Showing posts with label ethics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ethics. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

In Defense of Marriage and other Divorce Topics

We have Attorney General Pam Bondi defending "traditional" marriage in Florida. George Sheldon is trying to unseat her in the election November 4th.  In China, mobs are defending marriage. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/mob-led-scorned-wife-strips-husbands-mistress-naked-streets-beats-her

So you really did not marry the "Love of your life." Or maybe you did but He or She CHANGED! That is so unfair. Perhaps the Love of your Life was really infatuation and it took 17 years to figure out you were not really that taken by their longterm life goals. Today must be Huffington Post day, because every article I read pointed to or derived from an article amalgamated by Ariana Huffington.

The first one is actually called, "I Didn't Marry the Love of My Life." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/04/marrying-for-love_n_5642062.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular


Another Divorce related Huffington Post article deals with the role of Parenting Coordinators. When parents cannot seem to agree on any issue, many courts will appoint a Parenting Coordinator to facilitate communication for the benefit of the children.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nicole-h-sodoma/parenting-coordinators-child-custody_b_5287604.html

Of course, after a Collaborative Divorce, many clients report their communications with their former spouse have never been so good.

Then there are the dreaded 6 Words No Divorced Parent Wants to Hear. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/03/parenting-after-divorce_n_5632205.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
You may have guessed: Mom/Dad, I want to live with Dad/Mom. (I know its 7, but the title of the story is not mine to change.)

Along with many guidelines for parents to follow so their children will never utter those horrible words! Do not "badmouth" the other parent. Cover your legal bases. Remain active in your child's life. Recognize the value of the other parent. Yes, good ideas if only clients will follow them.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Helping Senior Adults, Elder Law 101

People ask me, "What is Elder Law?"

I answer, it is helping older Americans with problems that come up primarily due to age. You realize of course that after a certain number of years, thoughts of death become more prevalent and preparation becomes much more important. Children become adults and begin asking, "What do I do about my parents?" When parents begin needing assistance, adult children bear a great burden. They may have children of their own in school or starting out and suddenly, Mom needs a new place to live that will provide nursing care. These problems are not new; our processes of dealing with care of the elderly is not new. All over the globe, seniors are afforded great respect and care. Only in the United States do we warehouse seniors in "adult communities," Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing homes.

When Daddy needs nursing care, what questions should be answered?
First: How much care is needed?
Second: How much care can he afford?
Third: Who is responsible to pay when Daddy cannot?

Other questions that may come up include:

What about Social Security, and Medicare?
Do we need to do "Medicaid Planning?"
What is Medicaid Planning?

Parents may not wish to discuss their finances with adult children and may feel freer to discuss the details of planning with an Elder Law Professional. Many times parents have begun the process, but children are kept in the dark for fear that the children will want to "inherit" early. Many seniors have received advice regarding Medicaid Planning over the radio or television but may not understand fully the details. Many seniors worry about losing their homestead or the equity they have built up over the years. In Florida, we protect homesteads. The equity in the home can survive incapacity and death provided simple steps are taken to preserve all the rights afforded to homeowners.

When Medicaid begins to enter the conversation  with regard to health care, it may be too late. Most Health care Decisions must be made quickly; however, medicaid planning may require as much as 5 years to be fully effective.

When you are faced with these and other questions, Call me at 407-645-3297, or visit my website at www.aubreylaw.com

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The Church of Facebook - Review

Look for my review of The Church of Facebook in the Spring 2011 issue of Christian Ethics Today. You can also subscribe to Christian Ethics Today by going to this website: http://www.christianethicstoday.com/

Recently a client came to my office after having litigated for more than a year trying to secure custody of his children. While he was represented by a well-known attorney in the Orlando area, he was disappointed that his case had not been resolved in such a long time. I had to tell him two things:
1. Selection of an attorney is the most important part of any family law case. There are many attorneys with various personalities and work ethics. Certainly price is one consideration, but it should not be the only consideration.
2. Sometimes status quo is the best you can do; pushing for a final resolution may be detrimental to your case. Unfortunately, giving the other side time to screw up may be the best you can do.

When you go to select an attorney, interview several. If necessary, pay a consultation fee so that you get a clear picture of the attorney's philosophy of practice. Then you can know you are hiring an attorney who will look out for your best interests and take on your priorities.

Morning will come.

Morning will come.
No matter how dark the night!