Divorce and Family Law Attorney Diana L. Skaggs - Louisville Kentucky

Diana L. Skaggs

In and out of the courtroom, Diana L. Skaggs is on the forefront of new developments in the practice of family law, and is recognized for her innovation in the field as well as her continued dedication to families, children and public service. She received the Louisville Bar Association’s 2006 Revell Family Law Award in honor of these commitments. Past President of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys, where she currently serves on the national Board of Governors, Skaggs takes an active role in professional organizations and frequently teaches other family law attorneys and judges at continuing legal education courses. She is A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in Best Lawyers in America in the field of family law (Copyright 2011 Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken S.C.) and selected for inclusion in 2007 through 2011 Super Lawyers as being among the top 5% of family lawyers and one of the top 25 women lawyers in Kentucky across all fields of practice. The Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers honored her with its 2010 “Raising the Bar Award.” Her most recent honor is being elected a Diplomate of The American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a national organization limited to 100 divorce litigators, and the only Kentucky member.

Skaggs, who received her Juris Doctor degree from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville in 1982, maintains professional memberships and has held offices in several regional and national organizations. She formed Diana L. Skaggs + Associates in 1999, although she has devoted her practice to family law for more than twenty-five years.

Though the firm focuses on all aspects of divorce and family law, Skaggs concentrates her practice in complex financial divorce, including business valuation, trusts, tax, tracing of non-marital funds and integrated solutions for wealth management and preservation.

“While most matters are settled privately, my extensive trial experience and our staffing allow us to handle complex litigation where necessary or appropriate,” says Skaggs.

CURRICULUM VITAE

DIANA L. SKAGGS
Diana L. Skaggs + Associates
623 West Main Street
Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 562-0050

Facsimile: (502) 582-3523

Editor, Divorce Law Journal


EDUCATION & HONORS
J.D., cum laude, University of Louisville Law School, 1982 Honors: Class Standing - top 10% Brandeis Scholar Dean's List, all semesters
B.A., English, University of Louisville, 1974
2006 Recipient of Judge Richard A. Revell Family Law Award, Louisville Bar Association, for being in the forefront of new developments in the practice of family law, dedication to families and children through work both inside and outside of the courtroom, innovation in family law and dedication to public service.
A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion in 2007 through 2010 Best Lawyers in America, in the field of family law. (Copyright 2010 Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, S.C.)
Named by 2007 through 2010 Super Lawyers as being among the top 5% of family lawyers and one of the top 25 women lawyers in Kentucky across all fields of practice.
2010 Recipient of the “Raising the Bar Award” by the Kentucky Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Diplomate, American College of Family Trial Lawyers, 2011-present
Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President January, 2007- January,2009, President-Elect 2005-2007, Vice-President 1999-2001
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1996 - present, Kentucky Delegate to National Board of Governors, 2003-2004 and 2010-2013.
Certified Arbitrator, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Louisville Bar Association, 1982 - present, Board of Directors, 1984; Family Law Section
Kentucky Bar Association, 1982 - present, Family Law Section
Kentucky Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, 1988 - 2007
American Bar Association, Family Law Section
Twelfth Circuit Bar Association ( Oldham, Henry, Trimble Counties)
Kentucky Justice Association, Domestic Law Section, 2006-2008
International Child Abduction Attorney Network, Center for Missing and Exploited Children


LECTURES & PUBLICATIONS
2007 through 2011 update to Kentucky Divorce, with Hon. Richard A. Revell and Alan T. Slyn, (Thomson-West)
“Marital Debt,” Kentucky Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2011
“Twentieth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2011
“Nineteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2010
“Jurisdiction for Child Custody and Child Support,” Kentucky Chapter of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2010
Kentucky Bar Association Family Law Update, Paducah, Ky and Louisville, Ky, 2009
“Business Valuation Update,” Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Louisville Bar Association, 2009
“Eighteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2009
“Seventeenth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2008
Domestic Relations Editor, Advocate (Kentucky Justice Association), 2007-2008
“Sixteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2007
Editor of www.DivorceLawJournal.com
“Appreciated Nonmarital Assets—Active or Passive,” Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Louisville Bar Association, 2006
“Fifteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update,” Louisville Bar Association, 2006
“Attorneys’ Role in Collaborative Process,” Kentucky Collaborative Family Network, Inc. Interdisciplinary Training, 2005
“Modification of Spousal Support—New Surprises,” Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2005
“Discovery in Complex Divorces,” Complex Divorce Litigation: Forensic Accounting, Discovery, & Alternatives to Litigation, Louisville Bar Association, 2004
“Modifying and Terminating Maintenance: Some Surprises,” Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2004
“Child Support and Maintenance in Large Income Cases,” Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2002
“Custody, Access and the Voice of Children of Divorce,” Louisville Bar Association, 1999
“Ethical Use of Trusts and Limited Partnerships” and “Representing the Corporate Executive,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, 1999
“Family Lawyer/Family Mediation Roundtable,” LBA, 1999
“Discovery and Disclosure,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, KBA and LBA, 1998
“Family Law Litigation in Kentucky,” National Business Institute, 1995
“Child Abuse and Spouse Abuse: Emerging Theories of Liability,” Kentucky Bar Association, 1991
“Child Sexual Abuse Allegations—Evidentiary Issues,” Kentucky Alliance for Exploited and Missing Children, 1991
“Spouse Abuse,” Kentucky Bar Association, 1991

PUBLISHED CASES
Welch v. Velten, 185S.W.3d 163, (Ky. 2006)
Bennett v. Bennett, 133 S.W.3d 487 ( Ky. App. 2004)
Downing v. Downing, 45 S.W.3d 449 , (Ky. App. 2001), establishing “3 pony rule” for child support in large income cases
Giacalone v. Giacalone, 876 S.W.2d 616 ( Ky. App. 1994)
Johnson v. Smith, 885 S.W.2d 944 ( Ky. 1994)

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
2011	2011 American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Complex Tax Issues: How to get and use IRS Private Letter Rulings; Tax planning in prenuptial agreements; The status of innocent spouse relief; Domestic partnerships; Off shore accounts; Alimony recapture and family support; Prepaid taxes, estimated payments & losses as a marital asset; Foreclosures and cancellation of debt; Attorney fees; Retirement accounts Privacy Issues Liars Court: Defeating Lies in Matrimonial Matters from Negotiation to the Courtroom and The Truth is More Important than the Facts: The Consequences of Lying
2011	Thirteenth Annual American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association Family Law Seminar Louisville, KY Electronic Evidence & Discovery Ethical Conundrums Depression and the Divorce Process Update on Grandparent Visitation & Third Party Custody Issues Stock Option Valuations & Tips for Attorneys Dealing with Bullying in Schools Post Judgment/Pre-Appellate Practice
2010	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL The Best of the Best in Family Law Agreements; Prenuptial Agreements, Non-Matrimonial Partnership Agreements, Interspousal Agreements, Property Settlement Agreements, Custody Agreements, Reconciliation/Mid-Marriage Agreements, Arbitration/Mediation Agreements, Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreements, In Vitro Fertilization Agreements, Trust Agreements, Deferred Compensation Agreements Tax Issues of Matrimonial Settlements and Structured Settlements in Family Law Business Income Available for Support Custody Evaluation Standards Impact of World Wide Religions and Cultures On Family Law; Islamic Family Law in American Courts, Enforcement of Religious Agreements—A Taste of Cultural Diversity Communications, Cross-Examination and Media Skills Parenting Plans Best Practices
	Thirteen Annual American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association Family Law Seminar Louisville, KY Jurisdiction Issues Premarital Agreements: Representing the Stronger Party; Representing the Weaker Party Cohabitation Agreements & Tax Implication of Co-Habitation Legal Ethics in Family Law Goodwill Hunting Proposed New Family Court Rules Pitfalls in Preliminary Motions What Should We Tell the Children? Use of Coaches, Parenting Coordinators, Guardian Ad Litems Proposed Model Rules for Guardian Ad Litems Foreclosures, Short Sales & Other Real Estate Issues
2009	Twelfth Annual American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association Family Law Seminar Louisville, KY Relocation Update Bankruptcy Commercial Real Estate Valuation Impact of Sour Economy on Family Law Matters Receivers in Divorce Business Valuation Update Moving Money Out of the Marital Estate and Asset Protection Plans Banks: Friends of Foe Legal and Ethical Writing for Family Court Electronic Evidence for Family Law Practitioner and Ethical Issues
2008	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Saving the Monkey from the Middle: When fabricated allegations of child abuse become psychological abuse Cross Examination of Experts and Other Witnesses Complex Estate Planning and Asset Protection Plans and the Impact on Divorce Top Ten Mistakes Experienced Lawyers Make With QDROs Trends in Executive Compensation How to Overcome a Bad Custody Evaluation What You Must Know About the Tests Used By Psychologists
	Eleventh Annual Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association Louisville, Kentucky Mastering Child Custody Evaluations; Conducting Scientifically Crafted Child Custody Evaluations; and Use of Psychological Tests Deconstructing the Evaluation Report; and How to Cross-Examine an Expert’s Custody Evaluation Clinicians in Court; A Guide to Subpoenas, Depositions, Testifying and Everything Else the Expert Needs to Know; A Call for Clinical Humility and Judicial Diligence; and Is the Child’s Therapist Part of the Problem? What Attorneys, Judges and Mental Health Professionals Need to Know About Court Ordered Treatment for Children Ethical Issues in Child Custody Cases; and AAML & ABA Ethical Guidelines And Authorities for Guardian Ad Litem in Custody and Access Disputes How to Prepare for the Difficult Mediation Divorce Taxation QDRO Tips for Lawyers to Put in Agreements & Courts to Put in Judgments
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Spring Retreat for Southeast Chapters Nashville, North Carolina Top Ten Ways to Improve Legal Writing Tips and Thoughts from the Appellate Bench Forensic Accounting and Divorce
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Spring Meeting and Seminar San Diego, CA Providing Top Quality Service to the Family Law Client Keeping Secrets: Client Confidentiality in a Family Law Practice Running an Efficient and Effective Law Office Advanced Procedure and Evidence in Discovery: Objections, Privileges, Privacy Laws, and More for Family Law Advanced Trial Evidence for the Family Law Lawyer How to Deflect and Defeat Dirty Tricks She Got the Gold Mine – I Got the Shaft, Finding the Gold Nuggets: Personal and Corporate Tax Returns and Financial Statements
2007	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Finding and Analyzing Electronic Evidence Admissibility of Electronic Evidence Latest Developments in Family Law Taxation Matters Identity Theft Prescription for Divorce
	Kentucky Bar Association District Bar Meeting Electronic Evidence
	University of Kentucky 16^th Biennial Family Law Institute Lexington, KY Biennial Case Law and Legislative Update in Family Law Estate Planning Issues for the Domestic Relations Attorney Revisiting Fenwick 39 Ways to Improve Your QDRO Practice Best Practices for the Difficult Ethical Dilemmas in Family Law
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Grand Cayman Island Forensic Discovery and Hedge and Private Equity fund Valuation Dealing With Impaired Clients Speaking To Win Hot Tips Child Support and Spousal Support in Extremely High Income Cases: Is Enough Even Enough?
2006	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Negotiation Techniques by the Expert, Prof. Robert Mnookin, Harvard University Ethical Concerns for the Family Law Attorney Children Held Hostage Tracing Assets in Property Cases National Update of Same Sex Marriage
	Collaborative Divorce, Advanced Training KCFN, Inc., Pauline Tesler, J.D. and Peggy Thompson, Ph.D. Louisville, KY
	9th Annual Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville Bar Association Louisville, KY Relocation- Fenwick “Dead or Alive” KY Law Updates Pre-Nup/Post-Nup “Love Me Forever, But Not My Assets” Maintenance Symposium
2005	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Custody, Intellectual Property Rights, Evidence and Ethics The Legal Status of Same Sex Marriages/Relationships Alimony, Spousal Support, and Maintenance
	8th Annual Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA Louisville, KY 39 Ways to Improve Your QDRO Practice Big Issues/Big Cases Stepping Back from Anger, Kentucky Style A Methodical Approach to Resolution of Spousal Support Electronic Evidence Discovery and Cyberspace Misconduct Dissipation of Hidden Assets Constitutional Rights of Parents to Joint Custody Arbitration: A New Concept on Time in Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Ethics and Professionalism
	Collaborative Divorce Interdisciplinary Training Louisville, KY
2004	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Standard of Value for Professional Practices and Closely Held Business Comparative Types and Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution The Use of Behavioral Science Specialists in Contested Child Custody Cases
	7th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA Louisville, KY Family Law and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act Child Support Deviations: Big, Small, and All Around Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships—What Is in Store for Kentucky? Common Problems for Family Law Practitioners and Ethics 2000 on the Horizon Classification and Division of Stock Options Negotiating Skills for Family Law Attorneys Law Office Management and Technology Criminal Matters in Child Support Domestic Violence and Immigration—New Skills for the Active Family Lawyer Care and Feeding of Your Financial Expert: How to Work Ethically and Effectively for Maximum Results Domestic Violence and Custody - Its Evolution in 2004
	AAML Matrimonial Arbitration Training Institute Louisville, KY Scope of Matrimonial Arbitration: History and Development Statutory Overview and Case Law Advantages and Disadvantages of Matrimonial Arbitration Uniform Arbitration Act and Selected State Statutes Ethical Consideration for Arbitrators Arbitration Agreements and Court Orders for Arbitration Preparing for Arbitration as a Litigator: You and Your Client Conducting a Successful Arbitration: Facilities, Decorum and Procedures Entering Judgments and Post-Judgment Issues Arbitration Fees and Costs Judicial Immunity Techniques of Effective Award Writing Drafting of Arbitration Awards
2003	American Bar Association Section of Family Law Fall CLE Conference Seattle, WA Trusts: Creativity in Dividing Marital Property Sleuthing in Seattle: Seizing and Deciphering Computer Evidence Competency Issues in Divorce, Custody and Guardianship Cases Marital Stew: Commingling and Tracing Assets in Divorce: His, Hers or Theirs Catch Me If You Can, or, Who Really Owns the Property?
	6th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA Louisville, KY Disability, Retirement and Pensions What Judges Need to Know to Decide Complex Financial Issue Cases Complex Financial Issue Cases - The Judge’s Perspective A Vision for Kentucky’s Family Courts After the Constitutional Amendment Military Benefits: A Trap for Unwary Lawyers and Judges Rehabilitative Maintenance - Not Always in Kentucky Dissipation & Fault Maintenance The Complex Financial Case - Get a Grip and Analyze the Tax Returns Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Status in Kentucky Ethics, Bounds of Advocacy and Challenges Evaluation of Closely Held Business
	Changes in Jefferson Family Court Due to Passage of the Constitutional Amendment LBA Family Law Section, Louisville, KY
2002	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Federal Wiretapping Laws and Related Topics Federal Legislation—Employee Benefit Reforms Accounting Standards and Practice: Changes and Impact on Family Law Changing Tides in Compensation Ethics Jeopardy The Executive Mine Field: Are the Time Bombs Real or Imagined? Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act Indian Welfare Act Drug Testing & Related Federal Issues Children’s Passports & Travel Restrictions - An Update Relocation Laws Relating to Mental Health Federal Gun Control Laws and Temporary Orders and Family Violence Orders Federal Tax Laws - An Update Bankruptcy - An Update How Attorneys Can Evaluate Custody Evaluations Management of a Family Law Practice Preparing and Presenting Charts, Graphs, Etc. Hague Convention Anderson, Enron - A Unique Perspective
	Collaborative Family Law Workshop Louisville, KY Traditional Practice of Family Law History of Collaborative Family Law Shifting the Paradigm—Becoming a Collaborative Lawyer The Interest-Based Negotiation Model Collaborative Communication The Initial Client Interview Role Play: The Initial Client Interview The Collaborative Four-Way Settlement Conference Role Play: Client Preparation for the Four-Way Role Play: Attorneys Preparation for the Four-Way Role Play: Four-Way Settlement Conference Professionalism
	Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association Louisville, KY Collaborative Divorce Law Training Parental Alienation in High-Conflict Cases Model Family Courts and the Role of Lawyers in Kentucky Unspoken Marriage Agreements and Their Impact on Divorce Panel of Ethical Issues in Alternative Dispute Resolution Divorce Taxation Dissipation Claims in Dissolution Cases
2001	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL How to Give the Present a Past, Marriage from 1950 to 2000 The Emerging 21st Century Family Stepparents and/or Rights of Children The Politics of Sex Rights of Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children Bio-Ethics The Development of New Technologies in Human Reproduction How to Examine and Cross-Examine a Psychologist International Law Business Evaluation/AICPA Presentation
	PowerPoint Proficiency in the Practice of Law Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law
	Custody Evaluation and Parenting Schedules Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law
	Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA Louisville, KY Thinking Tools for Lawyers, Technology for Family Law, Especially Multidimensional Tools and Mindmapping Child Support Guidelines and Deviations, Particularly in Equally Shared Parenting Time Schedules The Joys of Settlement Part II A Vision for Family Court—The Rule of Law Custody Testing with Interactive Discussion of Rorschach The Joys of Ethics
2000	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Exotic Executive Compensation, How to Discover, Value, Negotiate, Divide and Protect Against Hidden Tax Consequences Uniform Parentage Act Cutting Edge Progress to Strategize, Organize and Present Your Case Communication Arts for the Professional Statements from Children - Can They Be Trusted
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA Lexington, KY Third Annual Family Law Seminar Business Appraisals for the Advanced Practitioner Preparing Your Client for Mediation Working with the Experts New Innocent Spouse Rules Divorcing the Military and Civil Service Employees Third Party Access for Children Highlights from the General Assembly 2000
1999	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Children in the Underground Computer Tips for Family Law Lawyers Federalization of Family Law Very Advanced Business Appraisals Advance Trial Techniques
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA Louisville, KY Second Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar Children of Divorce Current Trends in Custody Proposed Legislation on Custody and Parenting De Facto Custodian Missing Assets QDRO's Divorce vs. Bankruptcy COBRA/QMCSO Tort Claims Tax Issues
1998	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Mental Health Professionals and the Legal System Including Ethical Issues Special Concerns of Children Creative Custody Strategies & Arrangements Valid/Invalid Sexual Abuse Allegations and Ethical Considerations Management of Big Property Cases Representing the Corporate Executive Ethically Attacking and Defending the Use of Trusts to Reduce the Marital Estate When Worlds Collide—Divorce v. Bankruptcy Tax Issues Related to Sale of a Residence and Attorneys' Fees Allocated to Preservation of Property Division of the Large Marital Estate Valuation of Professional and Celebrity Goodwill
	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, LBA and UK, First Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar Louisville, KY Revolution in Relocation: New Major Decisions, Commentary on Clauses, Advanced Techniques and Trial Strategy Parental Alienation Syndrome: Case Notes and Practice Pointers A Vision for Family Court Obtaining Attorney Fee Awards How to Classify, Value and Divide Non-Vested Assets Dirty Tricks, Hardball and Officers of the Court Mediation and the Family Lawyer Child Support Guidelines Child Support Outside the Guidelines Discovery & Disclosure Valuation of Marital Property Guardian Ad Litem Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Children in Custody and Visitation Current Law in Kentucky on Joint Custody 1997 Tax Consequences Affecting Family Law Non-Parental Visitation Rights Private Adoptions in Kentucky
	Women Lawyers Association Legal Ethics
	Kentucky Bar Association 1998 Kentucky Law Update
1997	University of Kentucky—Family Law Institute Development in Domestic Relations Law Tax Considerations Attendant to the Typical Domestic Relations/Divorce Case Use and Misuse of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Bankruptcy Planning in Domestic Relations Representing Parties in Family Law Matters Involving Child Sexual Abuse Parent Relocation Issues: Revolution in Relocation Specificity and Flexibility in Custody Rulings Time Sharing for Parents and Children Dealing with Mental Health Experts in Domestic Relations Cases Family Law Practice Ideas to the Year 2000 and Beyond Professional responsibility and Domestic Relations Practice
	Women Lawyers Association—Legal Ethics
1996	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Meeting and Seminar Chicago, IL Matrimonial Law Using Financial Planning Techniques in Divorce Trials to Obtain High Maintenance Awards & Other Benefits Drafting Marital Agreements in Anticipation of Estate Planning Issues Creative Use of QDROs in Divorce Planning Who Gets Custody of Uncle Sam (Drafting to Avoid Taxes) Strategies for Outlining High Maintenance Awards Re-examining Joint Custody Relocation: Moving Forward or Moving Backwards? Joint Custody: Practice Pointers and Consideration Fault: Should It Return to Our Cases and, if so, Where and When? Valuation of Professional Service Practice
	Jefferson Family Court Rules
	Basic Legal Guide to the Internet Louisville Bar Association Center for Continuing Legal Education
	Kentucky Bar Association Convention

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