"Cops aren't lawyers!"

[Airborneguy]

I was recently asked to write two motions for a family court proceeding someone I know is involved in. Thankfully she ignored the old "cops aren't lawyers!" line and saved herself a ton of money asking me to write them instead of her previous, worthless, expensive attorney.

As part of my job in Domestic Violence, I read a ton of civil/family court orders and motions, not to mention my years of experience with court cases regarding various aspects of criminal law. It's foolish to think that someone with almost two decades of experience in the justice system would not have built up an extensive knowledge base regarding legal documents.

Last night, I sent my final drafts to two very experienced attorney friends of mine. One responded with, "I hope you got paid well for those!" The other said he's definitely sending me motions to write whenever he gets backed up from now on because mine were better than any of his paralegals! Neither one suggested a single correction or change.

The court accepted both motions this morning. I can't wait to get the results. Both parties waived oral arguments so hopefully the judge issues an order relatively quickly.

 

[cgrutt]

xxx

 

[masterswimmer]

Good luck

 

[masterswimmer]

No doubt you have the knowlege but just curious don't you need to be an admitted attorney to present motions before a court? Hope you don't get jammed up for practicing law without a license or some other BS.

He's not representing himself as an attorney. People are allowed to represent themselves in court without being admitted to the bar. Those people have fools for an attorney though.

I believe he's allowed to do it.

 

[cgrutt]

xxx

 

[Airborneguy]

Exactly. The person I wrote for is representing herself because of disputes with her attorney and because her ex has been representing himself all along. She’s won every time with her attorney, but some recent issues (and the cost since her ex keeps filing motions) made her decide to try this instead.

It’s legal because I’m basically just her writer. All of the facts, informations, and evidences are coming from her. I’m also not getting paid.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Side job, take money from attorneys. Written communication is becoming a lost art.

 

[cgrutt]

xxx

 

[Airborneguy]

Side job, take money from attorneys. Written communication is becoming a lost art.

I may do so if this works out well. Unfortunately there will be more motions for sure.

I think it’s too late for it to be worth trying to go to law school, but I have considered becoming a paralegal as a second career.

 

[Airborneguy]

Got ya. Please be careful an attorney would have other protections (e.g. liability insurance) if she winds up losing and turns around and tries to sue you for mistakes, etc.

In this case I have nothing to worry about. You’re correct though, I’d never do this for anyone besides closest family or friends.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I may do so if this works out well. Unfortunately there will be more motions for sure.

I think it’s too late for it to be worth trying to go to law school, but I have considered becoming a paralegal as a second career.

I have worked with several cop-turned-paralegal/lawyers and it has worked out well for the most part.

 

[Tinman]

Congrats

 

[Celt]

I may do so if this works out well. Unfortunately there will be more motions for sure.

I think it’s too late for it to be worth trying to go to law school, but I have considered becoming a paralegal as a second career.

When you retire, then you get a paycheck and a pension.

 

[Truebeliever]

I believe that even Legal zoom markets itself as a document preparation service and not a law firm. That’s all Airbourne did.

 

[Airborneguy]

I have worked with several cop-turned-paralegal/lawyers and it has worked out well for the most part.

It tends to work out well because of the connections we make in the courts, especially cops with a specialty or active guys who make a lot of arrests.

 

[Airborneguy]

The following is the Defendant’s answer to the Change Visitation Arrangements filed by the Plaintiff on June 11th, 2018.

Filed by Defendant:

1. Change Visitation Arrangements: The Plaintiff asserts that the original divorce decree does not make any mention of the status of the Defendant’s move to Staten Island, NY upon the dissolution of the marriage. As the Defendant has already informed this Court that the Plaintiff wrote the divorce agreement in its entirety, this is the Plaintiff’s intentional omission and his assertion that the move was understood to be temporary by both parties is patently false.

The Defendant asserts that the Plaintiff understood at the time of the move that it would be beneficial to both parties and their daughter for Defendant to move to Staten Island where her entire family support structure is located. Being that the Plaintiff cannot provide any necessary childcare beyond his minimal visitation weekends, family support remains an important part in raising the Defendant’s child with Plaintiff. Furthermore, Plaintiff does not have any family in the United States who can help when the child is sick, has a day off from school, or in the hours prior to or after the typical school day. Since the Defendant’s move, her parents and husband have been instrumental in filling these gaps, and will do so for the foreseeable future as the Defendant intends to return to full-time employment as soon as possible.

In regards to pick-up and drop-off locations, the Defendant has been more than amenable to agreeing upon locations with the Plaintiff which have either been mutually beneficial or closer to Plaintiff’s home due to traffic, tolls, and his unique work schedule. Any disagreements on this matter have been due to the Plaintiff’s work schedule or refusal to recognize the mutual convenience of suggested locations. The Plaintiff has never once kept his child until the agreed upon time of 7PM each Sunday of his visitation weekends. The typical return time has been between 3PM-4PM. The Defendant has willingly changed her plans numerous times to accommodate this fact. Contrary to the Plaintiff’s assertion that his pleas have been ignored, the Defendant has met with him in NJ on each Sunday of his recent visitation periods. Locations have included the Walmart on Route 27 approximately 2 miles from the Plaintiff’s home, the Garden State Parkway Cheesequake Rest Stop, and a Quick Chek Service Station near the Outerbridge Crossing.

Conclusion

The Defendant believes that her move to Staten Island, NY was beneficial to all involved parties. Furthermore she asserts that the Plaintiff’s claim that this move was understood to be temporary is patently false and Plaintiff knew as much when he wrote the divorce agreement. Defendant has made numerous compromises regarding pick-up and drop-off locations with the Plaintiff’s concerns in mind and will continue to do so without the need to further burden this Court.

 

[Doc8404]

In this case I have nothing to worry about. You’re correct though, I’d never do this for anyone besides closest family or friends.

So much for me asking for your help if I get arrested for 2a

 

[Doc8404]

It tends to work out well because of the connections we make in the courts, especially cops with a specialty or active guys who make a lot of arrests.

My buddy was a cop in MA. Now an attorney.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

The Defendant would also like to bring to the courts attention that the Plaintiff presents himself to be a disagreeable, malicious, and willful asshole, who will most likely be discovered as such by his offspring upon advancement in age and will likely have little to no contact with them from that point on. If it pleases the court, the Defendant would request the court take this information into consideration prior to making both current and future rulings in this case.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Been there....I have won trials against attorneys representing my ex on many occasions. Once you go through the system. You have to represent yourself or you will go broke. I have admitted evidence, questioned my ex on the stand, even with my kids law guardian against me too , I have won and maintained custody.of 4 kids. Every year, I was dragged back to court for a 6 month ordeal....for 7 damn years.

 

[Airborneguy]

The Defendant would also like to bring to the courts attention that the Plaintiff presents himself to be a disagreeable, malicious, and willful asshole, who will most likely be discovered as such by his offspring upon advancement in age and will likely have little to no contact with them from that point on. If it pleases the court, the Defendant would request the court take this information into consideration prior to making both current and future rulings in this case.

Dude I can’t express how many times I wanted to change the tone to more properly describe this asshole’s behavior towards his daughter. The fact that he doesn’t even know the name or location of her school, never calls to see how she is or just talk, does not ask about her soccer games even though he’s a huge fan of the sport (he’s from Italy), said that Father’s Day “is not an Italian holiday,” has never once asked for an extra day with her, etc etc...

She asked me to keep it even-kneeled for this first round of motions. I'm prepared to take it up a notch should he continue playing games.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

Dude I can’t express how many times I wanted to change the tone to more properly describe this asshole’s behavior towards his daughter. The fact that he doesn’t even know the name or location of her school, never calls to see how she is or just talk, does not ask about her soccer games even though he’s a huge fan of the sport (he’s from Italy), said that Father’s Day “is not an Italian holiday,” has never once asked for an extra day with her, etc etc...

She asked me to keep it even-kneeled for this first round of motions. I'm prepared to take it up a notch should he continue playing games.

Question @Airborneguy .... the divorce will be through nys supreme court and will defer the outcome, if not already, of any pending family court matters into the divorce decree. Was there not a mention of maintaining a residence within XX amount of miles from the marital home/dwelling?

 

[Airborneguy]

This is what I’m responding to fyi.

 

[Airborneguy]

Question @Airborneguy .... the divorce will be through nys supreme court and will defer the outcome, if not already, of any pending family court matters into the divorce decree. Was there not a mention of maintaining a residence within XX amount of miles from the marital home/dwelling?

This is in NJ. The divorce has been final for 2 years. There’s no mention at all of moving to NY in the divorce and the idiot wrote the whole thing so that’s now his problem.

 

[Doc8404]

1) NJ sucks
2) don’t any of you know how to mix cement or operate a backhoe? Go to your local voc school and learn. Much cheaper than attorneys.

 

[NY Leatherneck]

This is in NJ. The divorce has been final for 2 years. There’s no mention at all of moving to NY in the divorce and the idiot wrote the whole thing so that’s now his problem.

I see. "Specific is terrific"....uphill battle for him. However, if he goes the hardship route and convinces a judge. The defendant can't be too overzealous with any denial. It will work against her if the judge is one of those feel good types

 

[Airborneguy]

Based on NJ case law, it looks to me like the move itself is already a moot point. He admits he consented, he only contests that it was temporary, which is ridiculous considering the child entered pre-K for the first time here in NJ and is recieving special services.

I think he understands this so instead he’s trying to obtain travel expenses and/or full pickup and drop off in NJ at his house. On a hunch, I did a quick google search and sure enough, the first articles regarding contesting a move like this refer to obtaining financial assistance for the non-custodial parent. BUT... the examples are much more extreme than a 22-25 mile move over one bridge. We’re talking NJ to FL or NJ to Cali, etc. It looks like in this case, the burden would be on him to explain how this short drive is a burden to him.

 

[BDinPutnam]

The Defendant would also like to bring to the courts attention that the Plaintiff presents himself to be a disagreeable, malicious, and willful asshole, who will most likely be discovered as such by his offspring upon advancement in age and will likely have little to no contact with them from that point on. If it pleases the court, the Defendant would request the court take this information into consideration prior to making both current and future rulings in this case.

"Little to no contact with Plaintiff"

Generally, we do not say "if it pleases the Court" in the US, Barrister.



I still like it, tho.

 

[kev74]

This is what I’m responding to fyi.

Its a a shame the courts get tied up with crap like this. This illiterate tool is bitching about spending $16.50 every 2 weeks to see his kid, but drives a car that gets 12 or 13 mile per gallon.

If there were any justice in this state, the judge would award bonus point based on literacy.

 

[kev74]

So much for me asking for your help if I get arrested for 2a

I thought you guys were tight.