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Tag Archives: massachusetts divorce
Welcome to The Divorce Collaborative LLC Divorce & Family Law in Massachusetts
Thanks for visiting our new “Generation II” website and blog! I would like to thanks the folks at Smartmarketing Now in Naples, Florida for their help with this project, especially my friend and owner of Smartmarketing Now, Mark Merenda. My thanks also go out to New Jersey Estate Planning Attorney Victor Medina for his support. Victor has been a great help since he is not only a friend but an Apple computer guru and the organizer of the Macs In Law Offices Conference (MILOFEST). Mark and Victor’s support and advice are priceless, which is good since I probably could [...]
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 [...]
Ready, Set, Divorce! – 4 Steps to a Better Massachusetts Divorce
By guest-blogger Betsy Ross, MSW, Divorce Coach You probably wouldn’t go on vacation without first figuring out where you want to go, what you’ll need to pack, how long to be away, and how to get there. Likewise, you wouldn’t buy a house without first considering the size of the house you’ll need, which neighborhoods would be suitable, what your budget is, etc. Just like preparing for a vacation or house hunting, it can be helpful to do some planning to better prepare for your Massachusetts divorce. So, before heading into the office of a skillful mediator, collaborative attorney or [...]
Massachusetts Divorce Timelines…Now In 3D!
Almost everyone I meet seeking a Massachusetts divorce asks this question during their first meeting: ”How long will my divorce take?” Unfortunately, the real answer is one that lawyers love and clients don’t appreciate – “It depends….” All lawyers learn this response during law school in the first year class “How to Answer Questions Without Really Saying Anything.” Seriously, though – there are so many variables that this is a difficult question to answer with great specificity. Interestingly, the divorcing couple can have a major impact on the pace of a divorce, whether a Massachusetts contested divorce, collaborative divorce, or [...]
Tips for Surviving the Holidays During and After Divorce by Steve McDonough, Esq.
The Holiday season is upon us. Some people, like my mom for instance, love the holidays. Decorating is a multi-week process and there are so many ornaments on the tree that she and my step-father must deploy a support cable attached to a nearby wall to help hold it up. It is about what you would expect to see on a large suspension bridge. Between December 1st and the end of January (we have lots of January birthdays in the family) I estimate that my mother will host or attend (mostly host) somewhere in the area of 624 social events. [...]
Free Divorce Seminar on Wednesday, December 9 at TDC
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.
Part 2 – How Much Will My Divorce Mediation Cost? by Steve McDonough
If you did not have a chance to read Part One about the range of fees for divorce mediation, please do so or be prepared to be confused. The answer is X-Rays. Yes, that is right, X-Rays. My dentist can see what is going on underneath the surface of my tooth and has a clear picture of what is involved. The roofing contractor can only see the outer layer of shingles, but cannot tell what lurks beneath the surface. Perhaps there is rotten plywood that needs replacement, or perhaps not. Either way, the roofing contractor needs to let his customers [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
