Most of us think of our dogs, cats, and other pets like members of our family. The thought alone of losing a pet brings many people grief, so what happens when you decide to get a divorce? Can you decide on a joint custody schedule, similar to children? In a multiple-dog home, does one party take one dog, the other party take another?

The current legislative session is nearly at the halfway point and there are several legislative bills that will directly impact family law.

Black History Month is celebrated annually during February. The purpose of Black History Month is to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African Americans and the significant role of African Americans in the history of the United States.

Intentions give us the promise of hope, improvement, and can increase our overall wellness and self-worth. I started setting intentions last year rather than resolutions, and I can reflect on the 2021 with more gratitude than I thought possible. Intentions are often confused with goals, but they are so much more than that. Intentions are an opportunity to design and take ownership of our lived experience. Every year we set an intention as a firm, this helps us better serve our clients and community.

Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. New Year’s is approaching and with it those often-discussed resolutions. Approximately 45% of Americans make a new year’s resolution. For some, that means a new gym membership, a determination to eat better, and plans to incorporate an exercise routine into their life.

Dealing with the holidays after divorce or another major life change brings several challenges to the table. Perhaps this year looks different for your plans: you’re unable to travel to visit family, your children are in another household, or you’re missing the holiday traditions you’ve held for so long.

You may be going through a major life transition and wondering, “What comes after the dust settles?” After you’ve taken a moment to breathe, your next step should be creating or updating your estate plan to reflect your new future.

In 2016, a same-sex married couple, the Dvash-Bankses, became parents to twins through surrogacy, each of them contributing one embryo to the surrogate mother. One of the fathers was a U.S. citizen, the other an Israeli citizen. Though the two were legally married, when the family moved back to the U.S., only the twin that was biologically related to the U.S. citizen was granted U.S. citizenship; the other child was denied citizenship and given a visitor visa, which later expired and left him without legal status.

I frequently hear “female focused must mean that your firm does not serve male clients.” But the exact opposite is true. Yes, McGill Law is female focused but that does not equate to female exclusive.