Program Details
2026-10-08 14:30:00
Over 1,000+ webinars
Course Overview
2026-10-08 14:30:00
2h CLE Credits
Intermediate
2
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm ESTThis session examines the I-864 Affidavit of Support as a federally created contractual obligation under INA § 213A and 8 U.S.C. § 1183a, focusing on the five statutory termination events, the legal consequences of divorce and private agreements on that obligation, and who holds the right to enforce it. Attorneys will learn how courts calculate the sponsor’s financial duty — including the 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines framework refined by the June 2025 California Court of Appeal decision in In re Marriage of Adeyeye and Faramaye — and will identify the distinct enforcement rights of the sponsored immigrant versus government agencies. Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of joint-sponsor liability under I-864A, common calculation errors in divorce proceedings, and the gap between statutory government-enforcement authority and real-world practice.
Gregory McLawsen - 4:40 pm ESTThis session equips attorneys to litigate I-864 breach-of-contract claims from complaint through judgment and to draft divorce settlement agreements that account for the federal support obligation that cannot be waived. Attendees will learn how to calculate damages under 8 C.F.R. § 213a.1, assess available affirmative defenses and their limits, choose between federal and state forum, and structure settlement language that avoids unenforceable waiver clauses. Attorneys leave with a practical framework for representing either sponsors or sponsored immigrants in I-864 disputes arising out of divorce.
Devon Rood SlovenskyDevon Rood Slovensky is a family law attorney in Roanoke, Virginia, and the founder of Slovensky Law PLLC, where she handles contested and uncontested divorce, spousal support, child custody, and child support matters across Southwest Virginia. She litigated Madrid v. Robinson, the first case in the Western District of Virginia to enforce an I-864 immigration affidavit of support. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® since 2021, she is licensed in all Virginia courts, the U.S. District Courts in Virginia, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Virginia.
Gregory McLawsen represents green card holders in federal lawsuits across the country to enforce the financial support obligation a sponsor undertakes on Form I-864. Enforcement of the affidavit of support is the exclusive focus of his Seattle-based firm, Sound Immigration, which has handled matters in more than 25 states and operates on a model that recovers fees from sponsors rather than requiring clients to pay up front. He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Washington Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits, and U.S. District Courts in Washington, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Devon Rood Slovensky is a family law attorney in Roanoke, Virginia, and the founder of Slovensky Law PLLC, where she handles contested and uncontested divorce, spousal support, child custody, and child support matters across Southwest Virginia. She litigated Madrid v. Robinson, the first case in the Western District of Virginia to enforce an I-864 immigration affidavit of support. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® since 2021, she is licensed in all Virginia courts, the U.S. District Courts in Virginia, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Virginia.
Gregory McLawsen represents green card holders in federal lawsuits across the country to enforce the financial support obligation a sponsor undertakes on Form I-864. Enforcement of the affidavit of support is the exclusive focus of his Seattle-based firm, Sound Immigration, which has handled matters in more than 25 states and operates on a model that recovers fees from sponsors rather than requiring clients to pay up front. He is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Washington Supreme Court, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits, and U.S. District Courts in Washington, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
