Product Description

Every domestic relations case involves financial issues—some of them highly complex—and every domestic relations practitioner must become familiar with them. This comprehensive course brings it all together for you, delving deep into matters ranging from alimony and child support to asset valuation and division. Hear practical and timely advice from the Judges, experts, and experienced practitioners who share the information and tools you need to build and maintain the core of a successful domestic relations practice in an ever-changing and challenging economic climate.

Alimony: After a Decade of Reform…What has changed since the Alimony Reform Act was enacted, and what can be improved? Has the Act provided the clarity and predictability that it was intended to promote, or are there other areas that should have been or can be addressed?

Income Determination and Income Attribution: Everything You Need to Know. The treatment of varying types of income for purposes of ascertaining both child support and alimony has become a front-and-center issue, especially now in this era of pandemic economic displacement and disruption. Determining whether a litigant is “fully employed” or even “employable” is a trending topic. When should you bring in an expert, and what kinds of discovery tools are available to help you to craft your arguments to maximize the amount of information you need to effectively promote your case?

The New Child Support Guidelines are here! But are they clear? If you want a comprehensive, easy-to-access and easy-to-use roadmap for the new Guidelines, we provide you with all the support you require. Our panel introduces you to the new features and considerations throughout the current Guidelines and assists you in understanding how to use them.

The Family Business, in all its many forms, is a marital asset, and is subject to valuation and division. How is this done, and how should you assemble the information into an effective presentation to the Court? This panel reviews the types of businesses that you are likely to come across in your practice, including web-based and “virtual” businesses, and how income is derived from them and how to obtain—and use—a realistic valuation.

Asset Valuation: What Is It Really Worth? Real estate, potential and received inherited assets, recreational vehicles, jewelry, collectables, and art…everything “of value” in the marital estate has to be assigned a number. Hear from experts in the fields of real estate and personal property valuation and learn how to recognize over-inflated or under-valued appraisals.

Taxes All Around. Tax considerations lurk around every aspect of divorce practice, and this section flags the dangerous pitfalls you must avoid. Gain an understanding of the tax considerations that permeate domestic relations cases, in alimony, in considering the financial aspects of child custody, in property division, and in debt assignment.

Agenda & Materials

• Day 1: Thursday, February 10, 2022
• 2:00 pm - 2:04 pm

  Welcome and Introduction

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• 2:05 pm - 3:00 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit - Alimony: After a Decade of Reform...

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  What has changed since the Alimony Reform Act was enacted, and what can be improved? Has the Act provided the clarity and predictability that it was intended to promote, or are there other areas that should have been or can be addressed?

  Matthew P. Barach, Esq., Barach Law Group LLC , Framingham
  Marc E. Fitzgerald, Esq., Casner & Edwards LLP , Boston
  Jennifer C. Roman, Esq., Tracey, Roman & Ramos, PC , Wellesley Hills
  
• 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit - Income Determination and Income Attribution: Everything You Need to Know

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  The treatment of varying types of income for purposes of ascertaining both child support and alimony has become a front-and-center issue, especially now in this era of pandemic economic displacement and disruption. Determining whether a litigant is “fully employed” or even “employable” is a trending topic. When should you bring in an expert, and what kinds of discovery tools are available to help you to craft your arguments to maximize the amount of information you need to effectively promote your case?

  Marc D. Bello, CPA/ABV, CVA, MAFF, Willamette Management Associates , Boston
  Wendy O. Hickey, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Needham
  Michael P. Judge, Esq., Casner & Edwards LLP , Boston
  
• 3:50 pm - 4:05 pm

  Break
• 4:05 pm - 4:53 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit - The New Child Support Guidelines

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  are here! But are they clear? If you want a comprehensive, easy-to-access and easy-to-use roadmap for the new Guidelines, we provide you with all the support you require. Our panel introduces you to the new features and considerations throughout the current Guidelines and assist you in understanding how to use them.

  Jennifer A. Bingham, Esq., Bingham Dispute Resolution , Newton
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  Amanda Vanderhorst, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• Day 2: Friday, February 11, 2022
• 2:00 pm - 2:44 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit 2022 - Asset Valuation: What is it Really Worth?

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  Real estate, potential and received inherited assets, recreational vehicles, jewelry, collectables, and art… everything “of value” in the marital estate has to be assigned a number. Hear from experts in the fields of real estate and personal property valuation and learn how to recognize over-inflated or under-valued appraisals.

  ,
  Lorraine Stark, Esq., Casner & Edwards LLP , Boston
  Francine Gardikas, Esq., Bowditch & Dewey LLP , Worcester
  Morgan Fennell, The Appraisers Group , Belmont
  
• 2:44 pm - 3:24 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit 2022 - The Family Business

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  in all its many forms, is a marital asset, and is subject to valuation and division. How is this done, and how should you assemble the information into an effective presentation to the Court? This panel reviews the types of businesses that you are likely to come across in your practice, including web-based and “virtual” businesses, and how income is derived from them and how to obtain – and use -- a realistic valuation.

  Felix S. Betro, Esq., Law Office of Felix S. Betro , Foxborough
  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  Theresa B. Ramos, Esq., Tracey, Roman & Ramos, P.C. , Wellesley Hills
  Courtney Sparks White, Esq., Blue Sky Business Valuation, LLC , Columbus
  
• 3:24 pm - 3:35 pm

  Break
• 3:35 pm - 4:26 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit 2022 - Taxes All Around

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  Tax considerations lurk around every aspect of divorce practice, and this section flags the dangerous pitfalls you must avoid. Get an understanding of the tax considerations that permeate domestic relations cases, in alimony, in considering the financial aspects of child custody, in property division, and in debt assignment.

  Alexander D. Jones, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Needham
  Tannaz N. Saponaro, Esq., Saponaro Law Offices PLLC , Wellesley
  Donald G. Tye, Esq., Prince Lobel Tye LLP , Boston
  
• 4:26 pm - 4:53 pm

  Domestic Relations Financial Summit 2022 - View from the Bench

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  Hon. Katherine A. Field, Bristol Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Taunton
  Hon. Edward M. Ginsburg,
  Hon. Susan Sard Tierney, Barnstable Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Barnstable
  

Chair

Faculty