Dear Esq.,   How do we find an address for our missing grandson? Before custody papers were filed my son’s ex-girlfriend fled with his son. The courts, lawyers, and everyone we have talked to cannot help until he gets an address to serve her papers for visitation. How do we…

Dear Esq., What is considered reasonable visitation? I would love to get my children as much as I can. Can you offer any advice? Thanks! Ken — Dear Ken, Perhaps no divorce or custody decree language has caused more trouble for fathers, mothers, and children, but most especially fathers, than…

Dear Esq., My ex-wife Mary and I separated before Matthew was born, not knowing he was coming. Matt is now 18. I’ve paid child support voluntarily for 18 years, every month. Mary, a Westchester County, NY elementary school teacher, makes almost twice as much money as I do. Matt just…

Dear Esq. My husband has a 9 year old daughter from a woman he barely knew. She is a woman who has 4 kids by 3 fathers and was never married to any of them. My husband found out he had a child from the District Attorney, not the woman….

By Dr. David Garrod Nov 28, 2004, 02:31 Summary: What we want to know is the true cost of raising children as a function of the income of the parents. However no such precise data exist. We have to infer the cost of raising children from the consumer expenditure surveys…

There are at least two types of state schemes for the division of marital property at the time of divorce or death. One of these types is called “equitable distribution”, by which the Court is supposed to look at the whole picture of the family’s assets, debts, and resources, and…

Dear Esq., My husband and I have been married for 21 years. We live in California, and I am considering a divorce. Is his 401K considered community property? What about our seperate IRA accounts? California is indeed a community property state. Generally speaking, anything acquired during the marriage is considered…

Sep 3, 2004, 20:11 Summary: Business owners who find themselves going through a divorce or separation are often suprised to find that, on top of all the other things with which they have to deal, their very business may be at stake – even at risk – and may become…

Attachment parenting is one of the most wonderful gifts which you can give to your children. Attachment parenting has as one of its hallmarks the fact that it is demonstrated, again and again, to raise very secure, well-grounded children. This makes attachment parenting even more important, if possible, when the…

Dear Esq., What are arbitration and mediation? Do they mean the same thing? Are they different? When should you use mediation or arbitration instead of using a lawyer or going to court? Thank you. Wondering — Dear Wondering, Arbitration and mediation are two forms of what is known as “alternative…