Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching Tips from the Founder of Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching Attorney, Christopher A. Pearsall!

RI Divorce Lawyers and Coaches - AirPlay plus AppleTV a Great Teaching Tool!

2012-09-01T11:30:07Z

Apple's Newest Operating System version 10.8.1 named Mountain Lion has a fantastic new innovation called AirPlay with AirPlay Mirroring that works with Apple TV 2nd and 3rd Generations to be able to better explain to your clients via a demonstration right on your computer how the courts and the specifics of their case will work. People feel much better when they understand what is going on in their case.

How might you use this technology? Simply create a presentation and then stream it to your television that is hooked up to the new AppleTV in your office right from the desktop of your computer. Understanding is a key factor in helping clients with confidence both in your skills in and their case. Lack of understanding by clients often leads to easier criticism and lack of confidence in the attorney. This is also a great eco-friendly way to review documents with clients without creating additional documents to be shredded to clutter the environment. Make changes "on the fly" as you client notes them and you make your work with your client more in the way of an "interactive" Team rather than them feeling helplessly dragged along through a sometimes confusing legal process.

Soon I hope to be able to use these great new tools to help my clients better understand the Rhode Island Divorce Process, review documents with me and create a dynamic team interaction with my clients so that clients can help themselves more in the Rhode Island Divorce Coaching session and in the divorce process itself. This, in turn, should help me better to understand the client and his or her needs and work together to reach a better conclusion perhaps with more understanding.

All My Best to You on Your Journey Through The RI Family Court,

Attorney Christopher A. Pearsall - "The Rhode Island Divorce Coach"™

Affordable RI Divorce Coaching - (401) 632-6976

I'm here to help.

Protection from Abuse Claims! Men need help against RI Domestic Violence Laws!

2012-08-31T22:05:58Z

I'm all for stopping domestic violence. Yet here is the problem. I read the Rhode Island Statutes on Domestic Violence.

What happens if the Plaintiff lies in her affidavit to force her husband out of the house? What is the punishment if the court finds the Plaintiff lied?

According to the statutes in Rhode Island it's absolutely NOTHING! I have a case where a husband has been forced out of his home for 4+ months now and I'm confident I can prove it was all a sham to continue an affair.

What is the husband's recourse? NOTHING according to Rhode Island's Domestic Violence Laws. Is something wrong with this picture? People need to speak up. The laws need to change.

Aren't men and women supposed to be equal under the law? Some how men are getting the short end of the stick here and women are getting a "kick the man out of the house free card."

Does anyone else see this?

All My Best to You on Your Journey Through The RI Family Court,
Attorney Christopher A. Pearsall - "The Rhode Island Divorce Coach"™

3 Major Ways You Can Control Huge Costs in Your RI Divorce?

2011-11-12T12:24:41Z

That largest cost of any divorce is almost always the amount you pay to your divorce lawyer.

So how can you control that cost? Here are 3 major ways you can take control of that cost.

1) Shopping around and doing your homework before hiring a lawyer can save you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars in divorce lawyer fees. If you truly want to save money then you will "bargain" shop like many people do for christmas presents. All attorneys are not the same and their rates and billing arrangements are not all the same. It is better to exercise patience and take your time finding for a good lawyer who knows divorce well and charges a reasonable fee for his or her services. Always remember the wise old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

2) Speak with your spouse and reach an agreement on your own to bring your case to a reasonable resolution if at all possible. It's best not to let your attorney sway you from what you believe to be a reasonable resolution that you can live with simply because your lawyer doesn't agree. Remember that this is your life with your spouse. When it comes to what is "reasonable" for a resolution to your marriage, your lawyer may know the law but only you know what you consider reasonable for a settlement. Ultimately, the longer your divorce takes, the more money the lawyers make and the less money and property you end up with.

3) Remember to tell your lawyer that you want the lawyer to talk to you about each action to be taken in your divorce and how much time it will take or how much it will cost you for the work to be done. If possible have the lawyer put it in writing, even if it is only via an email. If you don't want the action taken then make sure to inform your lawyer in writing whether you would like the action taken or not. Ultimately, your lawyer is your guide through the proceeding, but as the client you have the ultimate right to make decisions over what happens in your case. If you hand the case over to the lawyer and things aren't clear between you and your own lawyer, then don't be surprised if your divorce lawyer starts filing motions and sending out documents that may not be needed at all. You could save yourself a lot of money by preventing your divorce lawyer from doing work that is not necessary in a case if it can be resolved early simply by communication between you and your spouse or exchanges of offers and counteroffers until you arrive at a settlement.

The worst thing you can do is to simply hire a divorce lawyer and turn everything over to him or her and expect that things will be done the way you would like them done.

Revised DR-6 RI Financial Form for filing in Rhode Island Divorce Cases

2011-11-11T11:04:02Z

If you don't already know, the DR-6 Statement of Assets and LIabilities has been updated. If you've picked up a Rhode Island Divorce Packet or other documents for filing Motions such as Modification of Child Support in the past three weeks, make sure that you have the CORRECT forms of you may find yourself frustrated when you get to the family court for filing.

The DR-6 Financial Statement of Assets that has been used by the Rhode Island Family Court that has been used for years has undergone a MAJOR OVERHAUL including the requirement that it be on a green colored paper.

The one that you is online at the Rhode Island Family Court Forms page as of yesterday appears to be the updated form for the Statement of Assets except that it is a clear form but needs to be printed on Green paper. Presumably this Rhode Island form will still be available when requesting a standard Rhode Island Divorce Packet from any of the Rhode Island Family Court Clerk's Offices in any of the county family courts since it might be prohibitive not to provide the form on green paper for people who need or choose to represent themselves since it may be difficult to buy green paper in packages of 9 pages each.

However, this is a substantially important document which must be submitted in many Rhode Island Family Court Cases and it is required so don't take this form lightly.

See my posting on RI Chief Judge Bedrosian's new Family Court Administrative Order addressing the form in my posting on the Administrative Order located at

http://www.rhodeislanddivorcetips.com/2011/11/ri-family-court-the-ri-divorce-courts-new-dr-6-revised-statement-of-assets-and-liabilties.html

RI Child Support Law 15-5-16.2 Changed - Child Support for Children with Severe Physical or Mental Impairments Expands!

2011-11-06T12:27:33Z

Dear Rhode Island Divorce Coach,

I need help and I can't afford to hire a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer or even pay your coaching fee. Yes, financially I'm doing pretty bad since I got laid off after 15 years. I've made good money but now unemployment is going to run out and I don't even know how I'm going to afford food or rent. She just want's child support again for my son again and she says it's my problem.

My ex and I have been divorced for almost 9 years. We had two kids together. My daughter is 19 years old and she's going to Rhode Island Community College and doing great. My son a great kid. He is somewhat learning disabled and I've been told he has the mental age of 13 even though he's almost 21 years old.

The Rhode Island family court terminated my child support for my daughter just shortly after she turned 18 and again for my son at age 19.

My ex-wife is taking me back into court to get child support for my son. She says she'll get it because he is learning disabled and is still living at home with her.

There's no chance she can do, is there? I mean, once the court tells me I don' t have to pay anymore I'm done, right?

J from Pawtucket.

The Rhode Island Divorce Coach's Answer:

J. I certainly can't give you an exact answer because lawyers don't make the decisions, it's the Judge's that do that and it is all based upon all the circumstances and I can never be sure if you've given me all the circumstances or how a judge might view them depending upon how they are presented in court.

I can tell you that effective July 9, 2011 the law regarding this subject changed. Specifically, General Laws 15-5-16.2(b) which provides the fundamental considerations the court must consider when determining the child support for children who have a severe physical or mental impairment and are still living with or under the care of a parent even beyond the child's emancipation date as set forth in the statute (deemed to be 19 years old at the latest) has been modified.

While the Rhode Island Family court was already afforded the power to issue a child support order for the severely physically or mentally disabled child beyond the age of 19 in its discretion provided the court found that continued child support was warranted under the circumstances.

Now, in your case you have told me that before the law was changed your child support obligation for your son was terminated by the family court. You don't mention anything about whether the court determined if your son with physically or mentally impaired, or if your son was living with either you or your ex-wive at the time your child support obligation for him was terminated, so I will address the change in the law. You should then apply what the change in the law states to your situation since it would be improper for me to speculate on your situation without asking you further questions during a paid coaching session.

Rhode Island General Laws 15.5-16.2 (b) which provides the factors a court must consider when deciding to expand child support beyond a child's 19th birthday has been amended. As of July 9, 2011, the following addition was inserted after the factors the court must consider.

"If a child support order for a child with a severe physical or mental impairment has been terminated, suspended or expired, the court shall consider the factors in this paragraph and has the discretion to order child support for this child prospectively based upon established child support guidelines."

Essentially this law seems to give the Rhode Island Family Court the power to award child support on a "going forward basis" even after a child's 19th birthday if the child has or had * a "severe physical or mental impairment" and a child support order for that child was terminated, suspended, or expired.

However, in a nut shell it now makes it possible for your ex-wife to at least petition the court for a continuation of child support if the court determines that your son's condition constitutes a severe physical or mental impairment.

Therefore, based upon the new addition to the law, it IS possible that your ex-wife could take you back to court and be awarded child support for your son on a going forward basis even if your child support was previously terminated provided the court finds that your son's condition meets all the criteria required by that law.

You will want to look at cases determining what constitutes a severe physical or mental impairment under other Rhode Island cases.

I'm sorry that the answer isn't as simple as you might like it. However, the law can get very complex and often rests on different interpretations and arguments that can be made. That's why it is always important, in the very least, to seek the advice of an experienced divorce and family law practitioner on matters such as these.

[ *Important Note on Bolded Text: It is unclear from this addition in Rhode Island General Laws 15-5-16.2(b) whether the child had to have the severe physical or mental impairment (a) At the time the previous Rhode Island child support order was issued, (b) At the time the previous Rhode Island child support order was terminated, or (c) whether the child could have acquired the severe physical or mental impairment at any time after the date the child support order that was terminated was made by the court. ]

I hope you found this of help to you. Should you need any further assistance, please contact me for an affordable legal advice or Rhode Island Family Law Coaching session from an experienced Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law and Divorce Lawyer and Coach.

My best of luck to you J.

Rhode Island Computer Crimes in RI Divorces? Absolutely!

2011-10-29T14:27:28Z

Whether you like it or not Rhode Island Divorces with bitter spouses are no longer simple anymore. They have risen to the level of cyber terrorism yet the law has yet to catch up with it in the area of Rhode Island Family Law. Only criminal law seems to have reached the area of computer crime and infiltration of private information. Here is only one example of what computer hackers are capable of.

Privacy is no longer something to be considered sacred anymore and some parties in a divorce have taken matters to new heights, going so far as infecting computers with hidden software programs that go virtually unnoticed by the user while the spouse is constantly fed your private information.

Imagine being in a Rhode Island divorce proceeding only to have your private emails and banking records thrown at your own attorney in the courtroom hallway.

Imagine having your account at BANK RI drained of funds by a transfer you never authorized.

Imagine having fraudulent information published on your Facebook page to be used against you in your divorce when they were planted by your spouse who has stooped to a new low in guerilla divorce tactics.

These are only a few of the actions that spouses have taken or could take to cripple you in a divorce proceeding whether they contain accurate information or fraudulent information.

Denial is usually the first level a spouse will arrive at if these things are even mentioned, yet the reality of the things are that people who can do these things are readily available through the internet or through internet contacts. Sadly there are even companies that sell little known programs that will do some very damaging and intrusive things to you in your RI Divorce proceeding without having the slightest amount of computer knowledge at all.

In the end, depending upon how the person engaged by your spouse approaches the situation, or which spouse performs the actions, or which spouse even "owns" the computer, the spouse taking these denigrating acts of violation or hires a person to do so may have committed a state or federal computer crime punishable by fines or jail time. Yet many spouses, especially those with children, bank on the very fact that the spouse begin victimized by these computer invasions of privacy would never cause the mother or the father of their children to be labeled as a criminal.

Ultimately, if you have a computer, especially one connected to the internet by a cable or DSL internet service your level of awareness during a divorce should be increased as should that of your divorce lawyer.

Yes, Rhode Island divorces could (and frankly have) become subject to criminal acts out of everything from emotion, to vengeance to extreme acts of protection which may be, in fact, criminal.

Watch your back! Watch your front! Watch your kids! But be ever vigilant that your computer may be used to watch YOU!

Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer Coaches People to Help Parties Avoid Divorce Conflict!

2011-08-21T14:05:52Z

Not every Rhode Island divorce requires each party, or either party to hire a Rhode Island divorce lawyer to represent them.

I've thought about this divorce concept for more than five (5) years now. Every week I get calls about Rhode Island divorces. Most of the time people are shopping to either free advice or an attorneys' rate for a simple uncontested Rhode Island divorce.

Why is that? It's because money is the big issue with people these days and it doesn't take a Rhode Island lawyer to know that an uncontested divorce is going to cost less than a contested or bitter divorce. So people just use their common sense and ask for the rate for a simple, uncontested divorce even if they really don't understand what it means for a divorce to be truly "uncontested."

But is asking for a Rhode Island lawyer's rate for their divorce as a simple or uncontested divorce just about the money? Possibly not.

Some attorneys in Rhode Island find this kind of phone lawyer shopping offensive. I can understand that. After all, divorces aren't a one size fits all thing. Or at least they shouldn't be. After all, since no two people are EXACTLY alike in the world then it makes sense that now two divorces which involve two people are never EXACTLY alike, right? Isn't it only common sense?

Yet let's remove the Rhode Island divorce cost factor from the picture. Let's assume it doesn't exist at all. What is another reason for asking any question about a simple, uncontested or amicable Rhode Island divorce? Could it be because the person wants to be amicable, or simple, or uncontested? Sure.

So imagine you are an attorney. A person calls you with questions about a simple, amicable, uncontested Rhode Island divorce. If you leave out the cost of the divorce, you might actually have a person on the phone who wants to be amicable and not have a contested divorce. Consider it for a moment.

You are an attorney and you may now have 1/2 of the divorcing couple in a friendly position who wants to be agreeable and resolve the divorce. Is it possible that basically 50% of the job of getting to friendly/nominal divorce hearing is already present? It is absolutely possible. In fact, if the person doesn't have that much money and he or she is attorney shopping for the most affordable lawyer on an amicable Rhode Island divorce, doesn't it make sense that the cost factor is also pushing the person to be amicable and keep the divorce uncontested? It not only makes sense, it is highly probable.

So why do I see our Rhode Island Family Court divorce calendars filled with cases that people aren't resolving by the Friendly Court Hearing Date (aka Nominal Hearing Date)?

I've watched and considered this interesting Rhode Island divorce phenomenon for over a year now. Now while I do represent people with more complicated cases, I coach even more people to manage their own divorces, represent themselves, work out agreements with their own spouses, and even co-parent better.

There are two factors I have identified.

One factor is when one spouse who can't or won't come to terms with a divorce. This could be due to the spouse being unreasonable, mental health issues, or pure bitterness and anger.

The other factor is the involvement of one or more attorneys involved in the case who create conflict in the divorce sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly.

To be sure divorces can be emotional. They are too susceptible of tipping from a simple uncontested divorce to a contested, drawn out divorce. Too much of it is seen these days. Some days it literally pervades the atmosphere in the courtroom.

In short, I created coaching to help people and not to put anything even remotely amounting to a substantial amount of money in my pocket. Certainly I'm no saint, I still have to charge for what I do or frankly I won't be eating or I'll be freezing during the winter.

Yet, divorce in our economy right now appears to be on the rise and while I certainly won't profess that in any way I stop it from happening, I felt I had to do something with my skills to make it easier.

So Rhode Island Divorce Coaching was created by me as a solo practicing Rhode Island lawyer. I focus my entire practice on divorce and family law but I will certainly tell you that my mother raised me well. She raised me to help others when I can, to fight against what's wrong without violence, and to do what is right when I can.

So here I am doing what I can. I'm not in a position to represent people or coach for free but I'm doing what I can. When people come to me for representation I may do so, but if I feel that there is any chance that they can properly make it through their divorce using my coaching sessions, then I explain the difference and recommend the coaching when appropriate.

One Rhode Island Divorce Coaching session is only $135. I provide a full hour of time. During your session I learn about you, your marriage, your family, your assets, your debts, your income, your education and factors in your family that may be considered in a divorce. I also the take time to explain to you important aspects of Rhode Island Divorce Process and it's Procedures, important Rhode Island Divorce laws (aka RI Domestic Relations Laws); uncontested divorce proceedings, contested divorce proceedings, the different things the Family Court will want to hear about and what you should discuss with your spouse and answers to your most important questions and concerns. Lastly, I help you determine whether you truly need a lawyer to represent you or not and discover what might work best for you based upon your personality and what we have discussed during our confidential coaching session.

That's quite a bit to cover for only $135. One kind woman came to me for a single session after going through three (3) lawyers, over an eight (8) month period of time to the tune of about $7,500 and had this nice statement to make about my service.

"I wish I had found you sooner Chris. It's sad to find out that what I learned from you in one hour was more than I learned from all my the other attorneys I hired for the past 8 months."

This was perhaps the best unsolicited testimonial I could have ever received. For sake of confidentiality and privacy I do not reveal the names of my clients with testimonials because I work with them in the background and I respect their privacy. However, I can state without hesitation that this is a verbatim quote from an actual client.

Many clients have represented similar sentiments, compliments and testimonials.

Imagine how much help I can be to you and the damage I might prevent if you met with me just one time. Isn't it worth $135.00 to be informed about what happens, be prepared for what might come, and peal away the veil of mystery that causes the fear and anxiety associated with divorce proceedings.

I'm just a call away and I look forward to helping you!

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

Note: If this article contains a case scenario with names, dates or amounts, any resemblance any connection to any person or situation now or previously existing is purely accidental, unintentional, and is merely a mistaken creation in the mind of the reader.

* The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all attorneys in the general practice of law. The court does not license or certify any lawyer as an expert or specialist in any particular field of practice.

- - Recommended Websites - -

A Quick Tip for Men to Avoid a Divorce and Save Their Marriages - "Listen"

2011-07-10T10:55:52Z

Too many divorces result from one or more major factors. Whether you suspect a divorce is imminent in your marriage or not, one factor that keeps most marriages together is "Listening."

Many divorces result from numerous factors. However, female clients report mostly circumstances which show that their husbands failed to truly "listen to them."

While it may be true that it's a big jump for the lack of listening to cause a divorce because a man failed to listen, many men don't understand that listening is crucial for relationships, especially good marriages.

Keep in mind that listening doesn't involve merely being present and have two ears men. If you think you're doing your job by just doing those two things, the likelihood is that you could be throwing your relationship with your wife right out the door because you remain ignorant of what it means to "Listen" to your wife.

You may take this for what it's worth, but I have a fantastic relationship with my wife Cindy. The biggest factor is that I strive to "listen" more than I talk AND to do it properly.

So what is your quick tip? Listen to your wife and do it properly! Most therapeutic professionals do it all the time. It is usually referred to as "Active Listening."

So how do you listen properly? Follow these factors for listening and you are on your way:

1. Be attentive when your wife is speaking to you by avoiding doing other things and give your wife your full and complete attention.

2. Make eye contact and give acknowledgment. If you sitting in silence and say nothing, look bored, look in another direction, peek at your watch, don't make eye contact, don't make any sounds and don't even look like you are the slightest bit interested in what she is saying to you then you are blowing it!

3. Be attentive for as long as your wife needs to talk. Why? Because for the most part I have learned that spouses need to talk in order to feel better or to share with their spouse what is going on inside them. It is only once you do this completely that your wife feels as though you "listened" to her. It is only then that she feels as though you truly heard heard her.

4. Acknowledge your wife even if it is in small ways such as statements such as "You are kidding me." or , "That's awful." or, head knods or shaking your head or widening your eyes in disbelief. Your wife needs to know you are not only listening but that you have heard her and this shows her how much SHE MATTERS to you!

5. Don't interrupt your wife even if it sounds to you as though you are being accused of something.

6. Don't get defensive so that all you want to do is refute what she has to say. Your wife is telling you how she is feeling at that moment. She needs to be listened to and she needs to be heard. Men are very literal and we get offended too easily. Often times a woman might say something that means one thing to her but when taken literally means something totally different to you as a man and husband. You as the husband need not have enough self control to listen and do so actively. It may take you extra effort not to feel offended or blamed in your marriage, but reacting and responding before your wife has had a chance to finish may only lead to disaster and divorce.

Keep in mind, if you don't actively listen to her attentively without interruption, judgment, retort, attacking her, defending yourself or allowing her to finish, then you have "blown it." You need to actively listen from beginning to end for her to feel listened to.

I still "screw up" several times per month and interrupt, get defensive, fail to listen actively and respond appropriately to my wife. It is during those times that our relationship is angry and uncomfortable and I feel distant from my wife who is also my best friend. It is during those time that I feel most alone as a husband. It is far from a good feeling if you truly love your wife as I do.

Chances are I will never be perfect at this, but I get better each month and after 12 years I am truly "in love with my wife" as if it were our very first day together.

Can women do things as well? Absolutely! But that is a marriage saving article for another day.

If you truly love your wife, care about your marriage, and don't want to end up in divorce fellow men then I hope you take this article to heart. For all the divorces I've helped to complete because it was just too late, I hope I can help as many marriages survive.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

Rhode Island Divorce Coaching - When Fear Might Hurt Your Divorce!

2011-07-05T11:12:31Z

Too many people in Rhode Island divorces get scared and let their fear steer them into borrowing money and hiring a lawyer to represent them. Many people can't even afford to pay the money back. The end result? Financially they are in a worse spot than they were before they hired the attorney.

Then there are those people who get served with Rhode Island Divorce papers and can't afford to hire a lawyer so they try to "wing it" because they don't have an alternative.

That's why I created the concept of Rhode Island Divorce Coaching. There are far too many people who could do just fine if they just had a little knowledgeable help or some "coaching" as it were.

For instance, I received a call immediately before the July 4th holiday weekend began. The person wanted to see me as soon as possible about their divorce. The person's voice indicated the fear typical regarding many people who are fearful of divorce.

Like many people I observe holidays with my family. So, I reassured the person that I would the appointment first thing Tuesday Morning unless there was suspicion that something was going to happen over the holiday weekend. Since the person was not concerned about anything happening over the holiday weekend I set the appointment for my first appointment this morning. On Sunday I received an email stating that the person had retained an attorney and therefore the person was canceling the appointment.

I responded with an email thanking the person for the courtesy and stating that I was here if needed.

Fear is an interesting response in Rhode Island divorce cases. It is an emotion that tells us there is something coming that we need to be prepared for. Yet at the same time the "fear response" to a relationship situation or change can provoke many people into a response that makes people look before they leap. Rather can carefully shop for a divorce lawyer.

This may or may not have been the case with the person who called me. Yet the call provides an interesting example. If the caller had no fear that something impending was going to happen over the holiday weekend then why did the person retain counsel within 48 hours and notify me on a Sunday afternoon?

What caused the impending fear in the divorce situation? Was it a spouse? Was it an attorney? Was it a situation that occurred? Or was it simply growing anxiety over the unknown and what the future holds? For many people it is this last factor that creates an issue and causes judgment to be rushed as opposed to weighing options carefully.

As part of both my law practice and my coaching sessions I make sure I explain the entire process of a divorce, the legal procedures involved, a person's legal rights, and alternatives and choices that are available, at least to the best they might be known at that time.

It is, in fact, a core foundation of my practice as a Rhode Island lawyer focusing my practice exclusively in divorce that I require this first part of the process for every person going through or considering filing for divorce. I do so, because without understanding the big picture, how could any client ever understand what an attorney's role is, what an attorney can and cannot do for you, and what your role is in directing the attorney regarding your case. Without these factors, clients often feel like a sailboat without a sail being tossed around at the whim of the wind in the middle of the ocean.

Fear in a Rhode Island divorce situation helps keep you aware that something that is coming needs to be prepared for. However, if a person allows their feeling to overwhelm their reason and common sense such that they do not take the time necessary to meet with and screen attorneys for their skills, that same fear could damage their efforts.

A simple divorce is example is this. Imagine that the person who called me has a considerable amount of fear about the future because the person does not know what to expect. The person develops building anxiety and rather than controlling the fear that a divorce is generating, he or she gets so fearful that a call is made to another attorney who has a real estate practice. She speaks with the real estate attorney who has every right to represent someone in a divorce as an attorney who handles divorces on a daily basis.

However, real estate attorneys aren't doing particularly well in the current economy. So, as a result they take on cases they may not be well versed in so they can bring in cashflow to keep their law practice afloat and pay their bills.

Chances are better than not that while the client may have soothed his or her anxiety by engaging a lawyer immediately, the anxiety about their Rhode Island divorce may now have caused them to hire a lawyer who may not be equipped to keep them informed, or even know the proper procedural aspects of the Rhode Island Family Court's divorce process. The person may now be without their money and have hired an attorney who is not equipped to effectively be of assistance.

A divorce and family law attorney is much like a guide trying to keep you on the right path on a road that he or she has traveled many times. Allowing your fear to create such anxiety that you hire an attorney who is traveling the same road you are traveling for the very first time can cause you to plummet from the path and end up in the middle of your case with no guide at all because you have no money or you are too close to the hardest part of the journey to afford a guide to come on board and try to come to your rescue.

Fear is real and it can be a positive factor when viewed correctly. However, when it is not bridled with reason and common sense it can be a dangerous thing leading you to select the lawyer who may not serve you best because you make a quick decision based on nothing more than fear.

Do yourself a favor. Give yourself some credit. You have made it this far in life. You are alive and you have survived. That is something that counts for something regardless of your circumstances or an impending divorce. Come what may, you can handle it. Even if you are afraid of what might happen in the future, do not do yourself a disservice! Use your reason. Use your common sense. Do not let your fear rush you into a hasty decision!

Whether it is in choosing the right lawyer to assist you in your divorce, or making a particular decision about your divorce, use prudence and do not allow your fear to rush your decision. If you allow your fear to control your decisions your own fear may later create regrets that you can never undo.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

RI Child Support Question for The Rhode Island Divorce Coaching Lawyer!

2011-06-04T10:20:01Z

Question: I just got served child support paperwork for a child I haven't seen in 10 years. I paid about $50/week between 2001 and 2002 and then she just up and moved without letting me know. I had no idea where she went and she left no forwarding address. Can she legally ask me for back child support when she left town? I will pay child support going forward (a paternity test will be established first), but I don't think I should pay 10 years worth from the past when she took him away from me.

Reply: If you had an existing child support order through the Rhode Island Family Court you had an obligation to keep paying it. There is virtually always a way to find the mother and the child if you do some investigation. In the very least you should have paid it to the Rhode Island Family Court Child Support Enforcement Department so you would not be in contempt of the court's order to pay continuing support for your child.

If there was, in fact, a child support Order from the Rhode Island Family Court in effect then your child support debt would accumulate interest at a rate of 12%. If you did not have a child support Order issued by the Rhode Island Family Court then the mother of the child is only legally entitled to ask for the court to award her child support retroactive to the date she filed the Motion to Adjudge You In Contempt or to otherwise require you to pay your Rhode Island Child Support Order from the date her Motion for Payment of Child Support was filed. The retroactive part of the court's award, with or without the 12% interest per annum is in the discretion of the judge. Ultimately the obligation to insure you pay court ordered child support is on you and not the mother of the child.

It does not matter if the mother took off with the child or not. Your Rhode Island visitation rights and your obligation to pay child support for the support of your child are completely separate and distinct. A parent does not pay money for child support in order to have the right to see their child. Also, the money for child support is to support the child, it does not entitle you to see your child. In other words, child support payments and visitation are completely separate.

If there was no Rhode Island Child Support Order that says you have to pay a certain amount of money each week, month, etc . . . then the mother of the child may only ask the judge to award her Rhode Island child support retroactive to the date her motion was filed and that should be specifically requested in her Motion if she is requesting retroactive child support when no Child Support Order was ever established by the Court. If there was an actual Child Support Order in place and you have not paid child support in 10 years then you should get a lawyer. If a judge were to find you in contempt of an existing Child Support Order it is always possible that you could be sentenced to the Adult Correctional Institution for failure to abide by the court's order among other things.

Unfortunately, whether the woman left with your child or not, if there is Rhode Island Child Support in place then it is your job to protect yourself by, in the least, paying the child support that was ordered to the Rhode Island Child Support Enforcement Division of the Rhode Island Family Court.

If you need further assistance and/or advice, I offer legal advice and coaching sessions relating to each person's specific facts and situation for an affordable rate. Whatever you decide to do,

I wish you the very best in this difficult situation no matter what you decide to do.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

Top 3 Reasons A Rhode Island Divorce Coach is the Best Lawyer for the Job!

2011-04-30T12:51:04Z

If you have a Rhode Island Divorce you probably are like most people. You most likely want your divorce to flow smoothly through the Rhode Island Family Court System without substantial aggravation or expense. If so, there are at least five (5) major reasons why you will want to consider using a Rhode Island Divorce Coach before simply go out an hire a divorce lawyer to represent you in court.

Reason No. 1: Most of the expense incurred in a Rhode Island divorce matter is by the payment of attorney's fees for the attorney to handle virtually everything in your divorce without explanation unless you ask.

It Costs You Less! By engaging a Rhode Island Divorce Coach you pay a fraction of the cost you would pay to an attorney. Ultimately you save money for as long as you choose to use a Divorce Coach for the process.

Reason No. 2: When you hire a Rhode Island Divorce lawyer to do everything for you right from the start, you trust the lawyer to do everything for you. In many cases, the divorce lawyer will do what he or she sees is fit or necessary in your divorce matter without explanation, unless you specifically ask.

You Have More Control! By engaging a Rhode Island Divorce Coach you retain control of your own matter and you remain informed about your case and how it proceeds because you are educated on each step of the process and how it works and you make the decisions on what is to be done based upon the options you learn about.

Reason No. 3: A Rhode Island Divorce lawyer hired for your case usually gets certain information from you as he and/or she represents you to move forward as the lawyer deems to be in your best interests. In many instances a divorce lawyer will not educate you about what is being done and why it is being done. Unfortunately, you still pay for what you do not understand. This is all done with the belief that the work is in your best interests and that you need to trust the lawyer because you hired him or her for the expertise possessed in this area of law.

You Obtain More Information! By engaging a Rhode Island Divorce Coach you are informed about the process, the options/alternatives available to you, and the pros and cons. In this way, you have the crucial information that you need in order to make important decisions regarding what should or should not be done in your divorce and as a result you retain the control over the divorce.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

Rhode Island Divorce Coach Pro Se Quick Tip - The Narrated Nominal

2011-03-30T12:26:27Z

Can't afford a Rhode Island Divorce Lawyer for your uncontested Rhode Island Divorce proceeding?

Here's a quick tip to help you.

On your Divorce Summons you are assigned a Nominal Date by the Rhode Island Family Court Clerk when you file your divorce papers. Generally speaking you can think of this as your "Friendly hearing date."

If you have everything worked out with your spouse before that date, but have to represent yourself, then it's a good idea to look at the sample questions the court gives you with your divorce packet so you'll know the kinds of questions the court may want answers to depending upon your particular circumstances.

However, the Rhode Island Family Court judge certainly doesn't expect you to ask yourself a question, then jump back on the witness stand and answer it, then jump back down and ask yourself another question and then jump back up on the witness stand and answer your own question. Clearly that would be absurd.

It's a good idea to prepare a narrative for the judge making a very brief statement that recites the answers to the courts questions by including them in your statement.

When you are prepared with this kind of statement, your Rhode Island judge knows exactly the information you are giving him or her. The more directly you can provide the needed information to the judge so you do not waste the court's time but still get the job done, the better you've done as your own lawyer.

Therefore, if the court needs to know the answer to whether it has control of the case because you or your spouse have been a resident for at least one year then don't use a question and answer form.

In your uncontested divorce hearing on the Nominal date you might start by saying.

I have been a continuous resident and domiciled inhabitant living in Rhode Island for at least one year before I filed my complaint for divorce in this case.

If your Rhode Island divorce is based upon your residency in Rhode Island then you have just told the Court that residency is based upon you and not your spouse and that you have met the one year Rhode Island residency requirement. Best of all you've done it all in one brief sentence.

When you represent yourself in your own divorce you are acting as your own divorce lawyer. Be professional, be as brief as you can, yet give the judge the information that is needed.

If you want to save the cost of hiring a Rhode Island divorce lawyer then you are going to need to make up that expertise by your own preparation.

Remember folks, you are going into a Rhode Island Family Court of law. You are not ordering a jelly donut at Dunkin Donuts. But you can do it if you can't afford a Rhode Island divorce lawyer.

My best to you!

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

Rhode Island Divorce Lawyers are Necessary! But Why?

2011-03-29T23:37:08Z

Yes, Rhode Island divorce lawyers are necessary if you have a matter before a Rhode Island Family Court.

Why? Simple.... you need to know what you are doing and unless you are able to teach yourself everything there is about family law like an experienced divorce lawyer then you need someone to guide you on the path.

Are divorce lawyers necessary for representation in every family law case? In my humble opinion they are not.

Are divorce lawyers necessary to guide people in every family law case before the Rhode Island Family Law courts? I believe they most certainly are.

It is one thing to do everything by yourself with only yourself to rely upon why you are out of your field of expertise, but it is an entirely different matter to dive into a courtroom with more than a 100 years of law and legal precedent behind you without any professional legal guidance and reasonably expect the result you were shooting for.

You will not find me recommending that you should go through your own divorce or other Rhode Island Family law matter without professional legal coaching. To me, it's foolhardy. A divorce is an important part of your life. It is not something you leave to chance and then hope you can patch up any mistakes later.

It is too easy for you to cause and error that even the best lawyer can't undo in family court all because you didn't have any guidance and thought you knew better than the professionals.

This is precisely why I offer my coaching program. It's affordable. It allows you to save money in between coaching sessions. It even affords you the opportunity to use me as your coach for as many or as few coaching sessions as you like. Thus, you control the amount of time you spend coaching and how much effort you are willing to put into your own divorce instead of money.

At every turn you have an affordable solution that leaves you as the coaching client in control of the process, how much time is spent and how much money is spent. Plus, YOU are in control of your own case yet have experienced professional legal guidance to help you along the way.

Divorce Coaching is the process of having a professional teach you how to properly represent yourself while insuring that you are advised of the possibilities and alternatives available to you and as many reasonably possible consequences that may result from your choice of the various alternatives. Yet the choice is YOURS! You are not controlled by the attorney your hire in representation as is often the case, but rather you hold the reigns.

You determine your destiny! You decide what happens regarding your children, your assets, your debts, the direction your case takes, and the direction your case will take.

Do you know what you're doing in your Rhode Island Family Law Matter?

Wouldn't it be useful to have a roadmap with all the intricate backroads and important stops along the way? Could you seriously get from New York City to San Antonio, Texas by car if you had never traveled between the two cities before?

Without a roadmap it may take you three times longer if you just go by your gut feeling or try to take shortcuts that you think may be correct only to find yourself lost on a back road without any idea how to get back on track and no idea how to reach your destination!

We're necessary alright? Without us, people are flying blind. You won't know the big picture. You won't know the right steps to take? You won't know how to stay on track. You won't be aware of the pitfalls the may exist along the way. Without divorce lawyers, people in the family court are merely sailboats cast adrift in the middle of an endless ocean with no compass and no sail to chart a direction.

Get coaching today! Don't make yourself a victim of the family court system!

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

Rhode Island Uncontested Divorce Coaching by Attorney Chris Pearsall

2011-02-11T20:26:33Z

You have the legal right to represent yourself in your own Rhode Island divorce proceedings. A lawyer is NOT required. However, you need to know what you are doing. Plus, need correct legal information to do that.

Notice how I said that. You NEED to know what you are doing and you NEED correct legal information when doing so. However, I didn't know of any way for people to get that information affordably without having to provide substantial amount of money to an attorney to retain him or her.

My Rhode Island Divorce Coaching program is the process of assisting you and advising you about how you go about the law and exercising your legal rights to represent yourself, called "Pro Se" before the Rhode Island Family Court.

The RI Divorce Coaching Program is conducive specifically to helping you with the law and procedure regarding your uncontested Rhode Island Divorce depending upon your desires and your needs.

The coaching program is best designed for uncontested Rhode Island Divorces is affordable at only $135 for thorough minimum one hour coaching session but is also helpful for most areas of Rhode Island Family Law.

Coaching Sessions for an uncontested Rhode Island divorce typically consist of five (5) divorce coaching sessions specifically designed to acquaint you with, educate you, inform you, and advise you about the Rhode Island divorce process so that you have a better chance to proceed through your Rhode Island Family Court's Uncontested divorce proceeding successfully.

RI Divorce Coaching sessions may be purchased by you on "as needed basis" as your uncontested divorce process proceeds. This eliminates the need to come up with substantial money to obtain legal assistance all at once.

If you need additional sessions to work out issues with your spouse, you may purchase an additional session or two as you feel necessary to address your divorce and family issues to resolve your uncontested divorce more fully.

Rhode Island Divorce Coaching for uncontested divorces is -

Innovative!

New!

Successful!

Affordable!

and Saves You Money!

Do you want to do yourself a favor? Don't wing it. Don't try to do it without professional help! You risk causing yourself aggravation, anxiety, money, time and emotional turmoil.

Affordable legal help in you Rhode Island uncontested divorce is only a call away. Call me today at (401) 632-6976. I'll be happy to meet with you.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -

The Rhode Island Divorce Coach - RI Coaching on Child Support Termination

2011-01-08T13:54:38Z

I'm a divorce lawyer in RI who focuses my law practice exclusively on family law. Believe it or not, some people just need a little coaching when it comes to how to properly go about terminating their child support in the Rhode Island family court.

- PATRICK'S CHILD SUPPORT TERMINATION -

Patrick's Rhode Island child support case is a good example. Patrick has been paying on a Rhode Island child support order for the past nine (9) years for his daughter, Constance. Constance is not disabled and she has no mental health illnesses justifying any extended child support.

Constance graduated from high school. She was going to turn 18 years of age in about three (3) months. Patrick already knows that his child support should end sometime around the time that Constance turns age 18.

- FREE CONSULTATION INFORMATION -

Patrick doesn't want to spend money on a lawyer so he calls a around and gets two (2) free consultations set up and then a RI Family Law coaching and Advice session with me for a full hour for only $135. By the end of the second consultation Patrick believes he has figured it out. He knows Constance needs to be 18 which he learned from his first free consultation. From the second free consultation Constance also needs to have graduated from high school before his child support can end.

- PATRICK'S EFFORT TO SAVE MONEY -

Patrick cancels his Rhode Island Family Law Coaching and Advice Session to save himself $135.00.

Patricks feels that the free consultations were enough because one lawyer gave a little bit of information and the other lawyer gave another little tidbit of information. Together Patrick feels he has his answer and he can avoid spending any money.

As soon as Constance graduates from high school, Patrick stops making his child support payments.

- THE CALL FROM THE MOTHER -

Patrick gets a call from his ex-girlfriend, Judy, who is Constance's mother. She asks Patrick if he is short on money and needs more time to pay his child support. Patrick tells her that since Constance is 18 now and has graduated from high school that his child support payments have ended.

Judy said she knew it was coming sometime but that she thought she would get some kind of notice. Patrick says that he spoke with a lawyer and he doesn't have to make any more payments.

Judy calls a lawyer about Rhode Island child support and explains what has happened. The lawyer advises that Patrick is wrong.

- RI FAMILY COURT -

Judy hires the lawyer to file papers against Patrick for Contempt, the Rhode Island Child Support, Interest, Costs for taking time out of work and her attorney's fees.

Patrick is served with the papers and is shocked. However, he continues to be adamant that since the two lawyers confirmed the two conditions had to be met, that he doesn't have anything to worry about.

- A HARD LESSON FROM THE JUDGE -

When they get to court eight weeks later, Patrick finds out that he made a costly mistake. Patrick is is given only ten days per the Court's Order to pay (1) the last ten weeks of child support plus interest in a lump sum which is $1,170; (2) Judy's lost time from work which is $127.00; (3) Judy's attorney's fees of $750.00; and (4) that he is to continue paying his weekly child support until his RI Child Support is properly terminated by a Rhode Island Family Court Judge.

- RI CHILD SUPPORT TERMINATION COACHING -

Patrick calls me back and after a detailed one (1) hour coaching session about the procedure for the proper termination of his child support, Patrick is ready to prepare the documents he needs to file to have his child support terminated. The one hour of legal coaching was just what Patrick needed to get the answers he needed. Sadly he realized only too late that the $135.00 for some solid coaching on his Rhode Island Child Support issue was exactly what he needed to avoid all this cost and aggravation.

- RI FAMILY LAW COACHING -

Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching is the wave of the future and it's here to stay. People need affordable experienced help when free help isn't available and Coaching provides the answer.

Do you need a little bit of help like Patrick? Do you need some direction?

Do you have proper legal information you need to make the important decisions you need to make? Most people don't!

In my humble opinion, a RI Divorce and Family Law Lawyer providing experienced Coaching is the answer.

Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching saves you money.

It saves you time.

It provides you with understanding and knowledge you wouldn't otherwise get elsewhere.

It provides you with the experienced legal help you need, when you need it, at a price you can afford.

Don't go into any matter legally blind.

Many times you can't afford to be without a lawyer because in the end it will cost you much more than a single coaching session because you've overlooked something or weren't told something crucial like Patrick's case.

Don't be a victim. It isn't necessary.

At a cost of only $135 for a one hour family law coaching session with an experienced divorce and family law lawyer, it's something you can't afford to be without.

If Patrick hadn't canceled his appointment, he would have paid $135. Instead, he paid over $2,000.

Authored By:

Christopher A. Pearsall, Attorney-at-Law

Rhode Island's Full-Time Divorce* Lawyer is Now
Rhode Island's Only Divorce and Family Law Coach!!

Discover the Tremendous Benefits You Receive by

Participating in Family Law Coaching Sessions!

Visit the RhodeIslandDivorceCoach.com

Call (401) 632-6976 Now
to
Schedule Your Low-Cost Rhode Island Divorce* or Family Law* Coaching Session!

Experience the Difference!

Copyright 2000 to Present. Christopher A. Pearsall, Esquire
Offering Rhode Island Rhode Island Divorce and Family Law Coaching for a New Millenium!

- - Recommended Websites - -