I caught up with Holt at his office at 221B Billiard Street, where his secretary, Ms. Hobson said he was expecting me. The office was well-appointed in a traditional style with leather, brass and mahogany accoutrements. There were Jade treasures from the Orient hidden among the books behind the glass and wood of his bookcase. The red and blue rug was from Tibet. The chess set was ready for the first move.

I sank into one of the two wingback client chairs as Holt spoke on the phone and typed on his computer at same time.

“It seems my new client’s marriage to the daughter of a well-known politician is not working out.” Holt had the habit of starting his sentences halfway through his thoughts. Which was why he needed me perhaps, to untangle the story.

Holt had just been hired, by email and telephone exchanges, to represent a Mr. LeStrange, successful investment advisor, in a divorce. The marriage had lasted three years and while  there were no children, there were allegations of a mistress. The wife wanted 110% of the husband’s income and assets, although she would settle for half her monthly livi expenses and half of the assets.

Holt rang up; the opposing counsel, one Marion Moriarty. “This is Holt.” he said.  “I’m representing LeStrange.  Just calling to introduce myself and see if it is possible to settle this case.”

“Yes, it is possible although your client is an adulterer and abandoned my client and has paid none of her expenses since deserting the family home.  I’ll need copies of the husband’s tax return and statements for his bank, stock and retirement accounts.”

She also requested that the husband indicate his good faith by paying for the wife’s expenses, while the parties negotiated a final settlement. Her expenses included country club dues, gym membership, manicures, and clothing.

“How did you arrive at the temporary alimony amount?” Holt inquired.

“I used the guidelines.” responded Moriarty.

“And what incomes did you use?” asked Holt.

“$150,000 for the husband, and $40,000 for the wife.”

“And where did you get the husband’s income?” Holt asked her.

“You gave it to me.”

“And the wife’s income?”

“That’s her 2020 income for the year to date.” said Moriarty.

“So you used $80,00 for the wife’s income for the whole year?”

“Yes, of course.”

Holt raised an eyebrow. “Temporary support is for necessities, not country club dues,” he said.

Moriarty replied. “I’ve written articles about this. The judge will maintain the status quo.”

Holt rejoined, “The person who cites herself never lacks for authority.”

Moriarty hung up and the line went dead.

“The court discourages requests to postpone court events.”  — Family Law Manual, Circuit Court for Howard County, Maryland  

It is the policy for the court to provide timely justice for the citizens of Maryland, so getting a postponement in your divorce case is not easy. All requests for postponements have to be by motion, in writing, and state good cause for postponement.

Not Good Cause

The court does not usually consider the following as a good cause for postponement:

• Counsel or parties agree to postpone.
• The case has not previously been postponed.
• Discovery has not been completed.
• A party wants to hire, or has hired, new counsel.
• Unavailability of a witness who has not been subpoenaed.
• Party or counsel is not prepared to try the case.
• Any postponement beyond a second trial date.

Good Causes for Postponement

• Sudden death or medical emergency.
• A party did not receive notice of a hearing date.
• Facts becoming apparent too late for correction that would create undue hardship or a miscarriage of justice.
• Unanticipated unavailability of a subpoenaed material witness.
• Illness or family emergency of counsel.

The residents of Bhopal, India were suffering through a drought this summer. In desperation, they sought to appease Lord Indra, the Hindu God of Rains. The only way to do this was to hold a special marriage ceremony. It was special because the bride and groom were frogs.

The frogs were married on July 19. It began to rain. And it rained and rained. It is still raining two months later. Bhopal has received 26 percent more rainfall than normal. Rain in Bhopal on Sunday almost broke a 13-year-old record of most rain recorded in a city.

Bhopal has recorded 48 mm of heavy rain in the last two hours. The city’s lower sections flooded. Officials released three gates at Bhopal Kaliyasot Dam, Bhadbhada Dam, and Kolar to release the water and prevent the dams from breaking.

There was only one thing left to do to stop the rain. The frogs had to be divorced. During the divorce proceedings, mantras were chanted and the frogs were separated. The people of Bhopal hope the frog divorce will bring them relief from the rain.

Divorce lawyer and mediator Ron Ousky has created a set of conversation cards to help you stay married.

Ousky got the idea from listening to his divorce clients and wishing he could turn back the clock and get them talking to each other.  He says that as kids, jobs, in-laws and money stresses begin to take up all the conversation time in a marriage, couples grow apart.

His cards prompt couples to talk about ideas that keep couples connected, like gratitude, mistakes, forgiveness, and how we express love and want to be loved. The idea is that these topics will help you stay married.

As for a divorce lawyer promoting marriage, Ousky says it is not that unusual. Divorce lawyers want to help people in distress just like doctors want people to be healthy. And, he notes, there will always be enough conflict to keep divorce lawyers busy.