Addison Baul asked:


If you require sound legal advice that can help you avoiding costly mistakes at the time of your marriage breaking up in the State of Texas, then you should consult no one other than Austin Divorce Attorneys. The process of divorce includes several legal trifles that may affect your heartsease and well being, and in almost all cases, also your children’s future. That is why it is very essential to consult Austin divorce attorney that specializes in family laws. To save the money and time, you should not take any action that might spoil your divorce case without consulting Austin family attorneys.

You can begin your search for a divorce attorney by simply asking to family and friends, to the State’s Bar Association or you can simply search Yellow Pages, directories and the Internet. However, Milner Law Firm’s Austin divorce attorneys are the best ones, experienced and veteran in their own field of family court cases. All you need is to set up an appointment with Austin family lawyer to determine the case of divorce.

At every step, Austin family attorney is ready to help you out. You can ask questions as they are always there to help you make essential steps. Should your Austin divorce lawyers have specific suggestions related to your case, ask Austin divorce attorneys how that action may affect your career or future. You can get the most out of your appointment and discussion sessions –after all, you have chosen the best option available across the state of Texas.

It is very important for you to choose the best option in case of divorce. It is always better to ask for the divorce lawyer’s experience to handle such family cases by asking reference. Austin divorce attorneys are good at it and they are always available to help you out. You can arrange for a written agreement on hiring the Austin family lawyer. These professional divorce lawyers will keep you up to date in your case. The lawyer may also discuss with you about how long the divorce process may take, and also advise you about necessary steps to be taken. Attorney divorce lawyers are also good in convincing the parties. If possible, they would try their level best to convince the parties and will settle down the divorce case out of the court itself to avoid legal procedures and troublesome allegations.

In anybody’s life, the divorce is a life turning event. By following the guidelines given by authentic Austin family attorneys, you can spare yourself from further havocs.



Edgar Richmond

Randi Rosen asked:


The Center for judicial Excellence Advocacy is active with AB 612 which will prohibit PAS (Parental Alienation Syndrome) in Child Custody cases in Family Law Courts.

As part of CJE’s ongoing committment to protecting children, and the rights of children while in the courts, we have identified an alarming number of critical gaps in how the California Family Courts deal with child custody disputes, allegations of physical and sexual child abuse, and domestic violence. In light of the seriousness of these issues, it is CJE’s opinion that an audit and evaluation of the California Family Courts by the California State Auditor is warranted.

In 2008 CJE worked closely with the office of Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Sally Lieber to develop a letter to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) requesting an audit of the California Family Courts with respect to child custody disputes. In June 2008, Assemblywoman Lieber submitted the letter to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Unfortunately, due to the absence of the committee’s chair, the JLAC failed to meet after the request was submitted. Assemblywoman Lieber, who has been a remarkable champion for children in the California legislature, and a great friend to CJE, was termed out of office in 2008 and is unable to re-introduce the audit request during the 2009 legislative session.

Senator Mark Leno has agreed to pick up the mantle and become the lead sponsor for the audit request this year. CJE applauds Senator Leno’s commitment to open, accountable government and we look forward to supporting his efforts. Click here to read a February 18th column from the Marin Independent Journal announcing Senator Leno’s decision to sponsor the audit proposal.

This audit will help identify any existing inconsistencies in the application of domestic violence, child custody, and child abuse laws and processes within the state, and will bring clarity to issues the Legislature should address for the protection of parents and children of the state of California. The next step in this process will be a public hearing on May 13, 2009 at which the Joint Legislative Audit Committee will discuss and act upon the audit request.

2009 Leglislative Priorities

AB 612 (Child Custody – Non-Scientific Theories) has been introduced by San Jose Assemblyman Jim Beall Jr. and would prohibit a court from considering a nonscientific theory (such as Parental Alienation Syndrome) in making a determination regarding child custody or visitation with a child. AB 612 would also prohibit a court from considering or receiving into evidence a report, assessment, evaluation, or investigation prepared pursuant to the provisions described above if it includes a nonscientific theory.



Teagan Sherman

Daniel Butler asked:


Don’t get caught out by the new rules on privacy laws which allow the media to attend many private family court hearings where previously they would have been excluded, says family law solicitor Anne Blenkinsop.

The rules, which came into force on April 27 2009, aim to encourage greater openness in future.

Anne, a partner and a collaborative lawyer* at leading regional law firm Furley Page, explains: “While the majority of such proceedings won’t be of interest to the press, there is always the chance that a reporter will ask to be admitted to the court room. They might be present, for example, when the court fixes the time table for financial disclosure and valuation of assets – or at the final hearing at which the assets are divided.

“But even if they are permitted to attend a hearing, it doesn’t give them the right to see private documents. Neither can they necessarily communicate information relating to the proceedings to the public.”

The media is excluded when the identity and interests of a child, a party or a witness need protection. The court can make this decision after hearing representations or on its own initiative.

* The collaborative family law process is a relatively new way of dealing with family difficulties and aims to resolve disputes in a fair way. It involves private face-to-face meetings between a separating couple and their solicitors and is felt to be preferable to the standard procedure of negotiating by letter and telephone. Both parties and solicitors sign an agreement to resolve the couple’s differences without going to court. If successful, their case would then be unlikely to attract any media attention.



Kari Santos