For the PressThese case studies are provided only for the purpose of explaining some of the kind of cases we handle. Every case is different and each client has individual needs. By describing these case summaries, Walzer & Melcher does not the guarantee results of any matter.
Business
Preserved in the Divorce
I represented a publisher with a business worth several million
dollars. There was not enough cash in the business or in the
marital estate to purchase his wife's interest. Working closely
with my client's corporate counsel, I negotiated an arrangement
where his ex-wife would continue ownership in the business,
but control would remain with my client. He shared profits
in the business by paying his ex-wife spousal support according
to a formula, thus avoiding potential adverse tax consequences.
Professors'
Pensions Pose a Problem
A college professor came to me to represent her in a divorce
against her professor husband. The couple had interests in
six pension plans, they owned a consulting business, two vacation
homes in Utah, a residence here, and several partnerships.
Husband was with his second attorney, and he was very angry.
I convinced his new counsel to jointly retain a private judge
to mediate the case. The case was settled quickly. I prepared
the Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDRO), had husband's
business appraised, resolved the tax issues, and effected
the transfer of the real estate.
Child
Kidnaping
A doctor from Bordeaux, France hired me to obtain the return
of his two children. The mother hid the children in the trunk
of her car, crossed the Pyrenees, brought them to the U.S.,
and concealed them in Riverside. After locating the children,
I obtained a writ in lieu of habeas corpus and was
able, with the assistance of the D.A. investigators, to pick
up the children, have an emergency hearing, and return them
to the father. As a volunteer attorney for the National Center
for Missing and Abducted Children, I have recovered stolen
children on several other occasions.
Complex
Premarital Agreement
A client with substantial separate property came to me when
he met and fell in love with a younger woman. He had previously
been through an expensive and painful divorce. The challenge
in negotiating the premarital agreement was to preserve the
good feelings between the parties as well as protect my client
from another financial disaster. I was able to preserve the
relationship between my client and his fiancé, keep
his separate property separate, and provide generously for
his new wife. I lectured throughout the state on "Innovative
Premarital Agreements — Estate Planning and Family Law"
for Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB). I co-authored the
chapter on premarital agreements in CEB's new book, "Marital
Settlement Agreements and Other Family Law Agreements."