33rd Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar Materials

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This comprehensive, stand-alone publication is direct from an April 2017 seminar cosponsored with the Family Law Section of The Virginia Bar Association.

This annual program is a must for all experienced family law attorneys. In addition to the annual legislative update and bi-annual case law update, you will receive information and practical advice on many hot topics in family law practice today.

UPDATE ON VIRGINIA FAMILY LAW
Edward D. Barnes

I. Introduction
       A. Abbreviations
       B. Published and Unpublished Cases

II. Procedural Issues

III. Support and Maintenance
       A. Determination

IV. Premarital and Property Settlement Agreements
       A. Interpretation
       B. Incorporation

V. Equitable Distribution
       A. Classification
       B. Valuation
       C. Division of Assets
       D. Enforcement

VI. Child Support
       A. Modification

VII. Custody and Visitation
       A. Determination of Custody/Visitation
       B. Relocation
       C. Adoption, Step Parent, Grandparent, or Other

VIII. Miscellaneous
       A. Protective Orders
       B. “Wiretapping”
       C. Engagement Rings
       D. Hague Convention

IX. Parental Rights
       A. Termination of Parental Rights/Foster Care/Findings of
       Abuse and Neglect

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: 2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
Lawrence D. Diehl

I. In General
       A. Summary List of 2017 Legislation
       B. General Overview of 2017 Session

II. Marriage
       A. Religions Freedom; Solemnization of Marriage

III. Equitable Distribution
       A. None

IV. Divorce
       A. Jurisdiction Over Civilian Employees and Foreign Service
       Officers

V. Child Support
       A. Special Needs Trusts; ABLF Savings Accounts
       B. Child Support; Priority of Debts Paid From Decedent’s Assets

VI. Spousal Support
       A. Authority of Court to Award Life Insurance Where Order for
       Spousal Support Exists

VII. Custody/Visitation
       A. Parenting Time
       B. Court Order to be Delivered to Schools

IN SEARCH OF PERSONAL V. PROFESSIONAL GOODWILL
Gary W. Baum

ADVANCED FAMILY LAW ISSUES IN MEDIATION
Hon. Leslie M. Alden
Hon. Catherine C. Hammond
Hon. LeRoy F. Millette, Jr.
Hon. Dennis J. Smith

DIVIDING CIVILIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RETIREMENT
BENEFITS UPON DIVORCE
Pamela K. Squires

I. Identification and General Overview of Federal Government Pension
Systems

II. Pension Benefits Under Each Retirement System
       A. Monthly Annuity During Employee’s Lifetime
       B. Refund of Employee Contributions
       C. Former Spouse Survivor Annuity

III. Clearly Express the Former Spouse’s Entitlement Using the Correct
Terminology
       A. Monthly Annuity During Employee’s Lifetime
       B. Refund of Employee Contributions
       C. Former Spouse Survivor Annuity

IV. Often Overlooked Issues Pertaining to Federal Government Pensions
       A. Purchase of Military Service
       B. No Former Spouse Survivos Annuity for Separated Employees
       Under CSRS
       C. FERS Supplement

V. Special Rules Pertaining to FSPS, FSRDS, FERS Special, CIARDS,
ORDS, and Other State Department or CIA Employees Who Elect
to Coverage Under FERS or CSRS
       A. Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System (FSRDS)
       Or Foreign Service Pension System (FSPS)
       B. Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System
       (CIARDS) or Organizational Retirement and Disability System
       (ORDS)

VI. What and Where to Send Documents Regarding the Division of a
Civilian Federal Government Pension
       A. Documentation Required by OPM
       B. Documentation Required by the Department of State
       C. Documentation Required by the CIA

VII. Continuation of FEHB Health Care Coverage
       A. Temporary Continuation Coverage (TCC)
       B. Spouse Equity Coverage

VIII. Thrift Savings Plan and Other Defined Contribution Plans for Federal
Government Employees
       A. “Retirement Benefits Court Order” (RBCO)
       B. Who is Eligible to Participate in the Thrift Savings Plan
       C. Assigning Benefits to the Former Spouse
       D. Defining the Martial Share
       E. “Interest and Earnings” or “Gains and Losses”
       F. Loans
       G. Must be Allocated on a Pro Rata Basis
       H. Distribution Options Available to a Former Spouse form the
       TSP
       I. Direct Distribution and Tax Considerations
       J. Miscellaneous Other Considerations
       K. Obtaining Information from the TSP
       L. Documentation Required by the TSP

IX. Additional Resources

OBSTACLES TO DIVIDING MILITARY RETIREMENT BENEFITS
David I. Kelley

DIVIDING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RETIREMENT BENEFITS
UPON DIVORCE
David I. Kelley
Pamela K. Squires

THE ETHICAL LAWYER’S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO
UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCES
David D. Masterman

Authors

Edward D. Barnes

Lawrence D. Diehl

Gary W. Baum

Hon. Leslie M. Alden

Hon. Catherine C. Hammond

Hon. LeRoy F. Millette, Jr.

Hon. Dennis J. Smith

Pamela K. Squires

David I. Kelley

David D. Masterman