Laura W.
Morgan
goddess@supportguidelines.com
PUBLICATIONS
Books
— As Author
Child Support Guidelines: Interpretation and Application (Aspen Law & Business 1996 & Supps. 1997-2005) (the leading treatise for attorneys and judges on child support guidelines, cited by more appellate courts than any other treatise on child support)
Attacking and Defending Marital Contracts (American Bar Association 2001) (with Brett R. Turner) (a treatise for practitioners on attacking, defending, and construing antenuptial, midnuptial, and property settlement agreements)
The Spousal Support Handbook (American Bar Association, forthcoming Fall 2007) (with Brett R. Turner) (determining spousal support, its modification, termination, and enforcement)
— As Contributing Author"The Constitutionality of Child Support Guidelines," in 2005 Aspen Family Law Update (Aspen Law & Business 2005)
"When Will It End? Post-Majority Support of Children," in 2001 Aspen Family Law Update (Aspen Law & Business 2001)
"Child Support," in America's Children At Risk: A National Agenda for Children At Risk (American Bar Association Steering Committee on the Unmet Legal Needs of Children 2001)
"Cross-Examination of a Genetic Testing Expert," in 2000 Aspen Family Law Update (Aspen Law & Business 2000)
"Establishing Child Support," in Child Support Manual for Advocates (Pennsylvania Coalition on Against Domestic Violence 2000)
"Domestic Relations," in The Virginia Lawyer (Lexis Law Publishing 1999) (with Brett R. Turner)
"Custody and Visitation Rights of Stepparents, Cohabitants, and Same-Sex Partners," in 1999 Aspen Family Law Update (Aspen Law & Business 1999)
"Imputing Income in Child Support and Spousal Support Cases," in 1998 Wiley Family Law Update (John Wiley & Sons 1998)
"Case Law Review," in Gary N. Skoloff, Richard H. Singer, Jr., Ronald L. Brown, Drafting Prenuptial Agreements (Aspen Law & Business 1994 & Supps. 1995 - 2004)
1993 and 1994 supplements to Joyce Hens Green, et al., Dissolution of Marriage (Shepard's/McGraw Hill)
1990 supplements to Massachusetts Family Law and Massachusetts Divorce Practice (Butterworth)
- As Editor
2006 Aspen Family Law Update (with Ron Brown)
2005 Aspen Family Law Update (with Ron Brown)
2004 Aspen Family Law Update (with Ron Brown)
2003 Aspen Family Law Update (with Ron Brown)
2002 Aspen Family Law Update (with Ron Brown)
Law Review Articles
Domestic Violence: Ten Years Later, 20 J. Amer. Acad. Matrim. Law 33 (2004) (with Ed Snyder)
When Title Matters: Transmutation and the Joint TItle Gift Presumption, 19 J. Amer. Acad. Matrim. Law 335 (2003) (with Ed Snyder)
Strengthening the Lock on the Bedroom Door: The Case Against Access to Divorce Court Records On-Line, 17 J. Amer. Acad. Matrim. Law 196 (2001)
Positive Parenting and Negative Contributions: Why Payment of Child Support Should Not Be Regarded As Dissipation of Marital Assets, 30 N.M. L. Rev. 1 (2000)
A Shift in the Ruling Paradigm: Child Support as Outside the Parameters of Family Law, 16 J. Amer. Acad. Matrim. Law. 201 (1999)
From Welfare State to Poor Law, 33 Fam. L.Q. 705 (1999)
A Comparison of Child Support Awards Under State Child Support Guidelines with Expenditures on Children as Determined by the Department of Agriculture, 33 Fam L.Q. 197 (1999) (with Mark Lino, PhD)
Child Support and the Anomalous Cases of the High-Income and Low-Income Parent: A Need to Reconsider What Constitutes "Support" in the American and Canadian Child Support Guideline Models, 13 Can. J. Fam. L. 261 (1996)
Recovery for Emotional Distress Damages in Attorney Malpractice Actions, 45 S.C. L. Rev. 837 (1994) (with D. Dusty Rhoades)
Articles for Divorce Litigation
Continuing Exclusive Jurisdiction and UIFSA's "Spring Back" Provision, 17 Divorce Litig. 139 (Aug. 2005)
Imputing Income to Nonincome or Underincome-Producing Assets for Purposes of Child Support, 17 Divorce Litig. 69 (May 2005)
The UCCJEA and Venue, 17 Divorce Litig. 65 (April 2005)
Waivers of Spousal Support in Antenuptial Agreements, 17 Divorce Litig. 62 (April 2005)
Retained Earnings as Income for Purposes of Child Support, 17 Divorce Litig. 49 (March 2005)
Summer Camp Expenses and Child Support Guidelines, 17 Divorce Litig. 47 (March 2005)
Adoption Assistance Benefits as "Income" for Purposes of Child Support, 16 Divorce Litig. 225 (Dec. 2004)
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Property Division in Divorce, 16 Divorce Litig. 146 (Aug. 2004) (with Joy Feinberg)
Supplemental Security Income and Child Support, 16 Divorce Litig. 71 (April 2004)
The Date of Termination as a Non-Modifiable Aspect of a Child Support Order Under Section 611 of UIFSA, 16 Divorce Litig. 60 (April 2004)
What Constitutes Adultery?, 16 Divorce Litig. 12 (Jan. 2004)
The Status of Grandparent Visitation Statutes, Post-Troxel, 15 Divorce Litig. 198 (Nov. 2003)
Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Applying the Theory in Equitable Distribution, 15 Divorce Litig. 153 (Aug. 2003)
Abatement of Child Support Upon a De Facto Change of Custody, 15 Divorce Litig. 150 (Aug. 2003)
The Constitutionality of Child Support Guidelines Redux, 15 Divorce Litig. 101 (June 2003)
Enforcement of Islamic Antenuptial Agreements, 15 Divorce Litig. 41 (March 2003)
Distribution (Not Classification) of Employee Stock Options, 15 Divorce Litig. 17 (Jan. 2003)
Imputing Income Based on Better Job Location and the Constitutional Right to Travel, 15 Divorce Litig. 12 ( Jan. 2003)
Corporate or Partnership Retained Earnings as Income Under Child Support, 14 Divorce Litig. 205 (Nov. 2002)
"Grave Risk of Harm" Under Article 13(b) of the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction: What Constitutes a War?, 14 Divorce Litig. 133 (July 2002)
The Constitutionality of Child Support Guidelines, 14 Divorce Litig. 65 (April 2002)
The Child's Independent Income as a Deviation Factor Under Child Support Guidelines, 14 Divorce Litig. 61 (April 2002)
Discovery and Admissibility of Electronic Evidence, 14 Divorce Litig. 45 (March 2002)
The Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act and Garnishment for Support, 13 Divorce Litig. 148 (August 2001)
Technology Hits Home: Internet Visitation, 13 Divorce Litig. 144 (August 2001)
Waivers of Survivor Benefits in Separation Agreements, 13 Divorce Litig. 141 (August 2001)
Grandparent Visitation Rights after Troxel, 13 Divorce Litig. 109 (June 2001)
The New Uniform Parentage Act (2000): Parenting for the Millennium, 13 Divorce Litig. 41 (March 2001)
Using QDROs to Enforce Spousal and Child Support, 13 Divorce Litig. 7 (January 2001)
UIFSA and Statutes of Limitations, 13 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 2001)
Civil Conspiracy and Civil RICO in Divorce Actions, 12 Divorce Litig. 223 (Nov. 2000)
Stock Options as "Income" For Purposes of Child Support, 12 Divorce Litig. 213 (Nov. 2000)
The Aftermath of Troxel v. Granville, 12 Divorce Litig. 210 (Oct. 2000)
Child Support Enforcement in the United States: The Role of the Private Bar, 12 Divorce Litig. 153 (August 2000)
What Is a Family? Implications of New Trends in Grandparent Visitation Law, 12 Divorce Litig. 109 (June 2000)
A Custodial Parent's Duty to Account for Child Support Spent, 12 Divorce Litig. 57 (April 2000)
Imputing Income to the Spiritually Minded, 12 Divorce Litig. 49 (March 2000)
Royalties as "Income" for Purposes of Child Support, 12 Divorce Litig. 36 (February 2000)
Interest of IRAs and 401(k)s as "Income" for Purposes of Child Support, 12 Divorce Litig. 13 (January 2000)
Inheritances as "Income" for Purposes of Child Support, 12 Divorce Litig. 11 (January 2000)
What Constitutes Emancipation to Release a Parent from a Child Support Obligation, 12 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 2000)
Liability of an Attorney or Spouse for Torts Committed by a Private Detective, 11 Divorce Litig. 247 (December 1999)
Boys Will Be Boys: Littleton v. Prange, 11 Divorce Litig. 209 (October 1999)
The Uniform Interstate Family Support Act: 1999 Comprehensive Update, 11 Divorce Litig. 173 (September 1999) (with Janet E. Atkinson)
Child Support Guidelines: Deviating for Private School, 11 Divorce Litig. 166 (August 1999)
The Authority of a Stepparent to Discipline a Stepchild, 11 Divorce Litig. 146 (July 1999)
Visitation Rights of Former Gay Cohabitants: A Proposed Analytic Framework, 11 Divorce Litig. 140 (July 1999)
Fork It Over, Granny: The Child Support Obligations of Grandparents, 11 Divorce Litig. 129 (July 1999)
Who Gets Fluffy? Division of Pets in Divorce Cases, 11 Divorce Litig. 113 (June 1999)
It's Ten O'Clock: Do You Know Where Your Sperm Are? Toward a Strict Liability Theory of Parentage, 11 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 1999)
Five Tips to Prevent International Child Abduction, 10 Divorce Litig. 230 (November 1998)
1998 Bankruptcy Update, 10 Divorce Litig. 222 (November 1998)
Child Support Guidelines and the Shared Custody Dilemma, 10 Divorce Litig. 213 (November 1998)
If It Walks Like a Duck, and Talks Like a Duck . . .: Contingency Fees and Results Bonus Awards in Divorce Practice, 10 Divorce Litig. 138 (July 1998)
Between A Rock and a Hard Place: An Attorney's Duty to Report Child Abuse, 10 Divorce Litig. 125 (July 1998)
Choice of Law Principles in Child Support Modification Cases, 10 Divorce Litig. 121 (July 1998)
Attorney-Client Privilege in E-Mail Communications, 10 Divorce Litig. 98 (May 1998)
Ethical Considerations for an Attorney Dealing with a Pro Se Client, 10 Divorce Litig. 94 (May 1998)
Beyond the 1040: Finding Hidden Sources of Income for Support, 10 Divorce Litig. 81 (May 1998)
Telling the Truth in Adoption Proceedings: Tort Actions for Wrongful Adoption, 10 Divorce Litig. 11 (January 1998)
The Unwed Biological Father's Right to Contest an Adoption: Further Reflections on Baby Richard et al., 10 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 1998)
Spousal Support in the Wealthy Family: Enough is Not Enough, 9 Divorce Litig. 221 (December 1997)
The Duty to Support Adult Disabled Children, 9 Divorce Litig. 185 (October 1997)
The Relevance of Sexual Misconduct in Child Custody Proceedings, 9 Divorce Litig. 165 (September 1997)
Post-Divorce Disputes Concerning the Religious Upbringing of Children, 9 Divorce Litig. 135 (July 1997)
Sex and the Bar: An Update on Malpractice Liability, 9 Divorce Litig. 96 (May 1997)
Child Support Guidelines and the High-Income Parent: The Use of the "Good Fortune Trust," 9 Divorce Litig. 92 (May 1997)
Sibling Visitation Rights, 9 Divorce Litig. 86 (May 1997)
New Mechanisms for Child Support Enforcement Under the Personal Responsibility and Job Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ("Welfare Reform"), 9 Divorce Litig. 80 (April 1997)
Interstate Enforcement of Support: A Short Primer on Federal and Uniform Law, 9 Divorce Litig. 42, 65 (March, April 1997)
The Right of Adult Children to Visit Their Elderly Parents, 9 Divorce Litig. 37 (January 1997)
Interfamilial Wiretapping and Surveillance, 8 Divorce Litig. 235 (December 1996)
Constitutionality of the Child Support Recovery Act, 8 Divorce Litig. 233 (December 1996)
The Rights, Duties, and Responsibilities of Stepparents to Their Stepchildren, 8 Divorce Litig. 166, 185 (September, October 1996)
The Duty of Adult Children to Support Their Parents, 8 Divorce Litig. 177 (September 1996)
A Short Critique of the "Defense of Marriage Act," 8 Divorce Litig. 135 (July 1996)
The Effect of Early Retirement upon Support Obligations, 8 Divorce Litig. 114 (June 1996)
The Impact of the Allocation of the Federal Child Dependency Tax Exemption on Child Support, 8 Divorce Litig. 55 (March 1996)
Child Support Guidelines and the Low-Income Parent, 8 Divorce Litig. 41 (February 1996)
Adoption by Gay Couples, 8 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 1996)
Actions Against a Third Party for Torts Against the Marriage Relation, 7 Divorce Litig. 181 (September 1995)
Defining "Income" and "Expenses" for Purposes of Spousal and Child Support, 7 Divorce Litig. 138 (July 1995)
Deviation From State Child Support Guidelines, 7 Divorce Litig. 117 (June 1995)
Malpractice Liability of a Guardian ad Litem, 7 Divorce Litig. 107 (May 1995)
Grandparent Visitation: 1995 Update, 7 Divorce Litig. 111 (May 1995)
Ethical Violations Arising From Misconduct in an Attorney's Own Divorce, 7 Divorce Litig. 95 (April 1995)
Imputed Income: 1995 Comprehensive Update, 7 Divorce Litig. 29 (February 1995)
The Price of Affluence: Child Support Guidelines and the High Income Parent, 7 Divorce Litig. 1 (January 1995)
Valuation of a Business in the Presence of a Buy-Sell Agreement, 6 Divorce Litig. 221 (November 1994)
Interspousal Wiretapping, 6 Divorce Litig. 102 (May 1994)
Fifth Amendment Issues in Divorce Cases, 6 Divorce Litig. 15 (January 1994)
Recovery of Emotional Distress Damages in Domestic Relations Attorney Malpractice Actions, 6 Divorce Litig. 6 (January 1994)
Sex and the Bar: Ethical Violations Involving Sexual Relations Between Attorney and Client, 5 Divorce Litig. 223 (November 1993)
The Effect of Social Security Benefits on Divorce Cases, 5 Divorce Litig. 209 (November 1993)
Attacking and Defending Antenuptial Agreements: A 1993 Update, 5 Divorce Litig. 130, 150 (July, August 1993) (with Brett R. Turner)
Illegally Acquired Assets and Property Division, 5 Divorce Litig. 142 (July 1993)
The Consideration of Tax Consequences of Divorce as a Factor in Equitable Distribution, 5 Divorce Litig. 65 (April 1993)
Modification of Spousal Support Obligations After Discharge in Bankruptcy of Property Settlement Obligations, 5 Divorce Litig. 22 (February 1993)
The Court's Role in a Child's Religious Upbringing, 5 Divorce Litig. 11 (January 1993)
Grandparent Visitation Rights: Challenges and Solutions, 4 Divorce Litig. 248 (December 1992)
Counting What's Not There: Recent Case Law on Imputing Income in Spousal and Child Support Cases, 4 Divorce Litig. 197 (October 1992)
Attorney Malpractice in Recommending Settlement, 4 Divorce Litig. 170 (August 1992)
Articles for Legal Periodicals
Deviating From Child Support Guidelines, 30 VBA News Journal 12 (Nov. 2004)
Imputing Income to Non-Income and Low-Income Earning Assets, 17 Am. J. Fam. L. 191 (Winter 2004)
The Economics of Child Support Guidelines: A Short Examination of the "Cost Shares" Model, 18 Am. J. Fam. L 149 (Fall 2004)
Retained Earnings of a Corporation or Partnership as Income Under Child Support Guidelines, 17 Am. J. Fam. L. 8 (Spring 2003)
Private Attorney Access to Child Support Enforcement Tools: Recommendations of the Interstate Commission, 16 Am. J. Fam. L. 169 (Fall 2002)
Nonmodifiability of Duration of Child Support in Interstate Cases, N.C. Bar Journal (Spring 2004)
What Every Parent Must Know About Child Support, 26 Fam. Advoc. No. 1 at 22 (Summer 2003)
Using QDROs to Enforce Spousal and Child Support, 16 Am. J. Fam. L. 5 (Spring 2002)
Imputing Income to the Spiritually Minded, Family Law Practice (Newsletter for Family Law Section of Tennessee Bar Association) (April 2002)
A Federal Hand in Child Support, Minnesota Family Law Journal (March/April 2002)
Stock Options as Income for Purposes of Child Support, Georgia Bar Family Law Newsletter (January 2002)
Internet Visitation, New Mexico Family Law Section Newsletter (Winter 2002)
Stock Options as Income for Child Support, Kansas Trial Lawyers' Association Journal (Winter 2001)
Economic Torts in Dissolution Matters: A Look at the Emerging National Trends, The Florida Commentator (Summer 2001)
The Federal Hand in Family Law, 23 Fam. Advoc. No. 4 at 10 (Spring 2001)
How to Handle the High Roller in Child Support Cases , 23 Fam. Advoc. No. 2 at 12 (Fall 2000)
Windfalls and Other Employment Benefits as Income for Child Support , 23 Fam. Advoc. No. 2 at 13 (Fall 2000)
Resolving Conflict of Laws Problems in Interstate Child Support Proceedings, 15 Am. J. Fam. L. 47 (Spring 2001)
Whose Money Is It Anyway? The Custodial Parent's (Non)Duty to Account for Child Support, 14 Am. J. Fam. L. 166 (Spring 2000)
Grandparents Paying Child Support, 1999 Trial Magazine No. 12 at 37 (December 1999)
Attorney-Client Privilege in E-Mail Communications, 45 The Practical Lawyer 59 (March 1999)
15 Do's and Don'ts When Arguing for a Deviation from Virginia's Child Support Guidelines, 11 J. Va. Trial Law. Assn. No. 1 at 9 (Winter 1998/1999)
An Introduction to Attacking Blood Tests in Paternity Cases, 12 Am. J. Fam. Law 204 (Winter 1998)
Modification of Child Support Judgments, 12 Am. J. Fam. Law 155 (Fall 1998)
The Uses and Misuses of the Good Fortune Trust, 72 Fla. B.J. No. 6 at 102 (June 1998)
Amendments to Make the FFCCSOA Consistent with UIFSA, 17 Fair$hare No. 8 (August 1997)
The Effect of Pregnancy on the Validity of Prenuptial Agreements, 16 Fair$hare No. 4 (April 1996) (with Victoria M. Ho)
Litigating Prenuptial Agreements (Parts I, II, III), 14 Fair$hare Nos. 10, 11, 12 (October, November, December 1994) (with Victoria M. Ho)
Support for Second Families, 16 Family Advocate No. 2 (Fall 1993) (with Victoria M. Ho)
Citations to Morgan
Energex Enterprises, Inc. v. Shughart, Thomson & Kilroy, P.C., 2006 WL 2401245 (D. Ariz., Aug. 17, 2006)
Reed v. Mitchell & Timbanard, P.C., 183 Ariz. 313, 903 P.2d 621 (Ct. App. 1995)
City of Phoenix v. Arizona Rent-A-Car Systems, Inc., 893 P.2d 75 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1995)
In re Marriage of Mugge, 66 P. 3d 207 (Colo. Ct. App. 2003)
Zahringer v. Zahringer, 262 Conn. 360, 815 A.2d 75 (2003)
Robinson v. Pabon, 2002 WL 32136677 (D. Conn. 2002)
Zitnay v. Zitnay, 90 Conn. App. 71, 875 A.2d 583 (2005)
E.D. v. T.S., 2003 WL 21435040 (Del. Fam. Ct., March 19, 2003)
Smith v. Francisco, 737 A.2d 1000 (Del. Supr. 1999)
Vinnik v. Vinnik, 831 So.2d 1271 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002)
Pursley v. Pursley, 144 S.W.2d 820 (Ky. 2004)
Downing v. Downing, 45 S.W.2d 449 (Ky. Ct. App. 2001)
Jurado v. Brashear, 782 So. 2d 575 (La. 2001)
Guillot v. Munn, 756 So. 2d 290 (La. 2000)
DeSoto v. DeSoto, 893 So.2d 175 (La. Ct. App. 3 Cir. 2005)
Pearson v. Pearson, 751 N.E.2d 921 (Mass. Ct. App. 2001)
Brock v. Brock, 906 So. 2d 879 (Miss. App. 2005)
State ex rel. Brantingham v. Grate, 2006 WL 3289273 (Mo. Ct. App. W.D., Nov. 14, 2006)
Nichols v. Nichols, 4 S.W.3d 630, 634 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000)
Workman v. Workman, 262 Neb. 373, 632 N.W.2d 286 (2001)
Loro v. Colliano, 354 N.J. Super. 212, 806 A.2d 799 (App. Div. 2002)
Isaacson v. Isaacson, 348 N.J. Super. 560, 792 A.2d 525 (App. Div. 2002)
Kohn v. Schiappa, 281 N.J. Super. 235, 656 A.2d 1322 (Law Div. 1995)
Wallis v. Smith, 130 N.M. 214, 22 P.3d 682 (Ct. App. 2001)
Pedersen v. Pedersen, 129 N.M. 56, 1 P.3d 974 (Ct. App. 2000)
Erickson v. Erickson, 127 N.M. 140, 978 P.2d 347 (Ct. App. 1999)
Bast v. Rossoff, 697 N.E.2d 1009 (N.Y. 1998)
State ex rel. George v. Bray, 130 N.C. App. 552, 503 S.E.2d 686 (1998)
Lukenbill v. Fettig, 623 N.W.2d 7 (N.D. 2001)
Schumacher v. Schumacher, 598 N.W.2d 131 (N.D. 1999)
Ackerman v. Ackerman, 596 N.W.2d 332 (N.D. 1999)
Buchholz v. Buchholz, 590 N.W.2d 215 (N.D. 1999)
Jarvis v. Jarvis, 584 N.W.2d 84 (N.D. 1998)
Badeaux v. Davis, 337 S.C. 195, 522 S.E.2d 835 (Ct. App. 1999)
Staats v. McKinnon, 2006 WL 1168826 (Tenn. Ct. App., May 2, 2006)
Elliott v. Elliott, 149 S.W.3d 77 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2004)
Gulian v. Gulian, 173 Vt. 157, 790 A.2d 1116 (2001)
Clark v. Clark, 172 Vt. 351, 779 A.2d 42 (2001)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
American Bar Association:
Board of Editors, Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2005 - )
Board of Editors, The American Journal of Family Law (2000 - )
Executive Editor, Divorce Litigation (1991- )
Assistant Editor, Equitable Distribution Journal (1999 - 2002)
International Society of Family Law (1996 - )
National Child Support Enforcement Association (1998 - )
Board of Directors, Stepfamily Association of America (1997- 2001) (An organization providing information, education, and advocacy to professionals dealing with stepfamilies)
Family Law Coalition, Committee on Shared Custody and Child Support (1998 - 1999) (charged by the Virginia legislature to report on the interrelationship between shared custody and child support, and to draft the child support guideline addressing cases of extended visitation/shared custody)
Consultant to Department of Justice (Canada) on federal child support guideline formation (including participation in colloquia on comparison of Canadian and U.S. child support guidelines, and writing chapter for Canadian Child Support Manual)
Special Consultant, State of Georgia, Council of Superior Court Judges (2005)
Special Consultant, State of Tennessee, Child Support Commission (2003)
Special Consultant, State of Kentucky, Child Support Commission (2002)
Special Consultant, State of Minnesota, Child Support Commission (2001)
Special Consultant, State of Wisconsin, Child Support Commission (2000)
Special Consultant, State of Louisiana, Child Support Commission (2000)
Special Consultant, State of Arizona, Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), Child Support Guidelines Task Force (1999-2002)
Special Consultant, Commonwealth of Virginia Child Support Guidelines Quadrennial Review Commission (1999)
Special Consultant, State of Illinois Child Support Guidelines Legislative Committee (2006)
Special Consultant, State of Illinois Child Support Guidelines Quadrennial Review Commission (1998)
Sole Content Provider, www.FamLawConsult.com (research and writing for the matrimonial bar)
Sole Content Provider, www.SupportGuidelines.com (a resource for attorneys and laypersons on child support law in the fifty states and District of Columbia; chosen by the Internet Scout Report of the University of Wisconsin Law School, by Jurist (the law professors network), Legalonline.com, Lawyers' Weekly USA, and American Lawyer Media, as one of best legal websites)
Editor-in-Chief, Legal Content, www.DivorceNet.com (the Internet's largest resource of divorce law) (1999 - 2001)
Content Provider, FindLaw.com (providing content on the law of child support for FindLaw, the Internet's largest portal for law)
Regular Columnist, Bride Again Magazine (1998 - 2000)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Instructor, Advanced Family Law, United States Army Judge Advocate General School (two two-hour seminars, three times per year)
Instructor, Concord University School of Law (2000-2001)
"National Trends in Alimony," presentation to the North Carolina Bar Association, Cary, North Carolina (September 2007)
"Child Support and Alimony in Extreme High Income Cases," presentation to the AAML, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (March 2007)
"Electronic Discovery and Cyber-Misconduct," presentation to the North Dakota Bar Association, Bismarck, North Dakota (September 2006)
"Building a Public-Private Partnership Between IV-D Agencies and Private Attorneys in the Enforcement of Child Support," presentation to the Arizona Child Support Enforcement Association, Phoenix, Arizona (May 2006)
"Alimony: A Musical in Four Acts," presentation to the Kentucky Chapter of the AAML, Louisville, Kentucky (April 2006)
"Jurisdictional Issues in Child Support Cases (Personal, Subject Matter, UIFSA)," presentation to the New Jersey Bar Association, New Brunwick, New Jersey (February 2006)
"Legal Problems Presented by Same-Sex Relationships," presentation to the Mountain States Chapter of the AAML, Salt Lake City, Utah (December 2005)
"Dealing with Kentucky's Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the 15th Biennial Family Law Institute, Lexington, Kentucky (November 2005)
"The Current State of Alimony: What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been," presentation to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, Illinois (November 2005)
"Spousal Support: Determination, Modification, Termination, Enforcement," presentation to the Hawaii Bar Association, Honolulu, Hawaii (October 2005)
"Interfamilial Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance in Family Law," presentation to the Hawaii Bar Association, Honolulu, Hawaii (October 2005)
"Strict Liability for Sperm," presentation to the Oklahoma Child Support Enforcement Agency, Norman, Oklahoma (September 2005)
"Electronic Evidence Discovery and Admissibility and Cyber-Misconduct," presentation to the Kentucky Chapter of the AAML, Louisville, Kentucky (April 2005)
"Understanding the New Income Shares Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Tennessee Bar Association, Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Tennessee (December 2004)
"Child Support in High Income Case," presentation to Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Birmingham, Alabama (December 2004)
"Child Support Guidelines and Shared Custody," presentation to Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (October 2004)
"The Constitutionality of Child Support Guidelines," presentation to MFSRC, St. Cloud, Minnesota (October 2004)
"The Effect of Retirement on Support Obligations," presentation to the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (October 2004)
"Constitutional Challenges to Child Support Guidelines," presentation to National Conference of State Legislatures, Salt Lake City, Utah (July 2004)
"Deviating From the Child Support Guidelines," presentation to Virginia Trial Lawyers' Association, Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, Fairfax, Virginia (July 2004)
"Classification and Division of Stock Options in Divorce," presentation to the Kentucky Chapter of the AAML, Louisville, Kentucky (May 2004)
"Deviating in Child Support Cases," presentation to the Kentucky Chapter of the AAML, Louisville, Kentucky (May 2004)
"Electronic Evidence Issues for the Family Lawyer," presentation to the Virginia State Bar, Richmond, Virginia (May 2004)
"The Trouble with Child Support: More Trials and Tribulations," presentation to the Virginia Trial Lawyers' Association Annual Meeting, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia (April 2004)
"Income Shares, Percentage of Income, Cost Shares: What's Best for Georgia," presentation to the Georgia Chapter of the AAML, Atlanta, Georgia (December 2003)
"Deviating from the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, Kentucky (December 2003)
"Attacking and Defending
Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Property Settlement Agreements in Ohio,"
presentation to the Ohio Judicial College, Columbus, Ohio (December
2003)
"Child Support in High Income Cases," presentation to the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, Las Vegas, Nevada (May 2003)
"Exotica in Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Florida Chapter of the AAML, Tampa, Florida (May 2003)
"The Big Income Case: From the Prenup to Estate Planning to Negotiating the Settlement," presentation to the North Carolina/South Carolina Chapters of the AAML, Charleston, South Carolina (April 2003)
"National Trends in Child and Spousal Support Law, Implications for Minnesota's System," presentation to the Minnesota Family Law Institute, Bloomington, Minnesota (April 2003)
"Finding Hidden Income for Purposes of Child and Spousal Support, and How to Impute Income," presentation to the Nevada Family Law Conference, Ely, Nevada (March 2003)
"The Ins and Outs of UIFSA," presentation to the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Salt Lake City, Utah (December 2002)
"Hot Trends in Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Arizona Child Support Council, Phoenix, Arizona (October 2002)
"Does A Child Need Three Ponies?: Child Support in High Income Cases," presentation to the Ohio Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Columbus, Ohio (October 2002)
"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About UIFSA, But Were Afraid to Ask," presentation to the Montgomery County (Maryland) Bar Association, Rockville, Maryland (September 2002)
"Using QDRO's to Enforce Support Obligations," presentation to the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, Washington, DC (August 2002)
"Emerging Trends in Family Law," presentation to the General Practice Section of the American Bar Association, Washington, DC (August 2002)
"The Ins and Outs of UIFSA," presentation to the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Spring Conference, Providence, Rhode Island (April 2002)
"Competing Jurisdiction in Hague Convention Cases," presentation to the South Carolina Chapter of the AAML, Charleston, South Carolina (April 2002)
"Discovery Traps in the Electronic Age," presentation to the Massachusetts Chapter of the AAML, Boston, Massachusetts (February 2002)
"Enforcing Canadian Support Judgments in the United States," presentation to the Family Law Bar of Quebec, Montreal, Quebec (January 2002)
"New Notions of Fatherhood for Purposes of Child Support," presentation to the National CLE Conference, Family Law Section, Steamboat Springs, Colorado (January 2002)
"Child Support in High Income Cases," presentation to the Connecticut Chapter of the AAML, New Haven, Connecticut (December 2001)
"Finding and Proving Hidden Income in Support Cases," presentation to the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Salt Lake City, Utah (November 2001)
"Emerging Trends in Child Support Legislation," presentation to the Ohio Judicial College, Columbus, Ohio (October 2001)
"Paternity and Genetics," presentation to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington, D.C. (October 2001)
"Construction of Unusual Clauses in Separation Agreements," presentation to American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Fall Conference, Vancouver, BC (October 2001)
"Child Support Guidelines: Emerging Trends," presentation to the South Carolina Trial Lawyers' Association, Hilton Head, South Carolina (August 2001)
"Does DNA a Dad Make?" presentation to the International Society of Family Law, North American Conference, Kingston, Ontario (June 2001)
"Figuring Child Support in Shared Custody Cases," presentation to Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Louisville, Kentucky (May 2001)
"Privacy Interests in On-Line Divorce Court Records," presentation to Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Denver, Colorado (April 2001)
"Finding Hidden Sources of Income for Spousal Support," presentation to American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Spring Conference, Kansas City, Missouri (April 2001)
"Post-Majority Child Support Obligations," presentation to the National CLE Conference, Family Law Section, Vail, Colorado (January 2001)
"The Cutting Edge of Child Support Law," presentation to the Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (November 2000)
"Valuation and Division of Stock Options in Divorce," presentation to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois (November 2000)
"Troxel and Beyond: Third-Party Visitation and Custody," presentation to the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, Tampa, Florida (October 2000)
"The Theory of Parentage: Is There Strict Liability for Having Sex?" presentation to the Kansas State Bar Association, Topeka, Kansas (June 2000)
"New Development in Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Southern States Child Support Enforcement Association, Biloxi, Mississippi (April 2000)
"The Second Divorce," presentation to the American Bar Association, Section of Family Law, New Orleans, Louisiana (April 2000)
"UIFSA Cases and Other New Developments in Child Support," presentation to the Richmond (Virginia) Family Law Bar Association, Richmond, Virginia (January 2000)
"Child Support and the High-Income Obligor," presentation to the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Salt Lake City, Utah (December 1999)
"New Developments in Child Support Guidelines in the Fifty States," presentation to the National Child Support Enforcement Association, Chicago, Illinois (August 1999)
"A UIFSA Primer," presentation to the Cobb County (Georgia) Family Law Bar Association, Marietta, Georgia (August 1999)
"The Hidden Penalty for Being A Good Parent: Support of Prior Families as 'Dissipation' of Marital Assets," presentation to the International Society of Family Law, North American Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico (June 1999)
"Developments in Child Support Guidelines Law in Virginia," presentation to Roanoke Family Law Bar Association, Roanoke, Virginia (June 1999)
"Developments in Child Support Guidelines Law in Virginia," presentation to Virginia Association of Title IV-D Attorneys, Roanoke, Virginia (April 1999)
"Attorney-Client Privilege in E-Mail and How to Encrypt," presentation to the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Miami, Florida (April 1999)
"The Good Fortune Trust: Boon or Boondoggle?" presentation to the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Miami, Florida (April 1999)
"A Comparison of State Child Support Guidelines' Awards and Expenditures on Children as Determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Are the Guidelines Coming Up Short?" presentation to the Law Education Institute, Vail, Colorado (January 1999)
"SHOW ME THE MONEY! Elements of Income," presentation to the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Portland, Oregon (October 1998)
"The Impact of Shared Custody and Extended Visitation on Child Support Guideline Calculations," presentation to the National Child Support Enforcement Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. (August 1998)
"Presenting an Imputation of Income Case," presentation to the Virginia State Bar, 16th Annual Family law Seminar, Roanoke and Richmond, Virginia (November 1997)
"Post-Divorce Modification of Child Support in Light of Remarriage and New Children," presentation to the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, San Francisco, California (August 1997)
"A Baker's Dozen in Child Support: Thirteen Rules to Remember When Arguing for a Deviation from the Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association, General Practice Section, San Francisco, California (August 1997)
"Blended Families: Blessing or Curse?", presentation to the Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Orlando, Florida (August 1996)
"Child Support Guidelines in Anomalous Cases," presentation to the International Society of Family Law, North American Conference, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (June 1996)
"Actions Against Third Parties for Torts Against the Marital Relationship," presentation to the Maryland Bar Association, Family Law Section, Bethesda, Maryland (April 1995)
"Deviating From Virginia's Child Support Guidelines," presentation to the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, Summer Family Law Seminar, Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, and Tyson's Corner, Virginia (July 1994)
Third-year law school, Teaching Assistant in first-year course of Legal Research and Writing
Senior year college, Teaching Assistant in freshman seminar of film criticism
EDUCATION
Boston College Law School
Newton Centre, Massachusetts
J.D. cum laude,
May 1983
Graduated in top 20% of class; third year, obtained position as Teaching Assistant in Research and Writing to first year students by writing competition; second year, member of International Law Review Dictionary Project summer staff by writing competition; member Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity.
Trinity College
Hartford, Connecticut
B.A. with Honors,
May 1980
Graduated with special honors in Political Science; Pi Gamma Mu Social Sciences Honor Society; obtained position as Teaching Assistant in Freshman seminar course by writing competition; Editor of Student Course Evaluation Book.
EMPLOYMENT
Family Law
Consulting
Charlottesville, Virginia
August 18, 2001 - present
Owner and operator of legal research and writing service for matrimonial lawyers, providing trial briefs, appellate briefs, trial and appellate advocacy on pro hoc vice status, web content, news letters, expert testimony.
National Legal Research Group,
Inc.
Charlottesville, Virginia
January 1, 1989 - August 17, 2001
Senior Attorney at legal research facility employing over 60 attorneys, researching and writing legal memoranda and briefs for attorneys nationwide, specializing in domestic relations and attorney malpractice, supervising junior staff; Executive Editor and contributing author to Divorce Litig. (NLRG); appellate advocacy on selected Virginia cases.
Lawson & Wayne
Boston, Massachusetts
May 1986 - October 1988
Associate in litigation section of general practice firm; extensive trial experience in general civil litigation, including domestic relations, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, administrative law; experience as lead counsel in all phases of Massachusetts administrative hearings, superior court and district court trials, and appellate review.
Fitch, Miller & Tourse
Boston, Massachusetts
April 1985 - April 1986
Associate in general practice firm, concentrating in administrative law; experience in administrative judicial review as counsel for the Boston Licensing Board, worker's compensation, trial work in employment discrimination, housing discrimination, and general commercial litigation; co-author of article for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Judicial Review of Administrative Agency Decisions.
Morgan & Morgan
Brookline, Massachusetts
September 1983 - March 1985
Established private neighborhood practice, handling referrals from District Court in criminal, probate, and domestic relations cases.
REFERENCES
Available upon request.