Royal A Martin, Attorney

REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS

I regularly handle all types of Family Law matters including: Divorce; Allocation of Parental Responsibility (Custody); Child Support; Maintenance (Alimony); Property Division, and Prenuptial Agreements. Fully half of our cases involve Post Decree issues involving either Contempt or Motions to modify existing orders. I devote 70% of my practice to family law matters; the remaining 30% is devoted to criminal defense. This is very much a trial practice.

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

Divorce:

My client was a forty-two-year-old mother of an eight-year-old daughter. The parties had been childhood sweethearts and had been married for fifteen years. The husband had a very well-paying job in technology, but during the divorce, lost his job. Unfortunately, the daughter was impaired by a severe case of ADHD. My client had devoted most of her recent life to the care of her daughter. However, that understates her tremendous involvement with learning about her daughter's disability and becoming an advocate on her behalf. My client retained primary custody of her daughter. My client also was awarded over half the marital estate. The property settlement and family support package (child support and maintenance) allowed my client to gradually re-enter the work force on a part-time basis while allowing her to continue in role as a full-time caregiver to her daughter.

Post Decree Issue:

In a Motion filed after the entry of a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, the ex-husband, a retired military officer, sought to end his maintenance payments to his ex-wife, my client. My client, unemployed, in poor health, and having spent most of her assets, relied heavily on the monthly receipt of maintenance from her ex-husband. After his military retirement, the husband started a second lucrative career in the defense industry. The husband's motion was based on his desire to begin retirement before "normal retirement age" so that he could travel and enjoy life with his new wife. The Court denied the ex-husband's request to allow him to take early retirement, and he continues to pay maintenance to my client at the original rate.

Custody / Paternity Issue:

In a paternity action, my client was the teenaged father of his infant daughter. Both parties alleged violence and drug abuse against the other parent. The hostility of the parties caused the intervention of social services and the immediate appointment of a guardian ad litem in the paternity action. The father was initially awarded temporary residential custody of his daughter. After a long legal conflict, lasting many months, the father was awarded full custody of his daughter. Two things are very important about this case. First, a father was granted custody of his young daughter. Second, a lot of credit must go to my client for finding and keeping a good job, for establishing his own residence, and for completing fathering classes therapy. In short, during this action my client became a very good father.

Divorce / Allocation of Parental Rights and Parenting Time Issues:

In a divorce action, my client was the father of two young daughters. A domestic violence issue was raised against my client by his wife. As a result of the initial charges of domestic violence against my client, he has only limited parenting time with his daughters. After a protracted court process, my client enjoys a parenting time schedule of alternating weeks with his daughters.

MISSION STATEMENT

I know that a Divorce case can be emotionally and financially trying for the parties. I CAN HELP! My goal is to achieve the best possible results for my clients. Sometimes this can be achieved through negotiation or mediation. Sometimes a trial is required. EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT. Individual cases require individualized results. I want my clients to make good and informed decisions. To this end, I believe in COMMUNICATION with clients; I listen to them and together we PROBLEM SOLVE. In this manner I can achieve the best possible results for my clients and provide the best possible personal service to my clients. I CAN HELP!