Forensic & Litigation Services Committee releases new practice aid on family law services.

Family law--also variously referred to as domestic relations, divorce relations, divorce litigation, and matrimonial dispute services--is one of most significant CPA litigation practice areas for CPA firms. And litigation services continue to rank among the fastest growing of the consulting services offered by the top 100 accounting finns, according to the latest Accounting Today Industry Survey. The AICPA's new Business Valuation and Forensic & Litigation Services Practice Aid 05-1, A CPA 's Guide to Family Law Services, provides practical guidance on the subject to help CPA finns and practitioners offer services in this growing market.

CPAs can provide a wide range of family law services, including: litigation support to divorce attorneys; assisting in alimony and child support negotiations and calculations; locating and valuing marital property; valuing a business or business interest, as part of the marital estate; calculating the tax issues related to division of property and ongoing support payments; and expert witness testimony.

The CPA can assist in fact finding, provide financial consulting, or serve as an expert witness to the attorney(s) or...