Often when married couples encounter rough spots in their relationship, well-meaning friends or family members encourage them to see a therapist or to go for couple’s counseling. Many people are not aware that another option is also available: Marital Mediation.
Marital Mediation is an option I often bring up with couples who come to me to begin divorce proceedings – especially if I sense any ambivalence in one or both parties when I ask if they are in agreement as to next steps. Read More >>
The process of getting a divorce can be fraught with intense, sometimes conflicting emotions. It becomes further complicated when two different perspectives are represented — one spouse desires the divorce and initiates the process, while the other is reluctant, perhaps deeply hurt, and possibly dragging his/her feet.
Often the thought of divorce has been brewing in the mind of a husband or wife for months or even years, so when the decision is finally made and the die is cast, s/he wants to move forward quickly and just get it over with. Meanwhile, this all may be new to the other spouse, who is reeling from being caught off guard and suddenly grappling with difficult emotions. Read More >>
The list of topics/expenses that must be addressed in a divorce can be extensive. Some expenses that may seem far away often needs to be tackled sooner than expected. Covering college costs or other post-high school education for any children involved may be one of them. Read More >>
As we head into the season of wedding bells and happy couples tying the knot, nobody likes to think about the grim statistic that 50% of today’s marriages will end in divorce.
Without wanting to be a “downer” or add another “to do” to the already lengthy list of future brides and grooms, I do suggest that you consider early on in the planning process whether a prenuptial agreement might be prudent or necessary in your situation. This is not an item you want to be thinking about at the last minute, as it can take careful preparation and some amount of time to develop. Ideally, a prenuptial agreement should be done several months before the wedding date. This allows enough time to gather the required information and gives attorneys the opportunity to review everything. Read More >>
“Obamacare” is dramatically affecting most families’ lives and finances these days, so it is only natural to wonder how the Affordable Care Act might potentially impact Massachusetts couples going through a divorce.
The answer is that in the Bay State, we will not see many changes due to the fact that we have had mandatory coverage since our Health Care Insurance Reform of 2006. In families where one spouse has an out-of-state employer, they may see a difference, but the vast majority of families will be unaffected by federal health care reform. Read More >>
In our last post, we covered practical ways to prepare for your first Mediation meeting. These included identifying and defining mutual goals, gathering financial documents, understanding the topics to be addressed, preparing with legal counsel, and setting expectations.
This time, we will discuss what typically goes on during the first Mediation meeting. While each initial session is somewhat different based on the couple involved, there are some generalities that can be expected. Read More >>
Once you have decided that mediation is the right course for you and your spouse is on board, it is time to begin preparing for your first mediation meeting – which could be as soon as next week or as far out as a couple of months, depending on your timetable.
Prior to our first meeting, I have usually spoken to at least one spouse by phone or communicated via email. Technically I am hired as the neutral party by both spouses, and so I encourage the other spouse to speak with me as well prior to our first meeting (although this occurs only about a third of the time – I wish it happened more!). During these preliminary phone calls, I do not want to know any specifics or details about your particular case. I deal only with generalities, such as how the process works, fees, etc. This way I maintain my neutrality and neither party should be concerned that I have been “swayed” by the other. Read More >>