Is Mediation Appropriate for Couples Who Want to Reconcile?

Like Eileen, one of the first questions I ask my clients is “Has there been a decision to divorce?”  Couples seek help at various stages of their marriage crisis. Sometimes both people are quite sure they’re ready for divorce. Often, only one person is.

And sometimes, neither party is sure they want a divorce, but they do know their marriage is in crisis. Often these couples would like to see if it is possible to repair their marriage.

Read Eileen Coen’ insightful blog on how mediation can help in those instances when couples want help restoring their marriage.

The Divorced Co-Parent’s Vacation Planning Checklist

How will you want your next vacation to go with your children?  How will you want the other parent to respond?  You will likely want support for the trip, cooperation, flexibility, and respect of the boundaries of your special time with the children. Treat the other parent how you will want to be treated when you are in their shoes!  And most importantly, remember that you are first and foremost supporting your children – their right to have enjoyable times and make fond memories with each of their parents, their right to exciting opportunities, and their right to expand their horizons and see new places and experience new things.

Read some Dos and Don’ts to help your vacation go smoothly in Lisa Gabardi’s posting on her blog.

The Demise of DOMA: Ten Reasons Why It is Good for Massachusetts Residents

The Supreme Court has finally ruled that federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. This means that the national legal definition of a marriage is no longer limited to the union of one man and one woman. Same sex couples that marry in one of the 13 jurisdictions (12 states plus DC) and live in one of them, will now assume all benefits (believed to be 1000 or more) of federally recognized marital status.

For Massachusetts’ residents, DOMA’s death is immediate unmitigated good news. Read ten reasons on the Levine Dispute Resolution Center Blog.

10 Do's and Don'ts of Divorce Mediation

Beginning the divorce mediation process can be scary. Even though you made the decision to mediate, you might have some lingering concerns about the process. Read 10 do's and don'ts for you to consider in Manish Mathur's posting on the MWI Divorce Mediation Blog.

Infographic - Six Divorce Trends of Today

(Click to enlarge)

Source: eLocal.com

The Supreme Court Decision’s Effect on Same-Sex Divorce

The new Supreme Court ruling striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between only a man and a woman, has surprising ramifications not only for marriage but also for divorce. Until now, in Massachusetts a same-sex marriage that led to a divorce had several complicating factors.

Often same-sex couples choose mediation as a way to end their marriage in an amicable and cost effective manner, just as opposite-sex couples have for many years. While many of the same issues arise in a same-sex divorce, the opportunities to divide property and deal with tax issues are very different. The ramifications of how these new Federal changes will specifically be handled will take time, but clearly are major improvements in fairness  for same-sex couples who divorce.

Read about a few examples in this article by Massachusetts divorce mediator Tracy Fischer.