Where Do I Begin?
This marriage needs to end, but I don’t know where to start. How do I begin? I suggest starting by researching your process options. By that I mean, what dispute resolution process do you want to use to help you get through your divorce? They vary significantly, so it is…
Isn’t Collaborative Divorce Too Expensive?
When people hear that a Collaborative divorce process involves not only two attorneys but also a mental health professional and a financial professional, they often assume it will be more expensive than a simple two-attorney negotiation. It isn’t. Having just two attorneys does not make the negotiation more simple, and…
How Do I Get Started?
How does someone who needs a divorce figure out how to proceed? Which services would be most useful? Whom to call first? (Attorney? Mediator? Coach?) What will be the process most likely to keep costs down? Which approach will yield the most satisfactory results? Here are some tips: If you…
What Are Unbundled Services?
Conventionally, lawyers have provided a bundle of services. When hiring a lawyer, you could expect him or her to handle your case from start to finish – including drafting pleadings, investigating and verifying information, interviewing witnesses, preparing arguments, writing letters, negotiating, appearing on your behalf in court, and finalizing all…
Divorced Moms, Happy Mother’s Day!
Mothering is complicated in the best of circumstances, full of loss and worry as well as joy and hope. Mothering as a divorced mom has its additional challenges. This Mother’s Day wish is particularly for those moms who… listen, let go, and have faith in a vision of shared parenting;…
Just Back From L.A.
How privileged I was to be Forrest (Woody) Mosten’s intern at his January, 2014, family mediation training in his L.A. home. I was able not only to participate along with the other students, but also to discuss with Woody his pedagogy and observations of the class. What an outstanding learning…
Left Your Job To Raise Kids?
For the many moms I see whose marriages are ending when they are in their ’40s or ’50s and they have been out of the workforce for many years, I wonder whether this advice might have been useful: Do stay-at-home moms need a ‘postnup’? If you are one of those…
Divorce Corp: The Dark Side of Litigated Divorce
The documentary Divorce Corp, scheduled to be released in January, will undoubtedly generate conversation about the horrors of divorce litigation. Take a look at the trailer and other clips available on YouTube. Then talk to your friends and loved ones about Collaborative Law and mediation, viable alternatives that enable couples…
Conflict As Opportunity
This week I received from a friend a blog post by Tom Erich, a writer, consultant and Episcopal priest (see www.morningwalkmedia.com). His specific topic is conflict within church communities, but it seems to me that his insights are applicable to conflicts of all types. Of course, I thought of my…
Why Not Litigate?
If you are divorcing, undoubtedly you have had frustrations during your marriage. You might see divorce as a way to break free from those difficulties. And if there has been a power struggle between you and your spouse, you might be hoping that you finally can “win” the battle. You…
