AAML NJ Blog

By: Soberlink | AAML Bronze Sponsor

5 Most Common Issues Family Law Attorneys Should Avoid with Alcohol Monitoring

Implementing alcohol monitoring in family law cases can be challenging, as each case requires specific protocols to ensure effectiveness. Avoiding common pitfalls can prevent unintended consequences that impact both the client and the family dynamic. Here are the top four areas that family law attorneys should take care of.

1. Selecting Inadequate Technology and Support

Choosing reliable alcohol monitoring technology is essential for consistent, court-admissible results. Traditional methods, like random lab tests, fail to offer real-time data, creating gaps in monitoring. For optimal results, attorneys should prioritize tools with real-time reporting, facial recognition, and tamper detection—features that make systems like Soberlink effective for child custody cases. Ensuring that support services are available for questions or court appearances can also be crucial to successful monitoring.

2. Setting Incorrect Testing Schedules and Frequencies

Improper testing schedules can result in missed alcohol consumption. Ideally, monitoring should occur 3-4 times per day, with tests spaced no more than 8-10 hours apart to detect overnight drinking. Every case has unique demands; thus, testing schedules should be customized. Overloading a parent with unnecessary tests can be overwhelming and counterproductive, so attorneys should create reasonable schedules tailored to each client’s circumstances. Soberlink offers multiple programs that allow for either limited parenting-time tests or consistent daily monitoring.

3. Imposing Unrealistic Protocols Outside System Capabilities

Attorneys may inadvertently set clients up for failure by requesting monitoring protocols outside the system’s capabilities. For instance, Soberlink’s Level 2 Program allows up to four tests daily within specific time windows, with a built-in, two-hour test window flexibility. Customizing testing windows beyond the system’s design can create unrealistic expectations and noncompliance, which could unfairly affect the parent. Attorneys should work within the monitoring system’s framework to avoid placing undue strain on clients.

4. Excessive Penalties for Missed Tests

Assigning strict penalties for every missed test can create unnecessary tension and disrupt family interactions. Missed tests should be considered thoughtfully, as there are often valid reasons for a delay in submitting a test.

Considering Missed Tests in Context:

• Defining a Missed Test: A Missed Test means a scheduled test wasn’t completed within the allowed timeframe, usually a two-hour window. In Soberlink’s Level 2 - Daily Testing Program, this results in a Missed Test with a yellow notification on the reports, while in the Level 1 - Parenting Time Only Program, the parents will need to document the missed tests.
  

• Reasons for Missed Tests: Missed tests can occur due to common situations, such as leaving the device behind, interruptions from daily responsibilities, or unexpected events.
  

• Adaptation and Communication: Rather than issuing immediate consequences, Missed Tests should lead to a conversation to adjust the schedule as needed. This approach can help refine the monitoring plan to better align with the person’s daily routine.
  

• Prioritizing Family Stability: It’s essential to foster a positive environment for everyone involved. Excessive penalties can create strain, whereas open discussions help families stay cohesive and accountable. A thoughtful approach centers on the child’s well-being while ensuring all parties feel supported.

Note: In Soberlink’s Level 1 - Parenting Time Only Program, there are no missed tests as the schedule relies on shared tools managed by the family rather than being managed by Soberlink’s system.

5. Underestimating the Necessary Monitoring Duration

Determining the right duration for alcohol monitoring is essential to establish a pattern of sobriety. For individuals with an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), experts recommend at least one year of monitoring to demonstrate sustained sobriety. Even those without a formal diagnosis benefit from a 6-12 month monitoring period, providing sufficient time to confirm reliable sobriety patterns. Setting an appropriate duration supports a safe environment for the child and helps ensure long-term stability for all parties.

Conclusion

By selecting the right technology, establishing realistic testing protocols, setting appropriate schedules, and committing to a sufficient monitoring duration, family law attorneys can effectively support a safe and stable environment for children involved in custody cases. Avoiding these common pitfalls not only promotes accountability but also fosters a balanced approach that considers the needs of both the child and the parent. Thoughtful alcohol monitoring practices help safeguard families and ensure that court-mandated sobriety requirements are met with integrity and fairness.

By: LEAP Legal Software | AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

Why Accurate Time Tracking is Critical for Profitability

In New Jersey’s fast-paced legal landscape, particularly in family law, law firms must deliver high-quality services while maintaining profitability. Effective time and resource management are paramount to achieving these goals. Legal practice management software has evolved into an essential tool, automating time-consuming tasks such as time tracking, case management, document handling, and billing—freeing attorneys to focus on providing excellent legal counsel to their clients during often difficult family law cases.

The Importance of Accurate Time Tracking in Family Law 

One of the greatest challenges New Jersey family law firms face is ensuring accurate time tracking. Family law cases, from divorce proceedings to custody disputes, often involve complex, emotionally charged work. As most family law firms rely heavily on billable hours, even small inefficiencies can lead to significant revenue loss. Yet, many attorneys continue to use manual processes, which are not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Given the multiple tasks attorneys manage throughout the day—such as client consultations, drafting legal documents, and court appearances—forgotten or inaccurately logged time can result in missed billable work, directly impacting profitability.

Manual time tracking also presents administrative hurdles. Instead of dedicating time to providing legal guidance during sensitive matters like child custody or alimony, family law attorneys often find themselves bogged down by administrative tasks like logging hours and verifying timesheets. The risk of human error is high, which can lead to billable tasks being missed or inaccurately recorded. Over time, these inefficiencies can have a substantial impact on a firm’s bottom line. To overcome these challenges, family law firms in New Jersey can adopt legal practice management software with automated time-tracking capabilities.

The Benefits of Automated Legal Time Tracking

Automated time tracking is a game-changer for law firms, particularly in the family law sector. It eliminates the need for manual entries, reduces human error, and ensures that all billable activities are captured. This prevents revenue leakage and improves operational efficiency, allowing family law firms to focus on their primary goal—helping families resolve legal issues while maintaining profitability.

Accurate time-tracking software also enhances transparency, which is crucial for building client trust. In family law, where emotions often run high, clients want to know exactly what they’re being billed for. When firms provide detailed billing based on precise time records, disputes over fees are significantly reduced. Transparent billing not only reflects professionalism but also sets a firm apart in a competitive legal market.

Additionally, automated time tracking offers valuable insights into resource allocation. Family law firms can analyze how time is spent, make informed staffing and workflow decisions, and optimize their operations. For routine tasks that consume too much time, automation or delegation may be the best solution, allowing attorneys to focus on more valuable work such as mediation or trial preparation. 

LEAP’s AutoTime: Ensuring Accurate and Automated Time Tracking

The LEAP practice management platform with its intelligent AutoTime feature, is a clear stand-out as a robust tool for family law firms, ensuring that no billable activity is missed. AutoTime maximizes billable hours via smart activity monitoring that automatically tracks and records time spent on tasks like drafting motions, writing emails, attending meetings, and conducting legal research—without the need for manual timers.

AutoTime identifies unbilled hours and provides firms with data-driven insights to improve profitability. Whether working on time-sensitive cases like emergency custody orders or managing high-stakes divorce settlements, LEAP’s AutoTime ensures that every minute of work is accounted for, preventing revenue loss and enhancing efficiency.

Interested in learning more about how you can save time with automatic time tracking? Click here to learn more.

By: Tasha Shadle, Founder and Wealth Management Advisor at Crossover Capital | AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

Helping a client determine whether to keep the marital home, I believe, is a critical and often emotional decision in divorce proceedings. Guiding clients through the financial feasibility of this choice is essential to help ensure they make sustainable and well- informed decisions.

Here’s a step-by step approach to assessing the financial feasibility:

1. Review Current Income and Expenses: Start by using the CIS Statement and building upon it. Make sure ALL expenses are included.

2. Estimate Home-Related Costs: Let the client know that it is not solely about the mortgage payments when it comes to the maintenance of the home. They will need to budget for property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, general maintenance, and potential repair costs. Encourage them to get quotes on upcoming maintenance needs and typical repair costs, which can provide them with a more comprehensive view of home-related expenses.

3. Establish a Post-Divorce Budget: The goal here is to help the client create a reasonable post-divorce budget, including new mortgage payments after refinancing in their name alone. The budget should be one they can realistically live with while not being overly stressful for them. You can also recommend that they leave a little margin for those surprising expenses that always seem to pop up. I suggest setting aside at least 1-2% of your home’s value each year for maintenance. If you do not use the full amount, save the remainder for years when bigger repairs, like replacing the roof or HVAC system, are needed.

4. Consider Potential Income Changes: Encourage clients to think about potential changes to their income, such as career advancements, changes in employment status, or the end of spousal and child support. Being prepared for this type of change makes the decision to retain the home viable for the long term.

5. Instruct Clients to Seek the Advice of a Financial Advisor: This will help them understand their situation better. We can model out different scenarios (using sophisticated software programs that you can use in court and for negotiations) that provide significant insight into managing finances and evaluating the feasibility of keeping the home.

6. Plan for the Worst-Case Scenario: It’s prudent to advise clients to consider what might happen if unexpected events like job loss or medical emergencies occur. Having a backup plan, such as maintaining a savings cushion to cover mortgage payments during tough times, is essential for ensuring long-term stability.

By guiding your clients through these steps, you can help them make educated decisions about keeping the marital home. This approach balances their emotional attachment with their financial realities, allowing them to maintain stability and security post-divorce. 

By: Soberlink | AAML Bronze Sponsor

As matrimonial lawyers, you’re no stranger to the complexities that arise in parenting time cases. One of the most challenging issues you may encounter is alcohol misuse by one of the parents. The prevalence of alcohol in parenting time disputes is an unfortunate reality that can significantly impact the outcome of a case and, most importantly, the well-being of the children involved. Being prepared to handle these cases with the right tools and knowledge is crucial, and that’s where Soberlink comes into play.

Understanding the Prevalence of Alcohol in Parenting Time Cases

Alcohol-related issues are more common in parenting time disputes than many realize. Whether it’s a parent with a history of substance abuse or allegations of alcohol misuse during parenting time exchanges, these situations add layers of complexity to already sensitive cases. For matrimonial lawyers, it’s essential to be proactive in addressing these challenges. The question isn’t just about whether alcohol misuse is present but about how you, as a legal professional, can provide clear, admissible evidence to support your case.

The Need for Reliable Technology

In dealing with cases involving alcohol misuse, the importance of using reliable technology cannot be overstated. While there are various alcohol monitoring solutions available, not all are created equal. Cheap alternatives might seem appealing, but they often come with significant risks. These systems can be easy to cheat, providing a false sense of security that could jeopardize the outcome of a case.

Soberlink stands apart in this regard. Specifically designed for recovery and family law, Soberlink’s technology is tailored to meet the unique needs of matrimonial lawyers. Unlike criminal-focused technologies, Soberlink offers a comprehensive approach that ensures accuracy, reliability, and, most importantly, court-admissible results.

The Honorable Judge Diaz has seen the impact firsthand, stating, “Soberlink has provided Family Court with a great real-time accountability tool for any family requiring alcohol monitoring while co-parenting.” Family Law Attorney Laura Wasser adds, “Take the guesswork out, take the negotiations out, take the allegations out, and simply provide the information that’s been requested so there is no question or concern that could be raised with the court.” This kind of assurance is invaluable in the courtroom, where the stakes are often incredibly high.

Dr. Aaron Robb, Forensic Therapist, emphasizes the necessity of investing in quality tools, stating, “Nobody should try to do this work on the cheap. You get it good, or you get it cheap, and we need good for these kids in these Family Law cases.” His words serve as a reminder that when it comes to the safety and well-being of children, there’s no room for compromise.

Soberlink’s Unique Advantages

Soberlink isn’t just about technology; it’s about providing a complete solution for family law professionals. With a dedicated in-house support and Compliance team, Soberlink ensures that you have the resources you need to analyze tests and make informed decisions. The system’s facial recognition and tamper detection features add an extra layer of security, giving you and the court confidence in the results.

Schedule a Lunch and Learn with Soberlink

To help you stay ahead in these challenging cases, Soberlink invites you to schedule a Lunch and Learn session. These sessions are designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge about alcohol monitoring in parenting time cases and how Soberlink can support your efforts. Not only will you gain valuable insights, but your firm will also receive a physical certificate to display in your office, showcasing your commitment to using reliable and effective technology in family law.

Scheduling a Lunch and Learn is simple—just visitSoberlink's Lunch and Learn page and choose a time that works for your team. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure you’re fully equipped to handle alcohol-related parenting time disputes with confidence.

Conclusion

The prevalence of alcohol in parenting time cases is a serious issue that requires the right tools and knowledge to address effectively. Soberlink provides a solution that not only meets the needs of matrimonial lawyers but exceeds them, offering the reliability and support necessary to ensure justice is served. We encourage you to take the next step by scheduling a Lunch and Learn with Soberlink—because when it comes to the well-being of the children in your cases, only the best will do.

 

Book a Lunch and Learn »

By: Tasha Shadle, Founder and Wealth Management Advisor at Crossover Capital | AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) can be an important person in the divorce process, as they deal with the financial aspect of the case. A CDFA® is able to shoulder some of the burden of the hefty workload taken on by family law attorneys, especially given that their specialty lies in fiscally critical manners that can be seriously complex and time consuming. In this article we’ll explore all of the ways that a CDFA® can be of help in divorce cases.

Financial Analysis and Documentation

• Asset and Debt Division: CDFAs® provide identification, classification, and valuation of marital and separate assets and debts. They can outline the division and help to see that the distribution is fair and equitable.

• Income and Expense Analysis: They analyze income streams and expenses of both parties, giving an exact picture about where the couple stands regarding their finances. This analysis is very important to define child support, spousal support, and other financial obligations.

Future Financial Planning

• Post-Divorce Financial Projections: CDFA® creates numerous financial projections to illustrate the long-term consequences of different divorce settlement options. They can also reflect how decisions made at divorce will impact the financial futures of both spouses when considering critical factors such as taxes, retirement, and living expenses.

• Tax Implications: They calculate and analyze the tax impact of the division of property, alimony, or other financial aspects that relate to divorce. This is to make sure that both parties understand what the assets they walk away with will be worth after taxes.

Expert Testimony

• Court Appearances: A CDFA® could testify before the court about the long-term financial ramifications of various settlement proposals. Their knowledge is highly relevant in explaining complicated financial matters to the judge, often a pivotal piece of the arrival at a just settlement.

Settlement Negotiation Support

• Mediation and Negotiation: CDFAs® will, at times, join attorneys in mediation or negotiation sessions to ensure that financial settlements made for the client are realistic and fair. They assist clients in the comprehension of the financial implications of alternatives, allowing the client to make more informed decisions.

Educating Clients and Providing Support

• Financial Education: CDFAs® provide education to the client regarding financial aspects of divorce, budgeting, managing credit, and retirement plans. This empowers the client to make informed decisions and to plan for their future.

• Emotional Support: Although not therapists per se, there is an element of emotional support provided in educating clients on the true financial facts of their situation, which can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty.

Benefits to Family Law Attorneys

By handling financial complexities, CDFAs® make it easier for family law attorneys to focus on legal strategies, negotiations, and client advocacy. As a result of such cooperation, clients may benefit from more efficient case management and lower legal costs through CDFAs®/attorney collaboration, not to mention better results in divorce settlements.

Essentially, the specialized financial knowledge of the CDFA® augments the legal work of family law attorneys to create a much less bumpy road during a divorce for both parties. 

By: LEAP Legal Practice Management Software | AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

In the ever-evolving practice area of family law, the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) brings a host of advantages that revolutionize how legal professionals approach their work. These benefits are seen in several key areas, including document analysis, drafting initial documents, and conducting legal research. By leveraging AI, family law attorneys can experience increased efficiency, reduced time on repetitive tasks, and a boost in overall productivity.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

By integrating AI into their practice, family law professionals can achieve a level of output that is difficult to match through traditional methods. The cumulative benefits of AI in document analysis, drafting, and research translate into several key advantages:

·       Reduced time on repetitive work: AI handles the mundane tasks that typically consume a significant portion of a lawyer’s time. This allows legal professionals to dedicate more time to high-value activities, such as strategizing, negotiating, and advocating for their clients.

·       Enhanced accuracy: AI minimizes human error in document analysis and legal research, ensuring that critical details are not overlooked. This leads to more precise and reliable legal work.

·       Improved client service: With AI taking on routine tasks, lawyers can offer more timely and personalized service to their clients. This not only improves client satisfaction, but also strengthens the lawyer-client relationship.

·       Competitive advantage: Law firms that adopt AI technology gain a competitive edge by delivering faster, more efficient, and cost-effective services. This positions them favorably in a market where clients increasingly demand value and efficiency.

Automated Document Analysis

One of the most time-consuming aspects of family law is managing and analyzing large volumes of documents. This process often involves summarizing lengthy documents, searching for specific information within extensive records, and identifying discrepancies between different documents. AI excels in automating these tasks by:

·       Summarizing lengthy documents: AI algorithms can quickly distill large documents into concise summaries, allowing lawyers to grasp the key points without wading through pages of text. This capability is especially valuable in divorce cases involving extensive correspondence, financial records, or court filings.

·       Searching within large volumes of documents: Traditional manual searches are labor-intensive and prone to human error. AI can rapidly scan through vast amounts of data to locate pertinent information, such as case precedents and relevant statutes. This reduces the time spent on tedious searches and ensures more accurate results.

·       Identifying discrepancies: Comparing multiple documents to find inconsistencies or contradictions can be painstaking. AI tools can automate this process, highlighting differences and potential issues that might otherwise be overlooked. This functionality is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and consistency of legal documents, such as prenuptial agreements, divorce settlements, and custody arrangements.

AI-Assisted Document Drafting

Drafting legal documents from scratch is a fundamental yet time-consuming task in family law. AI-driven software can assist by generating initial drafts of various documents, including:

·       Petitions and complaints: AI can create preliminary versions of petitions for divorce, child custody complaints, and other initial filings based on inputted case details. Lawyers can then review and refine these drafts, significantly reducing the time required to produce them.

·       Agreements and settlements: Whether drafting prenuptial agreements, property settlement agreements, or custody arrangements, AI tools can provide templates and initial drafts tailored to the specifics of the case. This automates the document creation process and ensures that all necessary elements are included.

·       Correspondence and motions: Routine communications and procedural motions can also be efficiently drafted by AI, freeing up lawyers to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their cases.

Verified Legal Research

Family law attorneys frequently engage in legal research to support their cases. AI enhances this process by providing:

·       Immediate responses to legal questions: Instant AI-generated answers are procured from a legal knowledge base and verified by experienced lawyers. Answers are tailored to jurisdictions and linked to relevant case law and legislation

·       Verification of information: While AI can deliver rapid results, the ability to verify these findings is equally important. Advanced AI systems often include features that cross-reference information from multiple sources, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the research.

In conclusion, the integration of AI in family law brings transformative benefits that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. AI empowers family law firms to focus on what truly matters—providing exceptional legal service to their clients.

By: Sydney Weber of Marcum | AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

• Normalization adjustments are an essential component of any business valuation. They are necessary to ensure that the operational results and financial position as reflected on the subject company's financial statements or tax returns accurately indicate the anticipated profit or loss on a going-forward basis. Valuation experts make normalization adjustments to the income statement to eliminate expenses that are non-recurring or unrelated to the business, as well as to properly account for expenses such as rent or officer compensation that may not be accurately reflected. Adjustments may also be made to the balance sheet in order to remove non-operating assets or adjust assets to fair market value. This article focuses on adjustments commonly made to the income statement. 

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• The first step in normalizing the income statement is to determine the unadjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, or EBITDA, a key indicator of the profitability of a business. To do so, all interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization expenses are added back to the business’s reported net income. Once these preliminary adjustments are complete, the normalization adjustments are made to reach normalized EBITDA.

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• Following are some of the more common income statement normalization adjustments: 

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• 1.     Reasonable Compensation: In closely-held businesses, the owner typically draws a salary that may be considered “discretionary”. If the business is a sole proprietorship, the owner does not receive a salary at all. To ensure the business’s normalized EBITDA is accurately represented, it is necessary to make an adjustment reflecting the market rate that would be paid to a non-owner providing the same services. In this adjustment, the officer’s compensation reported on the income statement is added back to net income, and the reasonable compensation determined by the valuation expert through industry research is deducted. This adjustment removes the impact caused by a business owner receiving profits as a salary. It ensures EBITDA is not overstated by reflecting the appropriate market rate of compensation for the owner’s services.

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• 2.     Discretionary Expenses: Adjustments need to be made for expenses paid through the business that are not essential to its operations. Generally, any expense that would not be necessary for a potential buyer to incur to maintain the business’s operations should be added back to the reported net income. The types of discretionary disbursements that are adjusted can vary depending on the nature of the business. They may include all or a portion of travel and auto, meals, entertainment, club dues, and credit card charges. Following discussions with the business owner, expenses may be deemed partially discretionary in certain circumstances. In this case, a percentage is often applied. Additionally, discretionary expenses that may not be immediately apparent to the valuation expert can usually be identified through discussions with the business owner. It is important to note that an expense that may be deductible for tax purposes could still be classified as discretionary for valuation purposes.

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• 3.     Rent Expense: When the real estate from which the business operates is owned by the business owner personally or through a related entity, the rent charged to the business may not be representative of the fair market, meaning the business is paying either more or less than would be paid to an independent third party. A real estate appraiser generally determines fair market rent. If the business pays an amount over fair market rent, the excess would be added back to net income. Conversely, the differential would reduce net income if the amount paid is below fair market rent.

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• 4.     Non-Recurring Income and Expenses: Any reported income or expenses that are not expected to recur in the future can skew EBITDA and should be adjusted. The adjustment for a non-recurring income or expense item would decrease or increase net income, respectively. Examples of non-recurring income and expenses include settlement fees for legal actions, one-time expenses for repairs or maintenance, income or loss from discontinued operations, and gains or losses on sales of assets or other investments.

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• Income statement normalization adjustments play a vital role in determining a business’s expected ongoing operational performance. These adjustments help ensure the conclusion of value is both reasonable and adequately supported.

By: LEAP Legal Practice Management Software | AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

Family law firms are faced with many challenges when serving their clients due to the arduous nature of resolving these sensitive legal matters. Attorneys have a responsibility to ensure that the process doesn’t cause any additional stress to vulnerable parties that may include children, conflicting caregivers, and spouses. To provide effective service, family law firms should make sure each minute is optimized effectively, focusing on the needs of their clients. Attorneys and law firm staff can implement 5 strategies throughout the life of a family law matter to manage a heavy workload, prioritize tasks, and increase productivity without sacrificing quality.

• Stay organized: There are many details and files to keep track of throughout a family law matter, which may include case and client information, historical files and documentation, correspondence including letters and emails with clients and other parties, and court forms, to name a few. Law firm staff need to have access to one centralized digital file that accounts for updates in real time. Dropbox, printed files in manila folders, or files stored on local drives all run the risk of being lost or becoming quickly outdated throughout the progression of the case. Legal technology that provides case and document management creates organization not only for the firm, but for the client service they provide. This is effectively demonstrated when records are easily accessible. For example, if a client calls requesting an immediate response or if you are at court and need to reference case details without printed documentation, centralized and mobile storage allows for timely action and quality service.

• Accurately and instantly keep track of your billable time: One of the most arduous administrative tasks for family law firms is legal time recording. This process is especially tedious and requires minute-by-minute recollection if done reactively or manually. Law firms can look to implement a system to simultaneously track time while working on a case, but they need to be careful that it doesn’t create additional work for other staff. While many software programs offer stopwatches or timers, a comprehensive legal practice management solution is most effective to ensure that legal time tracking instantly records across all key functions of a family law case.

• Automate administrative tasks: Sometimes, the most time-consuming functions for a family law matter do not include client and other party events like meetings or hearings, but consist of routine, but necessary, work such as creating correspondence, filling out forms, and sharing documents. It is necessary to eliminate double data entry and reduce the risk of input error for efficient production, and advances in legal technology allow firms to automatically and accurately populate case and client information. Reducing the time spent on filling out the Case Information Statement, Summons (Divorce), or Verified Complaint for Adoption, for example, allows staff to focus on other revenue- generating tasks such as responding to clients and creating invoices.

• Collaborate effectively: Clients and other parties contact firms frequently and through different channels to keep the case progressing. Secure file-sharing platforms optimize communication and ensure that sensitive documents are only viewed by authorized parties. Third-party storage and sharing systems like Dropbox or OneDrive create these vulnerabilities and are limited in functionality necessary in family law cases, like restricting access and requesting e-signatures. Legal file sharing and collaboration technology provides firms with the assurance that their information is safe, while clients can have the convenience and transparency of this secure storage.

• Make billing and invoice payments convenient: Family law firms that implement the above habits need to complete the case, not only with the resolution of the matter, but with the firm getting paid with a digital paper trail and in a timely matter. With family law practice management software that includes instant time recording, centralized accounting, and an online payment platform, the administrative work is reduced. Manual invoicing and processing payments is eliminated, creating opportunities for staff to focus on their existing clients or even new cases.

  When these timesaving practices are implemented, family law firms can ensure that they are efficient and productive. Client and employee satisfaction will increase when firms optimize their processes. This creates further opportunities for firms to increase their revenue and grow their business. To learn more about how legal technology can help your NJ family law firm, visit leap.us/new-jersey. 

By: Soberlink | AAML NJ Bronze Sponsor 

The Soberlink system is an advanced, portable solution for monitoring alcohol consumption, offering a blend of a high-quality breathalyzer and innovative features like facial recognition and tamper alerts. This enables detailed, real-time supervision of a person's alcohol intake throughout the day. 

For more than ten years, Soberlink has led the field of alcohol monitoring in Family Law, offering lawyers a reliable, evidence-backed method for handling alcohol-related issues. Its admissibility in child custody situations across the United States and Canada, coupled with its ability to offer Family Lawyers and Judges a trusted means of overseeing sobriety, has made it indispensable in protecting children from alcohol abuse.

Seth Nelson from Nelson Law Groureviews the value of Soberlink to him in reducing conflict, safeguarding children, and addressing or disproving allegations of alcohol misuse. Watch Review »

This detailed review provides an in-depth look at the Soberlink Device, explaining its operations and benefits for families navigating divorce.

The Soberlink System

Soberlink combines a handheld, professional breathalyzer with modern technology to measure, document, and communicate alcohol levels in users throughout their day. It's equipped with features to ensure the person tested is the actual user and to prevent any form of cheating.

Reagan Riddle of Armstrong Divorce & Family Law praises Soberlink for its technological edge in preventing result manipulation. Watch Review »

Soberlink's Advanced Reporting transforms testing data into a simple, color-coded calendar, making it easy to interpret test compliance at a glance.

Soberlink: How it Works

Utilizing Soberlink involves discreetly taking a breath alcohol test, which verifies the user's identity via facial recognition before sharing results instantly with predetermined contacts.

This system uniquely handles positive tests by initiating a Retest Cycle, ensuring accuracy by distinguishing between alcohol consumption and other sources of alcohol detection on breath, such as mouthwash.

Jeff Domen of Goranson Bain Ausley sees Soberlink as a game-changer for handling alcohol issues in divorces, emphasizing its simplicity for daily use and the accountability it provides to parents. Watch Review »

Pricing Details for Soberlink

To view Soberlink's pricing, visit their official pricing page. The system requires purchasing a device and a monthly monitoring service. Prices start at $299 for devices, with monthly plans beginning at $129.

Soberlink's programs cater to different needs: The Level 1 Program focuses on testing during parenting time, while the Level 2 Program requires daily testing. Each program offers Basic, Plus, or Premium plan options, varying in features and the number of recipients for test results.

Starting with Soberlink

Purchasing Soberlink is straightforward via their website. The process involves selecting a program, plan, device, and commitment level, followed by device purchase and completion of a monitoring agreement. This agreement, crucial for clarity and responsibility definition, distinguishes Soberlink from other self-monitoring options.

Soberlink in Divorce Contexts

Soberlink devices offer real-time alcohol monitoring, providing Family Courts with accurate evidence of sobriety, crucial in child custody decisions. It aids not just in proving sobriety but also in disproving false accusations of alcohol misuse, offering peace of mind and fairness in custody cases.

Soberlink shines in Family Law due to its non-intrusive monitoring, immediate result sharing, user-friendly software, and the reliability of its facial recognition and tamper detection technologies. Supporting Family Law professionals further, Soberlink provides comprehensive support, including AI-powered reporting, expert evaluations, and dedicated training, reinforcing its role in fostering decisions that are safe for children and equitable for all parties.

By: Zach Petersen of Marcum | AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

Imagine you are the owner of a famous and well-respected restaurant. In your employ are master chefs and culinary experts covering a range of different backgrounds and techniques. Among them are a saucier, creating various sauces used throughout the menu, and a pasta chef, responsible for imagining and delivering some of the menu’s entrees. There is also a pastry chef and a chocolatier, together creating beautiful and imaginative desserts. And, of course, you have a sommelier to select the perfect wines to pair with each dish.

Each night, the kitchen is tasked with providing a top-notch experience to the guests, with a menu that changes regularly. Every dish is thoughtful and well-executed. Each specialist works together to build a memorable experience and must know their role in relation to each other to deliver excellence.

Now imagine each dining experience is its own case, and you, as the owner, are the attorney responsible for delivering excellence to your customers (clients). You must direct your team and understand the capabilities and limitations of each member to produce an effective and cohesive approach.

Likewise, litigation can require several different experts in different fields to build the arguments necessary to prevail. Experts are necessary to review the facts, parse the technical requirements in their field, and provide an analysis or opinion based on their work. A chocolatier will not be qualified to present wine pairings for the guests in the same way that a financial expert cannot opine on the adequacy of manufacturing safeguards. Generally, professional standards expressly prohibit opinions on matters outside the expert’s scope. Although the expert may have a general understanding of how effective manufacturing safeguards can reduce overall risk to a business, they cannot be expected to deliver an opinion on what policies, procedures, and equipment are considered effective.

Depending on the facts of the case, much like our imaginary kitchen, several different experts may be needed to provide analyses within their specialties to provide a comprehensive and effective service to the client. Although a financial expert can certainly serve as your only expert if all relevant issues fall within the scope of that individual’s field of expertise, you should still consider carefully. Some issues may seem like concepts on which your expert can provide an opinion, but sometimes, they fall outside that scope of expertise or veer into legal determinations.

It is also vital that each expert is informed of their specific role for what they are being asked to do, even if the task is already within their field of expertise. If the kitchen has a theme for the evening, such as “An Evening in Tokyo," you probably wouldn’t want your pasta chef delivering authentic German spaetzle that night. Similarly, although a valuation expert can provide the value of a business under the fair market value standard, complete with a formalized report, if the jurisdiction governing the dispute only allows the use of the fair value standard or if valuation schedules would have sufficed for settlement purposes, the expert will have ultimately spent extra time developing valuation discounts or writing a report, to provide a conclusion of value that would not be appropriate for the client’s needs.

Experts, particularly financial experts, are a powerful tool for litigants and their attorneys. However, we, as experts, must be careful in providing opinions that are within the realm of our expertise. It is required, both from a legal standpoint and from the rules set forth by the associations we are members of. It is essential that experts, attorneys, and clients are all on the same page regarding what we can and cannot address. Being as specific as possible helps ensure our work is unambiguous, appropriate for the client's needs, and within the confines of our expertise and professional requirements.

So, next time you engage an expert or are engaged as an expert, make sure the expectations are clear to all parties, both verbally and in an engagement letter, as to what the expert is being asked to do. You’ll find better client outcomes and just might save everyone a headache.