Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Why Did the Court Do That?

Sometimes you hear of a court case and immediately say "WHAT???"

Just think of the McDonalds Coffee Case, where the little old lady spilled coffee in the drive thru and sued McDonalds for Millions of Dollars and was eventually awarded 8 Million Dollars. WHAT???

Then there is this case out of New York. 
Brett M.D. v. Elizabeth A.D.
972 N.Y.S.2d 36
(New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, October 1, 2013)
             Regardless of the mother's allegations against the father regarding domestic violence and sexual abuse of the child, the Appellate Court found the proper venue was New York, not Florida where the Mother and Child were currently living. WHAT??? These incidents allegedly occurred in New York, the father had agreed to pay the child's travel expenses to New York for the proceedings and any related evaluations, and, whenever feasible, the court would permit mother to appear at proceedings telephonically from Florida, at little expense to her. WHAT??? Ok, the mother had moved to Florida with the child just one month before the father filed a custody case in New York, where the child was born and had lived most of his life. When you have all the facts the court reviewed, and not just the headlines from the paper, the answer may become more reasonable. Or not.

As attorneys, we are sometimes prevented from showing the court ALL THE FACTS. Sometimes "fact" is actually Opinion, and may even be biased. One side's view of facts is always distorted toward their view of the entire case. The other side doesn't want the "fact" interpreted a certain way, and expresses its Opinion of the reason for the "Fact" being presented . . . at Trial, anything can happen.

Oh, back to the McDonalds case. There were many facts that failed to make the news. You can read the Wikipedia account here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaurants

When you have questions, call me 407-645-3297 or visit my website www.aubreylaw.com
I look forward to speaking with you!
 

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Why Does Divorce have to be So Complex?

Divorce, according to Wikipedia is the termination of a marital union, the canceling of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and the dissolving of the bonds of matrimony between a married couple. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divorce

Simply put, Divorce ends a marriage. Why is that so Difficult?

Almost every week the New York Times contains an article about divorce, whether involving the children of divorce in a Broadway play, the Collaborative process, a documentary film about divorce in foreign lands, responses to the legislature's plans for "no-fault" divorce, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/opinion/17coontz.html?pagewanted=all or salacious articles regarding specific persons and their problems with divorce, such as the media mogul Rupert Murdoch: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/14/business/media/rupert-murdoch-files-for-divorce-after-14-years-of-marriage.html
At least for Murdoch, the end may be near:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/20/business/media/murdoch-divorce-said-to-be-almost-final.html?_r=0

If you pay attention to the news media, you might think divorce is either all too common or incredibly complex. Specific articles regarding divorce after 50,  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/fashion/weddings/divorce-after-50-grows-more-common.html

You may observe that the "children of divorce" suffer years of trauma to their psyche. Even the participants in the divorce process may look to coaches or therapy sessions to help their adjustment to single life. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/fashion/a-program-that-aims-to-lead-to-post-divorce-peace.html

Every major religion has teachings on Divorce, whether it be the requirement of a "get" for Jewish women to be divorced, Islamic requirements for an Imam's approval of the divorce. Even Scientologists have interesting issues:   http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/fashion/for-scientologists-divorce-is-no-simple-matter.html

An article last year detailed the Divorce Hotel where, in a weekend, couples could complete all the paperwork to finalize their divorce. The cost ranged between $3,500 and $10,000 depending on many factors. Unfortunately the Divorce Hotel is in the Netherlands! http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/business/the-divorce-hotel-a-true-weekend-getaway.html

Do you know why many lawyers support Same-sex marriage? Same-Sex DIVORCE!
We see in Mississippi the real national problem related to Same-sex marriage - no not those parochial concerns of religion - How do you get a divorce if you were married in Massachusetts and move to Texas? How do you get a divorce when the State of Texas doesn't even recognize the marriage? http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/us/mississippi-quest-for-a-same-sex-divorce.html

If you have questions regarding Alimony, Child Support, Equitable Distribution, Retirement Plans, Marital Property, call me 407-645-3297 or visit my website: www.aubreylaw.com
I look forward to helping you!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Another good UCF Post on Passing Unequal Shares in a Will

http://ucfgiving.org/?pageID=34&docID=25

When parents plan to divide their estate, problems may be forthcoming. From ancient times until today, unequal distribution causes envy and strife. If you want to save your family some pain, confusion and conflict, if you want to avoid probate altogether, Call me or visit my website. If you have questions, we have answers, www.aubreylaw.com
Thanks!

Social Security and Divorce? You have Questions, We have Answers!

UCF, my Alma Mater, does a Great Job in its Planned Giving Department. I wish I had time to write blog posts like this one: http://ucfgiving.org/?pageID=31&docID=508
You may have to review the article titled "How Divorce Can Affect Your Social Security" but it is well worth the read!
Covered are notes on how to get your Ex-spouse's Social Security to benefit you! We cover this in most divorces, but what you do not know can hurt your long term financial wellbeing.
When you have questions regarding Alimony, Social Security, Equitable Distribution in your complex divorce, call me. Or visit my website www.aubreylaw.com
I look forward to helping you.

Morning will come.

Morning will come.
No matter how dark the night!