Newsletter
A Child Advocacy Company
Bringing Support to Parents
Building Strength to Children
Bringing Support to Parents
Building Strength to Children
Disclaimer: BS Kids LLC legal research and information has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only. This material is not legal
advice or legal opinions on any specific matters. Transmission of the information is not intended to create and receipt does not constitute a
lawyer-client relationship between BS Kids LLC , the author of the information and any other legal publisher. Customers of BS Kids should not act upon
this information without seeking professional counsel. The opinions expressed in the material presented to BS Kids clientele is based on information
found in legal publications. BS Kids LLC, 6 Mackinac Court, Pooler, Ga. 31322 (912) 988-1001 or 781-756-1214.
advice or legal opinions on any specific matters. Transmission of the information is not intended to create and receipt does not constitute a
lawyer-client relationship between BS Kids LLC , the author of the information and any other legal publisher. Customers of BS Kids should not act upon
this information without seeking professional counsel. The opinions expressed in the material presented to BS Kids clientele is based on information
found in legal publications. BS Kids LLC, 6 Mackinac Court, Pooler, Ga. 31322 (912) 988-1001 or 781-756-1214.
| BS KIDS BEAT VOLUME 5 WINTER 2009 BS KIDS Even though the groundhog saw his shadow; there was little doubt that we’d be into six more weeks of winter. What a winter! Thankfully, it’s about one-half over, so it’s time to focus on brighter days and warm sunshine! With the early change of the clocks springing ahead in March, it won’t be long until the dull days of winter are just a memory! WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH FAMILY LAW Family law is going through a lot of changes. The two most important issues right now are child support reform and shared parenting. Child support reform is garnishing a lot of attention now, in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. While Massachusetts has already revised their child support guidelines and has a law suit pending regarding the increases recommended, New Hampshire is in the process of making recommendations to change their antiquated system. The report to the Legislature is still months away (in November), but it’s never too late to send an e-mail with your thoughts to the task force. For more information, go to the website for the specific details. The shared parenting bills in both states are still pending. In New Hampshire, HB 139 is due to be reviewed in a Sub Committee hearing on Tuesday, February 17th at 12:30pm in LOB 206. Regardless of whether or not you can make this hearing (realizing its very short notice), sending testimony to the Child and Family Law Committee can’t hurt. It’s not looking good, so if you have a few moments, perhaps you can send your opinion on why shared parenting is critical for New Hampshire. To send testimony, you can either contact each representative individually (see our web site for the current listing of committee members) or send an e-mail to c&flaw@nh.state.nh.us. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES The Legislature is in high gear in New Hampshire. Several House bills have already been voted on and several more are in Sub Committee. The bills that have already been voted on are below: HB 79, relative to use of the child support guideline worksheet. OUGHT TO PASS. Rep. David A Bickford for Children and Family Law: This bill requires the court or court personnel to retain the child support guideline worksheet in the court file and be prepared to make it available for inspection at the request of the parties. Therefore all parties will know how child support was delivered. Vote 17-0. HB 38, relative to the minimum amount of child support ordered by the court. INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE. Rep. Barbara H Richardson for Children and Family Law: An economic report on the cost of raising children will be released in March, 2009. The committee believed it would be premature to pass this bill prior to receiving this report. Vote 17-0. HB 132, relative to access to case records of the department of health and human services. OUGHT TO PASS. Rep. Edward P Moran for Children and Family Law: This bill was requested by the department of health and human services. It is intended to permit welfare and law enforcement agencies from other states to have access to health and human services records which would be necessary for these agencies to carry out their responsibility under law to protect children from abuse or neglect. Vote 17-0. HB 173, relative to the basis for awarding custody to a stepparent or grandparent. OUGHT TO PASS. Rep. David A Bickford for Children and Family Law: The appropriate venue for grandparents and stepparents is through RSA 463 the guardianship of minor’s statute which is designed to provide procedural and substantive safeguards for the rights of parents and minor children. This removes the provision as being inappropriate under RSA 461-A which is just for parents and children. Vote 18-0. Pending Legislation: HB 207: Relative to the modification of parental rights and responsibilities has met in two sub-committee meetings and was voted to ITL. Although it still has to have a full Child and Family Law Committee vote, the prospects don’t look good. More testimony is needed for this bill, can you help? Let us know at info@bskids.net. HB139: Relative to the determination of parental rights and responsibilities will be reviewed in a Sub Committee hearing on Tuesday, February 17th. There is a lot of opposition to this bill and if at all possible, send testimony. For more information on this bill, please contact us at info@bskids.net. SB88: Once again the Senate Judiciary Committee is seeking to have the orders by Marital Masters become final orders, without a Judge signing off on them. While this is in violation of the New Hampshire Constitution, the committee is still seeking to have this passed into law. The public session on this bill is slated for Tuesday, March 17th at 3:00pm. NEWS Some interesting news articles are posted below. To read more news stories go to www.bskids.net and click on Today’s Headlines: Child Support: How much is too much? By Paul Raeburn on January 22, 2009 in About Fathers On Jan. 1, Massachusetts adopted new child-support guidelines that will likely raise the amount paid by non-custodial parents, usually fathers. Are the new guidelines excessive and unfair, as a lawsuit charges? Or were the old guidelines too stingy? How much child support is enough? How much is too much? Fathers & Families, a Boston-based advocacy organization, says the payments under the new guidelines are excessive. Non-custodial parents, usually fathers, who must now make increased payments, could be forced to work long hours or move to a distant community to find housing they can afford. … NH judiciary not working, judge warns By KEVIN LANDRIGAN Staff Writer klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com CONCORD – The state's judicial system is in danger of becoming one residents cannot trust or be proud of warned Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick. Broderick said Thursday budget cuts, the failure to fill vacancies on the bench and at the counter and deficits in technology pose the greatest challenge in the 37 years he's been a judge and a Manchester lawyer. If left to slide, many will abandon even using the courts because they are too costly, too slow and too behind the times. "If we do not attend to the state court, there will come a time in the not-too-distant future where the state courts will only be used by people who cannot afford lawyers, some middle class people, some business and for those charged with crimes," Broderick said…… GET INVOLVED With the Legislature in full swing, it’s critical to get involved with what’s going on in your state and get involved. Sending testimony to your elected officials doesn’t take much time and can really make a difference. There are many reforms that need public testimony inorder for a change to occur. Please consider getting involved with those bills that are important to you. The economy is in grin shape and now many people are struggling to make ends meet. If you can donate some time (doesn’t cost anything), check out your local social service agencies and see if you can’t make a difference. For more information, check out the website, www.bskids.net under the Get Involved section for some suggestions. E-MAIL ALERTS If you are interested in getting alerts from BS KIDS regarding news, legislative activity or getting involved opportunities, please sign up on our website at www.bskids.net COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS BS KIDS is looking to include areas of interest to our readers. If there is a topic or area of concern that you would like to learn more about, please let us know. You can e-mail us at info@bskids.net or call 781-756-1214. If you wish to un-subscribe to these newsletter, please just hit reply. Your name will automatically be removed from future mailings. Disclaimer: BS Kids LLC legal research and information has been prepared for educational and informational purposes only. This material is not legal advice or legal opinions on any specific matters. Transmission of the information is not intended to create and receipt does not constitute a lawyer-client relationship between BS Kids LLC, the author of the information and any other legal publisher. Customers of BS Kids should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. The opinions expressed in the material presented to BS Kids clientele are based on information found in legal publications. BS Kids LLC, 78 Canterberry Court, Hudson, NH 03051 781-756-1214. |
Past Newsletters
Winter 2008
Winter 2008
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