Billings had been a paralegal of the firm. She earned her a law degree from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University.

“The first-time event was designed to make what can be a painful event as painless as possible — that meant free parking included and, for many if not most, no missing work — and to close a lot of cases, about 400,” the Sun-Sentinel reported (Read the article here).

Many parties can and often do agree on the equitable distribution of assets and liabilities, and even timesharing (custody) of the minor children. At our firm, we have assisted several families in obtaining their “no-fuss,” easy divorce, at little cost to them.

Divorces don’t have to cost thousands of dollars. Parties need to agree on the big stuff, and agree to put the children first, or their financial well-being first, when deciding to divorce. Parties who can successfully remember to put themselves and their children first, will succeed in obtaining a low-cost divorce.

We have done a number of quick divorces where one party comes to us with an agreement already determined by the parties. We type it up, advise our client of his or her rights and responsibilities, and take that person to the final hearing. Often, such a divorce can be obtained in three months with no fighting, no drama, and minimal legal fees.

We often offer a reduced retainer when a client comes to us with a settlement. We still have to comply with the statutes and file petitions, answers, and financial affidavits. But that is part of our low-cost service – and low-drama divorce for the client.

Ms. Neave was approved first by the Board of Directors, and later the 160 individuals who make up its general membership.

Her first task will be to help prepare holiday baskets the Rotary Club will distribute this December to people living in hospice care. Later, Ms. Neave hopes to become involved in the organization’s Scholarship Committee.

“Becoming a part of the Rotary Club gives me a way to become more deeply involved in the South Florida community,” Ms. Neave said. “I’ve never been one to sit on the sidelines. This membership will allow me to take an active role in the lives of people in need across the region.”

According to The Associated Press, the veteran prosecutor, Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, had sent some 30 text messages trying to start an affair with a domestic abuse victim. At the time, Kratz was prosecuting the victim’s ex-boyfriend for alleged strangulation. Kratz said he will resign in October.

But the message lingers: Texting can be a smoking gun that can ruin a reputation, a career – and possibly a marriage. Kratz reportedly had texted the woman, asking if she was “the kind of girl that likes secret contact with an older married elected DA.”

The sting of a text can linger among those who may feel aggrieved. And their place as evidence can remain long after they’ve been sent. Even if the recipient deletes the text, in contentious divorce cases, attorneys can request text records from the wireless phone provider – often dating as far back as a month. They can be retained even longer if a special request for their retention has been made.

This is exactly why people should be wary of texing inappropriate, private or damaging information to others. From details of an affair to confidential, personal or corporate information, texting’s impact can be profound. They certainly can damage a divorce negotiation. In this case, we don’t know the impact on Kratz’s marriage.

Yet for a high-profile public figure, the court of public opinion may be the most important jurisdiction of all. In some cases where the alleged texter was the victim of a false accusation, the news media may run with the story and the texts can ruin a reputation even before facts are verified.

The tale here, though, remains: Never text any information that can be transformed into a smoking gun. Regardless of whether it’s interpreted correctly, the damage can be irreparable.

The key message: Use caution when writing status updates and other social media content. What you say online can come back to haunt you in court. (Finkel appears at 1:53 in the video)

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers for this award,” said Neave, an associate at The Law Firm of Barry I. Finkel P.A. [ insert link www.bfinkelpa.com ]. “Receiving such an award is never about the award itself. It’s about the work that helped me gain the recognition. That’s where my focus lies – on achieving positive outcomes for my clients.”

Neave works closely with each client. She seeks to identify and analyze the issues and strategies vital to a successful outcome. A native of Southern California, Neave graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). She earned her Juris Doctor from the Southwestern University School of Law. Neave decided to pursue the practice of law with a single goal in mind: To become a family and divorce lawyer focused on helping those facing the difficult challenges of failed marriages and a confusing legal system.

“Angela brings a special blend of empathy, understanding and cool legal thinking to every client’s situation,” said Barry Finkel, principal with the Fort Lauderdale law firm. “It’s a testament to her abilities and ongoing success that she has been recognized by those in the field and the publishers of Super Lawyers.”

At the Finkel Law Firm, Angela’s practice is predicated on the notion that the post-divorce family still must exist – despite its new form. Though custody issues are important and can be hotly contested, parents are counseled to remain mindful that they will continue to “co-parent” their children into adulthood. Both parents are encouraged to remain active and to welcome the other parent’s full participation. Both mother and father are expected to treat each other with respect during and after a divorce, especially when in the presence of children and their impressionable young minds.

From the beginning, children’s issues have been important to Angela. Since 2004, she has been involved with V-Day, a world event created to raise awareness and funds toward ending domestic violence against women and girls. She recently co-chaired for Legal Aid Service of Broward County’s For the Public Good fundraiser held. The event raised $124,000 – more than any previous year. All funds raised are earmarked for child-related cases, including school issues and foreclosures if children are involved, for example.

She also has teamed up with other Fort Lauderdale attorneys to speak for and develop a legal component for Women In Distress, a state-funded women’s shelter and rehabilitation program for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Neave was selected by Super Lawyers using a rigorous, multiphase process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with third-party research. She was evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel.