Shanelaris & Schirch – A top NH Family Law Firm
Congratulations on being selected by the US News and World Report as a top NH Family Law firm.
Collaborative Divorce During Covid – Attorney Schirch’s Nov. 2020 Article Published in the NH Bar News
Click to read Attorney Shirch’s Article in the Bar News
I want to get divorced but don’t know how to start
I WANT TO GET DIVORCED BUT DON’T KNOW HOW TO GET STARTED
By Attorney Cathy Shanelaris
I often hear from my clients that they had thought about getting divorced for a very long time, but did not do anything because they did not know how to get started. It seems overwhelming to think about what to do and how to get started when someone is not sure where and when to start the divorce process. The easiest and best step to take is to have a consultation with an attorney. Information is power and scheduling an appointment with an attorney to discuss the process, your rights and your obligations in a divorce is the best way to get moving forward.
During the consultation, we discuss the following topics with potential new clients:
(1) We discuss what the right divorce process may be for you. There are several ways to get divorce which including the traditional way of filing with the court, the use of mediation, agreeing to use the collaborative divorce process (https://collaborativelawnh.org) and other methods of settlement negotiations.
(2) The division of the parties’ assets and debts. This includes dividing of financial accounts and retirement accounts, can you stay in your house or sell your house, health insurance continuation, life insurance continuation, filing federal and state taxes post-divorce and discussions of the law surrounding college expenses for children.
(3) Parenting plans and parenting schedules for minor children which includes a post-divorce parenting schedule, vacation and holiday schedule for each parent with the children and other issues that may be relevant like moving to another town or state after the divorce.
(4) Child support and alimony. We discuss the formula for obtaining child support and the amount a parent may receive in child support or the amount a parent may pay in child support. New Hampshire also has a new alimony law. Alimony is spousal support paid by one spouse to another and we discuss whether someone is entitled to alimony and for what period of time it may be payable or whether someone will need to pay alimony to his or her spouse.
The consultation may last an hour to 1.5 hours and it is a great way for a person to get information about what to expect if he or she moves forward in the divorce process. The consultation is an invaluable way to learn about how to get divorced, what you may be entitled to during the divorce, how assets and debts are divided, how your children may be affected and whether you pay or receive child support and/or alimony. It is well worth taking the time to learn about what to expect before you begin the divorce process. Many times our clients have said they feel so much better about starting the process after they have spent time discussing what to do and how to do it. If you have questions about how to get started with your divorce, please give Shanelaris & Schirch a call or visit our website at www.sandslawfirm.com to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
How do we share the kids during COVID-19?
Open letter regarding co-parenting during COVID-19 from Chief Justice John D. Casey
3/24/2020
Greetings,
These are challenging times for everyone, including all staff of the Probate and Family Court and those of the other Trial Court Departments. I want to publicly thank the staff, the bar associations, and all our partners for working together to ensure that we are able to administer justice for those individuals who need us.
It is times like this, when society faces threats once thought unimaginable, that the rule of law is more important than ever. Because of the great dedication and sacrifices of our staff, we remain available to enter orders and enforce existing orders in emergency situations. If you have exceptional/exigent circumstances, you should contact your local court.
Parenting orders are not stayed during this period of time. In fact, it is important that children spend time with both of their parents and that each parent have the opportunity to engage in family activities, where provided for by court order. In cases where a parent must self-quarantine or is otherwise restricted from having contact with others, both parents should cooperate to allow for parenting time by video conference or telephone.
To help parents, and in turn so that parents can help their children, we have amended the mandatory parent education requirements. Information about this can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/advisory/clarification-to-parent-education-procedures-in-section-h-1-of-probate-and-family-court.
There is information on our website about co-parenting during this stressful and difficult time. The link is: https://www.afccnet.org/Coronavirus. In addition, the leaders of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers published these seven guidelines for parents who are divorced/separated and sharing custody of children during the COVID 19 Pandemic. They can be found at: https://www.afccnet.org/Portals/0/COVID19Guidelinesfordivorcedparents.FINAL.pdf?ver=2020-03-17- 202849-133 and on our website.
John D. Casey
Chief Justice
Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
Do I still exchange the kids during COVID-19?
Leaders from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and AFCC have released guidelines for coparenting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seven Guidelines for Parents Who Are Divorce/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the COVID19 Pandemic
From the leaders of groups that deal with families in crisis:
Susan Myres, President of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
Dr. Matt Sullivan, President of Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
Annette Burns, AAML and Former President of AFCC
Yasmine Mehmet, AAML
Kim Bonuomo, AAML
Nancy Kellman, AAML
Dr. Leslie Drozd, AFCC
Dr. Robin Deutsch, AFCC
Jill Peña, Executive Director of AAML
Peter Salem, Executive Director of AFCC
1. BE HEALTHY.
Comply with all CDC and local and state guidelines and model good behavior for your children with intensive hand washing, wiping down surfaces and other objects that are frequently touched, and maintaining social distancing. This also means BE INFORMED. Stay in touch with the most reliable media sources and avoid the rumor mill on social media.
2. BE MINDFUL.
Be honest about the seriousness of the pandemic but maintain a calm attitude and convey to your children your belief that everything will return to normal in time. Avoid making careless comments in front of the children and exposing them to endless media coverage intended for adults. Don’t leave the news on 24/7, for instance. But, at the same time, encourage your children to ask questions and express their concerns and answer them truthfully at a level that is age-appropriate.
3. BE COMPLIANT with court orders and custody agreements.
As much as possible, try to avoid reinventing the wheel despite the unusual circumstances. The custody agreement or court order exists to prevent endless haggling over the details of timesharing. In some jurisdictions there are even standing orders mandating that, if schools are closed, custody agreements should remain in force as though school were still in session.
4. BE CREATIVE.
At the same time, it would be foolish to expect that nothing will change when people are being advised not to fly and vacation attractions such as amusement parks, museums and entertainment venues are closing all over the US and the world. In addition, some parents will have to work extra hours to help deal with the crisis and other parents may be out of work or working reduced hours for a time. Plans will inevitably have to change. Encourage closeness with the parent who is not going to see the child through shared books, movies, games and FaceTime or Skype.
5. BE TRANSPARENT.
Provide honest information to your co-parent about any suspected or confirmed exposure to the virus, and try to agree on what steps each of you will take to protect the child from exposure. Certainly both parents should be informed at once if the child is exhibiting any possible symptoms of the virus.
6. BE GENEROUS.
Try to provide makeup time to the parent who missed out, if at all possible. Family law judges expect reasonable accommodations when they can be made and will take seriously concerns raised in later filings about parents who are inflexible in highly unusual circumstances.
7. BE UNDERSTANDING.
There is no doubt that the pandemic will pose an economic hardship and lead to lost earnings for many, many parents, both those who are paying child support and those who are receiving child support. The parent who is paying should try to provide something, even if it can’t be the full amount. The parent who is receiving payments should try to be accommodating under these challenging and temporary circumstances.
Adversity can become an opportunity for parents to come together and focus on what is best for the child. For many children, the strange days of the pandemic will leave vivid memories. It’s important for every child to know and remember that both parents did everything they could to explain what was happening and to keep their child safe.
### See more Coronavirus Resources and Information for family law professionals.
The Strength of the Collaborative Team
The Strength of the Collaborative Team
Many people choose to engage in the collaborative process for many reasons. One of the reasons I hear over and over again from clients that have chosen this process is that the strength of the team is one of the greatest benefits, but what does that really mean. When you choose to divorce using the collaborative process, it means that you not only have your attorney representing you, but you also have two additional neutral professionals. The financial professional is trained and has a background in finance. Many are either certified divorce financial professionals, CPAs, or financial advisers. These professionals have been trained in the many financial nuances and issues that arise in divorce including the implication of tax law changes, how different types of assets are treated to ensure the best outcome for both parties and how to manage debt after divorce. The financial neutral is not representing either party, but working as a team member to support the family and generate options for the best possible outcome for both parties.
Similarly, the coach facilitator also works in harmony with the financial neutral and both attorneys to ensure that the case is proceeding smoothly. Because the collaborative divorce operates outside the oversight of the court’s case management system, the coach facilitator acts as a kind of case manager for the process. Ensuring that the team stays on task, the parties use their time in meetings efficiently and effectively and most importantly manages the emotion between the divorcing couple so that they can stay on task, focused on obtaining the best possible result for their family. While this role is frequently undervalued by parties, as a professional I have witnessed numerous families fall into the trap of spending hours arguing over a particular issue, those issues are often simply the focal point of an underlying deeply emotional concern. Having a coach facilitator able to work with the parties in order to recognize those emotional triggers, helps to keep them at bay and move the process forward to a more equitable and cost effective resolution.
Congratulations to Jane Schirch
Congratulations to Jane Schirch
Many congratulations to our friend and colleague, Jane Schirch, who is the 2019 recipient of the NH Collaborative Law Alliance John Cameron Memorial Award. Jane is the forth annual recipient of this award since its creation in 2015 to honor the memory and work of Attorney John Cameron. Jane was honored at the NHCLA annual meeting held on September 26, 2019. T he Cameron Award is given annually to a member of the NHCLA who embodies the spirit and practice of collaborative law. Jane demonstrates the qualities that John embraced in his practice to promote the tenants of the collaborative law practice and to maintain respect and dignity for families during divorce and separation. During Jane’s entire career, she has embraced the practice of collaborative law to keep divorce and parenting matters focused on parents and children, maintain the priorities of the family and to minimize the impacts of divorce and separation. From all that she does through her work in collaborative law, in helping other attorneys who call our office with questions, in teaching, in her parenting coordinator and mediation trainings, Jane always reflects the idea of working together with others to create something great. Jane is a current member of the NHCLA Board of Directors. Shanelaris & Schirch is proud of all Jane’s accomplishments and congratulate her on this honor.
Congratulations to Attorney Jane Schirch
Winner of the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award
On February 15, 2019 Attorney Schirch was awarded the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award. Jane is a dedicated attorney who works with determination and compassion for all her clients and we want to congratulate her for the work she performs for pro bono.
Jane has made a difference in the lives of dozens of families and children in crisis, applying her knowledge, skills and empathy to their challenging situations giving them an opportunity to secure a more stable and hopeful future. We are so proud of all her accomplishments.
Congratulations, Jane.