Your clients take it for granted that you'll be able to get them through the divorce process with a settlement that will be fair and will satisfy all their financial needs. Do you share their confidence? Obtain the knowledge you need to competently represent your clients and get the best settlement possible. Order today!

1. Getting a Divorce Case Off on the Right Foot
2. Dividing Assets and Debts Equitably
3. Exploring Custody, Visitation and Support Issues
4. Ethical Perils in Divorce Practice
5. Completing the Divorce

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. GETTING A DIVORCE CASE OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
   9:00 - 10:15, Susan S. Jensen
   1. Tactics for Thoroughly Interviewing the Client
   2. Review of Fundamental Documents in the Divorce Case
   3. Drafting an Inclusive Separation Agreement
   4. Conducting Effective Discovery
   5. Separating Joint Accounts
   6. Can You Establish Grounds for Divorce?
   7. Does Your Client Need a Protective Order?
   8. What Types of Divorce Procedures are Available?
   9. Using a Divorce Checklist to Make Sure Your Bases are Covered
   10. Taking the First Steps in Starting the Divorce Action
       1. Drafting Initial Divorce Proceedings
       2. What the Response Should Look Like
       3. Properly Serving Papers
   11. Negotiation, Mediation or Litigation – Making the Right Choice
   12. Potential Pitfalls That May be Encountered
2. DIVIDING ASSETS AND DEBTS EQUITABLY
   10:30 - 11:45, James R. Sharp
   1. Factoring in Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
   2. Ways to Identify Assets Acquired Before Marriage
   3. Which Assets are Exempt from Distribution?
   4. Tackling Tough Valuation Issues
   5. What are Considered Marital Assets?
   6. Retirement Plans, Pensions and Insurance: How are Long Term Assets Affected?
   7. Dividing Debt – Who is Liable?
   8. Modification and Enforcement of Asset Distribution
3. EXPLORING CUSTODY, VISITATION AND SUPPORT ISSUES
   12:45 - 2:00, Susan S. Jensen
   1. The Scope of Child Custody Jurisdiction and How it Will Affect You
   2. Types of Custody Arrangements
   3. Establishing and Enforcing Visitation
   4. Modification of Custody and Visitation Terms
   5. Review of Sample Custody Agreements
   6. Child Support Calculations and Modifications
   7. Determining Spousal Maintenance and Alimony
   8. Medical and Healthcare Considerations
   9. Dealing With the Relocation of a Child
4. ETHICAL PERILS IN DIVORCE PRACTICE
   2:15 - 3:15, James R. Sharp
   1. Controlling Client Relations and Recognizing Dishonesty
   2. When Withdrawal of Counsel is Appropriate
   3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   4. Confidentiality and Disclosure Issues
   5. Calculating Fair Attorneys' Fees
5. COMPLETING THE DIVORCE
   3:15 - 4:30, James R. Royce
   1. Drafting and Review of the Marital Settlement Agreement
      1. Key Components of the Successful Settlement Agreement
      2. Incorporating Necessary Standard Clauses
      3. Practical Considerations
   2. Final Divorce Wrap-Up Checklist
   3. Final Judgment or Decree of Divorce
   4. Appealing the Judgment or Divorce Decree
   5. Tackling Post Divorce Legal Problems

SUSAN S. JENSEN is an attorney in the law firm of Pratt, Fossard & Jensen, LLC, where she practices exclusively in family law, including family law appeals. She is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is also designated a "Super Lawyer" in the field of family law, which is a recognition of the top 5 percent of lawyers in Missouri as found by the publishers of Law and Politics. Ms. Jensen is a cum laude graduate of William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. She earned her J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law. She has served as a law clerk to three different Missouri appellate judges. Ms. Jensen has also served in leadership positions in groups concentrating on family law. She has chaired the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association Family Law Committee and is now serving in her second term as the Springfield representative to the Missouri Bar's Family Law section. She is a frequent lecturer on family law for the Missouri Bar and local bar associations. She was also a Missouri Bar Family Law section newsletter editor from 1999 to 2008.

JAMES R. ROYCE "Rick" is a partner in the law firm of Hosmer King & Royce, LLC. Mr. Royce specializes in family law and domestic relations, including dissolutions, paternity, guardianship, adoption and juvenile law. He graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. degree in history. He earned his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. Mr. Royce served as a Major in the United States Marine Corps from October 10, 1983 to May 1, 2006. He was the son of a small town doctor and always admired the positive effect he had upon the entire community by practicing his profession for those who need it. He says the practice of law allows him to combine the elements of professionalism his father displayed with his fascination for the legal system. Having been a divorced father himself, he became very sympathetic to what parents go through in raising children during difficult times. Mr. Royce believes that every parent is noteworthy for the effect they have on our society's future. 

JAMES R. SHARP is a partner in the law firm of Sharp & Bredesen, where he focuses his practice in domestic relations with an emphasis in appellate law. Mr. Sharp has been involved in this area of law since 1988. He has previously lectured for the Missouri Bar Family Law Conference and for the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association. Mr. Sharp earned his B.A. degree from Drury University and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia Law School. He is a member of the Missouri and Springfield Metropolitan Bar Associations.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com