October Family Law Section Update

By Ketan Soni

Did you read my last post? Here it is.

I’m still your chair. Jill Jackson is still your more pleasant vice-chair.

Before reading the rest of this post, ask yourself:

“Am I seriously going to be out-volunteered by Ketan Soni?”

If the answer is:

“Not while I still have breath in me!”, then just contact Ketan or Cheyenne Merrigan to sign up for anything.

I’m still holding myself accountable. Here’s an update on my goals.

  1. Succession Plan: It’s going to get done by December 31, 2022. So far, zero progress. I only get to fail on December 31, 2022, if I still haven’t done it.
  2. Financial Affidavits and being more like Wade Harrison. I’m winning. We had a meeting with 17 participants on Friday, October 14. I have 27 people interested in participating. This is going to happen!

IMHO, the “lose” is the 9.5% of people who still want Financial Affidavits in Microsoft Word! Here are the responses to my survey. Add your own survey response if you ignored my first blog post.

This pie chart answers the questions, "What's your preferred format for the Financial Affadavit?" Fifty-nine percent selected Excel and 9.5 percent selected Microsoft Word.

 

  1. To streamline Council meetings. It’s a 50/50 on this one. I’m making progress. You still get to kick me out as Chair no later than June 30, 2023.

Below is a Section Status Update Since July

Adoption

With Brinton Wright leading the charge, the committee submitted three separate proposals to the NCBA Board of Governors for legislative consideration. However, he still hasn’t gotten the committee together to “eat sandwiches for lunch, and have cookies for dessert” as promised. *Win*

Alimony

An alimony survey was circulated to the Council, which is coming your way as a section member, soon. *Win*

CLE

They continue to be amazing. I heard the speaker at the September 9 CLE (replay available) regarding Equitable Distribution was a joke, though.

Equitable Distribution

Whit Clanton’s committee collaborated with the Real Property section to submit proposed changes to the NCBA Board of Governors to disallow waiver of Equitable Distribution rights in a deed. Magical and a *win*.

Family Law Bench Book

I have failed to yet complete the tax chapter, but my deadline is not until December.

Modern Family

Jennifer Tharrington has more volunteers, but we need to step this thing up before the end of the year. She also coerced Stephanie Gibbs to join the fray!

Paralegals **Important**

The Paralegal Division tries to do a Paralegal Spotlight each month by nomination.
Our critical better halves would like to encourage attorneys to nominate their paralegals for the spotlight segment. Click on the link to nominate.

Social

Christy Kaliner and Emily Jeske are knocking it out of the park. They have planned socials at:

  • September 8 at Town Brewing in Charlotte
  • Tribeca Tavern in Cary on November 3
  • Joint social with Military & Veterans Law Section on November 16
  • Greensboro on January 12
  • Charleston on April 28 for the annual meeting

In conclusion: I’m the only one failing. Everyone else is succeeding. Hope to see you all soon in person!

Ketan Soni is the 2022-23 Chair of the Family Law Section. 

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