Plenary Session: Death, Sex, and… Mostly Money: How Money Shapes and Distorts Family, Love, and Perception
Join this award-winning journalist and Death, Sex & Money podcast host Anna Sale as she brings her signature curiosity and warmth to a real conversation about money’s role in family law. Through storytelling, direct questioning, and real-world examples, this conversation will discuss the deeper impact of money, how it shapes decisions, fuels conflict, and influences how parents think about love, stability, and even how the sound of piano lessons makes them feel. Anna will sit down with AAML Fellow Dawn Smith to ask the big (and small) questions: How does money shape custody disputes? What’s really being argued over when parents fight about expenses? How do professionals navigate the emotional and ethical complexities of financial conflict? Then, the conversation turns to you. How does money show up in your work? What’s the hardest conversation you’ve had about finances? Anna will open the floor for a practical audience discussion about the real impact of money on you, your clients, and your families.

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* 1. The content of the presentation was consistent with the abstract in the conference brochure

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* 2. Based on the content of this session, I am able to: (1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree)

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1. Discuss the emotional and psychological meaning of money in the context of family law matters.
2. Explain how philosophy and personal values around money that are brought into marriage impact how those issues come up during separation and divorce.
3. Identify when financial positions of clients during family law matters are emotionally charged or driven.
4. Explain strategies for managing client expectations regarding money issues in the context of family law matters.

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* 3. Please rate presenter: Anna Sale (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

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Level of knowledge and expertise
Teaching ability
Maintained my interest
Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions

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* 4. Please rate presenter: Dawn Smith, Esq. (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

  1 2 3 4 5
Level of knowledge and expertise
Teaching ability
Maintained my interest
Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions

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* 5. Please rate this session presentation overall (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

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* 6. How much did you learn as a result of this CE program? (1=Very little, 5=Great deal)

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* 7. Information presented in this session reflected the most current evidence on this topic (1=Disagree, 5=Agree)

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* 8. How useful was the content of this CE program for your practice or other professional development (1=Not useful, 5=Extremely useful)

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* 9. Additional Comments

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