Why would anyone in his right mind babysit for his own kid on his free weekend while their mom, who collects alimony and child support, goes out on a date? There are, it turns out, several reasons. When my friend Ned was newly divorced his ex-wife and he decided to stay on friendly terms. ThisContinueContinue reading “Weekly Glass of Wine”
Category Archives: Divorce
A COVID Silver Lining in the Judicial System
One weakness that covid exposed in many state judicial systems was the back log of family law cases which could not be addressed while courthouses were being shut down. Each state handled matters in their own way, but many adapted a new set of protocols based upon the multi-state triage and pathways model. I wasContinueContinue reading “A COVID Silver Lining in the Judicial System”
Like the NFL, Divorce is a Team Sport
Photo by Cos Marc on Pexels.com BEGIN NOW TO THINK OF DIVORCE AS A TEAM SPORT: Divorce usually begins with a break down in what was supposed to be the ultimate team- the family. So, it is easy to feel completely alone and outnumbered as we start the divorce process. It feels as if there isContinueContinue reading “Like the NFL, Divorce is a Team Sport”
Various Meanings of Collaborative Divorce
The first time I became aware of the idea of collaborative divorce was when I was representing a man whose wife’s attorney said he was a collaborative attorney. He gave me a thumbnail sketch of what that term meant to him, and I thought it sounded smart. We could work together as a team andContinueContinue reading “Various Meanings of Collaborative Divorce”
What is the Goal of a Mediated Divorce?
In a mediated divorce we are trying to make sure that everyone gets a fair share of all available resources, including the assets and debts, the income, and time with the children. But in a litigated divorce there’s an extra item to distribute: Blame. Unlike everything else on the list, there is usually more than enoughContinueContinue reading “What is the Goal of a Mediated Divorce?”
No Pre-Trial Today — No Trial Next Week
I’m not appearing for a judicial pretrial this afternoon. And I am not spending hours preparing for a trial next week, either. Instead, I’ll be finishing up the agreement that my clients reached and preparing the forms that let the judge approve that agreement without the clients having to go to court. The matter involvedContinueContinue reading “No Pre-Trial Today — No Trial Next Week”
Stay Positive and Determine Your Own Happiness
😁 I recently spent the day with a friend I have known for decades. She lives a few states away and I was unable to help in her divorce, other than to cheer her on from the sidelines. The husband was ruthless and my dear friend is still reeling, and doing her best to keepContinueContinue reading “Stay Positive and Determine Your Own Happiness”
Opportunity for Personal Growth
Every divorce – not just a mediated one-is an opportunity for personal growth. Intersections can lead to growth. At its core, divorce is a transition from one lifestyle to another. From marriage (and its accompanying perks and deficits) to a new life, whether it is as an individual person, a single parent, or someone onContinueContinue reading “Opportunity for Personal Growth”
Holidays 2020: The Indelible Year
One of the things we will all remember about 2020 are the holidays. When we look back at all of the Mother’s Day celebrations we have had in our lives, it is not always easy to remember which one happened in 2006 versus 2010, for example. But whatever we did for Mother’s Day in 2020ContinueContinue reading “Holidays 2020: The Indelible Year”
Making the Best of the Bird-Nest
I have 4 pending uncontested divorces right now that range in “amicable” between 1 and 3. 1 being “completely-kindred-spirits” and 3 being “on-the-verge-of-explosion.” These are my suggestions for how to keep an uncontested dissolution closer to a 1 than a 3 during the covid-19 shutdown. Divorce should be treated as both a legal and anContinueContinue reading “Making the Best of the Bird-Nest”
Love Your Divorce 