I’ve written on the topic of divorce mediation several times, and I’m writing again today because I feel that this is a topic that deserves a great deal of attention, especially here in Wake County, North Carolina. I strongly believe that divorcing couples should be able to dictate the terms of their separation, and the…
Category Archives: Mediation
Divorce and Child Custody in Cary
One of the scariest parts of getting divorced is the legal limbo that you go through while waiting for matters of Child Custody to get sorted out. Whether you live in Cary or Raleigh, if you choose to get this sorted out in the courts, you will be in front of one of the family…
What is the true “cost” of Divorce?
The more people/clients I talk to, the more frustrated I become at the heart-wrenching stories of individuals who have been exposed to the “traditional” methods of divorce. By traditional, I mean divorcing couples who seek out attorneys that will “fight for their rights” to make sure they get the best deal in the divorce, even…
New York is last state to allow “no-fault” divorce
Gov. David Paterson has signed into law a bill allowing for “no-fault” divorce in New York State. New York was the last state in the union to allow for such a divorce. Under the new law, as long as one couple claims that the marriage has been “irretrievably broken” for at least 6 months, the…
What is Divorce Mediation – Does the North Carolina method work?
I didn’t realize until I had moved to North Carolina and reopened my family law practice here just how many meanings there are to the word mediation. Lets start with a basic definition – a mediation is a form of non-binding dispute resolution where the parties meet with a neutral mediator to help them resolve…
Preparing for Divorce – The Final Tip: Be Good!
This is the last in a series of blog posts I have written during the past several weeks on how to prepare for divorce and separation. Today’s tip focuses on the practical – be on your best behavior while going through the middle of a divorce. Whether you are considering a collaborative divorce, or a…
How to Prepare for divorce tip #3: Account for the Family Finances
In this third of a series of “How to Prepare for Divorce” Tips, I recommend that you begin gathering information about your families finances. One of the primary functions of the divorce process is to make a division of the assets and debts of the marriage. In order to get a fair division, you must…
Why a Collaborative Divorce is right for you… and me.
One of the reasons many lawyers get a bad rap is the sense that they can’t be trusted. You may think they are being nice to you, perhaps even showing some interest in you, but when you turn around they proceed to stab you in the back. I’ll freely admit that I have been burned…
Warning Signs of Domestic Violence
Earlier this week, a woman in Johnston County and her 14 year old son were shot and killed by her estranged husband, who then shot and killed himself. Ironically, according to the story from the Raleigh News & Observer, Devinee House was at the final stages of completing her divorce the night the shooting occurred. …
Collaborative Divorce – Is it right for you?
I have been an advocate of the collaborative method of resolving divorces ever since I practiced in Florida. As a graduate of a law school (Ohio State) that has a top dispute resolution program, I developed a keen awareness that litigation is not always the best way to resolve a dispute – especially a divorce….