Changes to Family Law Practice/Elkins Family Law Task Force

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Changes to Family Law Practice/Elkins Family Law Task Force

November 11, 2010
Maryam

Anyone who has spent any time in family law court knows one thing: they are congested with cases, booked for months and judges are overworked.  Right now, the Elkins Family Law Task Force are taking suggestions from advocates and family law litigants to streamline the judicial court system to make practicing family law more efficient and uniform.  The Elkins Family Law Task Force is responsible for making recommendations to to the Judicial Council of California and to improve the process of family law litigation.

A main concern for the Family Law Task Force is the overwhelming number of individuals who do not have respresentation.  In quite a number of family law cases usually one spouse is the income bearer while the other spouse earned less of an income.  In this case, the courts do usually order the higher earning spouse to “reimburse” fthe other for attorenys fees but this is insufficient in most cases.  One in five cases have a spouse who is in pro per or represents him or herself due to lack of funds.  The Elkins Family Law Task Force is now working to provide everyone with representation.

Another issue the Elkins Family Law Task Force is working on is to have more live testimony at Order to Show Cause Re: Modification cases.  Currently, a spouse can obtain a temporary custody order on spousal support, child support and child custody based on a declaration alone.  In my opinion, this worked.  I think having live testimony similar to “mini trials” will only congest the courts more.

There is a comprehensive list of changes that are currently being contemplated and this is just a couple.  Here are a few:

1A. Early Intervention & ADR
1B. Parentage & New Family Realities
1C. Family Law Research Agenda

2A. Presenting Live Testimony
2B. Representation in Family Law
2C. Increasing Representation in Family Law
2D. Encourage Limited Scope Representation
2E. Expanding the Practice of Family Law
2F. Assistance to Self-Represented Litigants
2G. Early Court Intervention
2H. Minor’s Counsel

3A. Case Management
3B. Comprehensive statewide rules of court
3C. Reviewing family law forms and processes
3D. Education on Family Law Process
3E. Child custody mediation

4A. Procedural Fairness
4B. Education
4C. Communication
4D. Advocacy
4E. Leadership

This is an exciting time for family law practicioners and litigants as the family law court system will become more cohesive and litigant friendly. Hopefully!

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She handled my complicated, high conflict custody battle like a pro!

I hired Maryam for my very high conflict and complicated custody battle. She took an emotional, dreadful, and exasperating experience, handled it with expertise, professionalism, and calmness that made it possible for me to be calm and believe that everything would work out. Everything did work out, and I’m SO THANKFUL for her. She’s sharp, smart, confident, and a fighter, all while being reasonable and not making a complicated situation worse. I would HIGHLY recommend her. The best experience I’ve ever had with an attorney. Not for one moment did I ever feel like I was just a paycheck to her, and she was worth every penny. Thank you Maryam, you were awesome!

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Maryam was my divorce lawyer a few years ago. She is personable, punctual and got the job done… We got what we wanted in court as she fought hard for me and was aggressive. She filed all the paperwork that needed to be done on time and correctly. She was also very good at moral support in this tough period in my life but that was just a benefit of using her. I have also called her for legal advice a few times since and she always gave me good legal advice.

Attorney with compassion and conviction.

I really am not sure how I found Maryam originally, but I’m so glad that I did. My divorce and custody battle dragged out for over two years, but in the end I have full custody of my children and have been able to move on with my life. Divorce is emotionally difficult, but having Maryam navigate the legal waters made the whole situation easier. I highly recommend her if you need an attorney who will help you work through your family law matters with compassion and conviction.

Christina C.

I have had a few lawyers in the past 12 years and honestly lost faith in them until I met Maryam. She is absolutely AMAZING! She treats you like your family and makes sure she listens and answers all questions.  Her number one concern is what’s the best decision to be made during some hard times for families. Maryam is respectful of your feelings and helps you make the correct decision for you and your family.  I wish I would have found her years ago! This would have saved me lots grief and money.  She doesn’t want to take advantage of her clients by dragging things out, she gets the job done right and quick. I totally recommend her services to everyone and trust her to fight for my family always! Thank you Maryam for being honest, reliable, and taking care of my family!

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There has been no question. My child custody case has been the most trying, exhaustive and draining experience of my life. Apart from the light of my child, there has really been only one other bright spot to the whole experience. Maryam. I never (ever!) expected such compassion in hired legal counsel. Alternately, she has never sugar coated the situation and has been my leader, inspiration and true guide on a very complex and time consuming journey. She has put me to work, and the work has been hard. But her very matter-of-fact approach to why, and her ability to set the example and pace by working so incredibly hard herself, kept me going. As hard as this has all been, I can’t imagine how devastating it would have all felt without this very rare and special person making me feel like they are in my corner from a very genuine place. Words escape me to properly express my gratitude for the fact that lawyers like this really are out there, while rare to find. She’s never cut corners with her efforts and never lost patience with me during a very scattered and overwhelming time in my life. She has gone above and beyond for me, to the point of pleasant surprise which is something I so desperately needed going through this! We had a long, extensive child custody trial and she worked brilliantly both in and out of court to reach an outcome in our favor. Again, I’m at a loss to express my gratitude for her world class efforts so instead, I’ll recommend her from the most honest place in my heart.

Attorney with compassion and conviction

I really am not sure how I found Maryam originally, but I’m so glad that I did. My divorce and custody battle dragged out for over two years, but in the end I have full custody of my children and have been able to move on with my life. Divorce is emotionally difficult, but having Maryam navigate the legal waters made the whole situation easier. I highly recommend her if you need an attorney who will help you work through your family law matters with compassion and conviction.