30 episodes
Dynamite Divorce and other matters (DDOM) Custody and Divorce Attorneys Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson
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Custody! Divorce! Parenting time! Money! Disagreements over children! Custody and Divorce Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience. They know first-hand the court battles, psychological warfare, pain and frustration that parents, spouses, partners and children endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system. From their perspective as Chicago attorneys, Barry, Marjie and Kevin attempt to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.
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Episode 42 with Judge Mark Lopez, retired
In this Episode 42 - recorded on May 8th, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin host retired Judge Mark Lopez, formerly of the Cook County (IL) Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. In this wide-ranging discussion, Judge Lopez shares some insights and perspectives from his 22 years on the bench. Some topics are:Should you be scared to appear in Court?How are judges chosen in Cook County?What does a judge look at when deciding cases?Can you take off your shirt in Zoom court? (...
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Episode 41 with Attorney Igor Bozic - "Juvenile Court - a former prosecutor explains"
In this Episode 41 - recorded on January 19, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin sit down with former prosecutor ('Assistant State's Attorney') Igor Bozic to talk about Juvenile Court -- and the RISKS that parents face in not maintaining a calm, steady atmosphere around their children at home.How does the Illinois child-protection agency (DCFS) begin focusing on you and your family? Screaming, yelling, throwing things in the house. Being overheard by neighbors. H...
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Episode 40 with Dr. Pascale Piron - "OVERthinking and UNDERthinking in family-law conflicts"
In this Episode 40 - recorded on September 8, 2023, Marjie (our new co-host), Barry and Kevin sit down with: Doctor of Psychology Pascale Piron https://emergepg.com/pascale-piron, for a look behind the mental-health curtain. Psychologist, therapist, counselor -- what's difference (other than cost?) Can all of them do counseling? testing? evaluations? Why therapy for kids is good, and how some parents try to sabotage it. Why adults in litigation...
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Episode 39 - Answering some "Frequently Asked Questions"
In this Episode 39 - recorded on July 20, 2023, Barry and Kevin answer some of the questions commonly asked of them by non-lawyers. There are links included below, including "Illinois Legal Aid Online," for people who would like some online help in preparing legal documents. While some of the questions and answers are specific to Cook County Circuit Court in Illinois, there are also some universal truths and principles that anyone should find useful, as they attempt to navigate a...
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Episode 38 with Clare McMahon - "Best Ideas and Worst Ideas in Family Law"
Back from a summer break, Barry and Kevin are again ready to ruminate and pontificate on the practice of family law. They are joined today by Chicago Attorney Clare McMahon from Hoffenberg & Block , who bravely wades into this wide-ranging discussion about the "Best Ideas and Worst Ideas in Family Law." In this Episode 38 - recorded in early December, 2022, Clare, Barry and Kevin gather around the (virtual) table to debate and explain some basic family-law concepts, as well as...
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Episode 37 - "Drop Dead" and "Escape" clauses, Slippery, variable language and Other Perils
In this Episode 37 - recorded on a hot day in June, 2022, Barry and Kevin discuss an insider's view of negotiating settlement agreements -- the kind that become divorce judgments, parenting-time orders, and custody ('allocation') judgments.When you receive a 20-page parenting-time proposal, what should you look for? How about "drop dead" ('self-executing') sentences and paragraphs -- which allow the other party to judge when an important line has been crossed (for example, failing to ta...