Blog
How Do I Obtain A Peaceful Divorce?
The way we start matters. More and more I hear this question from a husband or a wife, or both spouses, during a divorce consultation: How do I (we) obtain a peaceful divorce? This simple question, or some variation of it, opens the door to a private, peaceful and respectful divorce process. This civil and…
Should I Hire a Bulldog Divorce Attorney?
Recently, I have heard several of my friends use the term “bulldog” attorney. There is nothing new about this term. We have all heard it used to describe a certain type of lawyer for many years. The interesting thing about it to me is that in some cases I hear it used as a compliment,…
What Is A Collaborative Marriage Plan?
While Prenuptial Agreements contemplate what will happen if your marriage fails, Collaborative Marriage Plans help you and your future spouse consider potential problems that may occur during your marriage and agree to solutions in advance. Prenuptial Agreements are a legal tool that plan only for your divorce. Collaborative Marriage Plans provide you with a much…
How Do I Tell My Spouse That I Want A Divorce?
Broaching the topic of divorce with your husband or wife is no easy task. Informing your husband or wife that you have done everything you can to repair the relationship, and that you have made the difficult decision to end the marriage is as hard as it gets. As a friend of mine often says,…
Do I Need a Child Specialist In My Collaborative Divorce?
There is no doubt that the Collaborative divorce process is more popular among families that have minor children. Parents put their children first. They don’t agree on everything, but they do agree that they will do everything in their power to protect their children from the potential harmful impacts of a nasty divorce. A trained…
Are You Part Of The 3%?
Recently, a family law judge in Palm Beach County provided valuable insight to a group of local divorce attorneys and professionals. The judge reminded us that 97% of all divorce cases in Palm Beach County reach a settlement agreement without going to trial. 3% of divorce matters in Palm Beach County go to trial. These…
What Is The Role Of The Financial Professional In Collaborative Divorce?
Collaborative divorce is a process that prioritizes respectful communications, freely exchanged information, direct participation of both spouses, and solutions to accomplish the goals set by you and your spouse. These are lofty ideals that are achieved every day by collaboratively trained attorneys, mental health professionals, and financial professionals. The financial professional on your Collaborative team…
How Does The New Florida Alimony Law Affect Collaborative Divorce?
On June 30, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida alimony reform bill into law. Here are a few take aways from the new alimony statute: Permanent or “Lifetime Alimony” is eliminated. Adultery by either spouse may now be considered in awarding alimony, and its resulting financial impact on the spouses. The legal standard of “need”…
What Conflict Style Do I Want To Teach My Children?
A presenter at a recent conference I attended asked us, “What Conflict Style Do You Want To Teach Your Children?”[1] That is a powerful question. Do I want to teach my children to escalate conflict, or do I want to teach them to de-escalate conflict? There is no question that divorce is a challenging and…
How Do I Avoid Losing Control Of My Divorce?
Don’t go to court to fight if you want to maintain any degree of control in your divorce. Lawyers and judges are the primary actors in a litigated (contested) divorce. You and your husband or wife are the primary actors in a collaborative (uncontested) divorce. The degree of control that you have in the decisions…