AAML NJ Blog

By DGR, AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

Generally speaking, all legal matters are at least somewhat time-sensitive. While some cases are truly urgent (and others aren’t), individuals tend to initiate legal action because they are seeking a resolution—and attorneys want to keep matters moving so that they can collect payment and manage internal workflows. In other words, nobody is happy when a case drags on and on. 

Although they may not come with a set-in-stone deadline, family law matters tend to fall on the “more urgent” side of the spectrum. Whether they involve child support, custody arrangements, asset division, alimony, or something else entirely, these cases have a particularly profound effect on people’s lives, and they are also frequently of a personal or sensitive nature. It benefits both attorneys and clients to effectuate process services as quickly and efficiently as possible.

So what happens when a family law matter involves serving papers in another country? International service of process is complex, and it can take time to complete. How much time exactly (and the quickest way to conduct the service) depends on the country involved. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution: different countries allow service to be completed through different channels, and there are exceptions, additions, and little quirks and nuances to every national system. 

When handling international service of process in a family law matter, it’s particularly important to work with an experienced process server who can help you identify the best method of service for your specific situation, navigate the existing system in the relevant country, and quickly and effectively troubleshoot when things go awry. 

Methods of international service

Broadly speaking, there are three primary ways to effectuate service abroad: service via agent, service through the Hague Service Convention, or service via Letters Rogatory. Service via agent is sometimes referred to as “the informal method,” while the other two methods of service are known as formal methods. Different countries allow service in different ways. 

Using the Hague Service Convention

The Hague Convention was established in 1965 in order to create an avenue for service outside of diplomatic channels, reducing the amount of time needed to effectuate service. 

If a country is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention, you can pursue service through this route. Currently, the Convention has over 70 signatories.

Servicing under this method is a multi-step process:

1. A “letter of request” is completed and sent to the appropriate central authority along with all necessary documentation

2. The central authority reviews the documents before submitting them to the local court that has jurisdiction over the defendant.

3. The local court sends service to an individual to serve the document, then submits documentation to the central authority indicating service was effectuated.

4. The central authority completes paperwork verifying service 

5. The central authority forwards the documentation back to the United States

Service of process through the Hague Service Convention takes, on average, three to six months.

Using Letters Rogatory

Not all countries are signatories to the Hague Service Convention. If you need to complete service in a country that isn’t a signatory, Letter Rogatory will likely be the avenue you use. Letters Rogatory is a request to complete service in accordance with another country’s internal rules and regulations. This method uses diplomatic channels and relies on foreign courts to complete service. 

Once the foreign court receives the Letters Rogatory request, they can decide to comply with the request or deny it. If the foreign court agrees to grant the request, service is then completed under the local rules of their jurisdiction.

Service via agent

Also known as the “informal” method, service via agent is the quickest method available for effectuating services of process. The catch? Service via agent doesn’t produce an enforceable judgment—think of it more as means of notification. If you need to let somebody know that they’ve been served, service via agent can accomplish this in a matter of weeks. If you need the country in which this service is completed to recognize or enforce a judgment, however, this method is not appropriate.

Additionally, some countries do not allow service via this method. Check with your international process server to be sure. 

Best practices for international service of process in family law matters

If you need to papers internationally in a family law matter, it’s key to work with a process server who has experience effectuating service in the country in which you need to serve. 

You can also help expedite service by gathering as much information as you can about the location of the individual you need to serve. Depending on the country involved (and the method of service used), an exact address might also be needed to determine the translation requirements to which your request is subject. 

Starting the process

If you need to effectuate service internationally, it can be hard to know where to start—and for family law matters, where your client’s personal relationships and financial future may be at stake—it’s critical to keep the process moving. 

If you have questions about serving abroad, we can help. DGR has experience effectuating service in over 100 countries, and we’re committed to getting the job done as efficiently as possible (and keeping you informed at every step of the way). 

Contact us to get started. We’re here to help.

By Soberlink, AAML NJ Bronze Sponsor

According to the American Bar Association, approximately 55 thousand divorce cases involving children also involve a parent who uses alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol use can add an extra layer of complication to a child custody case, specifically if a co-parent abuses it. 

Studies have repeatedly shown the importance of shared custody of children. In a meta-analysis of 1,846 sole-custody arrangements and 814 joint-custody arrangements, psychologists concluded that children who get time with both parents are much more settled. These children had fewer behavior issues, higher self-esteem, better family relations, and better school performances.

With the understanding of shared parenting time often having such a positive influence on the child or children involved, Family Law Professionals have more reason to take steps to make that possible. In co-parenting agreements where excessive drinking may be an issue, alcohol monitoring can foster accountability, provide peace of mind, and ensure safer co-parenting arrangements. 

This article will discuss: 

• How digital technology affects all professions and industries 
• Why it is important to stay ahead of technology trends in Family Law 
• What Soberlink technology is and how it works 
• Why remote alcohol monitoring technologies are valuable in Family Law
• How remote monitoring is directly related to offering empathy to clients 

The Digital Revolution: How it Affects All Professions

The Digital Revolution has led the shift from manual or mechanical processes to digitized functions, and these changes have affected all professions, including Family Law. Digital technology is often thought of as something that simplifies mundane functions, such as record-keeping or analyzing documents. However, technology affords numerous techniques to make formerly difficult actions easier in every profession. For example, a doctor can monitor a patient at home via a remote pulse oximeter, a teacher can instruct an entire live class from her kitchen, and a legal professional can use an online AI tool to review extensive contracts in a matter of minutes. 

Why Family Law Professionals Should Stay Ahead of Technology Trends

Technology also has a place in the legal field, whether speaking at virtual client meetings or utilizing tech-based devices to streamline litigation. For one, the adoption of new technology may lead to increased revenue. An analysis covered by Family Lawyer Magazine found that using digitized client portals helped law firms grow revenue by an average of $37,000. Even more noteworthy, those firms carried an average of 17 percent more cases. 

Law clients have grown much more accustomed to legal services with technological elements. For example, 56 percent actually prefer video conferencing instead of interacting over the phone by voice, and 69 percent prefer to electronically submit documents to their lawyer. By staying ahead of technology trends that could heighten the efficiency of everyday processes, a Family Law Professional can better serve their clients, reap new time to dedicate to more clients, and possibly even build more revenue. 

What is Soberlink?

Soberlink is a comprehensive remote alcohol monitoring system that combines an FDA-cleared alcohol testing device with automated alerts and reports to document proof of sobriety in real-time. Unlike lab or EtG testing, Soberlink combines facial recognition with tamper detection and Advanced Reporting capabilities to remotely monitor clients for alcohol use. Designed with flexibility in mind, Soberlink’s customized testing fits into any parenting agreement to ensure child safety. Practitioners receive client test results in real-time, allowing for swift intervention if necessary. 

Soberlink is most used in Family Court to uphold the best interests of the child in cases involving alcohol abuse. Depending on the co-parent’s program level, the Monitored Client will submit 2-3 scheduled tests a day with results sent instantly to all parties listed on the Monitoring Agreement. Innovative technology like Soberlink allows parents to maintain relationships with their children and provides peace of mind to Concerned Parties worried about a child’s safety.

How Technology Like Soberlink Puts a Professional Ahead of the Curve

Using technology like Soberlink for remote alcohol monitoring offers various advantages for Family Law Professionals. For one, results gleaned from Soberlink are court-admissible and trusted by judges. Therefore, data mined from tests can be used in court proceedings to substantiate or dispel alcohol abuse claims. 

A Family Lawyer whose client is facing hearsay could offer Soberlink’s Advanced Reporting as evidence of sobriety in court. Using a universal color code to indicate compliant, non-compliant, and missed tests, Soberlink reports offer helpful insight into a co-parent’s alcohol consumption, helping streamline litigation. 

Utilizing the latest technologies like Soberlink could be what sets a legal professional apart from the competition. Modernizing your practice may help foster trust amongst clients who rely on your expertise and guidance during a case. 

The Importance of Empathy in Custody Cases

According to Lawyer Monthly, empathy is a valuable way to develop rapport with clients. Empathy is perhaps of the utmost importance in child custody cases. The clients that seek legal counsel can be facing some of the most challenging, worrisome circumstances in their lives. Offering empathy and compassion to clients as they work toward a desirable co-parenting outcome can ease some of the emotional turmoil for the client. A professional who can simplify something like alcohol monitoring with technology can display empathy to their clients by offering peace of mind. 

Conclusion

Alcohol monitoring can be the defining key in a child custody case and one that makes all the difference in keeping both parents involved in the lives of their children. Thankfully, remote technology like Soberlink can make alcohol monitoring far easier to manage, helping Family Law Professionals streamline custody cases, improve outcomes, and remain an invaluable resource to their clients. 

By John O’Grady, CVA, MSA – Eisner Advisory Group LLC, AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

Often times we are told “just look at the tax return” when it comes to determining a party’s joint or individual income.  The reality is that the tax return does not paint the whole picture.  In this blog, I will explain what is presented on the tax return, what else should be considered, and what other documents and information should be obtained in order to determine the party’s true income/cash flow available to them.

What information is presented on the tax return?

Income information that is typically presented on a personal income tax return includes:

1. Salaries and wages – Form W-2 wages earned by one or more of the parties.

2. Interest and dividend income – information regarding both taxable and non-taxable (such as on municipal bonds, etc.) interest will be contained on the tax return.  

3. IRA, pension, or annuity distributions – not all distributions are taxed, however; taxable and non-taxable portion amounts will be presented on the return.

4. Social security benefits.

5. Capital gains or losses.

6. Sales of business assets or ownership in business entities.

7. Business income or losses reported on Schedule C.

8. Pass-through income for rental real estate, partnerships, S corporations, trusts, etc. (Schedule E income).

Most of these items are straight-forward and represent true income received by the parties.  However, pass-through income needs to be discussed a bit further. 

What is pass-through income and why is it misleading?

Pass-through income, especially from partnerships, S corporations, trusts, etc., represents an individual’s share of the entity’s income based upon ownership interest.  The term “pass-through” indicates that the taxes are paid by the individual owner(s), not by the entity.  For example, if a party owns 50% of a business that is organized as an S corporation, that party will report 50% of the business’s net income on their individual tax return; the entity itself will not pay any income tax.  This income (or loss) could be misleading in that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the party received that income personally.  Many times, entity income that is reported on a pass-through basis is retained in the entity, and the owners instead receive distributions.  In some situations those cash distributions can be significantly less than the income reported on the party’s Schedule K-1.  Owners are not taxed on distributions, therefore, they are not included in the calculation of taxable income on their individual tax returns.  Distribution totals can be found on the Schedule K-1 that the entity includes with its tax returns and issues to the owner(s).  Therefore, it is important to reconcile the income reported on the K-1 with any distributions received to arrive at the actual cash flow received by the parties.

What else is not included on a tax return?

There are other items that could be additional income available to a party that may not be reported on the party’s tax return.  For example, a business owner may have sold their ownership interest to another individual or a trust, and rather than take a one-time payout for their ownership interest, the business established a note payable to the selling owner.  Many times, when this situation arises, the selling owner may have the business pay expenses directly or receive funds from the business and the business treats these expenses or transfers as pay-down of principal and interest on the note payable to the owner.  This activity would not be reflected on the tax return of the individual and would require review and analysis of the books and records of the business, primarily on any transaction activity in the notes receivable/shareholder loan accounts on the balance sheet.

Additionally, as we see with many closely held businesses, the business pays various perquisites on behalf of the owner(s).  These could include such items as cell phone expenses, automobile insurance, meals and entertainment, travel expenses, etc.  However, there are many instances when the perquisites paid on behalf of the owner(s) include many more items.  Often times, these items are not included in distributions or taxable compensation to the owner(s).  In order to quantify the total amount of perquisites paid, thorough review of the general ledger of the business is required, as well as potentially a review of the bank account and credit card account statements of the business.

Other potential income items that should be evaluated include deferred compensation, stock options, inheritances or gifts, or additional income received from third parties not listed in the categories discussed.  The parties’ personal bank accounts should be reviewed to determine if any other income sources may exist.  

Summary

In summary, when determining the income of the parties in a divorce proceeding, it is critical to look beyond the federal income tax returns as there could be a number of income categories that are not presented on the returns.  At a minimum, information to review to determine available income should include bank statements (personal and business), credit cards statements, business tax returns, and general ledgers of the business.

By LEAP, AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

A senior partner in a law firm once said, “Our client base is a huge and neglected source of potential business. It’s ridiculous that we ignore it and convince ourselves that we are too busy to make the most of it.” How often have you thought about leveraging your client base, if only you had the time?

The fact of the matter is that New Jersey law firms are busy. Proactive business operations are often sacrificed because of workload, volume of cases, the number of legal matter types firms offer, the number of staff, use of technology, etc. Running a law firm is challenging but growing your law firm can be even more so.

Technology and automation can help law firms do a lot of the heavy-lifting. From streamlining existing processes to automating repetitive tasks, legal technology can help free up room to focus on other critical functions, such as growing your firm into a more profitable business.

Once you’ve freed up additional time to implement strategies to grow your firm, where should you start? An often overlooked, but huge, source of potential business is your current client base. According to business-development and client-marketing expert Ian Cooper, most lawyers discover that between 80-90% of new files and matters opened are from either their own existing clients, word-of-mouth referrals from clients, or professional introductions. So, building a communication strategy to help you stay top-of-mind with your existing client base can be paramount to your firm’s overall success.

Furthermore, legal practice management software can be a fundamental part of building a successful client communication strategy. Once your technology is mastered and legal automation is set, communicating with your clients becomes much easier and more frequent. Building a repeatable process for regular communication touchpoints is a powerful way to gain access to new and untapped revenue sources.

Interested in learning more about how your law firm can leverage technology and a communication strategy to become more profitable? Download the free e-book, “Lawyers: How to Market to Existing Clients and Contacts” today.

By Smolin Lupin, AAML NJ Gold Sponsor

Given the daily work they do to maintain their business, many business owners think they know everything a person can about the business, inside and out. However, that everyday experience doesn’t necessarily mean that the business owner can value their business accurately.

Particularly in a divorce, where emotions run high, a business owner, spouse, or a spouse who is a co-owner may not have as clear a picture of the business’s financial value as they would like to think.

Therefore, having a valuation done by a valuation professional can be immensely helpful in putting together an accurate financial picture of the business’s worth—and setting the stage for a potentially amicable divorce.

Discovery Phase

In the discovery phase, all relevant documents related to the business’s finances are gathered for review. This process can be pretty straightforward or a source of tension, especially over which documents are considered relevant. Having one of the parties attempt to block access to records through claims of “overreaching” can considerably extend the back-and-forth.

If the business owner owns more than one entity, it may also be necessary to combine the operations of various entities to come up with the cash flow relating to the owner’s interest in the combined business enterprise.

Family law attorneys can work with their clients to gather and make copies of the relevant documents early in the process to reduce the likelihood of the opposing party blocking the valuation professional's request for documents. Unfortunately, the longer the wait to gather the documents, the more objections are raised, and the more likely it is that the process will become a significant challenge with increased cost caused by the motion practice and third-party subpoenas.

Family Ties

Complications can arise if more than one person has an interest in the business or its related entities. For instance, if a family member owns a real estate entity leasing the building to the company in question, adjustments may need to be considered to adjust the rent to fair market value based on a real estate appraisal.

Due to the family connection, the rent may be lower or higher than the market rate. Moreover, there may be instances in which there are intercompany loans between the various entities. As part of the forensic analysis, it will need to be verified that the loans are indeed loans (and not disguised distributions) and that the intercompany balances agree between the various entities. The multi-entity business structures lead to more complicated valuations.

Multiple Dates

There are also instances where a business needs to be valued over multiple dates.

Suppose the business interest is in part premarital. In that case, the business will need to be valued at the date of marriage and the date of divorce complaint to determine the incremental increase in value subject to equitable distribution.

Additional steps and valuation periods may need to be considered if interests were acquired through gift or inheritance during the parties' marriage. While an initial valuation may have been done for gift tax purposes, the valuation would need to be reviewed to determine whether it accurately captures the value at the point of the gifting transaction. The valuation may also need to be adjusted from a fair market valuation to a fair value valuation to adhere to the law in New Jersey. Suppose the parties are unable to stipulate to the prior gift tax valuations. In that case, business valuations may also need to be completed as of the acquisition date and then compared to the values at the date of the divorce complaint.

Approaches to Business Valuation

When it comes to valuations, it’s essential to understand and explain to your client the three different approaches to valuing a business: income, asset, or market.

Income

To value a business by its income, a valuation professional looks at historical income and current income, as well as risk and other business-related benefits. They then calculate the business owner’s income in the future based on the expected rate of return (as drawn from historical patterns) or by using other forecasting information.

Asset

The asset approach considers and values tangible assets (i.e., anything physical, like inventory or a building) and intangible assets (i.e., assets such as patents and goodwill). Liabilities are then subtracted from the total assets to determine the net value.

However, the process can get complicated if the tangible assets aren’t easy to value, as is the case with restaurant furniture, fixtures, or other used items.

Market

A market approach aims to determine how much the business owner would get if they sold their business. In this approach, the valuation professional makes comparisons to other similar companies that have been sold.

Suppose the business owner has an active intent in selling a business, which may be revealed through the discovery process. In that case, a market approach may be more relevant to the value of the business interests.

A Clear Picture

Even in divorces that seem amicable, one spouse can hide the actual value of the business from the other. This situation comes to the surface more often if one spouse is involved in the company and the other isn’t.

Conversely, it’s common for the non-business owner spouse to think of the business as providing a steady stream of income while the profit margin can sometimes be very thin.

In both instances, your clients benefit from obtaining a professional valuation of the business rather than allowing an over- or under-valuation to result in one person taking a financial hit that may not be fully evident until years later.

If you’re handling a divorce case that requires a business valuation or have questions about the process, the experienced professionals at Smolin Lupin can assist you—get in touch.

By Alana Gibson, DGR, Chief Operating Officer, AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

There are a number of things lawyers can do to ensure the fastest and most efficient turn-around time possible when working with a process server.

Efficient service that holds up in court is always important, but it is particularly critical in family law matters where efficiency and sensitivity to the nature of the service are key. Family law cases more frequently involve evasive individuals, and because matters like child support, custody arrangements, asset division, and alimony are at stake, a speedy resolution is often particularly important to your clients. 

Even the most proficient and adept process servers know there are certain pieces of information that can help speed up effectuating service.

1. If you are attempting service at home or work, see if your client knows when the subject will be at that location.

It’s easier to effectuate service if you know where somebody is. If we know the subject works from 9am to 6pm and usually goes to the gym afterward for an hour, we might attempt service after 7:30pm. This minimizes the number of attempts that will need to be made, but more importantly, it will also produce a higher chance of the individual being served, moving the case forward.

In addition to knowing when would be a good time to serve, it’s also beneficial for the process server to know when not to serve. Letting your process server know as much as possible about an individual’s schedule might make it possible for your server to avoid effectuating service around children involved in the matter. In the above case, for example, we might intentionally attempt to effectuate service on the individual’s way into or out of the gym, minimizing the effects on children and increasing the likelihood of a smooth and efficient service.

2. Provide as many details about the subject as possible.

The goal for all parties in a family law matter, including the process server, should be to reach an amicable conclusion. AS process servers, we try to do our part to be as discrete as possible and not agitate an already sensitive matter. These cases tend to be close to home, and with that, your client has more information than they may know. Important details that can contribute to timely service are vehicle information and photos of the subject.

Knowing which car in the gym parking lot belongs to the subject lets the process server situate themselves accordingly. Similarly, having photos of the subject allows the process server to easily identify the subject while entering/exiting the facility or while walking through the parking lot. 

3. Include all possible service locations in your initial request. 

If no secondary address is given and the individual isn’t at the first address, this is what happens: The server attempts service at a residential address and then comes back to the office and notifies you that the individual is not at the location. You then provide an alternate address, and if possible, the server attempts service later in the day. If not, the service must wait until the following day. 

If you provide both addresses upfront, however, the server can simply go from the original location to the next available address, cutting down on the amount of time it takes to complete the service.

All of the above are tips meant to help you speed up the time in which your process service or due diligence is completed (and to move your case along as quickly as possible!). 

4. Process service and family law matters.

Family law matters are personal. There’s no way around it. Whether it’s child custody, divorce, guardianship, or something else, family relationships and financial futures hang in the balance. 

It’s important to keep your case moving in order to minimize the negative impacts on all parties—and to help your clients move on towards a healthy future. 

For a process server you can count on to handle your family law matters, we’re here to help!

By Marc Demetriou, CLU, ChFC, CDLP | SVP of Mortgage Lending/Branch, Manager at Guaranteed Rate, AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

Relationships can be turbulent. Even for the best of couples. According to an article in the National Law Review from last year, relationship counselors routinely rank financial stress, boredom, parenting disagreements and arguments over domestic chores as the most common obstacles to wedding bliss. And that was before the Covid-19 outbreak.

During the early stages of the pandemic, most employees were required to work from home for safety reasons. But if a couple’s relationship was already showing signs of emotional wear and tear, being forced to share the same space twenty-four-seven in a state of perpetual lockdown might not help matters much.

If a marriage was already starting to go bad, the pandemic was almost certainly going to ratchet up the domestic tension. Before Covid, if a couple was having issues, both spouses could probably talk to friends or family members to blow off steam. Once the quarantine began, those pressure values might not have been so easily accessible. In those early days of the lockdown, no one knew exactly how physically close they should get to one another. 

The stats are staggering

Being in forced seclusion could create tensions in even the healthiest of marriages. But for ones that were already on the rocks, Covid could create the makings of a powder keg. According to one legal website, 34 percent of couples considering divorce had children under 18 years of age, an increase of five percent from 2019. Here are some other startling stats from that same website:

Interest in marital separation spiked to 57 percent in April 2020 from the prior two months.

Women and Stress

A recent U.S. Census report stated that women were twice as likely to not be working due to Covid-related child care issues. Over two million women left the workforce entirely due to the pandemic.Some experts predict the Covid crisis may have set back women in the workplace for the next decade.  

Even couples currently in relationship therapy saw Covid creep into their sessions. One recent article pointed out that some couples would even argue about whether their current counseling environment was Covid-safe. Tina Timm, PhD, associate professor at Michigan State University’s School of Social Work in East Lansing, said that one couple’s wife “was going crazy” during one session, worrying about whether her gym was safe to go back to due to Covid instead of focusing on her current therapy visit.

The Good News

The news on Covid and divorce is not all negative. For some, the pandemic has been a learning experience of a different sort. According to Professor Amanda Miller, Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of Indianapolis, the pandemic might have the effect of delaying some couples’ decision to marry altogether.At least for a while. The reason? Divorce is expensive. Better not to jump into matrimony in haste.

A recent American Family Survey (AFS) stated that 58 percent of married couples, ages 18 to 55, said the pandemic had made each spouse appreciate the other even more, while 51 percent said their commitment to marriage had only grown deeper. The same AFS data also stated that the share of married couples who said their marriages were “in trouble” fell by 11 percent (from 40 percent to 29 percent) in 2020, from the prior year.

The Washington Post also reported last year that the number of engagements seems to be rising, even in the age of Covid. University of Indianapolis Professor Miller was not surprised. She said that “getting engaged can be a low cost” and “certainly much cheaper than having a baby or getting divorced.”⁹

1. https://www.natlawreview.com/article/divorce-rates-and-covid-19

2. https://legaltemplates.net/resources/personal-family/divorce-rates-covid-19/#divorces-increase-in-couples-with-children

3. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/08/parents-juggle-work-and-child-care-during-pandemic.html

4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/naomicahn/2021/01/15/why-marriage-and-divorce-rates-are-dropping-during-the-pandemic/?sh=24c6bc3a56c2

5. https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201207/pandemic-drives-couples-to-divorce-or-to_seek-help

6. https://www.forbes.com/sites/naomicahn/2021/01/15/why-marriage-and-divorce-rates-are-dropping-during-the-pandemic/?sh=24c6bc3a56c2

7. https://ifstudies.org/blog/divorce-is-down-during-covid

8. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/12/17/engagements-proposals-pandemic-coronavirus/

9. https://www.forbes.com/sites/naomicahn/2021/01/15/why-marriage-and-divorce-rates-are-dropping-during-the-pandemic/?sh=24c6bc3a56c2

By: Beth C. Manes, Esq., Manes & Weinberg, LLC

Our practice areas frequently overlap. Parents of special needs children face many challenges, not just during their marriage, but also upon its dissolution. In addition to the added financial stress of specialized activities and services, parents also find themselves juggling schoolwork assistance, driving to and from appointments with specialists, managing difficult and oftentimes aggressive behaviors, all underscored by chronic worry about their child’s medical, academic and social progress, and potential future.  Parents very often do not agree on educational, medical, and other decisions impacting their child. We have assisted many family law practitioners navigate this complex situation by providing the following services:

1. IEP Review/Mediator: Many children have IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and 504 Plans, to provide special education and related services, as well as modifications and accommodations to help them learn. Frequently, parents do not agree with each other about what is best for the child educationally. We can review the documentation, provide an opinion, try to get the parents on the same page, and help advocate with the school district if necessary.  Alternatively, we can conduct mediation between the parents to help them overcome an impasse that is preventing their child from moving forward with a meaningful education plan.
   
   
2. Special Needs Consultant: Our firm has provided guidance to many family law practitioners who have a client with a special needs child in terms of issues that may be relevant to custody, and/or explaining the child’s school programming and needs. We have also referred practitioners to educational experts when parents are unable to agree upon a school placement for their child. Finally, we have reviewed Family Court motions to ensure the appropriate legal terminology is being utilized. 
   
   
3. Guardianships and Contested Guardianships of Children: When children turn 18, they are considered adults in the eyes of the law. This means they can make their own educational, medical, and financial decisions, unless a guardian is appointed. The process should be fairly simple, and we can sometimes coach a client through the forms and court procedures so that they do not need to hire a lawyer. However, sometimes, it turns into another custody battle, this time in Surrogate’s Court. We often serve as co-counsel with family lawyers to manage these cases.
   
   
4. Guardianships of Litigants: As you know, given S.T. v. 1515 Broad Street, LLC, a Family Court judge cannot simply appoint a GAL to act on behalf of an alleged incapacitated litigant, but rather the parties must utilize the R. 4:86 guardianship process. Family lawyers often turn to us to explain the process to their clients, and then file a guardianship complaint.  
   
   
5. Court Appointed Attorneys/GALs: We can be a great resource when the Family Court is asked to appoint a GAL for a child with special needs. We work with many educational and health (including mental health) providers for children around the state. We have advocated in school districts in almost every county. 
   
   
6. Special Needs Trusts: When a child turns 18, child support is deemed income to him/her. If that child will need to qualify for public benefits (i.e., SSI, Medicaid, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services), there is an asset and income limit that must be maintained in order to ensure eligibility. We often consult with both parents, and are retained jointly, to draft Special Needs Trusts in order to protect the child’s eligibility. 

If you have any special needs related questions, we are happy to answer them, and brainstorm your options. Sometimes a few minutes on the phone with us can save you a significant amount of time, and help you navigate unfamiliar areas of the law into which your matrimonial matter has veered.

By Alana Gibson, Chief Operating Officer, DGR Legal

Prior to the introduction of the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (UIDDA) in 2007 and its adoption in 2014 by New Jersey, deposing individuals or conducting discovery outside of the state a case originated in was a daunting task. 

The UIDDA created a streamlined way to domesticate a subpoena across state lines without needing to retain counsel there.

For family law attorneys, this means that soliciting testimony or gathering evidence from an out-of-state party is a significantly simpler process. This is particularly helpful for divorce cases, which frequently require requests for financial documentation and records related to asset valuation and ownership.

While not every state has adopted the UIDDA, it’s a useful method for requesting discoverable evidence in family law matters and scheduling depositions where permitted.

Resolution of Difficulty in Serving 

The UIDDA was created due to the many variances in state rules and cumbersome procedures required to serve a subpoena in another jurisdiction. Out-of-state discovery involved complicated procedures that differed from state to state and often required retaining local counsel. Every state had its own laws, and it was necessary for family law attorneys to be familiar with each state’s particular requirements in order to conduct discovery.

Some states also required that a notice of deposition be shown to the judge or clerk in the discovery state, where a subpoena would then be automatically issued. Others required a notice of deposition to be filed in the trial state and the witness to then be served a subpoena according to the rules of the trial state. There were also states that required letters rogatory requesting the reissuing of the subpoena in the trial state, with other states requiring the attorney in the discovery state to file an action to establish jurisdiction over the witness.

The process through the UIDDA is much more efficient and removes the need for local counsel or for a family law attorney to maintain knowledge of the varying rules and requirements of each state. It also eliminates the need for letters rogatory or a commission from the discovery state. 

Most importantly, it saves judicial resources, as it takes significant time for the courts to handle domesticating a subpoena. This is particularly critical for family law attorneys, who often deal with high-stakes and emotionally charged cases like divorce and child custody matters.

How the UIDDA Works

To serve a subpoena through the UIDDA, a draft subpoena that complies with the rules of the other state must be created. 

It’s important to remember any motion to quash or modify is governed by the rules of the state where the subpoena will be domesticated. Applying for the reissued subpoena can be done by mail to the clerk in the state where it needs to be domesticated. If there is any kind of deadline in place, this could cause a significant problem due to delays in both receiving and sending back the subpoena via mail once reissued.

The reissuing of the subpoena is handled by the clerk or prothonotary depending on the state. In most commonwealth states, the prothonotary will handle this. Once the subpoena is reissued it will either receive a new index number or be signed by the clerk.

If scheduling a deposition, this must happen in the same county where the document is being served. The domestication of the subpoena must take place in that county in order for it to be enforceable.

After the subpoena is domesticated, it can then be served according to the rules and laws of that state. There are particular requirements for what documents must be served along with the reissued subpoena. Be sure these are included or else the service will be not be considered valid.

The State of New Jersey Law Revision Commission’s final report relating to the UIDDA provides an example as to how the new process works:

“A witness in Florida needs to be deposed in preparation for a Kansas trial. Under the UIDDA, a lawyer of record for the plaintiff in the Kansas action issues a subpoena in Kansas as the lawyer routinely would issue in pending actions. That lawyer then obtains a copy of a form of subpoena from the clerk’s office in the Florida county where the witness to be deposed lives. Using the Florida subpoena form, the lawyer prepares a Florida subpoena that incorporates the terms and conditions of the Kansas subpoena. The lawyer then arranges for the executed Kansas subpoena, along with the completed by not yet executed Florida subpoena, to be delivered to the clerk’s office in Florida. The transmittal letter advises the clerk that the Florida subpoena is being sought pursuant to the Florida statute (citing the appropriate statute or rule quoting the UIDDA). The clerk of the court issues a Florida subpoena incorporating the terms and conditions of the Kansas subpoena and a process server, in accordance with Florida law, then serves the Florida subpoena on the deponent. Appropriate filing and service fees are paid as required by Florida law.”

A Process Server's Role in the UIDDA

Even though the process has been simplified, it doesn’t mean that the documents can be served as they are within a state other than the original jurisdiction. The UIDDA process requires dealing with the clerk of the court in the jurisdiction where discovery is being pursued. 

While a family law attorney doesn’t need to file a motion, this subpoena does still need to be reissued in the new jurisdiction. Additionally, using a process server ensures your subpoena is brought to the court clerk in person, cutting down significantly on the time need for domestication and avoiding the possibility of missed deadlines. It should be noted, however, that with the impact of COVID, turn-around time can vary based on the court and staffing. In some instances, extensions it has been necessary to request an extension. 

Given the variances in state rules and policies, using a process server can be extremely beneficial in expediting the timeline and accuracy of domesticating a foreign subpoena. 

Process servers who regularly serve UIDDA subpoenas become familiar with every court clerk and can hand-deliver documents anywhere in the country. As a result, family law attorneys save time and money on the research involved in locating the correct court clerk and local process, while ensuring accuracy and speed of completion.

States that Are Part of the UIDDA

While not every state has adopted the UIDDA, many have.

Please note: the states listed below are subject to change at any time. For a complete list of states that have adopted the UIDDA, please visit the Uniform Law Commission’s website.

States which are part of the UIDDA:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri*
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin

* Missouri has adopted the UIDDA, but as of the time of this article, they are still operating under their previous rules.

Looking Forward 

Family law attorneys should take advantage of the UIDDA to gain a more efficient and cost-effective discovery process by limiting judicial oversight and eliminating the need to obtain local counsel in the discovery state. 

A process server can cut down on costs even further by removing the burden of researching state-specific information and expedite timelines by personally handling the reissuing and domesticating of the subpoena with the court clerk. In states where the UIDDA has been adopted, expect a significantly improved experience when dealing with subpoenas for depositions or the production of documents for family law matters.

By LEAP, AAML NJ Silver Sponsor

Legal professionals often follow manual processes of managing cases from beginning to end. This often makes matter management a tedious task. Consider what this looks like for many New Jersey law firms today:

1. Referrals from previous clients come to your firm looking for legal help.

2. Initial intake is written down on a piece of paper, to be manually checked for any conflicts.

3. You reach out to this new client, via email or phone, to begin the case and have notes in different places.

4. Legal assistants manually write up notices and motions based on templates downloaded from your court years ago.

5. You meet with your client to print, mark up, revise, finalize, and sign documents whenever you both are available.

6. Documents are submitted via the NJ courts’ websites, potentially not being saved back to your files.

7. The recorded billable time is estimated based on your memory and the invoice for this client is created manually.

8. You have no client reminders for this outstanding payment so it takes longer to get paid.

9. You assume that you need to hire additional firm staff because there has to be a more efficient way to get work done, only accruing an overwhelming amount of administrative tasks and overhead costs.

This scenario is far too common for New Jersey law firms. Every step in this process causes inefficient workflows for you and your clients. Any combination of these points can be detrimental to your business’ bottom line, ultimately leaving you feeling exhausted. 

There is a solution. Legal practice management technology is being adopted by New Jersey law firms, making matter management, document creation, time recording, billing, and trust accounting a more profitable and efficient workflow. 

Changing the above habits and using automation techniques via legal software will make matter management look more like this:

1. Clients and prospective clients are all managed within an online web portal; they complete online intake forms and submit case information 24/7, and schedule appointments based on your set availability.

2. Cases are automatically created in a software database from the online intake form.

3. Client communications are initiated through this software, and saved to a centralized location, so all your phone and email communications are updated in the matter at all times.

4. The details of this matter are automatically pre-filled into the updated court form for this New Jersey-specific matter type.

5. All client collaborations on the document are managed through the same software and e-signatures are requested to notify all parties of completed documents without hassle.

6. The latest court details, case parties, and documents are synchronized back to your central database. 

7. You have instantly recorded your time on each of these steps so you can get accurate invoices to your clients quickly.

8. Your online web portal allows you to send payment reminders to your clients, provide links to pay via credit card, and accept online payments so you get paid faster.

9. Your legal automation software is taking care of all the tedious administrative tasks that you would have otherwise hired for. You also generate automatic reports that provide you with insights for productivity, fees earned, and profits and losses so you can improve your law firm.

Generally, you need multiple software programs to cover all of these steps. But, legal practice management solutions like LEAP Legal Software provide New Jersey attorneys with everything they need to automate their firm and make more money. 

“With LEAP, my practice is streamlined and efficient. The automated document production feature and the ability to bill my clients on the go is life changing! The use of this product has allowed everyone in my office to have the ability to be more effective and we now have the capability to invoice for time that we never did before." The Law Offices of Ma'Isha Aziz, New Jersey Law Firm

Learn more about LEAP Legal Software by visiting www.leap.us and get everything you need to run your firm.