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Tags Domestic Violence, mass shooting

Domestic Violence in the Form of Economic Abuse

Post author By Scott
Post date October 22, 2014

Domestic violence is often only thought about in terms of physical abuse. But according to experts economic abuse, where the abusive partner controls access to the finances, can also play a part.

New Book Addresses Economic Domestic Violence

Ludy Green has worked with survivors of domestic violence for more than 20 years. And in 2001 she started Second Chance Employment Services, an employment agency that employs domestic violence survivors in an effort to create financial independence for those who have suffered economic abuse. Green feels economic abuse is a main reason for why women stay with abusive partners. As she writes in her book, Ending Domestic Violence Captivity: A Guide to Economic Freedom, “Why does she stay? Despite appearances to the contrary, the decision to stay is not a decision at all. She stays because she lacks the power to leave.”

Forms of Economic Abuse

Economic abuse can take many forms. Here are a few of the tactics abusers employ to control and isolate their victims:

Sabotaging Employment

There are numerous ways an abuser can sabotage a victim’s employment ability. The abuser can cause physical injuries so humiliating that the victim does not want to go to work. Sleep deprivation, harassing the victim during work, refusing to provide child care, or withholding use of a car, are all ways to keep a victim from being able to work. “Maybe he says ‘You don’t need to drive anymore, I can drive you,’ and then he stops taking you,” says Green. “A big part of domestic abuse is isolating the person, separating her from her friends, from the family, from other people.”

Controlling Finances

Another form of economic abuse is when the abuser takes full control of the finances, preventing the victim from accessing the bank account. This also allows the abuser to withhold access to cash so that the victim is completely dependent.

Stealing Money / Creating Debt

Some abusers, after having gained control of the finances, steal from their victims. Recently, there has been a trend in abusers employing identity fraud. By racking up debt it destroys the victim’s credit rating, thus depleting the ability to get out from under financial burden.

Economic Unpredictability

Another tactic is to undermine a victim’s sense of safety and security through offering access to money in an inconsistent way.

Deprivation of Financial Power

Depriving a victim of financial power means they are completely reliant on the abuser. “When someone is in an abusive relationship, they are basically deprived of power — they are in a state of domestic captivity,” Green said. “If women have some financial security, they are much more empowered and are more likely to be able to escape.”

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: The Huffington Post, The Insidious Form Of Domestic Violence That No One Talks About, October 21, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Child Custody

4 Killed in Child Custody Dispute

Post author By Scott
Post date October 20, 2014

According to police, a Virgina man went on a murderous rampage following a child custody dispute. The man gunned down his ex-girlfriend, their child, and another woman who had been acting as a mediator between the two, before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide, said police.

The Child Custody Dispute

According to reports, Traymont B. Burton, 21, shot and killed 19-year-old Adreena D. Gary, who had been trying to act as a mediator between him and his ex-girlfriend, Michelle S. Kelly, 22. He killed Gary outside his ex’s home, then went inside and gunned down Kelly, and the son the share, Keytrell Kelly, 2. He then killed himself. Allegedly, Burton and Kelly were in the midst of a child custody dispute over the custody of their son, Keytrell. Police responded to a “shots fired” call around 8:21 p.m. When they arrived minutes later, they saw the gruesome scene. According to neighbors,it was a chilling scene.

Adreena Gary

According to Adreena Gary’s family, the community college student had been working towards a criminal justice degree and hoped to eventually become a lawyer. She was trying to act as a mediator between Burton and Kelly. According to sister Andrea Gary, “Adreena was a fun, loving, warm-hearted individual who stopped at no end to help those around her.”

“It’s just shocking, and the lady used to keep my kids,” said neighbor Chantell Woolridge. “And the thought in my mind is, what if my kids were there?”

Michelle Kelly

According to Kelly’s sister, Shaheem Simmons, Kelly was a mom who doted on her son. “She was more like my sister. We lived together my whole life as a child. I watched her grow as a woman,” Simmons wrote in a Facebook post. “If you knew her you knew she was sweet, respectful, caring, drama free and a mother — a real mom.”

If you are facing a divorce, or a child custody dispute, you should contact a lawyer that can help legally protect you, as well as put together a case that can help ensure the safety of your family.

Source: New York Daily News, Four dead in Richmond custody dispute turned murder-suicide: cops, October 9, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Child Custody, child custody dispute

Child Custody Child Support Family Law High Net-Worth Divorce

Pacer’s Star in Middle of Child Custody Dispute

Post author By Scott
Post date October 17, 2014

NBA player Paul George and Daniela Rajic, a former dancer at Tootsie’s Cabaret in Miami are close to finalizing their child custody dispute. According to George’s lawyer, the two are finalizing a “joint parenting, joint decision-making” resolution over their 5-month-old daughter, Olivia.

Paternity Suit and Child Custody Battle

George,24, a forward for the Indiana Pacers, was locked in a nasty custody battle with Rajic, 24, when she brought a paternity suit against him after baby Olivia was born in May. It sounds like that battle is coming to an end. Just this past week, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Matthew Cooper, the judge presiding over their custody case, joked it was a “love fest” between the two. He was pleased to see that George and Rajic chatting before the hearing began. He went on to say it looked like “two people who understand they’re going to be tied together for a real long time,” Cooper said. Adding, “They will both be participating in their daughter’s life, and that makes me feel extremely gratified. I am very pleased that this case has moved forward the way it has.”

George Hasn’t Met Daughter

George has not yet met his daughter, and in prior hearings Cooper skewered George for dodging the paternity suit. The basketball player had failed to appear at court dates, despite being able easily attend press conferences and traveling. “He has gone to every length imaginable to avoid taking responsibility for his actions,” the judge wrote. George’s new attorney, Harriet N. Cohen, said, “Paul George is looking forward to a very, very wonderful relationship with his daughter.”

Must Finalize Resolution

The parents will not be required to return to court as long as they finalize a resolution. The agreement will also include child support. In May, Rajic filed the paternity suit against George in Manhattan Family Court. George responded with his own filing, in Florida, seeking full custody of their daughter. George claimed shared custody would be “detrimental” to Olivia because Rajic is unemployed. She’s now taken on the roll of a full-time mother, while living with her parents. “I’m happy everything’s resolved and is moving forward. We’ll be wonderful parents,” she beamed.

George broke his right leg during practice with Team USA in August. He is out for recovery.

Source: New York Post, Pacers star’s parenting deal with ex-stripper baby mama, October 17, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Child Custody, child custody dispute, Child Support, child support payments

Divorce Family Law

California: The Place to be for Same-Sex Divorce

Post author By Scott
Post date October 16, 2014

If you’re in a same-sex marriage and want a divorce, you might find yourself with a bit of an issue. There are two questions you’ll need to answer: will the state that granted your marriage actually recognize your divorce? And will the state you currently reside in grant you a divorce if it does not recognize same-sex marriage?

California: Your Answer

If you find yourself in a state that will not grant you a divorce, you might want to consider divorcing in California. California divorce laws require a 6 month residency for divorce – regardless of the spouses’ sex. But California also will permit same-sex couples who are not residents of California to also get divorced here under special circumstances – namely if the couple were married in California and the state they live in will not dissolve their marriage.

Couples in Limbo

Unfortunately, a lot of same-sex couples are left in limbo when they seek divorce as a lot of states still do not recognize same-sex marriages, and thus do not grant same sex divorces. And just like with any other marriage heading towards divorce, remaining married is not a wise decision. All rights and responsibilities remain intact until legal divorce proceedings are initiated.

How and Where to File

If you and your spouse were married in California and the state you live in will not dissolved your marriage, you should file in the California county where you were married. You might also want to consider hiring an attorney who is experienced in same-sex divorces. Since the laws are fairly new, you’ll want someone who has had experience and knows how to get you the best settlement possible. Even if you do not need to go to court, you might want to consider an attorney – they’ll be able to advise you on the correct forms and process steps that are required for legally dissolving your same-sex marriage.

Source: Lawyers.com, Same-Sex Divorce For Out of State Residents, October 3, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Divorce, divorce laws, new divorce laws, same-sex divorce

Divorce

The Catholic Church Might be Reconsidering Divorce

Post author By Scott
Post date October 13, 2014

A new document released by the Vatican seems to be calling for the church to change its current stance on divorce, gay people, and unmarried couples, as well as the children of these less “traditional” families.

12-Page Preliminary Report

While the preliminary 12-page report, written by a committee of those hand-picked by the pope, will not alter Roman Catholic doctrine or teaching, it does mark a change towards understanding and mercy, and one that falls in line with Pope Francis’ papacy. The report will now be subject to debate and revision at the assembly of 200 Catholic bishops, also called the synod.

The report goes on to say that without abandoning current church teachings regarding the sacrament of marriage, pastor should recognize there are “positive aspects of civil unions and cohabitation.” That marks a large departure from traditional Catholic feelings that such couples “live in sin.”

Responses and Objections

The reading of the document was followed by responses and objections from 41 of the gathered bishops, those who seem to be in alignment with Francis’ vision, and those whole feel the church is running the risk of betraying traditional doctrines regarding marriage and homosexuality.

The synod’s special secretary, Archbishop Bruno Forte said that though the church doesn’t condone gay unions or gay marriage, it must “respect the dignity of every person.” He continued, “The fundamental idea is the centrality of the person independently of sexual orientation.”

Next Steps

The report will next be subject to scrutinization of the bishops in attendance. A final report will then be released to churches around the world for discussion over the next year. A second synod will then be held in Rome next October. Regardless of the consultation and debate, Pope Francis will still ultimately set the course.

According to Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle of Manila the report is a marker by which bishops can “see what needs to be deepened, what needs to be clarified, and what other things should be raised, which we have not yet raised.”

For advice on divorce, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: The New York Times, Vatican Signals More Tolerance Toward Gays and Divorce, October 13, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Divorce

Child Support Family Law

Kenya Takes to FB to “Deadbeat Parents”

Post author By Scott
Post date October 10, 2014

Single parents in Kenya are taking to a new Facebook page to express their frustrations with “deadbeat parents” who have abandoned their children.

“Dead Beat Kenya”

The page, named Dead Beat Kenya seeks to turn a very public eye on absentee parents, in an attempt to expose them. The page jarringly shares pictures, phone numbers, as well as other private details of the alleged deadbeat parents.

Founder Jackson Njeru, started the page after seeing of Dead Beat Kenya, said he started it after seeing countless women struggling to raise children on their own. “This thing is happening in all families — we have people getting kids and running away,” he said. “Our kids are being violated.”

Accused Can Defend Themselves

While it might seem a little extreme, Njeru asks the accuser to provide any information they may have to validate the claims. He also tracks down the accused to give them a chance at defending themselves. “We call both parties. It’s a challenge to verify,” he said. “But I remind people that they’ll be sued for defamation if they make false accusations.”

Despite cries of outrage and numerous lawsuits filed against him, Njeru stands by his posts. “For me it’s all about the children. If I’m going to be jailed about the children, let it be,” he said. According to him, the Facebook group has helped to resolve close to 25 cases offline, mostly due to the fact that the alleged absentee fathers decided to try to resolve the issue after the initial verification call. Once a resolution is reached, administrators remove the post.

Opposition

Opposition to the page feel it is not only ripe for defamation lawsuits, but also might be a source of embarrassment for children whose parents have been named.

Judy Thongori, a family attorney in Nairobi, feels parents should first try to resolve issues offline and in person. “If that fails,” she said, “there’s a court system in place to help aggrieved parties.” However, Thongori also admits that going to court can be a long, painstaking, and often costly process. Njeru adds that the courts are also rife with corruption, and often give the wealthier parent the advantage. “The aggrieved mothers and fathers who publish information on this page reserve their rights to pursue their interests for care, custody and maintenance of the abandoned children,” he said. In just a week, Dead Beat Kenya attracted roughly 180,000 members.

Njeru has no plans to remove the page.

For advice on child support, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: CNN, ‘Dead Beat Kenya’ Facebook page claims to expose absentee parents, September 19, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Child Support, child support payments, deadbeat parents

Domestic Violence

Los Angeles: Rise in Domestic Violence

Post author By Scott
Post date October 9, 2014

Domestic violence cases in Los Angeles in the past year have increased significantly, according to police. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and City Attorney Mike Feuer want the Los Angeles victims of domestic violence to know they are not alone in fighting back.

200 New Domestic Violence Cases a Week

According to Feuer, his office sees about 11,000 domestic violence cases per year. That roughly equates to 200 new cases every week. “We get bumps from year to year, but this year is a significant increase,” Chief Beck said. “Now whether that’s an increase in reporting or an actual increase in occurrences is very hard to parse out.” But the LAPD has received 1,500 more reports this year, so far, marking at 18 percent increase. And the number of cases reported to the LA County Sheriff’s Department is up 3.8 percent.

More Resources for the Community

According to Beck, the reason behind the increase is unknown, but the LAPD is trying to figure it out. His hope is to provide the community with more information about resources, such as locations of shelters for battered women, legal services, and financial planning. “These are very difficult crimes to suppress with more police,” Beck said. “This is about more education. This is about talking through things and learning ways to deal with conflict.”

Prevention of Domestic Violence

While responding to incidents is crucial, it might not necessarily be the best way to combat domestic violence. More needs to be done to prevent domestic violence. “As a culture, we keep trying respond to the abuse and help. We’re not doing enough on the other end from preventing it from happening in the first place,” said Patti Giggans said, executive director of LA-based Peace Over Violence. The organization provides counseling, legal aid, and other assistance to Los Angeles domestic violence victims.

For advice on domestic violence, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: NBC Los Angeles, Domestic Violence Cases in Los Angeles on the Rise, September 20, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550

Tags Domestic Violence, domestic violence statistics

Child Custody

A Father’s Child Custody Rights

Post author By Scott
Post date October 8, 2014

If you’re a father facing divorce, there might be a question on your mind: Will my wife be automatically granted child custody rights?

No!

The answer to that question, is “no.” As long as the two of you are married, you have the same legal rights to your children that your wife does. And you will have joint legal custody and joint physical custody of your children unless a court determines otherwise. Just because you are the father does not mean that you automatically lose your right to custody of your children.

What You Can Do to Defend Your Right to Child Custody

But just because you have a legal right, that doesn’t mean you’ll always have a legal right – especially if your wife wants full custody. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:

Consult an attorney – if this is possible, do so before either party has filed for divorce. An attorney will be able to file a custody petition and an access order and thus protect your rights as a father.
Have your attorney compose a written agreement with your wife’s attorney regarding the children. This should outline where the children will live, visitation schedules, and how child related expenses are to be handled.

Use Your Legal Rights to Child Custody

Men often have a misconception that the Family Court System favors women. But rather, you need to use the court system in a way that helps rather than hinder. Don’t be scared off because of your preconceived ideas regarding family court. Rather, find a way to get involved and stay involved. Proving that you are willing to fight for your custody rights shows that you deserve custody rights.

For advice on child custody, you need the expert law firm of Divorce Law LA. Schedule a consultation today.

Source: Divorce Support, Can My Wife Take The Children If She Leaves?, 2014

33 S. Catalina Ave. Ste. 202

Pasadena, Ca. 91106

(626) 478-3550