Divorce is a loss. It is a death of a relationship, and there is a period of grieving. Psychiatrist, Elizabeth - Kugler - Ross describes the stages of grief as follows: Denial AngerBargainingDepressionAcceptance As a divorce attorney, with over thirty years’ experience, a certified near mediator, collaboratively trained attorney, and spiritual director I understand these stages [...]
Last week was a tough week. I was feeling discouraged and very tired. I had planned to have dinner and drinks with a dear colleague of mine whom I had not seen for a while. I was looking forward to it. We are very similar as to how diligently we work and how we approach [...]
Last week was a tough week. I was feeling discouraged and very tired. I had planned to have dinner and drinks with a dear colleague of mine whom I had not seen for a while. I was looking forward to it. We are very similar as to how diligently we work and how we approach [...]
I recently attended a Domestic violence screening seminar for court certified mediators. There was a wealth of knowledge offered and it was very helpful in pinpointing how to detect domestic violence in screening mediation cases. One of the components of the class was a review of the subtle forms of domestic violence, such as financial [...]
There was a recent decision from the Third Department Appellate Division in New York which upheld a lower court decision allowing the relocation of a child to North Carolina with the mother. The father had appealed and asked for primary custody of the child if in fact the mother moved. The court, using the best [...]
I just finished watching “Unbelievable” on Netflix. I enjoyed the story line, the acting, and the interaction of the two female detectives as they bonded. The story had strong overtones of the fight between good and evil. What made it even more profound and meaningful for me was it was based on true events. The [...]
As I sat on the beach on a hot summer August day I began to think about why I have come to despise divorce litigation so much. Because of my many experiences with litigation for over 32 years, I am a big proponent of mediation and collaborative law. I felt calm and peaceful as I [...]
A mediator is defined as one who brings together two parties to enter into an agreement. To better understand a mediator's role, let's explore different forms of mediation to put it into the proper context. In religion, the priest acted as the mediator putting the people into relationship with God. For Christians, Jesus is the [...]
The idea of coaching, particularly legal coaching keeps resonating with me. This concept is so intriguing and so much needed. I am also discovering that what I do in my consultations and even some aspects of my legal practice, is coaching. It is something that I feel truly helps people. I recently saw an article [...]
If you are in the throes of a divorce and you are either representing yourself, are in mediation, or you and your spouse are negotiating an uncontested divorce you may need a legal coach. Coaching is defined as a form of development in which an experienced trained person, called a coach or expert, supports a [...]