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Getting Started in Family Law

Getting Started in Family Law. IN NORTH DAKOTA. Me. Greg Liebl Concordia College University of North Dakota School of Law Severson, Wogsland & Liebl in Fargo, North Dakota. Overview. In the Beginning Pleadings Summons and Complaint Motion practice Typical Cases Divorce

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Getting Started in Family Law

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  1. Getting Started in Family Law

    IN NORTH DAKOTA
  2. Me Greg Liebl Concordia College University of North Dakota School of Law Severson, Wogsland & Liebl in Fargo, North Dakota
  3. Overview In the Beginning Pleadings Summons and Complaint Motion practice Typical Cases Divorce Residential responsibility/parenting time Contempt Child support In the End
  4. In the beginning Cold Calls Theories: The “don’t waste your time” approach Sell time Don’t spend time on people you may not represent The “it is an opportunity to market” approach Tell them how much you know Get more accurate information The Initial Consultation Research what you are going to talk about Jump in! Retainer Agreement Appendix page 1. Limit representation (where possible) Withdrawal Fees Interest
  5. Pleadings –Summons and Complaint Initiating the Law Suit Divorce Paternity/Custody Beware of the child support order Summons Appendix page 5. Starts action Gives opposing parties 21 days to Answer Restraining provisions unique to family law Complaint Appendix page 7. Short and plain statement Allegations/requests for relief Answer and Counterclaim
  6. Service Publication –in certain circumstances Admission of service Process server Sheriff
  7. Pleadings -Motion Practice Rule 8.2 –Sometimes you just can’t wait… Noticed Motions Topics to be decided: Support Parenting responsibilities Attorneys fees Use of property Examples –Appendix page 17. Things to note within the rule –Appendix page 12. Timing of filings 21 days for movant 14 days for response if new issues 7 days for response if no new issues Hearing in 30 days Submit affidavit and financial statement
  8. Motion Practice continued… Rule 8.2 --Sometimes you just can’t wait… Ex parte Don’t serve Summons and Complaint yet… Standard Exceptional circumstances: (A) threat of imminent danger to any party or minor child of the party; or (B) circumstances indicating that an ex parte interim order is necessary to protect the parties, any minor children of the parties, or the marital estate. Examples: Endangering child Wasting assets Order –Appendix page 15. Include provision required by rule!
  9. Motion Practice continued… Rule 3.2 --“Rule 3.2? I don’t know anything about no stinkin Rule 3.2!” Use: Sometimes while a case is pending Discovery Mostly post judgment Motions to modify Rules: Rule 3.2 –Appendix page 20. Timing Briefs Interplay with N.D.R.Civ.P. 6 –Appendix page 21. Examples Appendix page 23 and 25.
  10. Typical Cases Divorce (1 in 2 marriages) Property distribution Start at equal, explain any deviation Ruff-Fischer guidelines Spousal support Ruff-Fischer guidelines Needs and abilities to pay Rehabilitative v. permanent Independent economic status Attorneys Fees N.D.C.C. § 14-05-23 N.D.C.C. § 28-26-01 (more for motions…)
  11. Typical Cases continued… Residential Responsibility Terminology Residential responsibility = custody Parenting time = visitation Legal custody = decision making Doesn’t mean anything unless defined
  12. Typical Cases continued… Residential Responsibility (by Summons and Complaint) Best Interest Factors -N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.2 Appendix page 27. When can a child choose? Testify –Reinke (intelligence, understanding and experience) What a court will look at (maturity and reasoning) Still only one of 13 factors and court can give it its appropriate weight Parenting Investigators Rule of Court 8.6 Neutral third party –lead to settlement Letter sent to clients when one assigned Appendix page 29. Parental alienation Random visits CYA
  13. Typical Cases continued… Modification of Residential Responsibility (Motion –post 2 years) N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.6 Appendix page 32. Two main things to take away: Prove “prima facie” case to get hearing Two years after judgment entered: Material change in circumstances Something not known at the time the judgment entered Best interests of the child
  14. Typical Cases continued… Modification of Residential Responsibility (Motion –within 2 years) N.D.C.C. § 14-09-06.6 Moratorium within first 2 years Stability Prevent bandying Still need to prove: “prima facie” But, within 2 years of previous judgment need to prove: Interference with parenting time Circumstances endangering child Actual residential responsibility has been changed for over 6 months
  15. Typical Cases continued… Parenting Time Disputes Obtaining parenting time N.D.C.C. § 14-05-22(2) Beneficial for child Not harmful to the child What is “normal”? Motions to modify time with child Material change in circumstances Best interests of the child Arguments depend on whether you want to increase or decrease time…
  16. Typical Cases continued… Parenting Time Disputes Moves out-of-state Stout-Hawkinson Factors: The prospective advantages of the move in improving the custodial parent's and child's quality of life, Testify but verify The integrity of the custodial parent's motive for relocation, considering whether it is to defeat or deter visitation by the noncustodial parent, The integrity of the noncustodial parent's motives for opposing the move, and The potential negative impact on the relationship... Less frequent, but greater duration
  17. Typical Cases continued… Contempt Recognition of the case 27-10 Definition: “contempt of court” means: a. Intentional misconduct in the presence of the court which interferes with the court proceeding or with the administration of justice, or which impairs the respect due the court; b. Intentional nonpayment of a sum of money ordered by the court to be paid in a case when by law execution cannot be awarded for the collection of the sum; c. Intentional disobedience, resistance, or obstruction of the authority, process, or order of a court or other officer, including a referee or magistrate; d. Intentional refusal of a witness to appear for examination, to be sworn or to affirm, or to testify after being ordered to do so by the court; e. Intentional refusal to produce a record, document, or other object after being ordered to do so by the court; f. Intentional behavior in derogation of any provision of a summons issued pursuant to rule 8.4 of the North Dakota Rules of Court; or g. Any other act or omission specified in the court rules or by law as a ground for contempt of court. Sanctions Attorney’s fees Jail Penalty for each day the contempt continues
  18. Typical Cases continued… Child Support Setting it Forms -http://www.nd.gov/dhs/services/childsupport/progserv/guidelines/guidelines.html Programs Modification N.D.C.C. § 14-09-08.4 Within 1 year = material change in circumstances Post 1 year = a change that results in a different obligation 36 months CSEU
  19. In The End Closing the File Letter disengaging representation Provision in stipulation/judgment Retention Policy Destruction Policy
  20. Contact Information Greg Liebl 4840 Amber Valley Pkwy. Ste. BFargo, ND 58104 701-297-2890 greg.liebl@swlattorneys.com Call or email me with any questions!
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