Posts by Bob Roby
Getting a Party to Agree to Mediation
The need for this article comes from the many calls my office receives from individuals who want to schedule a mediation with us, and the first question we always ask is, “Has the other party agreed to schedule mediation with us?” We often hear that moment of awkward silence on the phone while the caller…
Read MoreParental Alienation
In our current culture, we have had to expand our vocabulary when it comes to talking about the impact of unresolved conflict between parents on their children. This has become necessary due to the deconstruction of the nuclear family, which is evidenced by the following trends: As of 2011, for the first time in Minnesota…
Read More“Custody” of Pets in Family Court
One of the many issues that the law is not very well suited to handle is the attachments we have to our pets. When relationships end up being defined by a court, the lines that are drawn regarding pets cannot be based upon the emotional state of the parties, or the unique family “culture” that…
Read MoreSocial Media and Family Law Cases
Social media has become a daily source of connection for millions and millions of people around the planet. There is no question it had scratched an itch for a sense of connection to others, and the ability for people to remake a presentation of themselves to others. This, in a day when relationship failure rate…
Read MoreChildren’s Testimony in Custody Cases
The question of what is in the best interest of a legal client is not always as easy as they make it sound in law school. This is particularly true in family law. To “zealously” represent your client’s interests as a parent can very well mean making a very difficult call regarding child testimony. No…
Read MorePlanning for Summer Parenting Time (A How-To Post)
If you are a parent of a school-age child whose other parent lives somewhere else, planning the summers can be a source of stress. Kids have all kinds of choices to make with school out of the way, which requires parents to consider how much “freedom” to give their kids in setting priorities. Too often…
Read MoreLITIGATION vs. MEDIATION IN FAMILY LAW
The average current cost for each person today in a Minnesota divorce is about $13,000.00. It is ironic that this is also approximately what is spent on the average Minnesota wedding. If a marriage cannot be saved, will mediation actually reduce the cost of a divorce? This is a fair question that most attorneys and…
Read More“PROPER” USE OF THE LAW
The inscription on our logo at the Cambridge Law (f.k.a. R.C. Roby Law) firm is a Bible verse from 1 Timothy 1:8, “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly” (NIV). I think this is especially true when it comes to family law. No other area of law has greater impact…
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