Parental Alienation and Abuse (Plus Relocation) in Divorce Litigation

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Developing a Strategy to Prove Parental Alienation
   10:00 - 10:30, Jillian C. Keating
   1. Defining Alienation: Mental Health and Legal Perspectives
   2. What Parental Alienation Looks Like in the Pandemic and Beyond
   3. Structuring Your Approach Based on the Age of the Child
2. Obtaining Social Media, Text, and Email Evidence
   10:30 - 11:15, Janet L. Gemmell
3. Using Custody Evaluators and Written Reports to Prove/Disprove Alienation
   11:30 - 12:15, Heather W. Forshey
4. Admissibility of Evidence and Expert Testimony: Overcoming Top Challenges
   12:15 - 12:45, Heather W. Forshey
5. Witness Examination to Bolster Your Case
   12:45 - 1:30, Janet L. Gemmell
   1. Identifying Witnesses That Will Strengthen Your Case
   2. Key Questions You Need to Ask
6. Facing False Abuse Allegations Head-On
   2:00 - 2:45, Heather W. Forshey
7. Legal Ethics in Divorce Proceedings Involving Children
   2:45 - 3:45, Jillian C. Keating
   1. Child Testimony and Attorney Contact with Children
   2. Client Confidentiality
   3. Mandatory Reporting Issues
   4. Attorney Duty as Counselor
   5. Common Mistakes That Lead to Malpractice
8. Relocation Challenges in Custody Cases
   4:00 - 5:00, Tyler J. Crima
   1. UCCJEA, Jurisdictional Hurdles
   2. Notice Requirements and Procedures
   3. How to Prove Relocation is Reasonable
   4. Contesting Relocation
   5. Cost of Living, Income and Other Financial/Support Considerations
   6. Moves Within the State vs. Crossing State Lines
   7. What to do When Parents Relocate Without Notice

Accreditation Details:

Tyler J. Crima is a family law attorney with Cape Fear Family Law in North Carolina. Mr. Crima practices exclusively in the area of family law. He received his B.S. degree from St. Joseph's College and his J.D. degree from Elon University School of Law.

Heather W. Forshey opened Raleigh Divorce Law Firm in May 2010. Ms. Williams Forshey is a board certified family law specialist, is certified as a family financial mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission, and is also a certified parenting coordinator. Her firm only handles divorce, domestic issues, adoptions, appeals of family law issues, and related matters. Ms. Williams Forshey is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association. She is involved in a number of pro bono efforts, including representing domestic violence victims through Legal Aid's Advocacy program, handling appeals for the Guardian ad Litem program, and assisting with fundraising efforts for the Friends of the Wake County Guardian ad Litem program. Ms. Williams Forshey earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from Elon University and her J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Janet L. Gemmell is the founder and managing member of Cape Fear Family Law with offices in Wilmington and Jacksonville, North Carolina. Ms. Gemmell is a board certified family law specialist. She focuses her practice on family law issues, including child custody issues, relocation matters, equitable distribution (or in other words division) of property, and alimony and spousal support. Ms. Gemmell has been a contributing writer and public speaker on divorce law topics for local publications and a national magazine, and is an active presenter of continuing legal education seminars. She also manages her firm’s vlog on YouTube. Ms. Gemmell is a member of the North Carolina State Bar's Family Law Section, as well as the American Bar Association and The Florida Bar. Ms. Gemmell earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and her J.D. degree from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University.

 

Jillian C. Keating is a founding partner at Keating Douglas, LLP, in Carmel Indiana. Ms. Keating concentrates her practice in the areas of criminal defense and family law. Her experience in her family law practice includes divorce, custody disputes, child support, paternity, and post-dissolution matters, including establishing post-secondary education orders or modification of child support. Her in criminal defense practice includes, but is not limited to, defending OWI or DUI charges, drug possession and dealing, battery, minor consumption/illegal possession of alcohol, violations of probation and community corrections programs, expungements through Indiana's second chance law, and helping to assist people across Indiana in obtaining driving privileges through the specialized driving privilege statutes. Ms. Keating  is a courtroom litigator and has argued before the Indiana Supreme Court. She is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. Ms. Keating earned her B.A. degree from Valparaiso University and her J.D. degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.