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”
Tag Archives: 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”
Don’t Take Your Ex’s Word for Everything
I received a call this week from “Tony,” a fictitious name for a man I represented in 1998, when he and his first wife had a 3 year old son together. He has been a generous and involved father to his child from that marriage for the entire 15 years since his divorce. He paidContinueContinue reading “Don’t Take Your Ex’s Word for Everything”
Whose divorce is this, anyway?
I had a surprising phone call today with an old friend. He has been in the divorce process for almost a year, and could not see a way to conclude the process and get on with his life. The reason, sadly, is because his wife won’t let him. After all of these years of lettingContinueContinue reading “Whose divorce is this, anyway?”
Getta’ loada’ THIS guy!
I rarely do this, but – you think your ex (or soon-to-be-ex) is a jerk? Getta’ loada’ THIS guy! Mr. and Mrs. “Michaels” were married while Mr. Michaels was finishing his education at a prominent New York law school. Mrs. Michaels worked two jobs so they could afford a decent place to live while herContinueContinue reading “Getta’ loada’ THIS guy!”
Finding A Theme In Life
I don’t know about your house, but in my family, the resolutions have already begun meeting reality. Diets are hard to maintain in cold weather. No one is going out for a run in the snow. With only one day of school under our belts, the backpacks were already in the middle of the livingContinueContinue reading “Finding A Theme In Life”
Holidays and Who to Have Over
The holiday guest lists are being written. I love asking people whom they are going to see over the holidays because there are so often fun surprises tucked inside the “usual” family list. A few of my favorite answers I have heard include: * My husband and our kids, my 2 sisters, their husbands andContinueContinue reading “Holidays and Who to Have Over”
Home for the Holidays
Even though this post was originally made 2 years ago, for the holidays in 2011, what we love still rings true today. My friend, whom I will call Bill, is divorced with two teenaged sons. The boys live in the marital home with their mom. Bill still lives in the same town and sees theContinueContinue reading “Home for the Holidays”
Love Your Divorce 