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4.6

What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Idaho CLE Approved 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Approved 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 3 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 3.5 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
OnDemand
2 hours 55 minutes
Brenda Lopez
Thomas Smith
Beth Tanner
Sue Crane
With Brenda Lopez from Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP + 3 others
Recorded September 23, 2026.
Product ID 102309

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Course Includes
$299

OnDemand Video

Course Book Download

Overview

Think Like a Judge - When It Matters Most Featuring 5 Judges From Across the Nation

Discover what drives real family court decisions and where attorneys most often go wrong. In this program, experienced family law judges deliver a candid, behind-the-bench perspective on the motions, arguments, and evidence that actually influence outcomes - from emergency orders to support deviations. Walk away with a clearer understanding of how judges assess credibility, weigh competing narratives, and make discretionary calls so you communicate clearly where it matters most. Register today!

  • Identify why motions succeed - or fail - before you file.
  • Clarify your position in property division and support disputes.
  • Focus your custody arguments and evidence on the factors judges truly prioritize.
  • Avoid the recurring advocacy mistakes judges see every day.

Panelists: Hon. Sue M. Crane, Hon. Thomas Smith and Hon. Beth Tanner
Moderator: Brenda Lopez

Abbreviated Agenda

What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)

Break: 1:30 – 1:45 

  1. Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
  2. Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
  3. Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
  4. Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
  5. Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For
  1. Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
  2. Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
  3. Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
  4. What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
  5. Mistakes That Family Judges See Attorneys Make Over and Over

Related Topics

Product ID 102309

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Idaho CLE Approved 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Approved 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 3 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 3.5 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)

    Break: 1:30 – 1:45 

    1. Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
    2. Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
    3. Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
    4. Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
    5. Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For
    1. Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
    2. Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
    3. Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
    4. What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
    5. Mistakes That Family Judges See Attorneys Make Over and Over

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys. Paralegals may also benefit.

Speakers

Brenda Lopez
Brenda
Lopez
Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP
Hon. Thomas Smith
Hon. Thomas
Smith
Benton County Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit
Hon. Beth Tanner
Hon. Beth
Tanner
Innocence Inquiry Commission
Hon. Sue M Crane
Hon. Sue M.
Crane
Callaway County 13th Judicial Cirsuit
Speaker bio
Brenda Lopez

Brenda Lopez

Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP
Brenda Lopez

is a partner in the law firm of Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP, in San Diego. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, who has represented family law clients in a variety of cases in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Ms. Lopez has successfully litigated many complex family law cases, touching upon both economic and non-economic issues.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Thomas Smith

Hon. Thomas Smith

Benton County Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit
Thomas Smith

is a Circuit Court Judge in the Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit in Benton County. Judge Smith presides over the Division Ill Circuit Court. His responsibilities encompass overseeing the Veteran Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, and Adult Drug Court, as well as serving as the setting judge for all Juvenile Court matters, including Family in Need Of Services, Department Of Human Services cases, Delinquency cases, and Juvenile Special Services. Additionally, he hears Family, Probate and Civil cases.

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Speaker bio
Hon. Beth Tanner

Hon. Beth Tanner

Innocence Inquiry Commission
Beth Tanner

is as a Commissioner for the Innocence Inquiry Commission. She is an also appointee on Moore County's Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.

View full profile
Speaker bio
Hon. Sue M Crane

Hon. Sue M. Crane

Callaway County 13th Judicial Cirsuit
Sue Crane

is an Associate Circuit Court Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Missouri.

View full profile
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