able to make the final decision about whether or not you should take a settlement. He can and will tell you if it’s a good idea or a bad idea, and what the benefits and pitfalls of an offer might entail, but the ultimate decision is going to be yours. Also, if you don’t like the way negotiations may be headed, if you change your mind about the way the case is going, or if you’re just generally unhappy about something, please say so. We’d much rather know about it (and fix it) than to find out much, much later that you’d been unhappy for a very long time.

Advice aside, we know that this may be the, or one of the most difficult times of your life. We treat all of our clients as we would hope to be treated under the same circumstances: with diligence to their case, courtesy, the utmost respect, and the highest level of customer service possible.

Do I have to pay alimony?

The short answer is: “It depends.”

Georgia law provides that alimony, or spousal support, may be awarded to one spouse in the event of a divorce or separation. At times, spousal support is awarded on a temporary basis before the divorce is final. Alimony may be paid to either a husband or a wife. Georgia law provides 8 factors which the court determine alimony.

1. The standard of living established during the marriage;
2. The duration of the marriage;
3. The age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties;
4. The financial resources of each party;
5. Where applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable him to find appropriate employment;
6. The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party;
7. The condition of the parties, including the separate estate, earning capacity, and fixed liabilities of the parties; and
8. Such other relevant factors as the court deems equitable and proper.

Alimony may not be awarded to a requesting spouse if the separation between the parties was caused by that party's adultery or desertion. There are also other, variable factors that will influence a judge’s decision to award alimony. Some of these factors are within the client’s control such as:

• A party’s behavior during trial;
• A party’s willingness to be open and honest in disclosing financial information
• The age of the children of the marriage, if any
• Both parties’ employment status / prospects

Georgia Code §19-6-1 & §19-6-5

When She Wants to Leave and Take the Kids

If your partner threatens to leave and take the children, let her know that she can go, but the children are staying. She does not have the right to remove the children from the family home. If she takes the children anyway, you can bring them back. If she leaves and takes the children, you have the right to know where they are. You can ask the court to order her to return the children.Until and unless a court orders otherwise, you have joint legal and physical custody of your children with your spouse under the common law. Anything less than this takes rights away from you.

Many fathers opt for less than joint custody, and in some cases, joint custody may not be in the best interests of the children. But you have the right, if you wish to exercise it, to insist on joint custody from the outset. In cases where the mother is an unfit parent, you can ask the court to award you sole custody.If the mother denies access to the children, you can ask the court to order it. You are entitled to half of the time with your children if you want it. There is nothing in the law that says you are an incompetent parent because you are a father. There is nothing that says the mother can be a better parent than you. The court will tend to keep the status quo, or existing situation, by leaving the children where they are. This is to avoid any more disruption in their lives than the divorce of their parents is already causing. That is why it is important that you set the precedent of equal time from the beginning of your case.

Written by: James J. Goss, a prominent attorney in Maryland

If your wife is threatening to leave and take the children, Contact Edwards & Associates today.

Representing Celebrity Clients

The Celebrity Dissolution [abridged version]
Aissa Wayne, Esq., T. Elizabeth Fields, Esq., and Kathryne Clark. Esq. co-authored the below.

The lives of celebrities are both fascinating and challenging. When involved in a family law proceeding, celebrities face unique and serious issues, which tend to make the already difficult family law proceedings even more complex and perilous for celebrity clients. Hence, when representing a celebrity client, many issues exist for the average family law practitioner that might not otherwise arise. Below, are just but a few of the challenges that a conscientious practitioner must keep in mind when guiding and advising a celebrity through a high profile case in a family law proceeding.

When representing a celebrity client, a lawyer must be comfortable breaking away from usual attorney-client protocols. For example, celebrities may insist on a particular partner of the firm personally handling all aspects of a case including simple court appearances such as requests for continuances. Moreover, a celebrity may make enormous demands on the resources and personnel of the firm. This kind of personal catering to the celebrity’s preferences is important to assist the client through a very difficult time.

Another unique aspect of representing a celebrity involves utilizing effectively the plethora of professionals which assist the celebrity in daily life such as agents and managers. Oftentimes they can be of paramount assistance to the lawyer since they know many of the relevant facts, handle the celebrities schedule and pay the celebrities bills, such as attorney fees. Further, since the celebrity’s image is essentially the agent’s and manager’s livelihood, they will frequently want to be involved in the decision making. The lawyer must engender confidence in the celebrity’s support personnel to allow them to entrust him/her with their concerns. It is important for the lawyer to be sensitive to their concerns and to cultivate their loyalty and assistance to ensure cohesiveness, a united front and for the greater common good of the celebrity’s wellbeing. Nonetheless, while having these people as allies will make a lawyer’s job much easier, the lawyer must always insure that the case is not run by the agent and/or manager.

Additionally, the lawyer should also keep in mind that communications with the celebrity’s employees and agents and some of the experts hired by the lawyer are subject to the attorney-client privilege.

In addition to managing the support personnel, the lawyer will have to keep an ever vigilant eye on how the case is affecting the celebrity’s image in the public and how the stream of information is being funneled to the media. Public relations consultants and firms may be invaluable to a lawyer to assist in handling this aspect of the case. They can assist the lawyer in devising a plan for not only the intentional dissemination of information to the media, but also in the event of a public relations crisis. Being prepared for such a crisis is well worth the time and energy in advance.

In addition to the celebrity’s public persona, a separate public relations consultant can assist the lawyer in developing the lawyer’s public persona. The public will look to the lawyer for guidance and insight as to how the celebrity will handle the case. Hence, to some extent, the lawyer is launched into show business him/herself. In this capacity, the lawyer may want to be perceived as a competent "force to be reckoned with" without appearing too overbearing. If the lawyer is not perceived as credible and competent, the lawyer may jeopardize the celebrity’s position since the celebrity is also being tried in the Court of Public Opinion. The public relations consultants can host mock media interviews with the lawyer and conduct market research into how to best handle before the public troubling aspects of the case. Unlike the lawyer, they should have years of experience handling public relations and can become an invaluable resource for the lawyer throughout the high profile case.

However, the lawyer must balance the plans of a public relations team with the rules limiting the information that the lawyer may convey to the media during a high profile case.
Even unfounded and dismissed accusations levied against a celebrity in family court may damage a celebrity’s public image long after the family law case concludes. Therefore, one of the most effective methods of averting a public relations crisis is keeping unfavorable information private.

Generally, the Court will seldom close family law proceedings to the public or seal a family law file. However, in high profile cases where celebrities are involved, a Court may be elect to do such especially if presented with a Stipulated Confidentiality Order. The parties may enter into any number of stipulations providing for the privacy of documents such as the redaction of documents and the submission of private documents to the Court to be withdrawn after the conclusion of the hearing.

Even if a Court will not close the proceedings or seal the file, Courts oftentimes will seal particular documents such as damaging declarations to protect celebrities’ reputation.
If the Court will not grant the privacy sought by high profile clients, there are other options available to preserve confidentially and privacy such as a "private" or "confidential" trial through a private judge. See CRC Rule 244(g). Private Judges may afford high profile clients privacy and confidentiality while saving money and time. When a private judge is appointed, the "hearings" often occur in a private office without public notice, thereby effectively preventing the media from overseeing the details of the proceedings. This gives the parties much more control over what, if any, information is disseminated to the public.

Moreover, if the parties agree, they can participate in confidential dispute resolution through mediation which may be an effective tool for conflict management. If they reach an agreement, they can enter into a confidential marital settlement agreement that is referenced but not attached to the Judgment. In such an event, the confidentiality will be preserved and the agreement will only be exposed if enforcement procedures become necessary. Alternatively, the final resolution may also be kept from the public’s eye through having two judgments. One judgment providing for the status termination, support and reserving on all other issues. The second judgment will contain the remainder of the issues and will only be filed if either party breaches the terms of the second judgment.

To gain a litigation advantage, the opposing side may fight an effort to close the proceedings to the public. However, the opposing side may be more willing to agree to a private judge or mediation if the celebrity agrees to pay for the associated expenses. Such efforts and concessions are well worth the privacy gained, especially when custody is at issue.

In addition to assuring privacy of the court proceeding, a lawyer must take decisive actions to assure that his file is kept safe in his office, such as keeping it under lock-and-key. The attorney should also have his employees sign a confidentiality agreement and employ a shredder to destroy extra copies of file documents. The lawyer should also assure that his computer database is secure from hackers and others who might gain access to the electronic data.

Other issues to consider involve the unusual property issues inherent in dividing a celebrity’s community estate. Even though the celebrity’s business manager may want to control the property issues, it may be advisable to hire a forensic accountant and appraisers as soon as possible to work with the business manager. These experts will be able to delve through the complexities of property division, including the valuation of artistic works, residuals and works in progress, and can testify about the value of the community estate, prepare a marital balance sheet, and complete sometimes complicated tracings.

Furthermore, as with any client, once appropriate, a celebrity client will have to be advised to evaluate his/her estate plan in light of the changes inherent in a family law proceeding.These and many other considerations must be carefully weighed by an attorney navigating the potentially tumultuous waters of representing a celebrity client. The attorney must give the matter due consideration and must carefully reflect upon the unique demands, issues and pitfalls of representing high profile cases.

Co-authored by Aissa Wayne, Esq., T. Elizabeth Fields, Esq., and Kathryne Clark, Esq., Beverly Hills, California

Survival Manual for Men in Divorce

Survival Manual for Men in Divorce

Survival Manual for Men in Divorce (2004 Edition)
PDF E-book

Survival Manual for Men in Divorce (2004 Edition) PDF E-book by Carol Ann Wilson & Edwin Schilling III

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The Survival Manual for Men in Divorce: 185 Questions and Answers About Your Rights
Topics covered in this book include:
Common Property

Child CustodyAlimony & Debt

Child SupportRetirement Benefits

"Divorce shouldn't be a war zone. Unfortunately, sometimes it is. Survival Manual For Men In Divorce is the first step in neutralizing that zone. A must have for BOTH men and women contemplating divorce."--Judith Briles, Speaker and author of The Confidence Factor and Dollars and Sense of Divorce.

Table of Contents
Sample Chapter
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Is Collaborative Practice Right for Me?

In addition to being an experienced domestic litigation attorney, Ms. Edwards is a certified collaborative law attorney. The Collaborative Law process creates a cooperative environment where constructive communication can take place, and provides an arena in which the parties can work together to resolve their issues. This process is ideal for those clients who wish to resolve their dispute peacefully, cost-effectively, and without court hearing and trials. When children are involved, the children have their own advocate that can express their concerns throughout what can be a difficult transition in their lives. In addition, in case that would require an expert opinion, the parties can jointly hire one neutral expert, which expedites the case and reduces the overall expense.Furthermore, in the collaborative law process, you and the other party take an active and vital role in shaping the agreement that will govern your lives for years to come. This process of cooperation diminishes the parental conflict that litigation can generate and helps you protect your children from the fallout that can occur with a heated courtroom battle.

Finally, and perhaps, most importantly, the parties’ issues remain within the collaborative law setting. This discretion and confidentiality helps to reduce the stress level during an already difficult period and allow you to focus on resolving the problems at hand. As part of the Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia, Ms. Edwards is part of a select group of attorneys that are committed to an inter-disciplinary network of attorneys, mental health professionals, financial consultants and other professionals committed to representing individuals and families in a non-adversarial process.

The Mission Statement of the Collaborative Process is as follows:We are committed to a client centered process that focuses on the legal, emotional and financial elements of divorce and allows couples to negotiate in an environment free from the threat of litigation.For more information on the collaborative process, contact Ms. Edwards, or refer to www.collaborativepracticega.com.

Contact our attorneys at Edwards & Associates to determine what the best method is for your particular case.