Course Description
Beyond Family Law: Cross-Disciplinary Strategies for Divorce Planning and Litigation brings together a matrimonial attorney, financial advisor, mental health professional, and forensic accountant to explore the complex issues that arise in modern divorce matters. The program will examine how legal, financial, psychological, and forensic considerations intersect in case assessment, settlement negotiations, and litigation strategy. Faculty will discuss topics including asset tracing and valuation, financial planning before and after divorce, the impact of mental health issues on custody and decision-making, and the effective use of forensic experts in contested matters. Attendees will gain practical strategies for collaborating with allied professionals to better serve clients, strengthen advocacy, and achieve more informed and durable outcomes.
Principles
- Effective Divorce Representation Requires a Multidisciplinary Approach
- Financial Analysis Is Essential to Equitable Divorce Outcomes
- Forensic and Mental Health Expertise Strengthens Advocacy
- Integrated Case Planning Produces More Durable Resolutions
Syllabus
- Building the Divorce Team: When and how to effectively engage financial advisors, mental health professionals, and forensic accountants in divorce matters
- Financial Analysis in Divorce: Identifying, valuing, and dividing marital assets, including closely held businesses, executive compensation, retirement accounts, and complex investments
- Forensic Accounting Issues: Detecting hidden income and assets, tracing separate versus marital property, lifestyle analyses, and evaluating claims of dissipation
- Tax and Financial Planning Considerations: Understanding the tax consequences of settlements, support obligations, property distribution, and post-divorce financial planning
- Mental Health Considerations: Recognizing the impact of mental health challenges, high-conflict personalities, trauma, and family dynamics on negotiation, litigation, and parenting issues
- Settlement Strategies: Using multidisciplinary insights to facilitate productive negotiations and achieve durable, client-centered resolutions
- Litigation and Expert Witnesses: Selecting, preparing, and examining financial and mental health experts in contested proceedings
- Practical Case Studies: Real-world examples demonstrating how coordinated professional teams can improve outcomes in complex matrimonial matters
