- Divorce
- Child SupportThe test for child support is the needs of the children balanced against the needs of the non-custodial parent to satisfy those needs. By and large, the custodial parent is considered to be contributing to the children’s needs by physically taking care of them. The courts try to determine this amount by formulas now, but each situation is truly unique and zealous and creative advocacy can make a great difference here.
- Child Custody and VisitationTo succeed, there has to really be a full disclosure of assets, an opportunity for independent legal advice, and an opportunity to consider the proposed agreement. Prenuptial agreements, even if otherwise enforceable, are not enforceable as to custody and visitation issues.
- Premarital AgreementMediation can be very helpful even before a controversy arises. For example, to minimize risk in a prenuptual agreement. From my experience in trying divorce cases, sometimes prenuptial agreements are effective, but sometimes they aren’t, and just lead to further litigation.
- Spousal SupportMost agreements providing alimony include language that the alimony ceases if the recipient is a relationship with the indicia of marriage. However, better reasoning is that the award or termination of alimony should not be based on morality, but economics. Even if someone moves in with someone, the economics, not the sleeping arrangement, should be what’s examined. Does the recipient of the alimony still need support?
- Criminal Defense
- DUI/DWIMy criminal success record ranges from obtaining acquittals for my clients in murder and rape trials through wining dismissals of drug trafficking and DUI-DWI-OUI charges.
- Wrongful DeathHe is also a trial attorney and has obtained many large verdicts and settlements for his clients in everything from exploding propane tanks and wrongful death actions to multi-vehicle collisions and slip and falls. In his family law practice, Mr. Caulfield has fought for his clients’ rights all the way to the State Supreme Court. His criminal success record ranges from obtaining acquittals for his clients in murder and rape trials through wining dismissals of drug trafficking and DUI/DWI/OUI charges.
- Sex Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Murder
- Restraining OrderThese cases are highly technical and can have devastating consequences in view of the federal prohibitions of possessing guns or ammunition. A finding of domestic abuse can result in employment termination. Last year, the New Hampshire Supreme Court reviewed and reversed a decision out of Manchester Family Division granting a RSA 173-B domestic violence abuse protection restraining order to a former spouse whose former husband texted her “Whatever. Wish you die in a fiery crash.”
- Estate Planning
- WillsAttorney Caulfield maintains a general practice of law in NH & MA and provides services from drafting will and trusts to creating partnership agreements and LLCs.
- TrustsSome law firms push living wills, frightening clients with horror stories of the expense of contested probate cases. However, these law firms change more for drafting a living trust, then for drafting a will, and do not disclose how few estates are actually contested. I, of course, can draft all types of trusts, but, generally, a simple will serves my client’s needs best.
- Power of Attorney
- Probate