This book is intended to walk you through most of the procedures used in courts hearing family law cases for almost any cause of action (such as custody or divorce) in any state in the United States. It shows you how to find the specific information for your state and cause of action and explains common issues. Because the book is intended for all states and each individual state has different laws, there may be differences depending on where you are. I have tried to point out common differences between states and how to ensure you know what is required in your state. This book covers such information as the structure of the court system; how to locate statutes, rules, and case law; the discovery process; various documents used in court; how to prepare for mediation and trial; common evidence issues; and much more. Also, this is a beginner's guide. There are some very in-depth issues that most cases will likely at least touch on at some point. These in-depth issues are sometimes called "weeds." This book does not go into the weeds, which tend to be issue specific, though I do provide coaching services that can walk you through those. This book also only covers procedures at the trial court level and only through the trial. Post trial and appeal issues are very in-depth and could be the subject of their own book.

Are you going through a divorce, custody or other family law case? Are you representing yourself or wishing you understood the process? Family Law Boot Camp explains every step of the process without all the legal jargon at a fraction of the cost of calling an attorney. This thorough and eminently helpful guide takes you from the very start of your case choosing which forms you need through your closing argument in trial, with citations to real law you will need to use. You will learn how to draft legal documents, select witnesses, object, and enter evidence at trial. While the author of this book is based in Colorado and uses Colorado law as the premise of this book, Family Law Boot Camp will help you understand every step of your case so you can prepare and present it in the most effective way possible. A must-have for anyone involved in a family law matter. In this book you will find: -A helpful glossary of legal terms -Sample legal documents such as witness disclosure -Tips on dealing with a difficult opposing counsel -Advice from other attorneys and judges -A sample trial plan, trial outline, opening statement, closing argument, and objections! This concise, easy-to-understand guide will help you navigate your case effectively and painlessly.

For people dealing with a personal injury claim, a landlord-tenant dispute, a small business scrape or any of the dozens of other possible legal muddles, this book points the way through the complex court system. The book also ncludes a chapter dealing with the specifics of handling a divorce, child custody or child support action.Written in plain English, Represent Yourself in Court breaks down the trial process into easy-to-understand steps so that you can act as your own lawyer -- safely and efficiently. Veteran attorneys Bergman and Berman-Barrett tell you what to say, how to say it, even where to stand when you address the judge and jury.Armed with the simple but thorough instructions in Represent Yourself in Court, you can be heard and taken seriously in any courtroom. Readers learn how to: „X file court papers „X handle depositions and interrogatories „X comply with courtroom procedures „X pick a jury „X prepare your evidence and line up witnesses „X present your opening statement and closing argument „X cross-examine hostile witnesses „X understand and apply rules of evidence „X locate, hire and effectively use expert witnesses „X make and respond to your opponent's objections „X get limited help from an attorney on an as-needed basis „X monitor the work of an attorney if you decide to hire one Whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant, this book will help you confidently handle a divorce, personal injury case, landlord/tenant dispute, breach of contract, small business dispute or any other civil lawsuit.

This book covers areas such as contact between parents and children, where a child should live and with whom, where a child should go to school, domestic violence and many other issues where agreement may not be possible. It sets out the law in a way you will be able to understand and apply. and contains a wealth of practical tips to ensure that you present yourself and your case well throughout proceedings. It will guide you in drafting statements, addressing the court, answering questions during cross-examination and dealing with professionals at court.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

J. Shoshanna Ehrlich’s Fundamentals of Family Law, Second Edition is a concise version of Ehrlich’s Family Law for Paralegals, developed for use in shorter paralegal courses. The Fundamentals version provides students with the knowledge and skills they will need to be effective paralegals in a busy family law practice. Without sacrificing intellectual integrity and depth of topical coverage, the text is streamlined in order to emphasize the material that is essential for the transition from classroom to office. New to the Second Edition: Marriage (Ch. 1) includes new sections on: The retroactive application of Obergefell v. Hodges to backdate marriages of same-sex couple to when they would have married had it been allowed The debate over whether merchants can refuse to provide wedding-related services and goods to same-sex couples based on religious objections Whether the marriage consent age should be raised to protect minors from being forced into marriage against their will. Domestic Violence (Ch. 3) now covers: The use of electronic monitoring in domestic violence cases The possibility of allowing minors who are being forced into marriage to obtain civil orders of protection. Children coverage expanded to include: In Chapter 5, new sections on the appointment of attorneys to represent children in contested custody disputes and considerations of parental disability in best interest determinations In Chapter 11, new section on same-sex couples and the establishment of legal parenthood In Chapter 12, consideration of the emergence of medical child abuse and forced marriage as new categories of harm; expanded definitions of abuse and neglect, including medical child abuse and forced child marriage; and new section on “legal orphans” and the reinstatement of parental rights. Economic Issues updated with: New section in Chapter 6 on the due process rights of low-income parents in civil contempt cases for non-payment of child support. Chapter 7 expanded to include the backlash against “permanent” spousal support awards and the tax treatment of spousal support payments. Coverage of virtual assets in Chapter 8 Professors and students will benefit from: The full range of family law topics in a more concise format—including marriage and divorce, non-marital families, child abuse and neglect, and same sex marriage Practice-based assignments, real-life examples and sample forms Clear pedagogy--including chapter summaries, key terms defined in the margins, and review and discussion questions--helps students better understand the material and develop their critical thinking and writing skills. Up-to-date coverage of all the key topics in family law, with a consistent focus on the work of the paralegal