Game Theory and the Transformation of Family Law

Explores how the mathematical principles of Game Theory can transform the business of family law and optimize client outcomes.

List of contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: A Primer on Game Theory Principles

Covered Topics:

1. Definition of a “Game”
2. Expanded Definition of the Parts of a Game
3. Game Forms
4. Objective and Subjective Payoffs
5. Solution Concept
6. Payoff Structure
7. Game Structures
8. Cooperative and Non-cooperative/Compromise Bargaining
9. Bayes Rule
10. Definitions and Concepts - Summary

Chapter 2: Game Theory Principles and the Divorce Game – General

Covered Topics:

1. The Divorce Game: Multiple Games at Play
2. Who is being served in the Divorce Game and are they being properly served?
3. Applying Game Theory to Divorce – Theoretical Considerations
4. Conclusion.

Chapter 3: Traditional Divorce Analyzed

Covered Topics:
1. Examining a Business Case Study Using Game Theory Principles
2. The Tupulo Experience: Henry Setting up Procedures, Establishing Axiomatic Standards and Playing an Extensive Repeated Form Game (Perhaps Without Knowing It)
3. Examining a Divorce Case Study Using Game Theory Principles.
4. Conclusion

Chapter 4: Game Theory: Applied to Custody, Residential Placement Schedules and Coparenting

Covered Topics:

1. Introduction
2. Goal-based Planning

Part A: Legal Game (Custody/Decision-Making)

1. The Legal Game
2. Legal Custody/Major Decisions
A. Choice of School
B. Choice of Religion
C. Elective Medical Care
D. Military
E. Marriage
F. Driver's License
G. Day Care and After School Care
H. Enrollment in Extracurricular Activities
I. Additional Major Decisions
3. Residential Placement Schedules: Traditional Approach
4. Residential Placement Schedules: Game Theory Approach
A. Holiday Schedule Game
B. Vacation Game
C. Summer Schedule Game
D. School Year Weekend Game
E. School Days Off Game
F. Remaining Dispute Game

Part B: ChildPlanning Game (Co-Parenting Tasks)

1. Establish Rules of Conduct
2. Communicate Effectively
A. Sharing Information
1) Weekly Contact
2) Paperwork
3) Transition information
4) Emergency Contacts
B. Taking Action
1) Making Decisions
2) Solving Problems
3) Raising and Resolving Parenting Concerns
4) Resolving Conflicts
3. Establish Parent-child Access Arrangements
4. Design Child-focused Transitions
5. Coordinate Parenting and Similarize Homes

Chapter 5: Game Theory: Applied to Property Division and Support

Covered Topics:

1. Introduction
2. Game Theory Bargaining Principles
3. Basic Assumptions in Traditional Divorce
4. Playing the Game Rationally
5. Bargaining to Optimal Solutions
6. Playing the Normal Form Games with Complex Financial Issues: Examples
7. Financial Planning Issues (The Financial Planning Game)
8. Procedures for Cooperative Parties
9. Procedures for Non-Cooperative Parties
10. Summary

Chapter 6: Game Theory: Advanced Topics for Increasing Bargaining Skills

Covered Topics:
1. Definition of a Game
a. Players
b. Rules
c. Strategies/Decisions
2. Understanding Game Theory Principles is Helpful
a. Game Theory Focuses on a Solution
b. Are Players Rational?
c. Game Theory at Work
3. Bargaining Basics
a. Multiple Games in Divorce
b. Normal Form and Repeated Form Games
4. Information Management, the Game Theory Way
a. Public or private
b. Verifiable or non-verifiable
c. Perfect or imperfect
d. Complete or incomplete
5. Objective and Subjective Goals: Enhanced Settlement Solutions
a. Zero Sum Games
b. Non-Zero Sum Games
6. Dominant and Dominated Strategies
7. Optimism Model
8. Basic Bargaining Principles and Optimal Solutions
a. More About Mixed to Simple Games
b. More About Goals and Priorities
c. Payoffs Are Almost Completely Subjective
9. The Three Phases of Bargaining
a. Cooperative Bargaining
b. Compromise Bargaining
c. Win-Win Plus Bargaining
10. Cooperative Bargaining and Nash’s Best Alternative to Negotiated Agreements (BATNAs)
11. Summary
Chapter 7: Game Theory: Procedures for Decision Making, Solving Problems and Concerns and Resolving Conflicts Skills

Covered Topics:

1. Decision Making
2. Solving Problems
3. Resolving Major Concerns (3A) and Minor Concerns (3B)
4. Resolving Conflicts

Checklist: Game Theory Checklist: Putting a New Way of Thinking into Practice

About the author

Dr. Kenneth H. Waldron, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and partner of Monona Mediation and Counseling LLC. He is also a founder/partner with Allan Koritzinsky, J.D. and Michael Spierer, Ph.D. in DivorceMapping, a computer program for organizing, analyzing, planning and settling divorce cases. His practice has been devoted to divorce-related issues for about thirty years, providing mediation, arbitration, forensic evaluations, expert witness services, educational programs for divorcing parents, and programs for conflicted parents, including co-parenting training and counseling. Dr. Waldron has done research and published broadly on topics related to children of divorce. He has presented to and trained groups of judges, lawyers and mental health providers nationwide and internationally, along with appearances on television and radio. He provides forensic services, including custody evaluations and expert testimony on divorce-related issues.

Allan R. Koritzinsky is a retired partner with Foley & Lardner LLP in Madison, Wisconsin. As a family law attorney representing individual clients for over 44 years, Mr. Koritzinsky has focused on divorce law, alternative dispute resolution and works with colleagues in estate and business planning and real estate transactions. A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Koritzinsky earned his undergraduate degree in history and his law degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Mr. Koritzinsky was actively involved in many state and national professional organizations and was listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for over 25 years. Mr. Koritzinsky was the 2011 recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin Senior Lawyers Division Leonard L. Loeb Award. Mr. Koritzinsky has authored or co-authored numerous articles and books (including Tax Strategies in Divorce and Family Law Casenotes & Quotes) and lectured in lawyer and judicial continuing education seminars throughout his career. He was also a Lecturer/Instructor at the University of Wisconsin Law School. While in Viet Nam (1967-1968), he taught full semester courses in Comparative Law and Introduction to American Law at the University of Saigon Law School. Since retirement he has been doing family law consulting and mediation-arbitration work, as well as working as a business and real estate consultant and acting as a co-trustee of a Generation-skipping Trust.

Product details

• Authors: Allan R Koritzinsky, Allan R. Koritzinsky, Kenneth H Waldron, Kenneth H. Waldron
• Publisher: High Conflict Institute Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.10.2015
• EAN: 9781936268948
• ISBN: 978-1-936268-94-8
• No. of pages: 342
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 226 mm x 20 mm
• Weight: 476 g
• Subject: Social sciences, law, business > Law > Civil law, civil procedural law