On October 19, 2023, Maryland Judge Andrew Wilkinson was shot and murdered in his driveway – hours after granting custody of a child to one parent.
The suspect, the “losing” parent, had a history of abusive behaviours, including child abuse, stalking, financial control, and verbal assaults.
A week after the murder, the suspect was found dead, an apparent suicide.
Family law is dangerous. We deal with people who are mentally unwell. We try to help them. Sometimes, we cannot. Sometimes, they don’t pay their bill. Sometimes, they file a complaint with the Law Society. Sometimes, they sue us. Sometimes, they disparage us on social media. Tragically, they sometimes cause physical harm and, in this case, death to a family law professional.
Family law is dangerous.
LINK: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/January-2024-AFCC-eNEWS.html?soid=1130549919414&aid=PviWaJsDe7c
Editorial Note: Originally published in 2024, this piece reflects on the tragic murder of Judge Andrew Wilkinson and highlights the serious risks family law professionals can face.
Steve Benmor, B.Sc., LL.B., LL.M. (Family Law), C.S., Cert.F.Med., C.Arb., FDRP PC, is the founder and principal lawyer of Benmor Family Law Group, a boutique matrimonial law firm in downtown Toronto. He is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, a Certified Specialist in Parenting Coordination and was admitted as a Fellow to the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers. Steve is regularly retained as a Divorce Mediator/Arbitrator and Parenting Coordinator. Steve uses his 30 years of in-depth knowledge of family law, court-room experience and expert problem-solving skills in Divorce Mediation/Arbitration to help spouses reach fair, fast and cooperative divorce settlements without the financial losses, emotional costs and lengthy delays from divorce court.
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