David Braiterman concluded five and a half years serving as a public member of the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice in July 2011, ending that service as Chair of the Board. The Board considers license applications for the five mental health professions in New Hampshire, and conducts disciplinary reviews of professional misconduct.

On February 3, 2009, David Braiterman testified against a New Hampshire House of Representatives bill before the Children and Family Law Committee that would prescribe "comparable parenting" rights and responsibilities for parents as the presumed best result for children. Objections to the bill included that it is not universally true that children always do better with equal rights of parents in sharing time with children because every situation is different. Also the use of the term "comparable" is not defined in the bill and definitions of what it means varies from person to person. Read David's written submission on the bill.

The Family Division Court, originally begun as a pilot project in two counties and since having gone statewide, is now part of an integrated system of all trial courts in the State beginning in July 2011. The courts are collectively the New Hampshire Circuit Court. The Family Division changed the location of courthouses for the counties, who the judges would be, and the jurisdiction to hear different kinds of cases. The Circuit Court system is aimed at streamlining staffing levels both of clerical staff and judges, and to enable a centralized calling center for all courts in the state. Funding levels in all courts in the State have been significantly reduced in recent years, and case backlogs not seen in many years are increasing. Contact Us to discuss how the changes to the Family Division and the Circuit Court may affect your case.

The New Hampshire Citizen Commission on the State Courts issued its final report in June 2006. This important study report recommends a host of changes to court procedures at all levels of New Hampshire's Judicial Branch to improve access to courts and the quality of justice. If you are representing yourself for all or part of your case, be sure to read the Judicial Page self-help site for useful information on how to prepare for court and how to conduct yourself when you go. Even if you are representing yourself, our office can help identify issues and strategies to assist you for a lot less cost than us going with you to court. Though not necessarily as good as having professional representation, "behind the scenes" help is a lot better than going it entirely on your own. Contact us if you want to discuss how we can help.

Effective January 1, 2007, the New Hampshire Legislature created a new combined form for a durable power of attorney for health care and declaration of living will. Previously the two were separate documents, sometimes confusing some people whether they needed both, and giving them two documents to address some of the same end of life decisions. The new law improves and clarifies the significance of medical "Do Not Resucitate (DNR)" orders. Older documents that people may have signed are still valid under the new law but if you want to consider the newer versions along with the improved DNR provisions, contact us.