Daisy Camp, a non-profit founded in 2006 by Jennifer Morris, helps women facing divorce by providing a “camping experience” that: Provides reliable information from leading professionals Creates a safe, confidential environment in which women can reflect on this change in their lives Develops a supportive community among the participants. For more information and a list… Continue Reading
Estate Planning, Collaborative Family Law & Mediation
Common Questions About Wills (Part 3)
Can my personal representative handle my affairs if I become to sick to do so myself? No. A Will takes effect only after your death. If you want someone to handle your affairs if you become disabled or incompetent, you should talk with us about a number of options, including a health care directive. What… Continue Reading
Divorce: From Kitchen Table to Court
Divorce is an emotional, financial, relational and parenting event with legal overtones. It is an event in which the participants, typically, are not aware of their options, where the biggest sources of information about the process comes from the media or through third-hand stories about others’ divorces. There are two general models for resolving divorce… Continue Reading
Choosing a Guardian for Your Children
Choosing a guardian for your minor children can be the hardest part of any parent’s estate plan. It is not easy to contemplate your own mortality or the idea of someone else, no matter how loving they may be, raising your child. However, a few moments spent thinking about what you value in life and… Continue Reading
Collaborative Divorce: 8 Points
Considering a divorce? Consider that a Collaborative Divorce: Encourages mutual respect Emphasizes the needs of children Avoids going to court Keeps control of the divorce process with the individuals Provides open communication Utilizes a problem-solving approach Identifies and addresses the entire family’s (both spouses and their children) issues and concerns Prepares the family for a… Continue Reading
Common Questions About Wills (Part 2)
What instructions can I provide in my Will? You can provide little instruction or very detailed instructions in your Will. Usually, though, a Will provides instructions for the care of any children and also names a “personal representative” to manage and distribute your estate after you die. The personal representative, which can also be a… Continue Reading
Divorce Options
In an ideal world, all divorcing couples would be able to resolve their differences over a cup of coffee and without any professional assistance at all. Unfortunately, the reality is that most divorces will require some form of professional assistance. When considering the spectrum of professional assistance, remember that as the amount of professional intervention… Continue Reading
Powers of Attorney
What is a power of attorney? A power of attorney is written permission for someone (the attorney-in-fact) to take care of property or money matters for you (the principle) in whatever way you want. Even though this person is called an “attorney-in-fact”, they do not have to be a lawyer. With a power of attorney,… Continue Reading
Collaborative Divorce – The Minimally Invasive Divorce
In his December 13th, 2010 article for the Huffington Post, Mr. Curtis Harrison asks, in an age of minimally-invasive medical procedures, “why do so many people still rely on flint knives and bear skins when getting a divorce?” An apt question given the complexities of family dynamics (especially for families in conflict) and the law’s assumption that… Continue Reading
An Estate Planning Vocabulary Primer
There’s no doubt that lawyers speak a language all their own, but when it comes to wills or probate matters, knowing a few key terms can go along way toward streamlining the process and improving your understanding of what your lawyer is talking about. Here are some of the more commonly heard terms: Power of… Continue Reading