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Category Archives: Divorce
Massachusetts Divorce – Does Infidelity Really Matter?
The realization that your spouse was unfaithful during your marriage is upsetting, even life-altering to some. Reactions upon learning of a spouse’s affair vary, but include feelings of sadness, betrayal, shock, anger and an intense desire to listen to country music. Some couples are unable to overcome the damage caused by an affair, with divorce oftentimes the unfortunate result. Although infidelity is certainly problematic, it is usually a sign of other troubles in a relationship. If you are facing a Massachusetts divorce and marital infidelity is an issue, you are likely wondering… What effect does an affair have on my [...]
Wondering What a Massachusetts Collaborative Divorce is Really LIke?
More couples are learning that avoiding a nasty, litigated divorce just makes sense. Besides divorce mediation, the collaborative process is another worthwhile option you should consider. Collaborative divorce is known as the “no court” divorce because the couple and their collaboratively trained lawyers pledge not to go to court until all details of the divorce are worked out. Then the parties attend a simple uncontested divorce hearing. The collaborative process is a respectful way to get divorced, where the priorities of both sides and any children can be supported in a way to reconstitute a family, not destroy it. Collaborative [...]
The Divorce Collaborative Welcomes Attorney Colleen Cunnally
The Divorce Collaborative LLC is pleased to announce Attorney Colleen Cunnally has joined the firm. Colleen has over ten years of experience in divorce and family law, and is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School in Boston, MA. Colleen has much courtroom experience and in addition to private practice, worked at the MA Department of Revenue as a supervisor in their Child Support Litigation Unit. Needless to say, she is well-versed in child support, interstate child support, and issues related to Massachusetts divorce in general. Colleen recently completed a week of mediation training and is also available to serve [...]
Posted in Child Support, Divorce, News & Updates
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Long Distance Parenting After Divorce
By Stephen McDonough – A Massachusetts divorce and family lawyer and mediator at The Divorce Collaborative LLC We know that divorce is stressful on children as well as parents. Parenting can be a challenge even under the best of circumstances. When a long-distance relocation of a parent is added into the child custody equation, even more effort is required from everyone. Such issues are not insurmountable, but planning, flexibility, good communications and a focus on what is best for the children will go far to promote happier kids and parents. It is a good idea to work with [...]
Divorce Co-Mediation: Two Heads Really Are Better Than One!
By Massachusetts Divorce Attorney and Mediator Stephen McDonough and Betsy Ross, LICSW, CGP Everyone knows that two heads are better than one. All mediators have a head. Thus, co-mediation must be better! Really, who can argue with that logic? Actually, there is more to it than that, or this would be a really short post. For one thing, an extra chair is required; but even beyond the furniture requirements, co-mediation is another tool in the divorce tool-box worthy of your consideration. Here are some things to know about co-mediation in the context of divorce or other family conflict. What [...]
Posted in Divorce, Divorce and Kids, Divorce Legal Information, Divorce Mediation
Tagged Co-Mediation
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Massachusetts Alimony Reform Around the Corner?
By Attorney & Mediator Stephen McDonough of The Divorce Collaborative LLC Click here to watch Fox News spot on MA Alimony reform Whether you call it alimony or spousal support, some people love it, some people hate it. In Massachusetts, many people inside and outside the legal community have been anticipating changes to our much-maligned alimony statute and system, which is definitely unlike other states. For more info on MA alimony reform please read my earlier posts on the subject, including this post from October, 2010. As a reminder, you can always use the search function on the site to find [...]
Six Stages of Divorce Mediation…and an Optional Van Ride
By Attorney & Mediator Stephen McDonough So, you have been doing some research about the benefits of divorce mediation, but what are the stages of a typical divorce mediation? Once you and your spouse select a divorce mediator, he or she should provide a framework and structure to the process. In my view, there are six main stages of a typical divorce mediation: 1. Introductory – Stage 1 lays the groundwork for the rest of your divorce mediation. Information regarding the mediation process and your client agreement will be explained. Actually this stage starts during your initial contact with the [...]
Telling Your Kids About Your Divorce
By Stephen F. McDonough, Massachusetts Divorce Attorney & Mediator at The Divorce Collaborative LLC. I would also like to acknowledge two experienced and caring mental health practitioners that I frequently work with, Dr. Sandy Portnoy and Betsy Ross, LICSW, CGP. They provided insights about this topic during many divorce mediation and collaborative divorce sessions. And you thought the birds and bees talk was going to be stressful. Telling your children about your divorce is a difficult conversation that parents dread. Basically, the key to speaking to your children about your divorce is the same as if you were painting a room [...]
What’s New at The Divorce Collaborative LLC
I have received thousands of emails (OK, only a few) asking about the lack of recent blog posts. Not to worry, all is well. The last couple of months I have been working on some internal things at the firm, including updating forms and creating some new procedures to improve how we help our divorcing clients. Getting the Bedford, MA office set up also took some time away from blogging. In November, I attended the MILOFEST (Macs in Law Offices) Conference in Orlando for the 2nd year in a row. Attorney Victor Medina from the Princeton, NJ area did a [...]
Child Support in Massachusetts – When Does It End?
Child support in Massachusetts in covered in Chapter 208, Section 28 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Child support is an important part of any divorce when there are minor children, so parents should have at least a basic understanding of child support. Make sure your divorce attorney or divorce mediator explains child support to you if you are or may be paying or receiving child support. One of the most frequent questions asked about child support is “how long does child support last?” Child support normally lasts until a child is 18, although it may continue until age 23 if [...]
