May 29th 2019
This is a focused program on the application of the laws of evidence and practical approaches to present your expert testimony to a Judge and get it in evidence. Your case warrants expert testimony. Your client has spent a substantial fees and costs to get the expert to the stand. You must assure your expert presents a powerful opinion for consideration by the Judge. Your success in the direct exam eliminates much of the cross exam before it starts! This presentation will help you assist your expert to tell a compelling story without objections of leading the witness; present understandable testimony; rules for direct exam of experts; objections to anticipate; preparation of the expert (never an outline of questions) and admitting the expert report. Spend one hour and get a refreshing view of another tool for your toolbox.
May 14th 2019
This presentation addresses specific issues that arise
in representation of a business owner
in the dissolution, including:
1. The recent case of IRMO Brooks (decided 3/27/19) and IRMO Brandes on characterization
2. Valuation criteria (Rev. Rul. 59-60, IRMO Hewitson, IRMO Honer)
3. Selection of valuation experts and maximizing the expert's credibility
4. Miscellaneous tips: joint or separate valuation experts, sharing of documents with the other side (see Davenport), strategic concessions).
Apr 24th 2019
Mar 27th 2019
Mar 24th 2019
Feb 27th 2019
This presentation continues the 2019 program series on family law trials. "Opening Statements and Motions in Limine"
Jan 22nd 2019
This presentation begins the 2019 program series on family law trials. The first installment is "Trial Briefs"
Dec 11th 2018
Dec 6th 2018
Nov 27th 2018
Explore the Myth of a True Joint Tenancy in Family Law: Characterization and Reimbursement Issues Relating to Joint Premarital Acquisitions. Issues arise when a couple purchases property together prior to marriage in joint form and one person contributes more to the acquisition than the other. The non-contributing spouse argues that a true joint tenancy exists and the equity in the house should be equally split without any "2640" rights because the asset was acquired before marriage. Vanessa and Bob pull apart the relevant code sections and explain why this position should not prevail in any family law court.
Presenters: Vanessa Wills, CFLS, and Robert Blevans, CFLS, AAML, Blevans & Blevans
This presentation is approved for 1 hour of specialization and recertification credit in family law and MCLE credit.
November 27, 2018
61 minutes
Oct 23rd 2018
"Accounting/Tax Issues in Family Law" Be prepared to present and defend a tax return presented as evidence: What is a complete tax return? How to tell? What about information that comes with the tax return that really isn't part of it? Why look at the state tax return? Always look! What detail is presented in the Schedules, Statements or Other Information. Review the Schedule K-1 with the DissoMaster worksheet. The materials include a sample tax return to follow and search out the information in the presentation to effectively present or cross examine from a tax return presented as evidence. Presenter: Roland Hamilton, CPA/ABV, CVA This presentation is approved for 1 hour of specialization and recertification credit in family law and MCLE credit. October 23, 2018 67 minutes
Oct 4th 2018
A panel of an experienced family law judicial officer, a vocational evaluator, and family law attorney discuss the various aspects of income imputation in spousal and child support proceedings. The how, when and why to maximize the effect of the vocational evaluation. The use and misuse of labor market information. Strategies for convincing a court to impute income in your case (or not). A Vocation Evaluation Checklist and list of Job Search Websites are included in the materials.
Sep 17th 2018
Sep 11th 2018
"Less Marsden"
Be prepared to present and defend the best position for your client with a Moore/Mardsen calculation:
Ron and Brian answer these questions and more:
Must every Grinius refi breed the bizarre "Branco Bump"
Sep 1st 2018
Do you remind the Judge of your client's "right to privacy"? This presentation by Diana Richmond, CFLS, provides the law, cases, and arguments when challenged by the "rights of privacy".
How far does the right of privacy extend in the marital context? Our presenter focuses on the clash between electronic evidence and the bounds of privacy. There are competing forces of fiduciary duty between spouses, compliance with the discovery statutes, and privacy.
This program addresses claims of privacy and the right to inspect electronically stored information (ESI). How do you avoid abuses of ESI? If a client intercepts electronic communication they may be subject to civil litigation and damages. To asset the right of privacy you must understand and address the burden of proof issues.