Family Law Section

The legal professional will learn about early warning signs of the resist/refuse dynamic, definitions of the symptoms we see, differentiating justified estrangement from active alienating behaviors and the hybrid case, the roles of the attorney and judge in resolving the case, the role of contempt actions vs. preventative enforcement, the dangers of delay in the court system, components of model orders for mental health interventions, best practices for family therapy, and further resources for families and the professional. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 10/25/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

One Fell Swoop offered an excellent opportunity to address the mandatory MCLE requirements but with a family law focus. Topics included the ethics of money, self-represented litigants and unbundling, ethical duties of experts, ethics and technology, attorney competence and bias in family law. Read more

Initially, I thought my first message as Chair of the Family Law Section should point out all the wonderful benefits that come with being a member. You know —benefits like 6 hours of free MCLE credit, low cost, yet highly informative, webinars and self-study articles, and periodicals which keep you abreast of important happenings in the world of California family law. Read more

The Family Law Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association (FLEXCOM) is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Fourth Annual San Luis Obispo County Minor’s Counsel Training Symposium, in Pismo Beach, California on February 8 and 9, 2020. The program will provide a total of 12 hours MCLE credit, including at least 6 hours of Legal Specialization in Family Law. The symposium will satisfy the annual 8-hour training requirement of Rule 5.242 of the California Rules of Court. Those attorneys needing to satisfy the 12-hour initial training requirement will be able to attend a morning session on February 9 to obtain the additional 4 hours. Read more

The Family Law Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association (FLEXCOM) is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Fourth Annual San Luis Obispo County Minor’s Counsel Training Symposium, in Pismo Beach, California on February 8 and 9, 2020. Read more

What information exists in corporate compensation cases (including equity grants and bonuses) and how can you get it? Kate Merrill, a corporate lawyer-turned family lawyer, will address this, and strategies to overcome corporate confidentiality restrictions; necessary post-judgment monitoring; and why forensic accountants aren’t the answer. Read more

California parentage law keeps changing, and there are very significant changes set to go into effect on January 1, 2020. Join Deborah Wald, CFLS, as she reviews the legal principles governing parentage law, with a focus on multi-parent families and on the changes coming with regard to Voluntary Declarations of Parentage. Read more

Recent Family Law Cases (current through 9/24/19)
By: Stephen D. Hamilton, CFLS Read more

And now, the end is nearAnd so I face the final curtainMy friend, I'll say it clearI'll state my case, of which I'm certain. Paul Anka - My Way Writing this message made me sad. It also gave me a great sense of relief. My final message as Chair also afforded me one last opportunity to tout the efforts of FLEXCOM. The Sadness The sadness comes from the feeling I will now drift back into obscurity. Although a past chair… Read more