Family Law & Practice: The Paralegal’s Guide

1 Family Law & Practice: The Paralegal s GuideGrace A. LuppinoJustine FitzGerald MillerPEARSON EDUCATION, EDITIONF amily Law & PracticeThe Paralegal s GuideGrace A. Luppino Justine FitzGerald MillerTaken from: Family Law & Practice: The Paralegal s Guideby Grace A. Luppino and Justine FitzGerald MillerTaken from: Family Law & Practice: The Paralegal s Guide , Fourth Editionby Grace A. Luppino and Justine FitzGeraldMiller. Copyright 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc. Published by Prentice Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River,New Jersey 07458 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, withoutpermission in writing from the special edition published in cooperation with Pearson Custom trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the propertyof their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes in the United States of America10987654321 ISBN 0-536-17399-02005932114 EHPlease visit our web site CUSTOM PUBLISHING75 Arlington Street, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02116A Pearson Education CompanyDEDICATIONThis book is dedicated to Margaretann Antonelli, my nieceGrace, and my nephews Rocco and Jhonnatan, and to mylegal mentors: Elizabeth Gleason, Herbert L.

2 Grayson, MaryMoers Wenig, Patricia Buck Wolf, and Gerald A. LuppinoDedicated to my children, Justine and FitzGerald MillerThis page intentionally left blank vCONTENTSPREFACE xviiACKNOWLEDGMENTSxixCHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TOFAMILYLAWPRACTICE1 Family LAW THEORY2 Family LAW PRACTICE3 Court Procedures3 Office Procedures3 APPLYING Family LAW THEORY TO Family LAW PRACTICE3 Settlement4 Mediation4 THE Family PRACTITIONER S ROLE IN THE DISSOLUTION PROCESS5 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES6 CHAPTER 2 THEROOTS ANDTRADITIONS OFAMERICANFAMILYLAW7 MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, AND Family LAW FROM COLONIAL AMERICA TO THE TWENTIETH CENTURY8 The Industrial Revolution and the Family9 Family LAW FROM THE DAWN OF THE TWENTIETHCENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY11 TYPES OF ACTIONS IN THE AREAOF Family LAW11 Breach of Promise to Marry12 Alienation of Affection16 Common Law Marriage Dissolutions16 Annulment17 Legal Separation23 Separate Maintenance24 Paternity Actions24 THE TRANSITION TO CONTEMPORARY Family LAWTHEORY AND PRACTICE24 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES27 CHAPTER 3 ETHICS INFAMILYLAW28 AUTHORIZED PRACTICE OF LAW29 unauthorized PRACTICE OF LAW30 UPL Violations32 RULES OF ETHICS36 OVERVIEW OF BASIC ETHICAL PRINCIPLES39 Confidentiality39 Conflict of Interest41 Communicating with Opposing Party46 ThePro SeLitigant47 Competence47 Fees49 Solicitation52 EXHIBITS53 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES59 CHAPTER 4 PRENUPTIALAGREEMENTS, COHABITATION.

3 ANDSAME-SEXMARRIAGE60 PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS61 Introduction61 Legal Requirements of a Valid Prenuptial Agreement64 Acquiring the Necessary Documentation64 Who Should Have a Prenuptial Agreement?65 Know Your State Law65 The Intent of the Parties Must Be Clear66 Compliance with the Statute of Frauds66 Adequate Disclosure66 Advice of Independent Counsel67viCONTENTSF airness67 Assessing the Client s Position Regarding the Enforceability of the Prenuptial Agreement68 The Contract Must Be Entered Into Voluntarily68 Jurisdiction68 Unenforceable Provisions69 COHABITATION69 Introduction69 Why Cohabitation?69 Marvin v. Marvin70 SAME-SEX MARRIAGE72 Introduction72 Domestic Partnerships72 Marriage Statutes73 The Legal Battle for Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage73 The Fourteenth Amendment Argument74 The State Equal Rights Amendment Argument74 EXHIBIT81 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES82 CHAPTER 5 ALIMONY83 HISTORY OF ALIMONY84 Ecclesiastical Courts84 Origins of the Alimony Award85 Alimony in Early America86 ALIMONY AWARDS IN A NO-FAULT SETTING86 DETERMINING ALIMONY90 RESOURCES FOR ALIMONY93 DETERMINING SPOUSAL NEED94 BALANCING PROPERTY DIVISION, CHILD SUPPORT.

4 AND ALIMONY94 TYPES OF ALIMONY95 Pendente Lite Alimony95 Final Orders96 MODES OF ALIMONY PAYMENT103 MODIFICATION OF ALIMONY103 CONTENTSviiESCALATION CLAUSES AND COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE CLAUSES105 MEDICAL INSURANCE105 ATTORNEY S FEES106 TERMINATION OF ALIMONY107 Remarriage107 Cohabitation107 Death107 TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ALIMONY108 The IRS Recapture Rule108 Family Support Payments versus Separate Payments ofAlimony and Child Support108 Effects of Bankruptcy on Alimony, Child Support, andProperty Division109 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR CLIENTS109 ENFORCEMENT OF COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS110 ATTORNEY S FEES IN CONTEMPT ACTIONS111 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES112 CHAPTER 6 PROPERTY ANDDEBTDISTRIBUTION11 3 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PROPERTY114 PROPERTY AND DEBT DISTRIBUTION UPON MARITALDISSOLUTION115 THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN SEPARATE AND MARITALPROPERTY120 VALUATION OF ASSETS123 RETAINING EXPERTS FOR VALUATION OF PROPERTY124 EFFECT OF PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS ON PROPERTYDISTRIBUTION125 RESOLVING THE ISSUE OF PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION.

5 CONTESTED OR UNCONTESTED125 JURISDICTIONAL APPROACHES TO PROPERTYDISTRIBUTION126 Equitable Distribution126 Community Property127viiiCONTENTSTHE NOT-SO-OBVIOUS ASSETS OF MARRIAGE129 Goodwill130 Pensions132 Professional Degree135 DISTRIBUTION OF THE MARITAL DEBTS138 DISSIPATION OF MARITAL ASSETS139 EXHIBIT142 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES144 CHAPTER 7 CHILDCUSTODY, VISITATION,ANDRIGHTS OFTHIRDPARTIES145A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CUSTODY146 The Age of Paternal Dominance146 The Shift to Maternal Control146 THE TENDER YEARS DOCTRINE147 EQUALIZING THE CUSTODIAL PLAYING FIELD: THETRANSITION FROM TENDER YEARS TO BESTINTEREST 148 THE BEST INTEREST STANDARD AS THE ULTIMATEDETERMINANT149 THE BROADER RESULTS OF APPLYING THE BEST INTEREST STANDARD149 JOINT CUSTODY149 TYPES OF JOINT CUSTODY150 Joint Custody with Physical Custody in One Parent150 Shared Physical Joint Custody150 Split Custody150 HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT IS IN THE CHILD S BESTINTEREST153 FACTORS CONSIDERED IN DETERMINING BEST INTEREST153 Psychological Parent154 Primary Caregiver154 Child s Preference155 Parents Physical and Mental Health156 CONTENTSixReligion156 Parental Conduct156 VISITATION RIGHTS160 RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES161 STATUS OF UNMARRIED PARENTS AND THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES163 The Absent Parent164 Challenges to Child Support Orders165 Paternity Issues165 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES166 CHAPTER 8 CHILDSUPPORT167 CHILD SUPPORT GUIDELINES.

6 FEDERALLY MANDATED REQUIREMENTS168 DETERMINING EACH PARENT S OBLIGATION FORCHILD SUPPORT169 MODIFICATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS171 CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT173 Civil Enforcement173 Administrative Enforcement174 Interstate Enforcement of Child Support Obligations175 SEPARATION OF CHILD SUPPORT OBLIGATION FROM THE RIGHT TO VISITATION176 ASPECTS OF SUPPORT ORDERS177 POSTMAJORITY CHILD SUPPORT177 EXHIBITS179 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES188 CHAPTER 9 THECLIENTINTERVIEW189 THE PARALEGAL S ROLE IN THE INITIAL SCREENINGPROCESS189 PREPARING FOR THE CLIENT INTERVIEW191 Understanding the Emotional Aspects of Divorce191 Developing a Relationship of Trust and Confidence192 Developing Good Listening Skills192 Preinterview Preparations193xCONTENTSTHE CLIENT INTERVIEW193 The Client s Arrival193 The Actual Interview193 REFERRING CLIENT TO SUPPORT SERVICES195 REFERRALS FOR CHILDREN196 CONDUCTING THE INITIAL INTERVIEW196 MAINTAINING A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM197 PREPARING FOR THE CLIENT INTERVIEW198 FUNDAMENTALS OF CLIENT INTERVIEWING IN THEFAMILY LAW OFFICE198 OBTAINING ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FROM THE CLIENT199 REPRESENTING THE DEFENDANT SPOUSE204 Preparing Releases204 THE RETAINER LETTER205 EXHIBITS207 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES223 CHAPTER 10 INITIAL ANDRESPONSIVEPLEADINGS224 PROCESSING THE DISSOLUTION ACTION225 INITIAL PLEADINGS IN A DISSOLUTION ACTION226 The Pleadings226 The Complaint226 Form of the Dissolution Complaint226 Preprinted Complaint Form229 Pre-return Date Relief229 TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER230 SERVICE OF PROCESS OF THE DIVORCE COMPLAINT231 RESPONSIVE PLEADINGS TO THE DISSOLUTIONCOMPLAINT232 THE APPEARANCE AND THE ANSWER233 THE CROSS-COMPLAINT234 EXHIBITS235 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES253 CONTENTSxiCHAPTER 11 PENDENTELITEMOTIONS

7 ANDORDERS255 PENDENTE LITEMOTIONS256 ANATOMY OF A MOTION256 Caption257 Body257 Subscription257 Order258 Certification259 MOST FREQUENTLY USED Family LAW MOTIONS260 Motion for Alimony260 Motion for Custody of Minor Children260 Motion for Child Support261 Motion for Visitation262 Motion for Counsel Fees262 Motion for Exclusive Possession of the Marital Residence 262 Motion for Use of Motor Vehicle262 Motion for Payment of Mortgage and Insurance Premiums263 Restraining Orders263 THE PARALEGAL S ROLE IN FACILITATING PENDENTELITEMATTERS263 DOCKET CONTROL SYSTEM265 MOTIONS FOR CONTEMPT AND MODIFICATION266 Contempt266 Modification266 EXHIBITS267 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES288 CHAPTER 12 THEDISCOVERYPROCESS INFAMILYLAW289 DISCOVERY TOOLS290 Interrogatories290 Requests for Production293 Request for Physical or Psychiatric Examination294xiiCONTENTSR equest for Admission296 Depositions297 Noticing of Nonparty Witnesses299 Motion for Disclosure of Assets300 The Financial Affidavit301 EXHIBITS304 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES315 CHAPTER 13 SEPARATIONAGREEMENTS317 MERGER OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT INTO THE COURT S DECREE319 ADVANTAGES OF REACHING AN AGREEMENT319 PARALEGAL S ROLE IN DRAFTING THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT320 FINALIZING THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT321 BASIC CLAUSES AND STRUCTURE OF THE SEPARATION AGREEMENT321 Heading322 Identification322 Recitals322 Irretrievable Breakdown323 Separation of the Parties323 Alimony324 Real Property324 Personal Property325 Custody and Visitation326 Child Support326 Health Insurance327 Liabilities327 Taxes328 Disclosure328 Representation of the Parties329 Miscellaneous Clauses329 Signature Provisions330 Acknowledgment331 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES332 CONTENTS xiiixivCONTENTSCHAPTER 14 THEDIVORCETRIAL333 UNCONTESTED

8 HEARING334 CONTESTED HEARING336 THE PARALEGAL S ROLE IN TRIAL PREPARATION338 DAY OF THE TRIAL341 EXHIBITS342 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES362 CHAPTER 15 POSTJUDGMENTDIVORCEMAT T E R S363 NONMODIFIABLE TERMS OF THE DISSOLUTION DECREE364 MODIFIABLE TERMS OF THE DISSOLUTION DECREE364 Modification of Alimony364 Modification of Child Support367 Modification of Custody and Visitation368 RELOCATION OF CUSTODIAL PARENT368 ENFORCEMENT OF COURT ORDERS369 KIDNAPPING AND CROSSING STATE LINES370 EXHIBITS373 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES381 CHAPTER 16 STAT EINTERVENTION INFAMILYMAT T E R S382 INTEGRITY OF THE FAMILY382 STATES OBLIGATIONS TO PROTECT CHILDREN383 DETECTING CHILD NEGLECT AND CHILD ABUSE383 Investigation of a Complaint of Child Neglect or Child Abuse384 SERVICE AGREEMENT APPROACH384 ORDER OF TEMPORARY CUSTODY385 EFFORTS FOR REUNIFICATION OF THE CHILD WITH THE PARENTS385 Specific Steps386 Extension of Commitment386 TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS387 Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights387 Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights387 Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights388 Consideration of the Child s Best Interests388 ADOPTION388 Agency Adoptions388 Public Adoption Agencies389 Private Adoption Agencies389 Private Adoptions389 REVIEW QUESTIONS & EXERCISES390 APPENDIX AUNIFORMPREMARITALAGREEMENTACT391 APPENDIX BQUALIFIEDDOMESTICRELATIONSORDER(JIMCARR EY)394 APPENDIX CSTAT E O FCONNECTICUTCHILDSUPPORT ANDARREARAGEGUIDELINES407 APPENDIX DUNIFORMRECIPROCALENFORCEMENT OFSUPPORTACT(ASAMENDED IN1952 AND1958)427 APPENDIX EREVISEDUNIFORMRECIPROCALENFORCEMENT OFSUPPORTACT(1968)434 APPENDIX FUNIFORMINTERSTATEFAMILYSUPPORTACT(1996) 444 APPENDIX GRESTRAININGORDER(ROSEANNE)464 APPENDIX HMARITALSETTLEMENTAGREEMENT(MADONNAANDSE ANPENN)

9 475 APPENDIX IUNIFORMCHILD-CUSTODYJURISDICTION ANDENFORCEMENTACT(1997)494 APPENDIX JGUIDES FORDISTANCELEARNING ANDLEGALRESEARCH510 APPENDIX KFINDINGSTAT ELAW514 GLOSSARY517 INDEX529 CONTENTSxvThis page intentionally left blank xviiPREFACEThis book evolved from the need to have an understandable, interesting,and relevant textbook from which to teach and a book that would prepareparalegal students to respond successfully to the numerous demands in areal-world Family law goal of this book is to thoroughly prepare students in the areas offamily law that they are most likely to encounter in the real world. There-fore, the major emphasis in this book is on the theoretical, procedural, andpractical aspects of the divorce process with its attendant issues such as al-imony, property distribution, child custody, and child support, as well asother matters arising after the divorce occurs, such as postjudgment modi-fications of orders for custody, child support, and book is logically ordered to Guide the student through the varioustheories underlying Family law and the procedures that translate these the-ories into practice.

10 There is a balance between chapters on theory and chap-ters that focus on practice. For instance, Chapter 1, Introduction to Fam-ily Law Practice, addresses the practical aspects of working as a paralegalin a Family law practice. Chapter 2, The Roots and Traditions of AmericanFamily Law, provides an historical backdrop for the emergence of thechanging and evolving theory of Family law, including the changing viewson the nature of marriage, and the role of women and children in a 3, Ethics in Family Law, presents a mix of theory and prac-tice in that it outlines the legal professional code of ethics and how it ap-plies to a Family law setti