Family Court Divorce and Custody Client Testimonial

Elisha Morris Divorce Testimonial

“I have been a client of Elisha Morris from 2005 thru the present. Though my divorce and subsequent custody case has been very trying and heart wrenching at times, I have always been strengthened by the support and professionalism of Elisha Morris and John MacDonald.

Having been granted custody of my 2 daughters in 2001, something unheard of for a father, our struggle continues today.

I am very lucky to have Elisha representing my family. She has been dedicated and relentless in her quest to make sure we are treated fairly in a family court system that sometimes is not. I have never felt like a client with a lawyer but a person being represented by a friend and I recommend Elisha to my friends because I know they are in the best hands possible.”

 – Kevin, Divorce and Child Custody Client

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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

Factors to Consider in a RI Child Custody Dispute

Rhode Island Child Custody

It is a sad fact that every day in Rhode Island, countless children are forced to deal with difficult custody battles between parents who are unable to come to a mutual agreement regarding things like child care, health issues, financial support, and physical placement.

The primary factor that determines who gets custody of a child, is based simply on the child's best interest. The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, CHAPTER 15-14.1 of Rhode Island General Laws determines what the guidelines are when granting child custody between parents.

In most cases that don't involve abuse or neglect, the state of Rhode Island specifies that non-custodial parents should be granted reasonable visitation rights. These rights often include mutually agreed upon times, dates, occasional stipulations depending upon the situation, and the wishes and best interests of the child. In many cases there is the need for court intervention due to the inability or unwillingness of parents to communicate amicably and in a civilized manner. Mediation is available for parents who cannot reach agreements on their own, or who require the assistance of a trained professional to help guide them through the process of resolution. Such situations call for the assistance of a qualified attorney or mediator who will help one or both parents in reaching a legally binding agreement.

Some of the most prevalent factors that help determine which parent is most suitable for the welfare of the child include the age of the parent seeking custody, the location of the home where the child will live, the proximity between the child and his or her non-custodial parent, and any medical or legal considerations such as disabilities.

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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

Thank You from a Family Law/Divorce Client

Recent RI Divorce Client Thanks the Law Office of John MacDonald:

"Divorce is a dark, messy process, but Elisha Morris of John MacDonald Law Offices was a bright spot in it all. She was efficient, professional, and encouraging to me, yet firm, assertive, and not afraid to do what it takes to win in the courtroom. She went above and beyond, making sure I was comfortable with the process and confident in her. She took on an unusual case against a difficult opponent with courage and competence, making sure I was represented in the best possible manner. I would highly recommend her." - Lynn

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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

RI Custody Issue Resolved

RI Custody and Divorce Client Testimonial

“Elisha was the third attorney on what was for me a very long and painful divorce and custody case. She brought a refreshing mix of empathy, professionalism and pragmatism to quickly bring closure and help me get on with my life.”

 ~ Stacey
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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

RI Family Court Client Testimonial

Rhode Island Family Court Testimonial

“I have had the pleasure of working with Attorney Elisha Morris during what is, by far, one of the most taxing and emotionally stressful periods in my life. Her professionalism and care at every contact put me at ease and allowed me to focus on the rest of my life. I took comfort knowing that she had my best interests at heart and would guide me through this tumultuous time.

I would not hesitate to contact Attorney Morris in the future for any of my legal needs.”

 - Suzanne

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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

Prior Conviction Deciding Factor for Man Sent to Jail Before Marriage

The article below discusses a situation involving a man who took money and a vehicle from his fiance in an attempt to get some space two weeks prior to his wedding. The man had been under pressure, had recently found his birth mother, and felt troubled. The Court however, citing the fact that 13 years previously he had been convicted of similar crimes, found him guilty.

The full article follows below.

Groom gets jail time for 'cold feet'

Apr 19, 2011

ACCOMAC -- An Accomack County man described by his attorney as having "cold feet" before his wedding will serve jail time for taking his girlfriend's money and car and trying to flee to Central America just weeks before the planned nuptials.

Gilbert Werner, 33, of Chincoteague pleaded guilty to charges of uttering, grand larceny and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in Accomack Circuit Court.

Defense attorney Patrick Robbins said the man was having "second thoughts" two weeks before the upcoming marriage.

Werner took $500 from his fiancé, forged her checks and used her car in a way that was described as "beyond the scope of her permission."

The car was found in Salisbury where Werner left it. Werner bought an airline ticket out of the country in an attempt to meet his mother in Costa Rica, according to Robbins.

He had been abandoned by her as a child and grew up in an orphanage, Robbins told the court.

On the witness stand, Werner said he was going through a lot.

"I had just found my mother," he said. "I just kind of broke down."

He said his then-girlfriend had forgiven him for what he did. "She still loves and misses me," he said.

Robbins said his client had made restitution and even filed his 2010 tax return from jail, where he has been the past 10 months.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Francis Suraci presented evidence that Werner should serve time in jail because he had a criminal record. He was convicted of arson and unlawful wounding when he was 19 years old, Suraci said.

A year later, Suraci said, he served time for grand larceny and unlawful wounding.

"He was good for 13 years," Robbins said. He has been working and making "pretty decent earnings."

Werner was sentenced to nine years in prison with all suspended but 18 months.

Copyright http://www.delmarvanow.com/
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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

What is Divorce Mediation and How Does it Work?

Divorce Mediation 

Divorce Mediation is the process of resolving conflicts between divorcing parties without the use of an attorney or the court system. Although it is highly advisable that both parties retain their own attorney, it is only for the purpose of legal advice and counsel, and not for presenting a case against one another.

Most divorcing parties undergo a tremendous amount of emotional stress and pain. This stress is translated into powerful emotions like anger and resentment, making the resolution process more difficult on everyone involved; in particular, any children of the marriage suffer greatly by the inability of their parents to resolve their many differences. In the long, drawn-out, and unresolved divorce conflicts that have become typical of our society, and in our desire to inflict the hurt we are feeling during this process upon our partners, our children tend to be forgotten.

Divorce Mediation offers couples a way to resolve their differences, without the high pressure (or price tag) of attorney involvement, thereby allowing everyone to come to terms with any emotions of anger and resentment and arrive at an agreement that is in the best interest of not only any children involved, but also one another.

Before hiring an attorney to handle your divorce matter, consider speaking with a divorce mediator first to see if there is a low-cost, low stress alternative available to you.
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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

Child Support Reform

Family Law - Child Support Issues

Several states within the United States are in the midst of child support reform debates. The main ideals and criteria on the table have more to do with fairness between the adults, and far less to do with what may be considered 'fair' to the child.

If child support reforms are to have any lasting value, they must always encompass the needs of the child first. In this country where having children is typically not seen as a financial decision, the attitudes of the adults involved, it would seem, is what really needs to undergo radical reform.

On the table for debate are typical waiting periods for increases and decreases in support to take effect; which are governed by statutory laws and slow to change. Arguments for custodial parents who are not given increases when a non-custodial parent earns more money, are as abundant as the counter-point of non-custodial parents who are not given a decrease in support payments during periods of financial hardship or job loss.

At further issue, are concerns resulting from the involvement of the non-custodial parent with step-children, or further biological children, and mandating decreases based upon their extra obligation to the new family member(s). A major caveat in adopting this standpoint, is that the door then opens for further legislation where adults who are already living beyond their financial means or capabilities, are granted leniency for responsibilities owed to past biological offspring.

This outlook would effectively reward those parents who are merely joining with another parent to help offset the cost of raising their children together, whether or not any intimate relationship bond existed. And even in the event of intimate bonds, there needs to be some sort of inner compass at work that determines whether you are able to actually afford more children without neglecting those you already have. This kind of reform would send a rather clear message to biological children of divorce that their needs are not as important as the needs of either the adult, the step-children, or any new biological children. This does not seem to be in the best interest of the child at all.

Divorce, child custody, and child support in this country do need to be re-evaluated, but not from the perspective of the adults involved. Teaching adults to live within their means, learn self-respect and loving behavior and habits, and how to determine whether another child is something they can feasibly afford, needs to be the main focus in child support reform. When taken in combination with the actual monetary needs of the child, ie. how much food costs per week, what portion of the living expenses can be allocated for the child, school, healthcare and activities, etc., this type of reform would benefit everyone involved.
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If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.