Family Law Lawyers Screened For Empathy

Prominent L.A. Attorney Says Future Lawyers Should Be Screened and Trained for Empathy

Increasingly we are entering an era where future lawyers should be screened and trained for empathy!

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Baer, an award-winning attorney and mediator in practice since 1991, notes, "Those who tend to be attracted to law school in the first place tend to be logical thinkers (rule oriented) and have low EQ levels. Moreover, the research indicates that the training students receive in law school also causes an 'erosion of empathy.' Furthermore, the more empathic students tend to drop out of law school at a much higher rate. 

Moreover, lawyers with 'higher level of resilience, empathy, initiative and sociability' are more likely to leave law practice than those with lower levels of those traits."

Baer claims this root problem is causing significant problems for society.

"Law schools must begin recognizing the damage that is being caused to interpersonal relationships and our overall society, due to the low EQ levels of those involved in the field of law and make a concerted effort to address this extremely serious problem. Law schools might learn a thing or two from the changes taking place in the education of future physicians," said Baer.

He then showed how a quote written about changes under consideration with regard to the medical field could apply equally well to the legal field with a few minor changes. The quote with his changes in brackets is as follows: It would benefit everyone if "leaders [in the legal field began] exploring ways to infuse more empathy into the [legal] field. That includes re-evaluating the criteria for who should get admitted to [law] school in the first place, and what they should learn while they're there. Their reforms [should] raise questions about what constitutes quality [legal] care, how (and whether) it can be trained, and how much change is even possible in the American [legal] system today."

To speak with Mark Baer,

Please contact: Aurora DeRose (310) 396-6090 – Aurora411@TimeWire.net.

Prominent L.A. Attorney Says Future Lawyers Should Be Screened and Trained for... -- LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Language and the Law - Simple Doesn't Mean Stupid

Excerpt from article:

Researching Reform: ~

Whether you take the view that legal jargon is an integral part of the culture inside the justice system, or offers an efficient labelling tool for the speedy processing of information, law is no longer a selective world but a communal one; and everyone wants to speak the language.

Blame the internet and a growing social conscience online, but simplifying language in law has been one of the defining phenomena for the UK justice system in the twenty-first century. For Family Courts at least, coming into contact with parents, children and extended family members who are not trained to deal in family law jargon, pressure to change the way we use language has contributed to wide-scale reform. The most notable to date, Mr Justice Ryder's recommendations for modernising the family justice system, included looking at the way terms and phrases were being used and seeing how we could break those down and make them easier to understand. Despite this, much of the language still used in court and by lawyers and other professionals inside the justice system remains unnecessarily complex.

Litigants in Person (LIP) continue to struggle with terminology inside the courts, with judges reportingdelays inside their courtrooms as a result, and more time spent explaining phrases and processes. Sadly, the current guidelines seem to have done very little to address this problem, perhaps in large part due to the fact that legal jargon exists before and after the court process, with very little help for LIPs during those in-between moments when they are effectively without support.

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Parental rights include any legal obligations that go with being a parent...

...such as the right to custody or visitation, the right and obligation to provide financial support, and the obligation to provide the child with proper care and supervision.

Erasing Dad we need your help
Erasing Dad part 2 will be an international documentary exposing the corruption of the family court system the world over and the dangers of parental alienation (when a child is prevented from loving or seeing his or her mom or dad after a divorce). We need volunteers who can help with fundraising, social media, research, translations, setting up projections of the film and press. Please contact us at info@erasingdad.org
Posted by Borrando a Papá on Wednesday, August 26, 2015

New law declares parental rights ‘fundamental’ - RVANews

Quote

Reforming Virginia’s child custody law could significantly help alleviate child-support issues for the majority of divorced and separated families – from both financial and emotional perspectives.

Posted: Saturday, August 29, 2015 10:30 pm

Christian Paasch
As the month of August, which was declared Child Support Enforcement Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, winds down, I encourage the citizens of Virginia to honor Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s recent proclamation well beyond the close of this month by supporting initiatives that work in children’s best interests after divorce or separation. 

Gov. McAuliffe’s charge to ensure “that the children of Virginia have the financial security and family support that they need to grow and succeed” supports the work of Virginia’s Child Support Guidelines Review Panel, and I am honored to be have been appointed to this panel.As our state rethinks these guidelines, we should seriously consider an important first step that honors both McAuliffe’s recent charge and President Reagan’s original declaration, which reads that we “must work even harder to ensure that all American children are provided the financial support they deserve.”This simple, first step is to embrace shared parenting — where children spend as much time as possible with each parent — following divorce or separation. Making this change in Virginia’s child custody law could significantly help alleviate child-support issues for the majority of divorced and separated families — from both financial and emotional perspectives.

*** 

Starting July 1st, parents in Virginia will have "a fundamental right" to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care” of their children.

Gov. Bob McDonnell signed two identical bills on the issue: House Bill 1642, sponsored by Delegate Brenda Pogge (R-Williamsburg); and Senate Bill 908, sponsored by Sen. Bryce Reeve (R-Fredericksburg). The bills formally declare parental rights as fundamental, meaning they will have the highest level of legal protection.

“The bill is pre-emptive and will not change any laws in Virginia,” Pogge said in an email. “It will, however, prevent parental rights from being eroded through potential court actions. I am very happy that it was passed and signed. It was important to a lot of people.”

The purpose of the legislation is to prevent Virginia courts from ruling parental rights as “ordinary” rights.

“Fundamental” means these rights cannot be taken away unless the state has a compelling reason to do so. When rights are “ordinary,” the state has more leeway in overriding parents’ decisions.

WHAT PRINCIPLES GUIDE OUR COUNTRY?

 "For any society to grow there has to be a belief system that will advance that society." 

Welcome to new and old members alike! Our organization's focus is on REFORMING CURRENT ALIMONY LAWS IN FLORIDA with an eye on future family law issues. What are our beliefs? Most of us would agree with the principles of the 10 commandments: Don't kill, don't steal, don't commit adultery, don't be dishonest, etc.  We also agree that we should reward good behavior; however, we often not only do not reward it, but offer no consequences for bad behavior.  This is at the heart of what is wrong with alimony law in the state of Florida. One of the key elements that elevates a society is diversified financial growth.  With more products and services comes more income, which buys more houses, pays for products, food, transportation, medical/dental care, etc.  Almost all the money earned keeps our society moving forward. When we penalize citizens for the sole reason that they are financially successful, it sends the wrong message to our society.  That's exactly what Florida's alimony laws do.  It's called THE ABILITY TO PAY, where an alimony judgement penalizes the person who has more money and, conversely, rewards the spouse who has chosen not to work.  This creates a "need" for the nonworking party which all too often never goes away.  How did this reversal of principles happen? Fighting for the "underdog" has become quite profitable. Many family law attorneys see the income opportunities when a family faces divorce, involving a plethora of expenses that must be paid by the spouse earning the income.  There is no incentive to limit litigation, so many divorces are extremely profitable for family law attorneys, who even take classes in how to penetrate the income producer's finances. It's all about the money.

Certain Truths Are Self-Evident

Ten things you need to know about the structure of the CRC:

• It is a treaty which creates binding rules of law.  It is no mere statement of altruism.^1.
• Its effect would be binding on American families, courts, and policy-makers.^2.
• Children of other nations would not be impacted or helped in any direct way by our ratification.^3.
• The CRC would automatically override almost all American laws on children and families because of the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause in Article VI.^4.
• The CRC has some elements that are self-executing, while others would require implementing legislation.  Federal courts would have the power to determine which provisions were self-executing.^5.
• The courts would have the power to directly enforce the provisions that are self-executing.^6.
• Congress would have the power to directly legislate on all subjects necessary to comply with the treaty.  This would constitute the most massive shift of power from the states to the federal government in American history.^7.
• A committee of 18 experts from other nations, sitting in Geneva, has the authority to issue official interpretations of the treaty which are entitled to binding weight in American courts and legislatures.  This effectively transfers ultimate authority for all policies in this area to this foreign committee.^8.
• Under international law, the treaty overrides even our Constitution.^9.
• Reservations, declarations, or understandings intended to modify our duty to comply with this treaty will be void if they are determined to be inconsistent with the object and purpose of the treaty.^10.

Ten things you need to know about the substance of the CRC:

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is super important!

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” is important because it highlights—and helps normalize—the active, everyday involvement of fathers in their children’s lives. Its value goes far beyond a symbolic gesture.

1. Strengthens the Father–Child Bond

When dads participate in routine activities like the school drop-off, children experience:

• A sense of security and belonging

• Greater emotional connection with their father

• Reinforcement that their dad is a reliable, present caregiver—not just a “weekend” or secondary parent

For many children, especially those in separated or divorced families, these small, consistent moments matter deeply.

2. Counters Harmful Stereotypes

The day challenges long-standing assumptions that:

• Mothers are the primary caregivers

• Fathers are optional or secondary parents

Public visibility of dads at school helps shift cultural and institutional thinking toward parental equality, which is especially important in education systems and family courts.

3. Supports Children’s Academic and Social Outcomes

Research consistently shows that positive father involvement is linked to:

• Better school performance

• Improved behavior

• Higher self-esteem

• Lower rates of absenteeism and discipline problems

Seeing their father involved in school sends children a powerful message: “My education matters, and I matter.”

4. Promotes Father Engagement in Schools

When fathers feel welcome at schools, they are more likely to:

• Attend parent-teacher meetings

• Volunteer

• Communicate with teachers

• Stay engaged long-term

This improves school–family partnerships and benefits all children—not just those of participating dads.

5. Reinforces a Child’s Right to Both Parents

In the context of family law and custody concerns, this day carries special importance:

• It affirms that fathers are essential, not optional

• It helps protect and normalize father-child relationships

• It reminds institutions that children benefit from meaningful involvement of both parents

For fathers who feel marginalized by divorce or custody arrangements, this day is a public acknowledgment of their role and value.

6. Positive Male Role Modeling

Children—especially boys—benefit from seeing men:

• Show up

• Be nurturing

• Participate in education

• Take responsibility

Girls also benefit by learning what healthy, engaged fatherhood looks like.

7. Sends a Cultural and Policy Message

At a broader level, “Dads Take Your Child to School Day”:

• Signals that fatherhood matters

• Supports movements toward shared parenting

• Challenges systems that minimize paternal involvement

It quietly but effectively pushes back against practices that sideline dads in education and family systems.

---

In Short

“Dads Take Your Child to School Day” matters because it:

• Strengthens families

• Benefits children

• Normalizes involved fatherhood

• Challenges bias

• Supports a child’s right to both parents

Sometimes cultural change begins with something as simple—and powerful—as walking your child to school and being seen doing it.

Florida Department of Education

The plan is for schools to provide refreshments for dads as well as a place where they can grab some information about...
Posted by Children's Rights on Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Kids do better academically with involved fathers, so state to host a Dads Take Your Child to School Day

In 2009, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and the annual “Dads Take Your Child to School Day” became the exclusive event that welcomed all ethnicities. A new logo was instituted from a drawing on a napkin by Kenneth Braswell, from the NYS OTDA. A website was created which allowed state-wide registration and guidance for anyone interested. It was also decided that the first day of school is a hectic time for principles and school staff and it may be difficult to coordinate the event. The date was moved back a couple of weeks to allow better planning and cohesion with the number of participating partners. A number of city agencies also joined including the Administration for Children Services (ACS), Department for Youth and Community Development (DYCD), and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (NYC OCSE).

#StandUpForZoraya #ILoveAndNeedMyDaughter #EndParentalAlienation

Equal Rights For BOTH Parents!

Buy a shirt and fund the attorney we just found in Florida to argue 

Declaratory Judgment and destroy the unconstitutional practices in family courts

The money raised in this booster will go towards helping each state file a declaratory judgment to stop the unconstitutional practices in the family courts. The first portion of this month's campaign will be designated for the filing fees in Sarasota, Florida. If there are overages the extra will go into the nonprofit "Keeping Families Intact." Wear one of these shirts proudly knowing that you are part of the solution!

No More Jim Crow Family Courts - Defeating one state at a time!

Parents have been struggling far too long through the family courts. Both the parents and children are being abused and taken advantage of. It is too expensive and difficult for parents to fight this. And the time it takes to fight it causes the destruction of their relationships with their children, has cost many their health as well as some their lives.

Organized by: Sherry Palmer