Social Security Disability

At Hodson & Mullin, we know disabled people need help. Faced with a possible lifetime of great physical pain and a frightening financial future, many are so overwhelmed they don’t know where to turn.  At Hodson & Mullin we not only  understand, we effectively steer our eligible clients through the Social Security Disability application and appeal processes, with countless successful cases over the decades.

At our firm, a highly experienced legal assistant will spend a great deal of time working with you and gathering records and information to perfect your claim, but your legal questions will be answered by an experienced attorney.

We are registered with the Social Security Administration and when necessary, we appear at actual hearings throughout Northern California to present our clients’ cases effectively, with an eye toward the most favorable outcomes.

Most of our experienced legal assistants are fluent in both English and Spanish, so language is never a barrier to obtaining results.

We are happy to meet with you for an initial consultation without charge to you, and you incur no costs at all unless and until your case is resolved and you receive a settlement or benefits.  Schedule an appointment with us today at our Vacaville or Fairfield offices!

What Is an Evidentiary Hearing for Child Custody?

An evidentiary hearing for child custody is a legal hearing with testimony taken under oath from parents, minor children and experts who have interviewed the family. Learn how evidentiary hearings are used to determine which parent should have custody of a child in the case of divorce with information from a family lawyer in this free video on child custody.

Family Law Explained

Family law is the branch of law which deals with all maters related to family unit and other domestic relations such as surrogacy and adoption, domestic partnerships, civil unions, marriage, divorce, child abduction, child abuse matters, child neglect, child maintenance, child adoption, paternity cases, child visitation rights, child custody, alimony, division of family property, etc.

All courts in the world have reported increase in family law as parties divorce, adopt children, contest paternity suits, etc.

According to family law lawyers, this branch of law is different from the other branches because it touches on sensitive private matters. Sometimes, the family lawyers act as counselors, mediators, conciliators, negotiators, etc. The courts that adjudicate on family law matters sometimes also act mediators as they try to reconcile members of the same family to solve their issues is amicably so as to preserve their relationship.

The substance of this type of law varies from one jurisdiction to the other because the principles that underpin it are largely borrowed from the society. For example, in societies where same sex relationships are not accepted, this kind of law requires that such union cannot be recognized as marriage in courts of law.

Like all the other branches of law, family law has undergone many transformations in an attempt to address the mediate issues in families. For instance, most societies have attempted to legalize 'come we stay' relationships if the parties involved live together for certain period of time.

One if the most popular modern trends in family law is the collaborative law which refers to structured process which provides parties seeking divorces or parties involved in other disputes an alternative names of resolving their dispute rather than a going through the costly, lengthy litigation process in courts. Collaborative law allows the parties to marriage or proposed civil union to take the control of their destiny by hiring family lawyers committed to the process of resolving disputes in family and relationships within family setting amicably through discussions and negotiations without the courts being involved.

The reason why modern family law discourages the parties from going to court is that courts decision have win-lose outlook. The court litigation is also complex, and as is the case with all matters of law is costly and may take long time to solve the matters.

In collaborative family law, disputes between family members can be settled amicably so as to ensure that their relationship as family is preserved. The collaborative family lawyers agree that they will not represent their respective parties in court litigation if either party decides to go to court. In the jurisdictions where is has been applied, collaborative family law has achieved good results in the amicable solution of family disputes. In some instances, it has successfully reconciled parties who would otherwise have divorced had the matter been decided by the courts.

Collaborative family law is not only advantageous in holding together families but also less stressful for the family lawyers. It ensures speedy, amicable resolution of disputes within the family.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7836212

Open Adoption

In an open adoption, the birth parents and the adoptive parents know each other's identities. Often, there is direct contact between them and sometimes ongoing contact after the child has been adopted. Some experts believe that this is an emotionally healthy option or all involved -- the adopted child doesn't have to wonder about the birth parents and it may be easier to contact blood relatives if medical issues arise. However, like with any adoption, the birth parents' parental rights are terminated, even if a relationship with the child continues. It may be difficult for a birth mother to watch someone else raise the child... and the adoptive parents may decide to end visitation or contact with the birth parents at any time. Therefore, it is important to seek legal advice prior to entering into an open adoption arrangement so that both the birth parents and the adoptive parents understand that adoption is permanent and that the parental responsibilities have been transferred.

3 Easy EASTER Treats!

Brunch Recipes: http://bit.ly/1TRWJz1

Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies: http://bit.ly/2nSxcfY

Adoption

To learn more about adoption visit http://www.lawinfo.com/adoption.html

Family Law

The firm’s Family Law practice is supervised by our managing partner, John D. Hodson, CFLS, AAML.

Mr. Hodson is the first and only family law attorney in Solano County’s history to be elected a Fellow in the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.  He is also Solano County’s only AV-Preeminent rated family law attorney, and Solano County’s only perennial Northern California “Super Lawyer” since 2005.

A retired Air Force judge advocate with hundreds of trials under his belt, Mr. Hodson has been honored as Solano County Bar Association’s Attorney of the Year.  He serves on the AAML National Legislative Committee, the AAML Northern California Chapter Board of Managers, the Editorial Boards of the Association of Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) Specialist and the State Bar of California Family Law Section Family Law News journals.  He is a past Education Director, Legislative Director, and Secretary of the Board of Directors for ACFLS, and a Past Chair of FlexCom, the State Bar of California Family Law Section Executive Committee.  He currently serves as a member of the California Judicial Council’s Family & Juvenile Law Advisory Committee, and is a well-known educator of lawyers and judges throughout California on family law topics.

In his practice, Mr. Hodson serves as litigants’ counsel, but also as private judge, superior court judge pro tem, arbitrator, mediator, minors’ counsel, special master, discovery referee, and is trained in Collaborative Practice.

Our firm’s family law attorneys stay abreast of current law and developments through extensive continuing legal education. We all exceed the minimum educational standards set by the State Bar.  We assist clients in a wide variety of family law matters, and we regularly collaborate on cases so that our combined experience and expertise enhances our representation of clients in Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) and Legal Separation, Establishment of Parental Relationship (Paternity), Child Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Spousal Support, Domestic Violence, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, Guardianships, Stepparent Adoptions, Contempt Proceedings, Post-Judgment Enforcement actions, Mediation, Arbitration, and other Domestic Relations matters.

We are a no-nonsense law firm, committed to providing our clients with knowledgeable, pragmatic, ethical and efficient legal representation. We tell our clients the truth, we do our best to explain substantive and procedural law in understandable terms, and we guide clients through what can be a very stressful, slow, and sometimes expensive legal process.  We do our utmost to conserve our time and our clients’ resources within the limits of practical realities and the law.  We gladly provide information, education and advice about our clients’ rights and options to guide them through difficult legal matters with confidence.

Every client’s case is planned with that client’s specific needs and factual situation in mind. We encourage civility among lawyers and litigants, and do our best to maintain civil and respectful relationships, especially when parties will continue to raise children together.  Our first choice for our clients is always negotiation and settlement, and we are well-experienced to accomplish settlements. That said, if a case cannot be resolved, we offer trial experience second to none in the area.

Hodson & Mullin’s friendly, very experienced, compassionate, and highly professional family law staff is committed to helping our clients through difficult situations.

We cannot always give you the answers you like; but we can always give you the correct answers and sound advice to help you make realistic decisions.  Give us a call!

Surviving Divorce: David Sbarra

David A. Sbarra, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona where he serves as Director of Clinical Training. Dr. Sbarra teaches advanced graduate courses in psychotherapy, he is the author of numerous research papers and book chapters concerning divorce, stress, coping, and both mental and physical health. In addition to his is work as a professor of psychology, Dr. Sbarra maintains a small clinical practice in Tucson.

David's TEDx talk describes his latest research on divorce and healing in the aftermath of marital separation. Nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce, and David's research is illuminating new ways to promote recovery after this stressful life event.