One Nightmare Done. Now, Let's Go Make A Difference!

Email to a friend:

Amazing day in court yesterday. Will share details later. Posted following today in Judge L. blogs.

“ In 2006, Judge Livingstone limited my ability to relocate to only 30 minute's from former spouse's home (already 20 minutes away) to not talk about schooling with child and other limits. His ruling cost me a fabulous job opportunity, proximity to family, support of a terrific community with top rated schools.

Yesterday, after going "pro se" (becoming your own lawyer) and working with 5 lawyers, the new Judge in this case finally restored our rights, awarded appropriate support, thus lifting the cloud of despair that has been so terribly costly for so long.

Time to celebrate? Not really. The emotional cost of these last many years will take time to heal. Nobody, no family apart, no children, ever, should have to endure the hardship and emotional insecurity inflicted by poor administration of our laws and system.

We have to do better. Why do you think it took 5 lawyers? 3 of them were not capable of grasping the depth of the impact, nor were they interested in looking into true application of the laws. One of those lawyers is now under investigation by the Board of Bar Overseers for mishandling IOLTA funds (client deposits) and ethical violations including lying to me and the opposing party. The 4^th is a high powered Boston attorney who coached me at a very reasonable rate – but she couldn’t appear on my behalf as the Judge would question how I knew of, or afforded, that level of talent. The 5^th is a saint. At one point I was afraid she too was going to try to dumb down the case – but my studies of the law and legal research reinforced my integrity with her. She managed to negotiate a good and right solution.

It’s attorney’s like #5 that we need more of. Those who will listen, understand and truly advocate for the family apart within the law. And Judge’s like Judge Menno, who will encourage same.

Judge Livingstone is no longer on the bench. He was too subject to drama, and had too many problems of his own to think clearly. I understand today his wife is seriously ill. I wish her all the best, but can’t help pondering the parallel irony in circumstance.”