http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com blogs on legal issues facing families and couples Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:44:23 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en On July 16, 2010, the Massachusetts SJC ruled that postnuptial agreements were not per se unenforceable as against public policy.  In the much-awaited ruling in  Ansin v. Craven-Ansin, (SJC-10548 July 16, 2010), the unaminous court held that if the spouses later divorce,  the agreement must be carefully scrutized, and provided a list of ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/massachusetts-supreme-judicial-court-permits-postnuptial-agreements-in-ansin-v-cravin-ansin/ The Montana Mediation Association (MtMA) has invited Laurie Israel to teach an all-day course in Marital Mediation on April 30, 2011.  She has never been to Montana, and looks forward to the trip, and training mediators interested in learning how to help marriages survive and flourish by means of marriage mediation. http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/laurie-israel-to-teach-marital-mediation-in-helena-montana/ An article appeared in The New York Times Magazine on June 20, 2010, entitled “What Broke My Father’s Heart” by Katy Butler.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/magazine/20pacemaker-t.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1 It chronicles the life and death of her father, a retired college professor who had a pacemaker installed shortly after dementia set in.  The pacemaker’s battery was expected ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/pacemakers-can-preempt-your-living-will-directives/ John Fiske and Laurie Israel to give other 2-day workshop on Marital Mediation in November.  Sign up is now available on www.mediationtostaymarried.com.  The workshop will take place at the Wellesley College Club on November 12 and 13, 2010 (Friday and Saturday). The cost is $700. For registration and more information,visit John’s website, ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/john-fiske-and-laurie-israel-to-give-another-2-day-marital-mediation-training-novmeber-12-and-13-2010/ You may have drafted your last will and testament, and perhaps other documents such as health care proxies and powers of attorney.  You may think you are done with your estate plan.  You are not done – you have only done half the work needed. There are many types of assets ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/watch-your-beneficiary-designations/ Did you ever hear the expression “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?  This overused adage seems to help some people (generally husbands) focus on their wife’s happiness in order to secure a peaceful, happy marriage.  It seems quite manipulative.  What about the man’s happiness?  It’s interesting that the opposite “Happy Husband, Happy ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/happy-life-happy-wife/ Clients frequently ask me where to keep their signed Last Will and Testament.  The original Last Will is required for probate.  If only a copy can be found, the testator is presumed to have revoked the Last Will and Testament.  Asking for a copy of the Will to be allowed ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/keeping-your-last-will-and-testament-safe/ After Leona Helmsley died in 2007, her $12 million trust for her dog, “Trouble”, was big news.  The trust was upheld (New York has a pet trust law), although the amount was   reduced to $2 million, with the rest going directly to charitable organizations, the contingent beneficiaries of the trust.   Why ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/protecting-poochie/ by Laurie Israel.   I have served clients in mediation in many roles -- as mediator, as reviewing attorney, as client’s attorney in the background, and as client’s advocating attorney at mediation sessions.  I have seen a great range of use of caucusing by mediators (including myself), sometimes related to a mediator’s ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/to-caucus-or-not-to-caucus-that-is-the-question/ by Laura Days, Esq. Back to back closings for buyers and sellers have great appeal.  You can sell your house in the morning, and buy the new one in the afternoon.  However, back to back closings are extremely stressful (for buyers, sellers, and their attorneys) and sometimes do not work as ... http://www.yourfamilymatterslawblog.com/back-to-back-closings-can-be-dangerous-for-your-health/