“Andrea” was a teenager when her grandmother died. Among the many memories of time spent together, Andrea thought often about the simple glass bowl filled with M&Ms in the entryway of her grandmother’s house. After the funeral, the house was sold and the personal...
Relationships are contracts, whether or not legally sanctioned. They represent negotiations and deals, the details of which often change over time. If the parties cannot adjust to the inevitable changes, the relationship most likely will end. We’ve all heard...
Is it possible for two people to end their relationship in a fair and respectful manner without spending thousands of dollars on attorneys’ fees? Absolutely. Anger, resentment, disappointment, and betrayal are common feelings when a divorce is imminent....
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before. I’m choosing to interpret this rule rather broadly. While it certainly would apply to visiting a foreign country, I think it can also mean venturing out of our comfort zones. Particularly as we age,...
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. Parents. Children. Siblings. Family. We love them and we need them. We also have expectations of them — we need them to act a certain way, say...
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. Ask anyone what “success” means, and you’ll hear a different answer each time. Ask what “compromise” means, and you’ll hear a similar answer every time. My...
There is no denying the special relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren. Yet sometimes that relationship becomes the collateral damage of a divorce. In mediation, when we help couples to “uncouple,” we always ask about grandparent time....
Co-parenting, the fashionable term for two parents who share the responsibility of rearing their children, can be complicated even under the best of circumstances. If custody, support and visitation are awarded by the court in a divorce, the terms are usually...
After Diana Nyad completed her historic swim from Cuba to Florida (at the age of 64), one of the first things she said was that “…you are never too old to chase your dreams.” I want to remember that. People who stay in stressful, unhappy situations...
Personal belongings often have special meaning for individuals and family members. Passing on treasured wedding photos, grandpa’s fishing tackle box, or a well-used yellow pie plate can be challenging, and may lead to family conflict. This workshop can help you...
· Are you spending an unbalanced amount of time worrying about your problems? · Are you fearful of allowing a judge to make decisions that affect your personal life? · Are you unwilling or unable to pay thousands of dollars to an attorney to assist you? If you...
This is the fifth and final installment of our series about using mediation to end a relationship. After considering the first four reasons I think you will see why this last reason is a given. Reason Five: 5. You will emerge from the process having spent less time,...
