Publications

Very few clients want to battle out their divorce over a span of months or years. When a couple decides to divorce, it usually is something that has been on the horizon for a long time already. Before the recent COVID-19 pandemic, battling a divorce out in court took a lot of time and money.…

What are the top advantages of hiring a mediator who practices family law in Richmond, VA? Mediation continues to grow as a popular choice for those who want to keep their case out of the courts, many attorneys have seen the benefits of mediation both in their practice and for their clients. Oftentimes, and especially…

Is virtual divorce mediation right for you and your spouse in Virginia Beach? Finding a good time and place for mediations can be tricky. Not only do the two parties involved need to agree to a time, but the mediator must also have an opening in their schedule. Add in that some mediations have attorneys…

In my thirty plus years of legal practice and almost 1700 mediation cases at the time of this writing, I have developed my own list of best practices in every stage of mediation. These come from what I observed as a mediator and as an advocate. At first, I thought it was because some of…

Tell us the basics: Who are you, what’s your company’s name, and how long have you been at this company? I am an attorney, arbitrator and Virginia Supreme Court-certified mediator in the family and civil areas. I’m also an authorized mediator, mentor and alternative dispute-resolution trainer. I am a partner of CMG Collaborative Law Offices,…

Today, more and more people are finding themselves in the position of having to care or make decisions for elderly relatives. This becomes increasingly more difficult when there are two or more family members involved and they disagree. Often this occurs when a mother or father dies and the other parent is left alone. Should…

In Virginia, section 20-107.1 of the Virginia Code sets out the law with respect to spousal support.  The court, in deciding whether to award support and maintenance for a spouse, must consider the circumstances and factors which contributed to the dissolution of the marriage, specifically including adultery and any other ground for divorce as stated…

I recall one of my first mentors in the legal field advising me to work on changing my language to develop more powerful speech. As a young lawyer, woman, and minority over thirty years ago, in the very conservative insurance and financial services industry; I needed to learn how to make my speech work for…

Why is mediation preparation important? Mediation allows parties to have a discussion and possibly develop a solution to the dispute. The assistance of a skilled and experienced mediator helps to provide the parties with a facilitator who can assure a neutral environment. Mediators also help both sides explore options and use proven techniques to overcome…