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SPECIAL PARTNER IN COURT
ABOUT UNITED FATHERS OF AMERICA
Research has shown the greatest stress we will experience in our lifetime is the death of an immediate family member. The second greatest stress we will experience is involvement in the family law process; divorce, paternity, custody, visitation, support and related issues. In family law, we are confronted not only with the emotional aspects of our particular family situation, but also with a confusing and overwhelming legal system. During this emotional transition, it is our children who are overlooked and suffer the most. The primary purpose of United Fathers of America is to enhance the quality of life for children, whose rights are often ignored during and after the breakdown of the parent's relationship.
To enhance the quality of life for children, it has been shown that both parents must be involved. Exhaustive studies have indicated when both parents remain active in the lives of their children, child support collection is significantly increased and juvenile delinquency (sex, drugs and crime) is significantly decreased. We provide our programs and services to all parents, regardless of sex, race, creed, religious beliefs, age, ethnic or social‑economic background.
The mission statement of United Fathers of America reflects our belief in the involvement of both parents:
The mission of United Fathers is to enhance parental involvement in the lives of their children, physically and emotionally as well as financially, after the breakdown of the parent's relationship by providing education, information and empowerment to responsible mothers and fathers.
We fulfill our purpose and accomplish our mission by guiding dedicated parents like yourself through the perplexing and intimidating family law system. We do this by empowering parents with information about the family law process and educating them on how they can become pro‑active and responsible for their own affairs.
Parents have the right to obtain such information and education as granted and protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. The United States Supreme Court confirmed these rights when it ruled that a state can not improperly regulate an association which is formed for a stated purpose and exists to assists its members in achieving that purpose, including the exchange of legal ideas and information [NAACP v. Button (1963) 371 US 415, 9 L ed 2d 405, 83 S Ct 328] ‑ reviewed by attorney’s Charles DelMuro and Justice Rovin.
Under the guidance of a supervising attorney, we can also prepare court documents and assist you in representing yourself. If you choose to involve an attorney, we can refer you to attorneys who have proven track records with our clients. We also refer to therapists, psychologists and other professionals when needed or requested.
UNITED FATHERS OF AMERICA AND YOU
Mental health professionals and religious counselors attempt to work with the psychological and emotional issues of restructuring families. Attorneys attempt to work with the difficult legal aspects of family law. United Fathers of America is a nonprofit organization which approaches the wide spectrum of problems from all angles and offers you viable solutions through comprehensive programs based on experience and successful program development since 1975.
Part of the reason for the level of success is that everyone who works at United Fathers of America has experienced the family law process. Not only do we have years of experience in the office, we also have our own personal experiences and emotions to draw upon.Therefore, not only are you with professionals in their field, you are with fellow mothers and fathers who have been where you are now. We understand the painful, confusing, frustrating and many times traumatic experience the family law process can bring to all family members.
Parents come to United Fathers of America seeking to take personal responsibility for their own lives, regardless of the adversarial process which appears to be working against them and their restructuring families. With the assistance of United Fathers of America, our clients are better prepared to confront both the legal and emotional process, thereby lessening the negative effects of the relationship breakup on all family members.
We have found the three (3) primary barriers preventing parents from remaining actively and positively involved with their children after a relationship breakup are financial restrictions, intimidation of the family law system, and misinformation about the family law process.
As a nonprofit organization, United Fathers of America provides alternatives that lessens the financial burden for the restructuring family. Our educational process empowers you to challenge the overwhelming intimidation factors. Our information, based on over a quarter of a century of experience, clarifies the misinformation and misconceptions presented to many families.Although there can be no guarantee as to the success of any particular case, United Fathers of America can assist you in putting yourself in a more successful position. If you follow the program at United Fathers, you can walk away from the process with dignity, self‑respect and honor.
The majority of United Fathers of America clients are referred by prior clients, which is the best advertisement of the professionalism and high standards to which we aspire. We also receive referrals from the Department of Child Support Services, Department of Social Services, Legal Aid offices, Court personnel, Court Facilitator's offices, private attorneys, mediators and concernedothers.
WHAT DOES UNITED FATHERS OF AMERICA IT COST ME?
In a divorce or relationship breakup involving children, the "best interests of the child" is a good and noble concept; however, the meaning of this concept is many times lost in the adversarial legal process of family law. United Fathers of America is devoted to the enduring qualities of families and to the notion that parental involvement does not end with the breakup of the parents' relationship. We continue this historical mandate by assisting you in your attempts to remain actively involved in the lives of your children. Although United Fathers of America is low cost, it is not no cost.
Initial Visit
During the initial visit we will organize your case and you will be given information and education about your situation. There is a $50 donation required for the initial visit.
Membership
If you decide to continue with the services of United Fathers of America beyond the initial visit, membership is required. Membership is currently $500 for your first fiscal year, expiring one (1) year from the date you join. Membership entitles you to free unlimited consultations throughout your fiscal year.
Membership Renewal
The membership renewal fee is one-half (˝) of the first year membership fee, if you pay your renewal on or before your expiration date. If you decide to renew your membership after your membership expiration date, your renewal is treated as a first year membership.
Paperwork Preparation
If you choose to have United Fathers of America prepare your court paperwork, there is a separate charge for such paperwork based on the amount of work requested to be done; however, all costs will be outlined and explained to you prior to starting any paperwork.
Tax Deductible
In 1976, United Fathers was determined to be tax exempt by the California Franchise Tax Board and contributions to the organization became deductible by donors as provided by California Revenue and Taxation Code Sections 17214 through 17216.2 and 24357 through 24359. Our State ID number is 0800712 and our State Charity Registration Number is 46390.
In 1979, we were approved as a tax exempt Internal Revenue Code 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our Federal ID number is 95-3338538.
ALTHOUGH PAPERWORK PREPARATION IS SUPERVISED BY AN ATTORNEY,
WHO IS MARVIN L. CHAPMAN?
Marvin L. Chapman, MFT, is currently the President of United Fathers of America.
Marvin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT,#27081) and a Diplomat of Clinical Forensic Counseling (DCFC,#F16841). Marvin has worked within the family court system as a family mediator in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Mediation and Conciliation Court Services. Therefore, he has first hand knowledge of how the family law system works and its requirements. More importantly, having worked with thousands of parents from both within and outside the family court system, Marvin understands the confusion and frustration of parents who are caught in the family law process.
In 1986, Marvin was appointed to the California Senate Task Force on Family Equity, a task force set up by the California legislature to review and make recommendations to the legislature on issues relating to family law. Marvin is a member of Who's Who Among Outstanding Business Executives and Who's Who in California. As a licensed therapist, trained mediator, and with over 20 years of experience in the family law arena, Marvin is uniquely qualified to guide dedicated parents going through the perplexing and intimidating adversarial process of family law.
In 2001, the Orange County District Attorney, Family Support Division, retained Marvin to be the guest lecturer for their customer service training.
In 2001, and again in 2002, Marvin's work at United Fathers of America / Orange County Branch Office received special recognition from Disneyland Resort by being selected to receive their outstanding Community Service Award. His work was further recognized in 2004 when United Fathers of America was awarded the distinguished Jack B. Lundquist award by Disneyland Resort.
With over 20 years experience, Marvin has been involved in thousands of cases and has developed a working professional relationship with the Courts, Facilitator's Office, Legal Aid Society, Department of Social Services, Department of Child Support Services, private attorneys, custody evaluators, therapists and many others.
Prior to coming to United Fathers, Marvin was an Army medivac helicopter pilot. Throughout his life; from his early years as an Army medivac pilot, to mediator in Los Angeles, to his over 20 years of experience at United Fathers, Marvin's passion has been assisting people in crisis. Marvin loves people and has dedicated himself to aiding people in difficult situations.
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Fathers