What is Forensic Accounting?

Forensic, according to the Webster’s Dictionary, means “belonging to, used in or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate” “pertaining to or employed in legal proceedings or argumentation.” Accounting, as defined by The Random House Dictionary, is “the system of organizing, maintaining … the financial records of a company or an individual.” Forensic Accounting, then, is the practice of accounting in support of litigation. A Forensic Accountant provides an accounting analysis suitable to the court that will form the basis for discussion, debate and ultimately judicial decision. A Forensic Accountant utilizes specialized accounting skills to conduct an investigation into the actual earnings and […]

Impact of Divorce on Children

Tamara D. Afifi at TedxUCSB talking about the impact of divorce on children. The most important thing you can do is listen to your child’s voice.

Collaborative Divorce: Your Children’s Best Interest First

THE CHILD SPECIALIST AND THE COACH There are significant differences between thetraditional adversary system of evaluations and therole of the child specialist and coach. The information from the child specialist is given to the persons who need it the most, the parents. Like a mediation session for child custody, the child specialist interviews the child or children, and shares impressions with the parents first. There are no depositions; there is no cross examination. The child specialist doesn’t have to spend countless hours on tests and interviews in anticipation of being questioned later. It’s like the physician who conducts extra tests and procedures, […]

Collaborative Divorce: Learn How to Stay Out of Court

COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE – UNIQUE ROLES FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS – THE COACH – THE CHILD SPECIALIST A key event in the emergence of Collaborative Divorce in Los Angeles was held in Dept. 2 on October, 2001. Judge Aviva Bobb hosted the program, co-sponsored by the South Bay and Los Angeles County Bar Associations. Over 100 attendees heard Pauline Tesler and Nancy Ross describe the newest way of getting divorced. Attorneys along with mental health, and financial professionals have continued to formed collaborative practice groups. In 2010 there were six and now there are twelve groups in Los Angeles County: […]

How to Get a Divorce – What about a Divorce Coach?

This is the fourth in a multi-part series -How to Get a Divorce- Collaborative Divorce in Difficult Economic Times- on your options in the divorce process by A Better Divorce member, Christopher M. Moore of Moore, Bryan & Schroff LLP in Torrance, California. Divorce Coaching In most divorce cases, emotions run high. The parties can experience feelings like anger, denial, anxiety, and depression that make it hard to reach agreement on the real issues like the financial settlement and a parenting plan for the kids. To work past these dark emotions, the lawyers will urge each party to have a coach. The coaches are mental health […]