Top Challenges in Maryland Family Law

Agenda / Content Covered

All times are shown in Eastern time

1. Overcoming Discovery and Evidence Obstacles in Family Law
   9:00 - 9:45, Debra B. Cruz
   1. Smart Phone, Text and Social Media Evidence - Uncovering Critical Information
   2. Balancing the Need for Information and the Cost
   3. Spoliation Pitfalls
   4. Subpoenas for Cell Phone Records and Social Media - Confronting Common Defenses
   5. Authentication and Admission Evidence Challenges
2. Complex Assets: Finding, Valuing and Dividing
   9:45 - 10:30, Lynndolyn T. Mitchell
   1. Commingled Separate and Marital Assets
   2. Real Property Interests
   3. Valuing and Dividing Family Business Assets
   4. Finding Hidden Assets, Income and Debt
   5. Using Forensic Accountants and Business Valuation Experts
   6. Prenuptial Agreements: Proving/Disproving Validity
3. QDROs: Solutions to Common Challenges
   10:45 - 11:30, Debra B. Cruz
   1. Different Plans, Different Methods of Division, Different Difficulties
      1. Defined Benefit Plans
      2. Defined Contribution Plans
      3. Government Plans
   2. Settlement Agreement Challenges
      1. Do They Align with QDROs?
      2. Are Tax Consequences Factored in?
   3. Complications that Cause Malpractice Allegations
4. Child and Spousal Support: Top Issues that MUST be Addressed
   11:30 - 12:15, William M. Ferris
   1. UIFSA and Jurisdictional Issues
   2. New Tax Laws Affecting Support
   3. Imputed Income
   4. Analysis of the Current Child Support Model
   5. Arguing Spousal Support
   6. Enforcement Options
   7. Modification and Termination Procedures and Tactics
   8. Case Law Update
5. Military Divorce
   1:15 - 1:50, William M. Ferris
   1. Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act Updates
   2. Current Case Law
   3. Jurisdictional Considerations
   4. Custody and Visitation Issues
   5. Child and Spousal Support
   6. Military Pension, Retirement and Benefits
   7. Survivor Benefit Plan for Retired Military Personnel
   8. Military Reservists' Retirement Benefits
   9. Survivorship and Military Disability Benefits
   10. Federal Health Benefit Concerns
   11. Contempt
6. High-Conflict Custody and Parenting Time Concerns
   1:50 - 2:35, Lisa Seltzer Becker
   1. Negotiating/Drafting Pitfalls: Avoiding Provisions that Lead to Disputes
   2. Custody Evaluations Reports - How, What and When to Challenge
   3. UCCJEA and Relocation - Key Challenges
   4. Temporary Orders for Custody - Getting What You Want
   5. Custody Concerns in Same-Sex Couples
   6. When to Modify or Terminate the Parenting Plan
7. Parental Alienation and Abuse Allegations: Key Hurdles for Proving/Disproving
   2:50 - 3:30, Lisa Seltzer Becker
   1. Proving Alienation: Mental Health vs. Court Views
   2. Witness Examination: GALs, Parenting Coordinators and More
   3. Key Challenges in Admissibility of Evidence and Testimony
   4. Fighting Against False Allegations
8. Ethics in Family Law
   3:30 - 4:30, Lynndolyn T. Mitchell
   1. Managing Client Expectations
   2. Limited Scope Representation
   3. Dealing with Difficult Clients
   4. Researching and Preventing Conflicts of Interest
   5. Communication with Adverse Party

LISA SELTZER BECKER is a principal in the Bethesda Office of Offit Kurman, Attorneys At Law. Her practice has always focused on family law and education law. In her family law practice, she is experienced in high-asset and high-income individuals in divorce; high-conflict divorces and custody cases; post-divorce enforcement and custody modifications; representing parents of special needs children in custody cases; and representing clients who have experienced domestic violence and drafting and negotiating premarital and post-marital agreements. In her education practice, Ms. Becker has been successful in preventing students from expulsion and obtaining settlements removing suspensions from students' records and representing college students in Title IX hearings. She is the co-chair of the Education Law Section of the Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland. Ms. Becker is licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Maryland and her J.D. degree from the American University, Washington College of Law.

DEBRA B. CRUZ is a principal with the law firm of Levin & Gann, P.A., where she practices in the areas of general civil litigation, domestic relations, divorces, custody disputes, child support, alimony, and mediation. She is an attorney mediator in the family division of Baltimore City Circuit Court. Ms. Cruz is a member of the Baltimore City Bar (Family Law Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, Ethics Committee, and chair of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee), Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland Peer Review Committee, Baltimore County Professional Committee, and Baltimore-Carroll Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association (Board of Directors). She has lectured on recent developments in Maryland family law. Ms. Cruz earned her B.A. degree, with honors, and her J.D. degree from the University of Florida.

WILLIAM M. FERRIS is a general practice attorney. He represents clients locally, regionally, and nationally in several areas of law including military law, family law, criminal defense, tax law, appellate law, and estate planning. Mr. Ferris is a former adjunct faculty member for the Anne Arundel Community College for the Paralegal Studies Program and the University of Baltimore School of Law for the Legal Skills Program. He is a retired commander, United States Navy; and is member of the Anne Arundel County Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Maritime Law Association of the United States (proctor). Mr. Ferris earned his B.S. degree, with distinction, from the United States Naval Academy; and both his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, and his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

LYNNDOLYN T. MITCHELL is the owner of the Law Office of Lynndolyn T. Mitchell P.C., in Rockville, Maryland. Ms. Mitchell has been representing clients from all economic and social backgrounds in juvenile, family, misdemeanor criminal, and traffic matters in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia for more than 30 years. She has served as a senior assistant public defender in Virginia Beach in Juvenile Division and Felony Trial Division, and deputy public defender in the Juvenile Division of the Riverside County Public Defender's Office. Ms. Mitchell has represented juveniles in delinquency and dependency matters in California, Virginia, and Maryland. She served an assistant adjunct professor for the University of Maryland University College's Europe (UMUC) in the disciplines of paralegal studies and criminal justice. Ms. Mitchell has extensive experience representing military families in all aspects of family law matters. She is a member of Maryland State Bar Association's Solo Small Firm Section, served as co-chair of the Education Law Section, and has served as a member of the school board at Montrose Christian School in Rockville. Ms. Mitchell is admitted to practice in Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Montgomery County. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Irvine and her J.D. degree from Antioch School of Law, Washington, D.C. Ms. Mitchell has handled pro bono education law matters for the Maryland Disability Law Center.