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November 3, 2017

Homes for older children for adoptions

GREENSBORO – Children’s Home Society of North Carolina is announcing an expansion of a statewide program to find permanent homes for older children in foster care during National Adoption Month.

Children’s Home Society will also be providing the expanded child-focused recruitment program at no cost to county social services agencies across North Carolina. This is done in partnership with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services.

“Older youth who are adopted are more likely to finish high school, go to college, be employed and lead more stable lives than those who age out of foster care with no permanent family,” Sharon Barlow, Director of the Division of Children’s Services in Guilford County, said. “We know that being connected to a family makes a life-long difference.”

October 28, 2017

How ex spouses can still reap benefits from movie sequesl

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

Hollywood certainly loves iteration. But let it be said that there can never be too much of a good thing. When sequels and multiple marriages mix, things get complicated. Indeed, it’s a recipe for legal action.Take Blade Runner as an example. The original 1982 sci-fi classic about an ex-cop hunting “replicants” was co-executive produced by Bud Yorkin, best known for TV shows like All in the Family and Sanford and Son. When Blade Runner came out, he was married to Peg Yorkin. The two got divorced in 1986, and as is customary, they divided assets. A 50 percent share of Bud’s interest in Blade Runner was part of the divorce decree.So what about Blade Runner 2049, the critically acclaimed sequel now out in theaters? Is Peg getting anything? Turns out, she probably will be thanks to an arbitration award, which has now landed in open court.In 1989, Bud married a second woman — Cynthia Yorkin. In the 1990s, Bud and Cynthia became interested in selling derivative rights in Blade Runner so that a sequel could be made. To accommodate such efforts, Peg agreed to reduce her own interest in Blade Runner Derivative Holdings, Llc., from 25 percent to 15 percent. But there was a condition. If a sequel to Blade Runner came, and if a producing services agreement was entered into for this sequel by a member of Bud’s immediate family, she’d be entitled to 25 percent of any contingent compensation payable under that deal.Peg’s lawyer at the time was careful. According to court papers, to protect against a deal for a Blade Runner sequel being structured in a way that denied her benefits — i.e., cash that would have otherwise been for the purchase of derivative rights diverted to a producer’s fee — Bud and Peg agreed to a different compensation structure in the event of a producer services agreement that wasn’t “bona fide” and “customary.”That ended up coming up once Alcon Entertainment paid $11 million to purchase the derivative rights to Blade Runner and then went about getting Blade Runner 2049 made.Bud Yorkin, who died at the age of 89 in 2015, and Cynthia Yorkin (also known as Cynthia Sikes) both became producers on Blade Runner 2049. They got fixed compensation, not contingent participation, so the question arose whether their arrangements amounted to a non-customary, disguised rights payment.

October 26, 2017

Actuaries have lowest divorce rates

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

If you don’t want to get divorced, then you should consider a career as an actuary. The Institute for Family Studies (IFS) recently took a look at the careers with the highest and lowest divorce rates. Actuaries had the lowest divorce rate (17%) among the professions the group looked at, followed by physical scientists, life scientists, clergy, and software developers. Obviously it is difficult to determine who and why a person or couple gets divorced. Thus a statistical research on the professions that get divorced is a very possibly suspect research. On saying that it does make sense at some level that a job that is low pressure and does not demand the emotional and possibly commitment that other jobs does makes for a better home life. To make sure a relationship works it takes time and energy and commitment to the relationship.

The study found that people who make less money are in general more likely to get married—but also more likely to get divorced. Wealthier people, in general, report being in happier marriages than lower-income individuals (perhaps because they aren’t as stressed about money). Fifty-three percent of people in lower income marriages rate themselves as happy versus 70% of people in upper-class marriages. This is an interesting statistic. Ironically marriages are based mainly on splitting financial issues. Most divorces deal strictly with dividing assets. Also when money is not the topic of discussion in marriages it makes sense that the divorce rates are lower.

Of course marriage is not soley composed of financial issues but more about who the people are when they enter the marriage. The most important aspect of the relationship is how people treat each other regardless of money or anything else.

October 23, 2017

Divorce and alcohol consumption abuse

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

It should come as no surprise that divorce is linked to alcohol (ab)use. Research consistently shows that, compared to married people, divorced people drink more and in more harmful ways(e.g. binge drinking), are more likely to have a lifetime or recent alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis, engage in more alcohol-related risky behaviors, and have higher alcohol-related mortality. The issues of divorce tend to be life altering and can permanently alter a persons future as far as relationships and children. The fight over financial support, property division and custody are so harrowing that people need a break from reality. Alcohol provides the antidote to to peoples divorce problems

Past studies have found some evidence that this link might be causal, such that alcohol abuse increases the risk of subsequent divorce. Now a recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in May 2017 strengthens the evidence that link might be causal in the other direction, too: Divorce increases the risk for subsequent alcohol abuse. It seems the effect of the process of divorce can make a person suffer some sort of mental impairment that needs to get remedied. Alcohol might be the quickest and fastest way to numb the pain that results.

Based on a population-based Swedish study of almost 950,000 Swedes born between 1960 and 1990 who married in or after 1990 and who had no AUD diagnosis prior to marriage, this new study found that, after divorce, the rates of first-time AUD increased sixfold in men and over sevenfold in women. These rates remained greatly elevated even after controlling for potential confounding factors, including prior problem behavior, low parental education, and familial risk of AUD.

October 20, 2017

fast divorce

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

Often divorces are quite messy and full of conflict. Parties fight over the smallest of issues and create enormous adversity amongst each other during the divorce proceedings. All of this can be avoided according to the new law passed in Illinois which uses a different approach to getting divorced. It is simple, not complicated and not messy are the words Danielle Dvorak used when describing her 2009 divorce.

“It was quicker, cheaper and easier on so many levels – emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically – than a lot of other horror stories I’ve heard,” she said.

If you’re wondering how on earth someone can talk about their divorce in such a positive way, Dvorak said she credits the divorce process she and her ex chose to use: collaborative divorce, which is an alternative to traditional litigation.

October 19, 2017

Americans are adopting more boys than girls for the first time

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

In an unprecedented trend for the U.S., more male children were adopted from other countries than female children by the end of 2016, a research found

This trend is largely caused by a change in patterns of adoption in China—a country from which many children are adopted. In 1999, 98 percent of children adopted from China to the U.S. were girls. In 2016, boys accounted for the majority of Chinese adoptees for the first time, albeit only 51 percent. This shows the growing trend in America that boy adoptions are ok and should be ok in the future.

This change has nothing to do with more Americans wanting boys. China has recently gotten far less strict about the one-child policy, which previously limited most families in China to one child each in order to slow the rate at which China’s population was growing. When the measure was in full effect, Chinese girls were put up for adoption in much larger numbers, according to an NPR report.

October 15, 2017

Domestic violence used as a defense to move away order

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

The question must be asked as in all move away cases is the reason for the move away a motive separate than other reasons given for the move away request. Often the move away if fought with anterior motives and seems to be almost always done so based on my experience. Although parties in the move away process claim, family, jobs, friends are the sole motivating forces generating the move. But are they? I truly believe in most case the move away is done to alienate the other parent from their children. I have not had a case where it did not come up that the moving party was in a very contentious custody dispute and the other party just got up and left the state. Dont tell me this was to find a better job and to go live with mommy and daddy in another state because things were better there. I dont believe it at all. This is where I really disagree with most court rulings with move away orders given by superior court judges who always seem to side the with he primary custodian of the children. Although the argument that child needs stability and has bonded with one parent already and the courts do not want to disrupt this stable status quo relationship they in effect has left behind a parent without any connnection to their child so that one parent can go on with their life and leave the other parent helpless and without child. This cannot happen anymore and needs to be addressed seriously by the superior court family law bench of all united states.

In one case in particuar case Bruce v Jennifer an Alaskan superior court case involving Domestic violence and child custody move away issues brings to a forefront the anterior motives of a party while trying to hoodwink the court to get what they want which is full custody of the child and to escape dodge with the kid and tearing the bond from the other parent in half as a result of Courts blessings.

The appellant in the Michigan move away case alleged on appeal that Jennifer had committed domestic violence in a prior relationship which would assist Bruce the father in alleging giving her sole physical custody was not in the best interest of the child. The court stated, in full:Regarding the accusation that [Jennifer] hit her boyfriend, there is no time frame associated with this alleged incident

October 13, 2017

Michigan mom jailed for violating vaccination order

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

A Michigan judge has reduced the child custody rights of a woman who was jailed for five days for not following through on an agreement to vaccinate her 9-year-old son. The family law issues are twofold here. violation of a court order and whether vaccination of the children is lawful and a parental decision without the court involvement. Often the right to vaccinate your child can be a decision left to the parents individually. However, if the court deems the safety of the children are at risk the Judge can step in and order a vaccination. The Family court judges top priority is the health safety and welfare of the children. Ultimately, the determination is the best interest standard of review for the family law court judge. So when the Michigan court judge ordered vaccination to be given the child against the mother’s wishes the Judge must have considered the pros and cons about the vaccination and determined that the health of the child outweighed any religious views the mother might have held

Oakland County Judge Karen McDonald ruled Wednesday that Rebecca Bredow will no longer have primary custody of the boy, but will have joint custody with her ex-husband, James Horne. Since the mother violated the Judges court order the judge probably held her in contempt of Court. As a result the judge can penalize the mother in many different ways. One of the ways is by taking her custodial time away. In this case the famiy law court judge decided that it was in the best interest to limit the amount of custodial time the mother would recieve.

Horne wanted the boy vaccinated and Bredow agreed to do so last November but didn’t. She says vaccinations go against her religious beliefs. Religious beliefs cannot overtake the health safety and welfare of the child’s interest. The best interest are always at the top of the Judges agenda when making any ruling regarding custody. When determining the best interest of the child the court must assess the health safety and welfare of the child first before looking at other issues that might lead to where the child should reside primarily.

October 11, 2017

Georgina Chapman divorces Harvey Weinstein

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

Just days after Harvey Weinstein said his wife, Marchesa fashion designer Georgina Chapman, was standing by him, Chapman now says she has chosen to divorce her husband.

Chapman said in a statement to tabloids, “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.” Therefore child custody and visitation will be an issue in Harvey’s case. However, it will be interesting how the allegations turn out. Because if the mere lechery of Harvey is all that sticks his visitation rights may not be impaired. But if rape allegations an forceful sex are proven in court his custodial rights will definitely be limited and a fight will ensue that will be rather difficult for Harvey. The couple have two young children 7 and 4 which will need a stable environment to thrive. It is unclear if that can be achieved under these conditions Harvey finds himself in. A bond has definitely been established and it is still very important for young children’s growth to have frequent contact with both parents.

Weinstein said he supported Chapman’s decision to leave him, in a statement quoted in Page Six. “I support her decision, I am in counseling and perhaps, when I am better, we can rebuild. Over the last week, there has been a lot of pain for my family that I take responsibility for,” Weinstein said. All these things said are great for public sentiment.

October 5, 2017

How to divide Hockey season tickets during a divorce

by Law Offices of David P. Schwarz

A couple in Canada who decided to divorce after 35 years of marriage had to go to court to settle one of the more important aspects of their separation: Who gets their Edmonton Oilers season tickets? Often during the divorce there are issues regarding the division of property. Usually the house is the main issue. In others people have to divide personal property such as jewelry, cars, dogs and cats and other belongings people acquire over there long term marriage.

Often people have to deal with other financial issues such as spousal support and in long term marriages that can be a huge issue.

Beverly and Donald McLeod separated in 2015, with Donald agreeing to pay Beverly $15,000 per month in spousal support. But they needed a court order to decide what to do with the hockey tickets they had shared for the past 11 years.