The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation is the charitable organization which advances one of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ most important goals: to protect children and families. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide financial assistance to organizations, by way of grants, in order to help families and children affected by the breakup of the family unit. This mission is accomplished by addressing issues pertaining to children in custody cases, dependency cases and similar situations; supporting programs in schools, courts, and organizations to help children cope with the stresses of divorce; teaching mothers, fathers and parental caregivers how to coparent effectively; providing counseling to children of families experiencing domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse and mental illness; and promoting marriage enrichment programs to help prevent divorce.

Brief Overview

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation was created in 1990 by fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is composed of the nation’s top attorneys who are experts in the field of matrimonial law, including divorce, prenuptial agreements, legal separation, annulment, custody, property valuation, support and the rights of unmarried cohabitors. The purpose of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law, to the end that the welfare of the family and society be protected.

Affiliation with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

The Foundation is composed of fellows of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and others committed to improving the practice of matrimonial and family law and promoting and protecting the family. The Foundation is affiliated with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in that it was founded by Academy fellows and works as a charitable organization to advance the Academy’s overall goals of protecting families and improving the practice of matrimonial law. The Foundation operates under its own leadership, however. It has an independent board of directors of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer fellows and elects its own officers. It has been designated a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.