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Leading the Legal Community


Attorney Angela Lennon, and paralegal Michaela Seidl partnered with Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology (the leading legal case management software) to present a free webinar on the “Pros and Cons of Implementing Practice Management Software at Mid-Sized Firms”.


Attorneys David Pontier and Michael Brewer contributed to the July/August issue of The Nebraska Lawyer! David was selected to be the Editor, he coordinated with attorneys across Nebraska to write articles for the magazine. Michael Brewer's featured article, Dealing with Student Loans in a Divorce, gives practical guidance to Nebraska attorneys about dealing with student loan debt in divorce.
Vetting the Vaccine
Mom, I signed myself up for the COVID vaccine. Can you take me on April 8th?” My sixteen, nearly seventeen, year old daughter at the time decided for us. Her fourteen-year-old sister followed suit a few weeks later when the age was expanded to include her. “Mom, you can sign me up on Monday for the vaccine, DON’T FORGET” was the text I received from her when the news broke. I supported their decisions. Their dad supported their decisions. We are a fortunate family in this situation.

For many other families, the emails and text messages have been exchanged in a flurry between parents in what I will call the vaccine vex. One parent is in favor, one parent is not. Whether it be for religious, political, health, or societal reasons, our attorneys have been listening to the range of reasons for why the other parent is wrong and they are right. 

Most parenting decisions are not one way or the other. Typically, there are shades of gray in which to explore compromise. Kelly Gering, a parenting plan mediator extraordinaire says of mediating this issue with parents “beyond the science, traditionally we discuss the shared values, safety, and freedom. We discuss the desire for the children to remain in school, to travel and be with grandparents and friends. Often they will agree to visit the pediatrician together and take their concerns to a professional.”

Giving Bears
This month our attorney, David Pontier got to celebrate alongside a family who finalized their adoption. His heartfelt reflection on adoption is a beautiful illustration of why he treasures this part of his practice.
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Sometimes it is a difficult road to finalize an adoption. To legally establish a new parent-child relationship is to legally end another. It’s often the case that a biological parent has died, or abandoned his or her child, or worse. And for almost all of us who are parents, those latter cases are simply unthinkable.

But whenever I’m asked, “what is the best part of your job,” I never have to stop and think about my answer.

“Giving bears.” It’s become my automatic reply. It’s the truth.

Whenever our team at Koenig|Dunne completes a final adoption hearing, we gift a teddy bear to the child who has been adopted. I just happen to be the lucky guy who gets to hand it out. Regardless of the child’s age, there is always a smile; there is always happiness; and there is always the renewed sense of hope that comes with formally establishing a family.

In those moments as a practicing attorney, life doesn’t get any better.

And that’s because I get a front-row seat to the best part of our legal system. I get to see parents cement their rights, responsibilities, and relationships with children to whom they would otherwise be strangers under our laws. It’s a beautiful thing.

Adoption is always an act of choice. It is a promise of enduring commitment. And it is one of the most authentic devotions of love I have seen.
Coach's Corner
Backward Inward Forward

Choosing to be alone for days is not an obvious extrovert choice. Yet for over a decade I’ve taken a solo annual retreat. I don’t go far, but I do go away from home where I am tempted by the dazzling distractions of unorganized drawers and the unfinished anything.

My yearly ritual is usually in winter, the season of slowing down, anticipating the new year, and hoping the arrival of spring can be trusted. As usual, I marked my calendar for January. But the universe had its own plans. I postponed until summer.
This time away is to look back, forward, and mostly within.

I looked back. It hasn’t been my happiest year. It began with my son Benjamin being carried into my home from the hospital, after his multiple surgeries, after the life flight, after his car was crushed in a head-on collision two weeks before Christmas.

Did you catch Susan's Teeny
Tiny Tip on Tuesday?
If not, don't worry you can find her great tips here!
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The Omaha Magazine has a “Best of Omaha” issue each year. For several years in a row, Koenig Dunne has been named one of Omaha’s Best Family Law firms. This year, we want to win.
Can you help us by voting?  

Voting is easy. 
1.    Click HERE
2.    Check your email.
3.    Follow the link in your email.
4.    Koenig|Dunne will be automatically generated in the Best Family Law Firm category.

  • There is also a category for Family Law Attorney. Please fill in the name of your favorite Koenig|Dunne attorney for this category.
  • There is also a category for best Estate Planning Attorney. You can fill in Katie Vogel's name in this category.

You have to vote for 5 categories for your vote to count. If you have more than 1 email address, you can use the link to vote via multiple email addresses.

Untie Online provides everything you need to know about how to complete your divorce in Nebraska. From a comprehensive divorce workbook to blog articles covering a vast array of subjects, we provide you with a comprehensive step-by-step guide to walk you through the divorce process.

Still unsure if it's the right thing for you? Schedule your FREE 15-minute call with an experienced attorney, here!

Tips for Creating a Divorce Agreement You Can Live With
Whatever disagreements may have attributed to your impending divorce, your goal should be to forge a divorce agreement that both parties can live with over time. The goal is not to be punitive; rather, it is to find a way to build new and separate lives where you both will thrive without bitterness or retribution. Keeping that in mind, here are some tips on creating a good divorce agreement:

Understand your finances. If your spouse has always handled the financial stuff, it’s time to get educated about your financial picture. If you need help understanding them, hire a financial advisor to go over everything with you.
Know your legal rights and responsibilities. This is especially important if you have kids, since courts will follow the child support laws unless there is a really good reason not to do so. The court will expect you to come up with a parenting schedule that allows both parents to have a relationship with the children, and they will want the overall divorce agreement to be fair. Your divorce lawyer can prepare you for what the law requires and how the system works.

Figure out what you need and want. You will need to pull together a budget and a balance sheet based on what you need for sure. And you may even get some of the things you want. You just need to be able to discern between the two, and prioritize your needs and wants. Don’t expect to get everything on your list; you won’t. Just make sure you know what are the most important things so you can negotiate for what you need.

Know what your spouse needs and wants. Not only is it important to know what you need and want, it’s also vital you know the same for your spouse. The more insight you have into what he or she wants and needs, the more likely it is that you will be successful in settling your case on terms you can both live with.

Know your bottom line. There may be some things you consider non-negotiable, and if your spouse won’t settle on the terms you can live with, you will need to be prepared to take things to court. But before you decide on your bottom line, you must know if it is realistic. If you’re not legally entitled to something but want to stand firm on it anyway, it will be impossible for you to negotiate a fair agreement.

Be flexible. If you can keep an open mind, you will find that your settlement negotiations go much smoother (and quicker!). Be willing to consider alternatives — if you’re not sure what kind of alternatives you have, ask your lawyer — that will provide a good outcome for all involved. Although it may be difficult, consider that your spouse may have some good ideas. The more options you have to choose from, the more likely it is you will reach an agreement that works for everyone.

It is important to partner with your family law attorney so that he or she has what is necessary to be your zealous advocate. Partnering with your Koenig│Dunne family law attorneys will help you achieve what matters most to you during this important process.



Who is Koenig|Dunne?
For over 35 years, the Koenig|Dunne team has been helping people pick up the pieces of their life to make a new start. Bringing a family business back from the brink of financial ruin. Sheltering a child from the conflict of a custody battle. We do this work because its work we know matters.

Whether an amicable collaboration or lengthy litigation lies ahead, we’re the team who will empower you on your path to a better future, from start to finish. That’s a promise. We promise you – we will see you, hear you, and stand by you. Learn More
(402) 346-1132