Tax Issues Related to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

Distributions from a retirement or pension plan are normally taxable to the plan participant, as the distributee. However, the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REA) created special rules for the tax treatment of distributions governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) under a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) to an alternate payee who is the spouse or former spouse of the plan participant, from certain employee benefit plans that are prescribed by federal law. More >>


Adoption by a Same-Sex Couple

Any couple that choses to adopt a child must go through a rigorous background check. Often times, it may take many months or years for an adoption to be successfully completed. Although some states permit single individuals to adopt children, most states do not permit the adoption of a child by a same-sex couple. More >>

Juvenile Litigation with Respect to Institutional Confinement Facilities

There are many juveniles that are confined to public and private institutions. Many of the institutions have deplorable conditions. Juveniles are often held in dingy cells or small, dark rooms and are confined for hours, days, or weeks. Often times juveniles are deprived of exercise, recreational activities and schooling. Sometimes juveniles are even supervised by untrained or inadequate staff as well. More >>


Alimony and Spousal Support

Alimony, spousal support, or maintenance is the payment of support from one party to another in order to keep the receiving party in the lifestyle that they were accustomed to during the course of their marriage. More >>


International Divorce and Foreign Divorce Decrees

With many people living and working abroad after being married in the United States international divorce is becoming more of a common practice. International divorce cases may be very complex due to the laws of the country in which the parties currently reside. More >>