Collaborative Law Institute Blog – Family Law Attorneys & Professionals
Same-Sex Marriage Bill Will Effect Divorce Law in MN
Now that Minnesota has passed the Same-Sex Marriage Bill, there is much to figure out with regard to how laws will apply to same-sex couples and how laws will need to be amended to include same-sex couples. Now that same-sex couples can marry, they will also be...
What Makes a Good Compromise in Divorce?
Compromise is a necessary part of life. Differences inevitably arise in our personal and work lives. Resolution of these differences generally takes place through negotiation. The goal of negotiation is to reach an understanding, which means compromise. Is Calvin...
No Such Thing as a Do-It-Yourself Collaborative Practice Divorce
There is such a thing as a Do-It-Yourself Divorce. Not that I recommend it, but it’s out there. As an attorney who focuses on Family Law, Mediation and Collaborative Practice, I discourage this route to end a marriage, mainly because of details that can be...
Divorce is a Confusing Transition
How do you say good-bye to someone who is still there? A person who has been an integral part of your daily life, shared your adventures and your routine is now gone… and not gone. Last week I attended a conference by Pauline Boss on Ambiguous Loss. She reminded me...
Undivided Loyalty: Minimize the Effects on Children During Divorce
Almost every potential client I meet with wants to minimize the negative effects of divorce on the children. So many couples want to consciously have a healthy co-parenting relationship. And as parents, we know our kids better than anyone and should be able to make...
Attorney as “Guide” – Sherpas up the Divorce Mountain
An attorney representing a client going through collaborative divorce is much more than a legal adviser. The attorney is often a confidant, emotional support system, sounding board, voice of reason, teacher, and financial adviser. Indeed, a collaborative divorce...
Avoiding the Hazards During Divorce
I had a familiar conversation recently, this time on the golf course. As with life, golf is both precise and random: precise because there are exactly 18 holes to play, and random because a golfer never quite knows how the ball will fly from time to time nor with...
Now You’re Just Somebody That I Used to Know?
When someone mentions divorce, where does your mind go? Do the words “fight,” “bitter,” or “vicious” come up? How about terms like, “teamwork,” “goals,” or “considerate?” It’s interesting to an experienced divorce lawyer how often the expectations include the...
Your Kids Learn From You, Even in a Divorce
Have you found yourself repeating to your children a phrase your mom or dad said to you when you were young? It is true that we are most influenced by the parenting models and family dynamics we grew up with. If you are going through a divorce, how you divorce will...
Choosing the Right Path: Bloody Basin Road or Tranquil Trail?
At the beginning of a divorce, you have to choose which path to take. I think of this choice every time I see this sign in Arizona, where Bloody Basin Road is one direction, and Tranquil Trail goes the opposite way. It’s much like the choice at the beginning of a...
