I am pleased to announce that The Divorce Collaborative LLC will be relocating from our current location in Medway, MA, to 9 Summer Street, Suite 301, Franklin Center Commons, Franklin, MA, effective June 1, 2010.

Franklin Center Commons sits just off Rt. 140 in downtown Franklin and is close to the MBTA commuter rail station, shops and restaurants. There is abundant parking towards the rear of the building in the lot near the second Franklin Center Commons building.

Many people have asked “Why the move?”

Our existing location is a shared building, and scheduling conference room time has become a challenge.  Additionally, having our own location provides enhanced privacy and comfort for our clients.  Franklin Center Commons is a relatively new building, and the modern data/telecom wiring will better serve the needs of the firm.

Also, I like the Mexican restaurant down the street.

What else will be changing?

Our fax number and email addresses will stay the same.   We will have a new main telephone number, but we won’t know what it is for another week or so due to some weird Comcast thing.  As soon as we know the new number, it will be available on the website.   Our current number will be set to forward to the new number.

The Divorce Collaborative LLC works closely with clients facing divorce or post-divorce issues who desire to resolve conflict in a less adversarial and more respectful manner.  The firm focuses on divorce mediation and collaborative divorce, but will represent clients in court when necessary.

The new home of The Divorce Collaborative LLC; 9 Summer Street, Suite 301 in downtown Franklin, MA

The Divorce Collaborative LLC Announces Move to Franklin, MA is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

Well, first I would like to report that I have not been living in District 9 with the alien prawns or anything like that.  It has been quite sometime since my last post, and I apologize to my readers – both of them (just kidding).  Although not much blogging has been going on, plenty of other good stuff has been, including:

• The Divorce Collaborative LLC expanded in January, and has moved to the top floor of the Law & Financial Center at 77 Main St. in Medway, MA.  This is the same location we have been in, we just moved upstairs and have much more space.  Also, has anyone seen my stapler?
• I am pleased to report that Attorney Carolyn Blake Dibbert has joined the firm as an associate.  Carolyn has experience as a family mediator and substantial litigation experience in state and federal courts.  Carolyn graduated from St. Louis University School of Law and lives in Norwood, MA with her husband.
• Also joining the firm as a paralegal is Kristen L. Romero.  Kristen is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Isenberg School of Business Management at UMass Amherst, and completed the Northeastern University paralegal program.  Kristen will be working closely with Carolyn and me, and lending her expertise to other important projects at TDC.  Kristen lives in Berkley, MA.  I have no idea where that even is, but I am sure it is nice.

Soon, the complete bios and pictures will be on the site, so keep an eye out for more info on the recent personnel additions.

• With the expansion, TDC has continued to invest in technology and is proud to be a Mac using law firm.  We have added a new Mac server, and I will be busy the next couple of weeks reprogramming Kristen and Carolyn from Windows to the joys of Macs.  They will be assimilated.  Resistance is futile.
• Watch out for our soon to be completely revamped Facebook Page.  Please consider becoming a fan.
• Since moving to Medway, MA we have been meeting more clients from Milford, MA; Bellingham, MA;  Medfield, MA; and Holliston, MA. We are happy to be able to serve clients from these and other communities throughout Norfolk, Middlesex, Worcester, and Bristol Counties.

Thanks for your continued readership of the blog, posts should be much more regular now that the move is completed.  Also, thanks so much to our clients who have been understanding since things have been a little hectic with the expansion.  With the new staff additions, TDC shall continue to provide the top-flight client service that is a cornerstone of the firm.  Now if I could just find my stapler.

Where’s Steve-O? by Steve McDonough, Esq. is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

Just a reminder that The Divorce Collaborative will be sponsoring a free seminar on Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 pm, at our offices located at 77 Main Street, Medway, MA. For more information and to register, please visit the info box to the right. We are pleased to have Dr. Sandy Portnoy, noted divorce coach and therapist, joining us to discuss the effects of divorce on kids, among other things.

The next monthly seminar date is January 6, 2010. Seminars are conducted on the 2nd wednesday each month at 7:00 pm. Please check the site for updates.

Free Divorce Seminar on Wednesday, December 9 at TDC is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

I just flew back  from a conference at Walt Disney World and boy are my arms tired (please stop groaning, I know that is a very old joke)!  One of the sessions was about blogging topics, and writing about frequently asked questions was encouraged.  Thus, I am embarking on some blog posts that address questions that are asked, well, frequently.

The answers to some FAQs  may not be as straightforward as one might think or as prospective clients might desire.  For example, people always ask where I get my good looks from and if I would be able to fix them up with any wealthy and attractive former clients once their own divorce becomes final.  But seriously, consider the question posed in the title of this post from the perspective of the well-intentioned divorce mediator (that’s me).

So, just how much will your mediation cost?   The answer is…It depends.

While a common and perfectly reasonable answer to many complicated legal matters; “it depends” is not the slightest bit helpful to you if you are trying to plan your divorce.   Some legal experts suggest that anyone good at what they do should know the cost of the service they will provide.  I mostly agree with this concept, yet a number of variables exist that preclude providing anything more than a rough estimate.

Obviously, this question is usually asked early in the process, oftentimes over the phone or by en email inquiry.  At this early stage, I may not have even met with the couple and likely know little about the case dynamics.  So, my future clients, I completely understand why you want an answer to this question, and when I purchase something I want to know how much it is going to cost just like you.  For example, my dentist can tell me what a crown will cost.  Yet, contrast this with a home improvement contractor giving an estimate on a roofing job.

Recently I obtained estimates on both of these items, neither of which I really want to spend money on, but really don’t have much of a choice.  Eventually, I will have to do deal with both of these items.  I do not plan on hiring the least expensive dentist or contractor.   I think many of my clients feel the same way.  They realize they need to move forward with their divorce, but they aren’t happy about spending the money.  Let’s face it, it is not like going to Disney World.

Back to the dentist and the roofers.  So, how can the dentist basically provide a firm price whereas the roofing contractor points out that there may be other charges?   I will explain the answer in Part 2 of this post.  Check back soon, or send your own answers in for a chance to win magical prizes.

Save money with divorce mediation, then go on vacation

How Much Will Divorce Mediation Cost? (Part One) by Steve McDonough, Esq. is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

While I agree with my esteemed colleague’s post below that for many divorcing couples mediation is a less expensive, more efficient option that assists spouses in making informed choices and empowers them to create equitable agreements, mediation is not for everyone.

In some cases, either collaborative law or divorce litigation is the better option.  In my own practice, I have seen several divorce cases where mediation would not have been the best choice.

So, is mediation right for you?  Mediation is not a good choice if you or your spouse:

• Cannot be objective or cooperate. Mediation is valuable when the two parties are able to manage their anger or hostility toward each other, and sit in a room together to work through their issues.  If either spouse comes into mediation with an agenda or to hurt the other, mediation will not work.

• Have feelings of intimidation, or a history of domestic violence. No one should feel that they have to agree to anything because they are afraid of what will happen if they don’t agree.  In collaborative law, each spouse has their own lawyer that has received specialized training in the collaborative method.  In divorce litigation, each spouse has their own lawyer who represents their interests exclusively.

• Think the other spouse might hide assets. Divorcing spouses are required to provide one another with full financial disclosure, including statements of their property, debts, income and expenses.  If a spouse might try to hide assets or has a goal of financially harming the other spouse, either collaborative law or divorce litigation is a better option.

• Have different goals. Mediation requires that both spouses are engaged in the process.  If one spouse is unwilling to accept that the other wants to divorce, or if one spouse blames the other for the failure of their marriage and wants vindication, mediation is not a good choice.

So, before you jump off the couch and run straight to mediation, have a cup of coffee and spend some time considering whether it is the right choice for you.

In Some Cases We Can’t Just All Get Along is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

At least that’s the goal of a new educational program in Norfolk County.   In a recent press release, the Probate and Family Court announced the new program, which will provide basic information about the family court process to any person who has a case pending in Norfolk County, or who is considering filing a Divorce, Paternity, Contempt, Guardianship of a Minor, or Custody Complaint.

The program, known as, “Navigation Through the Probate and Family Court,” is presented by staff and others working together with the court, including the Norfolk Law Library.

Basic information about the family court process will be presented, followed by a general question and answer period.

The program is scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM.  Each class lasts about 1 and 1/2 hours.  The next class is scheduled for April, 29, 2009.  The location for at least the next 5 classes will be at Canton High School, 990 Washington Street, Canton, MA.

Sometimes A Little Knowledge Is A Good Thing is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

If you are getting divorced and have not yet attended the mandatory parent education class, you might want to hurry up and register!  As of April 7, 2009, the cost of attendance in the class will increase from $65.00 to $80.00 per participant.  The cost may be reduced to $5.00 for those in need of financial assistance, but you have to complete an affidavit.

On March 24, 2008, the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court issued Standing Order 4-08, and as a result, parties will now be required to pay the increased fee.  The current amount has been in effect since 2004 .  The fees must be paid in advance of the class and are used to offset the costs of materials and facilitators.

Divorcing parents of  minor children are required to register and attend an approved parent education program within 60 days of service of the complaint on the defendant  and must attend the next available session.   The court may impose sanctions for failure to register within the 60-day time frame, although frankly the rule here seems to be a little more flexible in actual application.   Once the course is completed, the certificate of attendance remains valid until the date of divorce.

The Probate and Family Court now has 31 approved parent education program providers who offer the program at 63 locations across the state.  The program is also offered in Spanish at 3 locations.  Most programs are 2 sessions and are 2 and 1/2 hours each.  On-line parent education programs are NOT accepted in Massachusetts.

The goal of the parent education program is to ensure that parents are aware of their children’s emotional needs and understand the effects of divorce on child behavior and development.

Massachusetts Parent Education Program – Sign up Now! is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative

Attorneys from Wagner McDonough LLP will present an informative seminar on the sweeping changes to the Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines. The next session is  Saturday, April 25 from 2-4 pm at the Norfolk, MA public library. For more information and to register,  call 508-528-4007 or send an email to lrm@wagnermcdonough.com.

Pre-registering is certainly appreciated so we can plan our refreshments, but not required.  Hope to see you there.

Upcoming Child Support Seminar is a post from: The Divorce Collaborative