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 […]

Collaborative Divorce with a Child Specialist: Your Children’s Best Interest First

PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD V. BEING HONEST ABOUT ONE’S LIMITATIONS A father, who may want to hide his ignorance of an infant’s needs during an evaluation, presents himself differently in collaborative divorce, and is more likely to be honest and seek the recommendation of a child specialist. It’s like being in a classroom and the teacher asking if everyone understands. We’re afraid to admit we don’t know if the consequences hurt. With the child specialist in collaborative family law, the parents know we’re there to help, not to judge. Because there is no report submitted to the court, parents are free […]

It’s a Divorce Negotiation

There is a different and better way to get divorced. You can stay out of court and move forward in a healthier and more respectful manner. Learn more about collaborative practice.

Vesting Title To Your Real Property

By Cozette Vergari How you hold title to your real property is critical. There are several options one can choose from, when deciding how title should be vested, with each option having its own serious legal and tax ramifications. When purchasing real property, the buyer(s) should consult with a trust and estates attorney at the beginning of the escrow process. The grant deed prepared during escrow, transferring ownership from the seller(s) to the buyer(s), should be reviewed by that attorney, prior to execution, to insure title is being vested properly. The individual facts and circumstances relating to the buyer(s) estate […]

Providing Spouses with the Power to Make Healthcare Decisions

By Cozette Vergari Originally published in LOS ANGELES LAWYER / NOVEMBER 2007 THE RIGHT TO MAKE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS is a protected individual right held solely by the patient. Recently, federal law and state law expanded the scope of exclusivity of this right to the privacy realm by limiting the sharing of patient information and records. Thus a patient’s spouse, domestic partner, and other family members face increasing obstacles when they seek information from the patient’s records-even though some healthcare providers, perhaps motivated by compassion, are disregarding the legal restrictions. Nevertheless, spouses, in particular, should be very clear about their ability to make […]

Child’s Testimony in Custody Cases

ELKINS TASK FORCE REFORMS – UNCERTAINTY ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION An important change regarding children’s testimony in custody cases, (Family Code §3042).went into effect last year. “If a child is 14 years of age or older and wishes to address the court regarding custody or visitation, the child shall be permitted to do so, unless the court determines that doing so it not in the child’s best interests. In that case the court shall state its reasons for that finding on the record.” Professionals have expressed concerns about how this is going to be implemented. There is a provision that a minor’s counsel, evaluator, […]