108 - Virtual Court

*Practicing family law requires a deep understanding of four things: human psychology, emotions, reactions and desires. Being able to present a valid and strong argument and knowing the law also helps. Most family law cases are decided with what is in the heart and not what is in the law books. - Celt*

The newly bought ring lights were set up and the laptops were ready. Celt had insisted on multiple test shots from each of the cameras to ensure that they were at the right angle. The settings on the lights were adjusted. All four laptops were moved multiple times until everyone was satisfied. The room rearranged until Celt declared it was perfect.

He ensured that the room was set just perfectly. The multiple bottles of alcohol that had previously been on the cart that sat slightly off to the side behind the desk were replaced with the fish statue.

Decorative curtains were hung up to diffuse the natural light. The ivory and gold material contrasted with the rest of the room. And at the same time, it complimented the skin tones of the kids and Darkness while helping to hide the dark circles under Camille’s eyes.

Furniture had been moved around and the legs removed from the couch. Mitch sat between Camille and Nickie on the couch. Vin and Darkness sat on slightly elevated chairs behind the couch. The positions were important, they indicated that Darkness and Camille did not see themselves as being more important than the kids. They were unified. And acknowledged that Vin was a young adult.

The dark green couch was covered with an ivory and gold slipcover that coordinated with the new curtains. Assorted throw pillows were pulled from various rooms to give the couch a settled and lived in look. Pictures were taken and sent to Clay; adjustments made according to his directions.

Outfits had been chosen to complement skin tones and unify them with a singular color pallet. Nicki wore a satin jewel-toned pumpkin colored sundress with a golden lace trim. Both her brothers wore dark orange polo shirts and dark jeans.

Darkness sported a dark ivory oxford shirt with his sleeves rolled up above his elbows. Camille adjusted nervously in the long orange, gold and ivory paisley print maxi dress. Celt sat behind the desk in a dark suit with an ivory shirt and burnt orange tie and pocket square.

Bam Bam sat at one end of the desk, prepared to monitor the conversation and take notes. Critter sat at the other end of the desk, a representative of the extended Johanson family. Both wore thick cream-colored shirts with the DS Holdings emblem on the left breast in gold and black thread.

“Everyone ready?” Celt asked as the computer screens lit up with the connecting to call message.

“Ready or not,” Camille gave a dry laugh.

The screens were filled with the county emblem and then a woman in a blue sweater appeared. The county emblem was still behind her in a filter and shifted slightly whenever she moved. The little glimpses of her surroundings whenever the filter did not keep up with her movements indicated that she was working from her living room.

A moment later, William and Dominique appeared in the living room of Jasper and Keisha’s house. As soon as they saw their grandparents in their house, Nicki and Mitch both slipped their hands into Camille’s looking for comfort and solidarity.

“Good morning, err, sorry, afternoon,” the brunette on the screen greeted them. “My name is Amelia Preston and I’m the court clerk for Judge Anthony Ramos. Judge Ramos will be presiding over the case concerning three minors, Marvin, Monique and Mitchell Johnson. They are the children of Jasper and Keisha Johnson, both deceased.”

As she spoke a gray-haired man in formal black judge’s robes popped into a screen with a home office in his background.

“This court has received a petition of guardianship ad litem for the three minors pending adoption proceedings. The guardians listed are Camille Johnson and her husband, Amos, brother of Jasper Johnson, deceased. Are all parties present?”

They all answered in the affirmative and the woman made a note.

“I see that we have a full house, today,” the judge chuckled. “Can I get some introductions?”

Sean nodded and Camille smiled and gave a little wave. “Hi, I’m Camille Johnson. I met Jasper and Keisha Johnson just under a year ago. In February of this year, under the advisement of the hospital administrator, they began making plans in the event that they both died due to this pandemic.”

“This seems very well rehearsed, and I appreciate the time and effort that you have put in,” the judge cut in. “For right now, just tell me who you are and how you’re related to the case.”

“Amos Johnson,” Darkness said, “Jasper’s brother and paternal uncle to the three children.”

“Marvin Johnson,” he raised his hand in a small nervous wave, “oldest child of Jasper and Keisha Johnson.”

“Monique Johnson, I go by Nicki,” she also gave a nervous wave, “only daughter of Jasper and Keisha.”

“Mitch Johnson,” he looked at Camille when she gently squeezed his hand. “Sorry your honor, Mitchell Johnson, I’m the youngest of the Johnson kids.”

The judge nodded as he made notes just off screen. “And everyone else?”

“Sean O’Malley, esquire, attorney at law, family law attorney for Camille’s family,” Sean smiled at the camera.

“Christopher Johanson, I’m Camille Johan- Johnson’s brother,” he gave a small hand motion to the camera.

“Kevin Dunlavey, justice of the peace and city judge for Ridgeview, Massachusetts,” Bam Bam nodded to the camera before him. “Today I’m acting as the minute keeper for Cel-, sorry, excuse me, Mr. O’Malley.”

“William Smith, maternal grandfather of the children,” William said from the perfectly decorated living room. He was equally decorated with a tailored black suit.

“Dominique Smith, Keisha is my daughter, and the children are my grandchildren,” she said on the couch next to him. She wore a black silk dress and heavy gold jewelry, as if she was trying to show off the wealth.

“Before we go any further,” Celt cur in before Judge Ramos could say anything else, “do you mind if I record this session? Not that I don’t trust Kevin’s transcription skills, but my shorthand is horrible.”

The judge gave a small laugh and nodded, “Yes, it is recorded from this end but feel free to record for your own files and records.”

“Thank you, your honor,” Celt smiled and activated the recording feature on his computer.

The judge nodded and pulled a binder closer to him and held it up to be seen by the camera. “I received this by certified courier before I even had you on my docket. I’ve never received legal documents like this before.”

Celt gave a dry chuckle, “My father and uncle started that method many years ago. Up in Massachusetts, these binders have become quite famous. Maybe even a little notorious.”

“Yes, I looked into you and your family’s firm,” the judge sat the binder back on the desk. “You certainly have a reputation for yourself. And all the documents in here seem to be in order.” He flipped through some pages, “I see the wills, the guardianship and powers of attorney. Everything seems to be in order and proper.”

They all nodded at this statement.

“But I also have received a petition of guardianship from William and Dominique Smith,” he held the paperwork up. “This also appears to be proper and in order. So, that leaves me with a decision.”

“Your honor,” Dominique cut in, “Amos is a member of a motorcycle gang and his *wife is a student. They cannot afford to raise three teenagers.”

“Excuse me, your honor,” Celt cut in, “under section five, you will find the details of Amos being involved with the Louisiana Cajuns. You will also find a listing of the many charities that they support. They are also both employed full-time. Amos is a master plumber, and Camille is a fifty-percent owner of a public relations and marketing company.”

“Under section six, you will find the details of their properties,” Celt continued knowing that this had been left out of the binder that he had taken to the park. “They are currently renting a six-bedroom house while she finishes her education at LSU. Property that they own outside of Monroe, Massachusetts is being prepared for a custom house to be built on it.”

“And these are their financials as of,” the judge flipped back a few pages, “the first of this month?”

“Yes, your honor,” Camille answered. “DS Holdings and Investments handles my personal and business finances, including my 401K and other investments. On the first of each month, I get a breakdown of all my accounts.”

Before either grandparent could say anything, the judge directed his next question to the kids. “Who do you want to live with?”

Without hesitation, they replied “Camille and Amos.”