Chair ColumnBy Staci BalbirerJanuary 2026A note from the Chair of the Family Law Section Council.
Deviation From Maintenance Guidelines Is Supported With Sufficient FindingsBy Christopher W. BohlenJanuary 2026When dealing with a deviation from guideline maintenance, the court must make specific findings as to the amount and duration of non-guideline maintenance, as well as justify why the court chose to depart from guidelines.
The Pre-Trial Conference in Family Law: Why It Matters, How It Works, and How To Make It BetterBy Hon. Bernadette Barrett & Rhonda J. ThompsonJanuary 2026Pre-trial conferences are an integral part of family law, built into the statutes that govern domestic relations matters. Judges and attorneys can take steps to ensure that pre-trials are as successful as possible in protecting children, resolving financial issues fairly, and reducing the collateral damage of litigation.
