15 January

Sticky

Why Your Lawyer Really Doesn’t Know How Much Your Case Will Cost

in Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Legal Advice

To determine how much a case would cost, a lawyer would need to be able to see into the future. Even when a lawyer charges a flat fee for a case, there will still be other costs to consider. Let’s take a look at some of the costs a case could encounter, ones a lawyer would have no way of knowing in advance of a case’s conclusion. To begin with, if you are paying by the hour or sometimes in increments of minutes, a lawyer will charge a specific amount per hour or the number of minutes. However, it cannot...

26 August

Sticky

What is the Role of a Forensic Psychologist in Child Custody Cases?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

Before looking at the role of a forensic psychologist in child custody cases, it makes sense to look at the definition of a forensic psychologist and what their role is. As defined by the American Psychology Association, it is “the application of clinical specialties to the legal arena.” In other words, according to author Jane Tyler Ward, Ph.D., forensic psychology is “the physiological assessment of individuals who are involved in one way or another with the legal system.” She goes on to say the most important skills a forensic psychologist must have are solid clinic skills that include “clinical assessment,...

18 August

Sticky

The Importance of Choosing the Right Mediator During Litigation

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

Mediation is the agreeing of two parties to solving a legal issue such as a divorce or child support modification by the process of compromise. Each party is usually represented by their attorney, who helps the party look at all offers and consider if a compromise can be reached, and the issue solved. Reaching an agreement in mediation is less expensive than going to court, both in legal fees and court costs. Additionally, In mediation, the parties have control over the outcome of their litigation rather than a judge deciding for them. The mediation transcripts are private and cannot be...

06 August

Sticky

Should You Tell Your Children You Are Getting Divorced?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Alimony, Board Certified Lawyer, Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce Law News, Family Law, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Parenting, Time Sharing

The answer to this question is really more when you should tell your children you are getting divorced. Eventually, even a very young child will find out Mommy and Daddy do not live together anymore. What is important is to think about a number of considerations before sharing the sad news with your children. Here are some tips to help you think through and decide how best to share the news about the divorce. First and foremost, you should, as parents, work together to decide when it is best and when how to tell your children about the divorce. Hopefully,...

30 April

Sticky

How to Efficiently Communicate with Your Attorney

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Necessary Forms

Communication, likely one of the most important social skills related to the human (and animal) species, is not something a person should take casually or for granted. How to use speech, emotions, and body language to effectively share information between two or more persons becomes a powerful tool, whether for a positive or a negative outcome. Such concerns as taking into account the communication style of those listening, finding empathy with the listener, and hearing what the listener has to say in return are all necessary components of efficient communication. And, efficient communication with your attorney is vitally necessary if...

How to Efficiently Communicate with Your Attorney

20 April

Sticky

Why Reading Your Retainer/Fee Agreement is Important

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Uncategorized

Like any document requiring your signature, you should always read all the papers needing your attention. You should even read the small print as there can be some tricky points hidden there. And, reading an attorney’s retainer/fee agreement is no exception. This blog will take a look at why it is important to read the retainer/fee agreement but first understanding what a retainer/fee agreement is will help to explain the importance of reading it in its entirety. According to the online definition of a legal retainer, ”A retainer is an advance payment that a client makes to his or her...

09 April

Sticky

What Happens When You Don’t Follow Your Lawyer’s Advice?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Family Law, Laws and Women, Lawyer’s Advice, Legal Advice, Uncategorized

As with any professional whom you seek out and retain for advice, and in the case of an attorney, representation on a legal matter, it is wise to follow the advice given. Before retaining the professional, you should feel confident he or she knows about and has experience in the field of expertise you need. In the case of a lawyer, you can check on his or her website and contact the state Bar for information. On the website, you can determine the educational background, years of experience, services offered, areas of representation, marital status, community involvement, professional awards, and...

19 February

Sticky

What is a No-Fault Divorce?

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice, Uncategorized

According to Wikipedia, the definition of no-fault divorce is “a divorce in which the dissolution of a marriage does not require a showing of wrongdoing by either party. Laws providing for no-fault divorce allow a family court to grant a divorce in response to a petition by either party of the marriage without requiring the petitioner to provide evidence that the defendant has committed a breach of the marital contract.’ For many years there needed to be a reason such as proven adultery, abuse, abandonment, or mental cruelty for a couple to obtain a divorce. Now, in every state, including Washington...

06 January

Sticky

How to Prepare for When the Divorce is Over

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Uncategorized

Divorce, or dissolution of marriage as it is termed in modern times, is never an easy or pleasant experience. In most cases, life, as it has been, will be disrupted and changed. Both parties, whether either wants the divorce or not, will be faced with a different way of doing things during the proceedings and even more so once the divorce is over. Fortunately, even in the best of circumstances, a divorce takes time to become final and thus allows a person time to prepare for what lies ahead. While no one wants to plan a future with so much...

How to Prepare for When the Divorce is Over

02 August

Sticky

How to Avoid Bad Relationships

Posted by Grant Gisondo

in Divorce Law News, Family Law, Legal Advice, Uncategorized

With the divorce rate in the United States hovering around 50%, the news media filled with daily reports of violent relationships, and doctors reporting illness caused be stressful relationships reaching an all-time high; it is time to think about how to avoid bad relationships. While it is true some good relationships go bad over time, most poor relationships could have been avoided if “red flags” had been taken seriously. There are many ways to avoid a bad relationship, and here follow some important considerations: Get to know yourself: Though it may sound “corny,” it is wise to take the time...