The Law Office of Michelle Fleming Sigfridson, LLC

12/23/2021

Our office will be closed tomorrow, Christmas Eve, as well as a vacation starting December 30 through January 7. We wish all of our clients, colleagues and friends the happiest of holiday seasons and we will see you in the new year!

09/25/2021

09/02/2021

I'm so happy to have been able to sponsor the Killingly-Brooklyn Rotary Club's Amber Alert event at the Brooklyn Fair. A great fair, great club, and great cause!

02/10/2021

Law firm life during remote learning...

06/15/2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay and le***an people from discrimination in employment, a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a...

03/18/2020

I've had several inquiries over the past few days wanting advice on what to do if separated parents can't agree on how to handle the Coronavirus pandemic as it relates to the kids. Maybe she is having friends over every day for playdates during the school shutdown, while you think that's a terrible idea? Maybe his new wife works at a hospital, and you are afraid to send the kids to his house for his scheduled time? As parents, we are all uneasy right now, and we all want to do what is best for our kids and our families. Sometimes we just disagree on what that means.

Usually, lawyers look to precedent (that is, cases that they have handled before or that the courts have ruled on in the past) to give an opinion on a current case or situation. While we don't have this option in regard to this virus specifically, there have been all too many cases where parents have disagreed on some general aspect of parenting or healthcare decisions. Courts generally do not like to second-guess parenting decisions, and typically allow each parent leeway to make day-to-day decisions while the children are in his or her care. In regard to health decisions, the court will typically give a lot of weight to the opinion of experts- in this case, your kids' doctor. If you have doubts or differing opinions between the parents, give your pediatrician a call to see what his or her advice is on playdates, or visiting the park, or visits with the step-siblings in mixed families.

I can say that this should not be used as an excuse to withhold access. Absent some specific threat or concern (for example, a household member having been exposed to the virus, or someone in the home showing symptoms), you likely would not be justified in denying access to the other parent. Not only would you be opening yourself up to a contempt finding and court sanctions, you may be doing damage to your child's relationship with his or her parent, and fueling the flames of panic and anxiety.

As difficult as it sometimes can be, its important to try to maintain (or keep working to build) open communication and trust as a coparenting team.

Stay safe!

12/12/2019

Great event for a good cause with the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS

12/09/2019

Big day today- I hosted my first real estate closing at the new office, and it went off without a hitch. Well... of course there were the few last minute emergencies that seem to come with every closing- but nothing we couldn't handle! It was nice filling up all of these chairs in the conference room, and I look forward to the next one. If you are buying, selling, or refinancing, give me a call!

10/31/2019

Happy Halloween!

Tuesday .

09/30/2019

Wow, 112 likes! Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to hit that button, it is greatly appreciated. 😊