Expert witnesses are key players in legal disputes, providing critical insights that help courts understand complex issues. Selecting an expert witness with the right qualifications is vital. The credibility of their testimony depends on their expertise and experience. Expert witnesses must have the necessary credentials and experience relevant to the case at hand.

The judges in Washington County, Arkansas, have issued a “Standing Order of the Court in Domestic Relations Cases.” The Standing Order is designed to preserve the status quo until either an agreement is reached or a hearing is held by the judge assigned to the case. The Standing Order goes into effect against the Plaintiff when the petition or complaint is filed and it is effective against the Defendant once the Defendant is served with the paperwork. It is a serious order and any violation of the order could result in a fine or even jail time. 

When parents become unavailable or unfit to have custody of their children, our trial lawyers represent grandparents and other extended family members in guardianship and requests for placement that are necessary to protect minor children.

Individuals with legal issues can find specialized lawyers by seeking referrals from other attorneys, utilizing the few legitimate online legal directories such as Chambers and Partners or The Best Lawyers America, or searching academy or fellowship directories like the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers or the International Academy of Family Lawyers.

A "Chess, Not Checkers" concept emphasizes strategic, long-term thinking and planning over short-term gains and reactive decision-making.

Michael Jordan had a trainer. Canelo Alvarez has a trainer. Roger Federer had a trainer.

Why do so many lawyers think they don’t need training? They do.

We are aggressive about our professional development and stay on the cutting edge of the art and science of trial advocacy.

There may be strategic reasons about whether and when to issue written discovery requests or to send notice to the opposing party to appear and testify in a deposition. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses.

Our lawyers have advanced training for written discovery and depositions, including best practices training for depositions from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. We have a complete library about depositions in all manner of civil cases, including helpful DVDs that we share with clients to help them prepare for their depositions.

Child support calculators are designed to work for incomes ranging from upper-middle class to below the federal poverty level. The formulas cease to work when incomes exceed a certain amount per month. When your income exceeds your state’s child support ceiling, the court has discretion to make an “upward deviation” and require additional child support beyond the maximum obligation in the child support calculator.

C-suite executives often receive a variety of compensation packages beyond traditional salary and bonuses. An expert is often needed to find and value compensation plans in a divorce involving a business executive.

Business interests and investments are things of value and assets subject to valuation and division in a divorce. Business valuation is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge and skill.

The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. A CFE is widely recognized as a leading credential in the field of fraud detection and prevention.

In a divorce, it's important to consider the availability and nature of Social Security benefits resulting from the marriage.

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is a legal document that tells a retirement plan administrator how to divide retirement benefits between two people who were married.

The most important reason to file first is that the person who files first almost always gets to speak first in court. 

There are two major reasons that the damage from an unfair one-sided communication can’t be corrected simply by giving the other side a chance to speak and be heard later.

The most frustrating part of litigation, especially family law, is also the most difficult thing for attorneys to deal with and explain: how one party can behave unfairly and “get away with it,” even temporarily.

Evidence for each case should be organized and prepared for disclosure to the other side.

We are hyper-aware and equipped to deal with the lowest level of gamesmanship and deception that the opposition can muster. In every case, we work to provide our clients with the best private resolution possible. When we are in court, we make the strongest case possible, uncompromised by the status quo, local politics, or substandard practices.

A parent involved in a custody or visitation case should focus on child-centered facts that will help the judge make the right decision. When available, independent, objective evidence, such as photographs, records, grades, and written communication, can bolster a parent’s case for custody.

This example illustrates why it is in your interest to hire experienced legal counsel as early as possible to help you avoid expensive and stressful scenarios like this one. It also shows that if divorce is imminent, it’s important to move forward proactively.