Ex-it Strategy

Our Guest:

Amanda Lamb is a veteran television crime reporter with more than three decades of experience and is also a podcast host and producer. She works for award-winning WRAL TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Amanda currently hosts and produces a weekday morning podcast called the WRAL Daily Download. She has also hosted and produced two true crime podcasts and has another on the way. Follow the Truth was released in 2021 and won the prestigious regional Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in journalism. What Remainswas released in 2022. The Killing Month is scheduled for release in the summer of 2023.

Amanda has written and published a dozen books. Her fictional murder mystery series includes: Dead Last, Lies That Bindand No Wake Zone. Amanda is also the author of three true crime books based on murder cases she covered for WRAL including: Deadly Dose, Evil Next Door, and Love Lies. She has published four memoirs, one about caregiving and three about parenting, including: The Living Room, I Love You to God and Back, Girls Gone Child, and Smotherhood, and two children’s books, I Love You to God and Back and We Are Not the Same. Amanda writes a monthly blog on WRAL’s website called “Go Ask Mom.” 

To learn more about Amanda and her work go to www.alambauthor.com. You can also follow her on social media.

Facebook: @wralAmandaLamb  @stagemight 

Twitter: @alamb 

Instagram: @wral_amanda_lamb.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Episode Overview:
This episode of "Exit Strategy" features Amanda Lamb, a seasoned reporter from WRAL, as she discusses various aspects of crime and domestic violence and her experiences in reporting and authoring books on these topics.

Key Discussion points:

1. True Crime Books: Lamb talks about her books, including 'Deadly Dose' and 'Love Lies,' which delve into high-profile murder cases involving domestic violence.
2. Domestic Violence Insights: The conversation highlights the complex nature of domestic violence, touching upon its psychological aspects, including financial control and emotional abuse.
3. Legal Perspectives: Lamb and the hosts discuss the legal implications and challenges in domestic violence cases, emphasizing the difficulty in prosecuting non-physical forms of abuse.
4. Impact on Children: The episode underscores the lasting impact of domestic violence on children, with Lamb discussing this theme in her mystery series and real-world cases.
5. Investigative Challenges: Lamb highlights advancements in DNA technology and their role in solving cold cases, sharing insights from her true crime podcast projects.
6. Personal Projects: Amanda discusses her upcoming projects, including a book set in the mountains about a missing hiker and a podcast about women transforming their lives post-50.

Conclusion:
The episode provides a comprehensive look at domestic violence, its societal impact, and the role of media in bringing these stories to light, driven by Amanda Lamb’s extensive experience in crime reporting and storytelling.

Hosts: Elizabeth Stephenson and Jen Bordeaux from New Direction Family Law.

Topic: Preparing for and navigating separation and divorce.

Key Discussions:

1. The tendency for people to consider separation post-holidays.
2. Consultations as a tool for preparation and planning, offering legal advice and a "toolbox" for navigating separation.
3. Addressing fears and misconceptions about custody and financial survival post-separation.
4. The importance of individual plans and strategies in the context of family law.
5. The role of attorneys in providing guidance and representation.
6. Specific Advice:
   • Different aspects of family law: custody, child support, spousal support, and property distribution.
   • Approaches to dealing with joint property and finances in separation.
   • The ethical boundaries of consultations and the importance of confidentiality.
7. Audience: Individuals considering separation or divorce, seeking practical and legal advice.
8. Tone: Informative, supportive, addressing complex emotional and legal aspects of separation with clarity.

The episode's topic is the serious implications of violating a court order, specifically in the context of family law.

Violating Court Orders:

• Discuss common ways people violate court orders, including not following custody or child support orders.
• An explanation is that judges are not pleased with non-compliance and the importance of settling cases to have a say in the outcome.
• Once a judge gives an order, it must be followed. Even if one has a custody order, law enforcement may not get involved.

Remedies for Violation:

• If one is constantly late for exchanges or violates the order in other ways, the remedy often starts with contacting an attorney.
• Options include contacting the other party's attorney to resolve the issue without court intervention.
• If resolution is not possible, filing a motion for an order to show cause and motion for contempt is the next step.

Repercussions and Types of Contempt:

• Courts have a wide range of repercussions. Two types of contempt are discussed: civil and criminal.
• Civil contempt can lead to jail until compliance is achieved, and criminal contempt is seen as punishment.
• Discussion on the power of judges to modify custody or support orders and the likelihood of immediate payment once jailed.

Understanding Court Orders:

• Importance of having an order in place and the challenges if there's no signed order in the court file.
• Frustration when parties continue to do as they please without a signed order and the limits of what attorneys can do in such cases.

Criteria for Contempt and Costs:

• Trivial violations like being 15 minutes late may not be enough for contempt.
• The financial aspect of filing another motion and going to court is highlighted.

Discussion About Guests and Support:

• Mention guests who have supported people during a divorce.
• Emphasizing the need for support for those who have been through divorce.

Introduction of Tracey Stracener with Simply Thrive Therapeutic Associates:

• Discussion about her role in supporting people through divorce.
• Introducing the topic: telling your spouse that you want to leave.

Tracey Speaks About Her Practice:

• Overview of working at Simply Thrive Therapeutic Associates, focusing on trauma therapy.
• Discussing the trauma involved in asking for a divorce and the delicate nature of the subject.
• Emphasizes her love for working with women and her approach to therapy.

Discussion on Therapy and Moving Forward:

• Tracey details her work with individuals, couples, and families.
• The hosts and Tracey discuss the theme of moving forward.

Navigating the Emotional Aspect of Divorce:

• Discussion on how to handle telling a spouse about wanting a divorce.
• Consideration of keeping secrets and preparing for the other person's reaction.
• Discussion about taking various individual responses to a divorce request.

Dealing with Narcissistic Personalities:

• Reflection on encountering narcissistic personalities in their line of work.
• Contemplating how to approach a conversation with someone with a narcissistic personality.

• Introduction
  • Elizabeth Stephenson and Sarah introduced themselves from New Direction, Family Law.
  • They discuss their passion for trash-talking and telemetry.
• Main Topic: Rich People's Divorces
  • The topic concerns divorces, specifically among the rich, covering issues like child support, custody, and property.
  • More money is involved, but issues are similar to average divorces.
• Kevin Costner's Divorce Drama
  • Focusing on the Kevin Costner divorce drama from his longtime wife, who married in 2004.
  • Discussion of a prenuptial agreement.
  • Elizabeth and Sarah role-play representing wife and husband, respectively.
• Property Issues
  • Fifty-eight thousand square feet property with various amenities discussed.
  • They are debating over property rights and why the wife has to leave.
  • The property includes the main house, fishing lodge, guest house, baseball field, etc.
• Child Support and Prenup
  • Child support amount: around $129,000 a month.
  • Prenup required Kevin Costner to pay $1.4 million to his wife.
  • Concerns about how long she can survive on that sum.
  • Humorous discussion on dividing up pots and pans in the divorce.
• Caretakers and House Maintenance
  • Discussions about the extensive care required for the property.
  • The debate over environmental issues and large houses.
• Legal Considerations
  • Discussion on prenup legality and limitations regarding child support.
  • The hosts mention the surprise at the large child support order in this case.
• Overall Tone
  • A mix of serious legal insights and lighthearted banter about celebrity lifestyles and legal proceedings related to divorce.

Guest: Adam Hopler, an Estate Attorney from the firm Hopler, Wilms, & Hanna PLLC.

• Adam shares about his personal background, including his experience of practicing law in Durham for 12 years and being a father to six kids.
• Discussion about the intersection of family law and estate planning: how divorce and separation can impact one's estate and the importance of consultation with estate attorneys.
• The podcast addresses certain scenarios where it becomes essential to speak with an estate attorney, such as in cases of separations involving substantial estates or closely held businesses.
• Adam elaborates on how estate planning isn't just about the individual but also about those around them, who may end up dealing with the consequences of inadequate planning.
• Discussion on the need for life insurance and how it's meant to cover debts so that dependents don't have to.
• The podcast addresses the importance of revisiting estate plans periodically due to life changes and gives an example of how the pandemic has accelerated these changes for many.
• Adam talks about the significance of beneficiary designations and shares an anecdote from his law school days.
• Discussion about what happens if a person dies without a will, or 'intestate', in North Carolina, with particular emphasis on the role of a spouse and children in the division of the estate.
• The hosts conclude with a discussion on the importance of estate planning, even in complex family situations, such as split families, and during periods of separation before divorce is finalized.

Note: For expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances, it is always recommended to consult with a certified legal professional in your area.

Guest: LINDSEY OHLER, PSY.D. 

1. Introduction:
   Hosts Elizabeth Stevenson and Sarah Hink from New Direction Family Law invite Dr. Lindsay Ohler to discuss a critical topic - how to approach the conversation about separation and divorce with children.
2. The Emotional Impact of Divorce on Children:
   Dr. Ohler emphasizes the profound emotional effects of divorce on children, comparing the experience to grief. She highlights the need for care and gentleness while discussing separation with children, regardless of age.
3. The Perceptive Nature of Children:
   Discussing how even if parents try to shield their children from their disputes, children are intuitive and often sense that something is wrong.
4. Breaking the News as a United Front:
   Dr. Ohler recommends both parents be present when informing children about the divorce. This provides a united front and reassures the child.
5. Approaching Different Age Groups:
   The conversation varies based on the child's age. For a two-year-old, keep the explanation simple. For older kids, explain the logistics of the new living arrangements without delving into the details of the separation.
6. Creating Comfort in New Spaces:
   Encourage children to participate in creating their new spaces in separate homes. This could include choosing room colors or selecting mementos from their previous home.
7. Discussing Divorce with Teenagers:
   Teenagers, who tend to pick sides, balance their time with parents and friends. Parents must maintain control of their emotions during the conversation, provide reassurance, and refrain from oversharing details of the divorce.
8. Protecting Sensitive Information:
   Parents must secure any divorce-related documents (both hard copies and electronic) to prevent their children from stumbling upon them and causing potential distress.
9. Effect on Adult Children:
   Even adult children might struggle with their parent's divorce, questioning their relationships and family identity.
10. Therapy for Children:
    Therapy could benefit children as young as three, helping them navigate the emotional turbulence during a divorce.

Stay tuned for more episodes as we navigate the complexities of family law together.

In this episode of the New Direction Family Law Podcast, Elizabeth, Sarah, and guest Kerrie Droban discuss the pathology of the criminal mind and identify the traits of sociopaths, psychopaths, and narcissists in the context of family law. They also provide strategies for victims to protect themselves and unmask their abusers during litigation.

• Elizabeth and Sarah from New Direction Family Law are joined by Kerrie Droban, an award-winning true crime author and criminal and family law attorney.
• Kerrie Droban shares her expertise on the pathology of the criminal mind, focusing on identifying the personality disorder traits of narcissists, psychopaths, and sociopaths.
• While not all of these personalities have criminal intent, their dangerous behaviors make them a threat to those around them.
• Victims of abusive relationships with dark personalities often suffer psychological abuse, leading to gaps in their stories, making litigation difficult.
• Unmasking the psychopath, narcissist, or sociopath is the key to getting the victim out of the abusive relationship and prevailing in litigation.
• Kerrie shares strategies to educate people in the courtroom about these personality disorders to gain a stronger position in litigation.

https://www.kerriedroban.com
[email protected]

Kerrie’s books on Amazon

Kerrie’s writing workshop 

LinkedIn

Instagram

[email protected]

What do you do if you think someone is stalking you, digitally or in real life...

• Spying is a common issue in family law cases.
• People may spy on their spouses because they suspect infidelity or substance abuse.
• Hiring a private investigator or conducting your own investigation by looking through trash or tracking purchases can gather evidence.
• Spouses may spy by following their partner, audio or video recording, accessing emails or phone data, or installing tracking devices on cars or personal items.
• AirTags can be used to track people discreetly.
• If you suspect someone is spying on you, talk to an attorney and consider having a specialist scan your devices.
• Change passwords, set up new email accounts, and be aware of your surroundings to protect your privacy.
• Mental health concerns may need to be addressed if someone is overly paranoid about being spied on.

• Sarah, a partner and attorney at New Direction Family Law, interviewed Ashley Oldham, another partner, and attorney at the same firm, about military divorces.
• Military divorces have unique challenges, such as deployments, custody during deployment, and division of military pensions and benefits.
• There are three bases for jurisdiction under federal law regarding military pensions: consent, domicile, and residency for reasons other than military assignments.
• To benefit from certain accounts, no set length for marriage is required. Still, if the marriage overlaps with military service for ten years, the spouse can receive direct payments from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.
• It is crucial to pick an attorney who knows enough about military divorce to understand what they do not know and can outsource to others.
• In a military divorce, all military entitlements count for child support, not just taxable income.
• The frozen benefit rule, which affects how much of a pension a former spouse is entitled to, has changed with the National Defense Authorization Act and may be worth less than expected due to disability benefits.
• Survivor benefits are unitary benefits, meaning they go to one person, but the pension can be divided among multiple spouses.
• Military attorneys are available for legal assistance, but they may not be licensed in the state and may not be knowledgeable about family law.