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Law Offices of Lorena S. Speth

Special Education Law/Advocacy

Ms. Speth developed her passion for special needs advocacy while working with developmentally disabled children and young adults as behavior therapist/interventionist before becoming an attorney. She provided direct Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services, as well as early intervention services such as DIR/Floor Time, and social skills training.

THE LAW OFFICES OF LORENA S. SPETH provides counsel and assistance in special education law matters regarding:

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Assessment Requests
Behavior Interventions
Compliance Complaints
Disability Bullying/Harassment
Due Process Hearings
Individual Education Programs (IEP)
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDR)
Restraints and Abuse
Suspensions and Expulsions
Mediation
Unilateral Placement and Reimbursement
504 Plans

REGIONAL CENTER

Fair Hearings
Individual Program Plan
Individual Family Service Plans (IFSP)

Divorce and Special Needs Children

The demands of caring for a special needs child too often creates additional tension in a marriage that leads a couple to divorce. The divorce rate among parents/guardians of special needs children is highly elevated. When parents/guardians of special needs children decide to divorce or separate, it is essential to obtain legal counsel that is keenly knowledgeable of the unique issues to be anticipated and addressed to protect the child and secure a successful transition. At the Law Offices of Lorena S. Speth, we are experienced in crafting parenting plans where custody and support schedules contemplate the specific special needs of the child.

THE LAW OFFICE OF LORENA S. SPETH provides counsel for the following considerations involving the special needs child:

Importance of Early Intervention, Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Occupational Therapy, Speech/Language Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Skills Training, One to One Aide and Behavior Intervention Services
Geographic Considerations for Custodial Parent Regarding School Districts and Regional Centers
Costs of Uncovered Therapeutic Interventions
Consistency and Reinforcemennt of Therapy in Home Environments
Sensitivity to Regression
Financial and Estate Planning Consideration e.g. Special Needs Trusts

Practice Areas

Family Law

At the Law Offices of Lorena S. Speth, we take a holistic approach to resolving family law matters. A compassionate and aggressive legal advocate, Ms. Speth provides skilled legal representation, and addresses the concerns of her clients during difficult and often emotional times.

THE LAW OFFICE OF LORENA S. SPETH provides counsel and representation in family law matters regarding:

Divorce or Dissolution of Marriage
Uncontested Divorce
Collaborative Divorce
Military Divorce
Legal Separations
Annulments
Domestic Partnerships
Property Characterization / Division
Child Custody / Visitation
Child Support
Spousal Support / Alimony
Enforcement of Settlements
Modification of Post-Judgment Custody and Support Orders
Move-Away Issues
Paternity and Non-Marital Relationships
Domestic Violence / Restraining Orders
Legal Guardianship of Minors
Stepparent Adoption
Pre-Nuptial / Post-Nuptial / Cohabitation Agreements
Grandparents Rights

Bankruptcy and Divorce

Because financial hardship and relationship difficulties often coincide, it becomes practical to examine if the parties should file for joint bankruptcy prior to filing for divorce, or wait until after their divorce is finalized. If both parties know that filing for bankruptcy protection is inevitable, they own minimal assets, and the parties are able to remain civil enough to complete the bankruptcy jointly, they may want to file their bankruptcy petition before going forward with a divorce. If the parties cannot agree to file for bankruptcy jointly, and one spouse petitions the Bankruptcy Court for relief after the divorce action has been filed but prior to finalization, an automatic stay is issued and the divorce action is put on hold pending authorization to move forward from the Bankruptcy Court.

THE LAW OFFICES OF LORENA S. SPETH advises clients contemplating both divorce and bankruptcy about the benefits, risks, and disadvantages of:

Filing for bankruptcy jointly or individually before filing for divorce
Filing for bankruptcy during divorce
Filing for bankruptcy after divorce
Procedural strategies that one spouse can utilize during divorce proceedings to ensure their interests are protected in case their spouse files for bankruptcy after the divorce and property division issues have been finalized