Tag Archives: Divorce Mediation

How Much Will Divorce Mediation Cost? (Part One) by Steve McDonough, Esq.

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 [...]

Posted in Divorce, Divorce Mediation, Events, Family and Divorce Financials, The Business of Law | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plumber. Flowers. Candy-Gram.

I am a proponent of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as divorce mediation, the collaborative divorce process and a good old-fashioned duel with flintlock pistols.  OK, I am just kidding on ADR method number three, flintlock pistols are unreliable and inaccurate. Some couples are more suited to mediation than others.  When I first meet with a couple for a mediation consultation they are evaluating what I have to say and how I say it, my personality, if they like my tie, etc. Perhaps they also realize that I am evaluating them and listening for any “red flags” that signal possible [...]

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Suggested Reads

There are two books that I  frequently suggest to clients with school-age children, so I thought it might be helpful to reference them in a short post.   An overwhelming amount of material exists on divorce, some of it good and some of it harmful.  When you do find a helpful resource, don’t foget to share it with your spouse as early in the process as possible. The first is The Good Divorce by Constance Ahrons, Ph.D.  This book provides valuable information for families making the transition from a nuclear family to a “binuclear” family that spans two households while [...]

Posted in Child Custody, Collaborative Divorce, Divorce, Divorce Health & Wellness, Divorce Mediation, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Comments on Boston Magazine’s July Article: “Till Death Do Us Pay”

My regular readers perhaps (hopefully) noticed I have not posted for about a month or so.  It is good to be back!  I started a new law firm The Divorce Collaborative LLC in Medway, MA earlier this summer and have been working with my favorite website/blog guy Jim Spencer of JBS Partners in Winchester, MA on morphing the blog into a full website.  There is still a little work to be done, but it is just about complete.  I would certainly appreciate your feedback on the site. …Now, let’s get back to blogging! I am lucky in the fact that [...]

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What Mediation Can Do For You

Mediation, like collaborative divorce, can empower couples facing divorce to reach their own respectful resolution without going to court. The process is guided by a neutral mediator who meets with the parties to discuss issues that need to be resolved.  In divorce mediation, the goal is to reach an informed and lasting agreement that is then filed with the court.  Divorce Mediation in Massachusetts is a voluntary, confidential process.  This post is not intended to address time spent with family service officers at the Probate and Family Courts in Massachusetts as part of a litigated divorce or other family law [...]

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Attention Couch Sleepers! Consider My Divorce Mediation Stimulus Package

Almost every week I run into news stories  about how the recession is responsible for many couples staying together not because they want to, but because they have to.   Quite a few folks I have met with recently report one spouse sleeping on the couch for much longer than they probably should.  Although this may be good for the chiropractic industry, my personal theory is that you should really not sleep on a couch for more than two nights in a row if you are older than 25. So, is the recession really forcing people to stay together?  Some [...]

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Protecting Children During a Divorce

I read a good article today by Joan B. Kelly, Ph.D.  Dr. Kelly is an experienced family therapist and parenting coordinator from California who frequently works with high-conflict parents.  The article,  titled Top Ten Ways to Protect Your Kids from the Fallout of a High Conflict Break-Up is posted on the website Mediate.com.   Although the title alludes to a high-conflict divorce, the items would certainly apply to any divorce where children are in the mix.   The third item on the list is to “Act like grown ups.  Keep your conflict away from the kids.”  Dr. Kelly correctly points out that [...]

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