A Special Update from Walzer Melcher LLP

Left to Right: Ashley W. Edwards, Cynthia J. Ponce, Christina E. Djordjevich, Peter M. Walzer, Christopher C. Melcher, Kristina L. Hohne, and Steven K. Yoda

Peter M. Walzer & Christopher C. Melcher

Appear as Amicus Counsel

As President of the Peter M. Walzer of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers , Peter signed the amicus brief in the US Supreme Court case: Monasky V. Taglieri.

The questions presented on appeal to the Court are:

1. Whether a district court's determination of habitual residence under the Hague Convention should be reviewed de novo , as seven circuits have held, under a deferential version of de novo review, as the First Circuit has held, or under clear-error review, as the Fourth and Sixth Circuits have held.

2. Where an infant is too young to acclimate to her surroundings, whether a subjective agreement between the infant's parents is necessary to establish her habitual residence under the Hague Convention.

It is the Academy’s position that the determination of a child’s habitual residence must occur in every case involving the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children and that the court’s determination of the child’s habitual residence should have turned on the facts consistent with its definition of habitual residence rather than “shared parental intent” as a necessary factor. The habitual residence should be defined as the child’s customary, usual, regular abode. The Academy believes that this standard will maintain the usefulness of the Convention for the return of wrongfully removed and retained children.

Christopher C. Melcher is Amicus Counsel in Marriage of Brace , a matter pending before the California Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal asked the California Supreme Court to answer whether, under California law, a property acquired by spouses in joint tenancy is community property or if the spouses hold equal separate property interests in the joint tenancy. The issue will be decided next year.

Chris’s brief is linked here .

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, especially those going through a divorce. Here are some tips from our attorneys to help keep your holiday season cheerful!

5 Tips for Holiday Cheer

“An extra martini couldn’t hurt.” -Steven K. Yoda

"Take time for yourself. Take a walk. Take a bath. Read a book. Give yourself the gift of yourself."- Kristina L. Hohne

Simplify your gift giving! Agree on a price point, draw names, and buy gifts for one family member." - Ashley W. Edwards

"Take a few moments during a family gathering for everyone to express what they are grateful for. " - Christina E. Djordjevich

"Be mindful of those who may not have family and friends to share the holidays with this year and invite them to take part in your holiday traditions." - Cynthia J. Ponce

P R E S S

Peter M. Walzer

Fox Business: How to Not Get ‘Cleaned Out’ When a Divorce Gets Messy: Money Mistakes and Divorce

Christopher C. Melcher

KTLA 5: Family Law Attorney Christopher Melcher on the Increase of Parental Abductions During the Holidays

Cynthia J. Ponce

US News: Is Law School Worth It? What Young Attorneys Say

Cynthia J. Ponce to Attend

AIJUDEFA

Cynthia will be attending the second annual conference of AIJUDEFA - the Associación Internacional de Juristas de Derecho de Familia, December 3-6, in Santiago, Chile.

This conference brings together Spanish-speaking family law attorneys from around the world.

More information here .

S E M I N A R S

*December 4, 2019

When Absence Does Not Make the Heart Grow Fonder: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

Peter M. Walzer & Marina Beck

Beverly Hills Bar Association

Beverly Hills, CA

*January 16, 2020

Protecting Personalities and Public Figures in Family Law Matters

Peter M. Walzer & Tony Storm

Motion Picture Television Fund

Los Angeles, CA

*February 6, 2020

Privacy

Christopher C. Melcher & Tony Storm

Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee

Santa Barbara, CA

*April 3, 2020

Family Law

Christopher C. Melcher

Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee

Charleston, West Virginia

*April 4, 2020

Litigating Prenups in 2020

Peter M. Walzer & Steven K. Yoda

AAML SoCal Chapter

Newport Beach, CA

*April 30, 2020

Taking Care of Business

Christopher C. Melcher, Rebekah Smith, & Joan Crain

American Bar Association Family Law

San Diego, CA

S P O N S O R S H I P

Urban Partners Los Angeles

Donation

Urban Partners Los Angeles works to serve its neighbors in the Koreatown area with programs aimed at neighborhood needs including: education, food assistance, and community-building.