In this Episode 42 - recorded on May 8th, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin host retired Judge Mark Lopez, formerly of the Cook County (IL) Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division. In this wide-ranging discussion, Judge Lopez shares some insights and perspectives from his 22 years on the bench. Some topics are:

• Should you be scared to appear in Court?
• How are judges chosen in Cook County?
• What does a judge look at when deciding cases?
• Can you take off your shirt in Zoom court? (No.)
• Does it help to be loud and boisterous in Court?
• What is a 'pretrial?'
• When can you ask for a change of judge in your case?

Judge Lopez now works as a mediator and arbitrator for JAMS, a private dispute-resolution firm. He's got experience in resolving family-law and other conflicts! Call JAMS and ask for him at 312-655-0555.

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About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters:"

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system.

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

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Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu cell 312-493-4241


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Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF

In this Episode 41 - recorded on January 19, 2024, Marjie, Barry and Kevin sit down with former prosecutor ('Assistant State's Attorney') Igor Bozic to talk about Juvenile Court -- and the RISKS that parents face in not maintaining a calm, steady atmosphere around their children at home.

How does the Illinois child-protection agency (DCFS) begin focusing on you and your family?
Screaming, yelling, throwing things in the house.
Being overheard by neighbors.
Having your kids witness arguments between the adults.
Teachers, social workers, counselors as 'mandated reporters' to DCFS.
Police and their duty to contact DCFS when kids are involved.

How can DCFS take custody of your newborn baby even when you've never abused or neglected her? (Yes, it can happen.)

What happens when DCFS knocks on your door for an unannounced home inspection?

Is there any good news in all this? (Yes!)

==================

About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters:"

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system.

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

==================
Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu cell 312-493-4241


=============
Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF

In this Episode 40 - recorded on September 8, 2023, Marjie (our new co-host), Barry and Kevin sit down with:

Doctor of Psychology Pascale Piron
https://emergepg.com/pascale-piron,

for a look behind the mental-health curtain.

Psychologist, therapist, counselor -- what's difference (other than cost?) Can all of them do counseling? testing? evaluations? Why therapy for kids is good, and how some parents try to sabotage it. Why adults in litigation or family-law conflicts can greatly benefit from therapy. And what about parents' fears that seeing a therapist might give the other side reasons to claim they're crazy?

In this, Marjie's first episode as co-host, she, Barry and Kevin throw some spaghetti at the wall (figuratively,) telling Dr. Piron some of their best techniques for dealing with sticky, real-world situations, only to be humbled by Dr. Piron, who is ridiculously more qualified to speak about mental-health issues! And mental health is a big factor in family-law court cases, with some parents determined to 'win' at all costs -- even throwing their children into the fight.

==================

About the hosts of 'Dynamite Divorce and Other Matters:"

Chicago Lawyers Marjie Nielsen, Barry C. Boykin and Kevin R. Johnson have more than 70 combined years of experience in Custody, Divorce and other Family Law matters. They know first-hand the court battles, stress and struggles that people endure as disputes are resolved in the family-court system.

They work tirelessly to bring hope and clarity to a troubled world, where lawyers, judges and other professionals see the best and worst of human behavior on public display.

===================

CARPLS - legal resources www.carpls.org

Illinois Legal Aid Online www.illinoislegalaid.org

==================
Who we are:

Attorney Marjie Nielsen - https://nextsteplegalservices.com/about-us
Attorney Barry C. Boykin - www.gclclaw.org/barry-c-boykin
Attorney Kevin R. Johnson - www.divorce.nu cell 312-493-4241


=============
Intro/outro music for this episode: From #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/to-the-future License code: TLAELJDDAJJYICOF