Blog
Dividing the Stuff: Dividing Personal Property in a Divorce Without Losing Your Cool
For many people, dividing personal property in divorce ends up being harder than dividing money. It surprises them. The house, the retirement accounts, even support can feel abstract. The furniture, dishes, artwork, photos, and small personal items are not. Those...
Stay Calm With Clients When They Lose Their Cool
Ever experience a scene like this? You're in a conference room. The clock seems to tick louder than it should. Across the table, a client snaps. Another rolls their eyes and interrupts... yet again. In a moment of frustration, someone pushes their chair back, almost...
California’s New Joint Petition: A Game Changer for Divorcing with Respect
Picture this: John and Lisa walk into the courthouse for the first time with nerves jangling. They hope to end their marriage without it becoming a war. They want to keep things civil, maybe even friendly, for the sake of their family. Starting January 1, 2026,...
Co-parenting on Halloween: How not to make candy night into a nightmare
Co-parenting on Halloween can be tricky - or it can be a treat. It depends on you! Halloween has a way of sneaking up on even the most organized separated parents. Judges don’t usually mention it in custody orders, probably because it doesn’t come with a day off work....
What Mediators Wish Lawyers Knew
Lawyers and mediators may work in the same neighborhood, but let’s be honest, we don’t always speak the same language. I say that as someone who’s been on both sides of the table. Some of my best friends are lawyers. Heck, I am one. Still, after years in the trenches,...
Centered, Not Numb: The Real Art of Neutrality in Mediation
Every mediator recognizes this moment. Two people sit across from each other, tension thick in the air. Voices rise. Both look to you, hoping to catch a hint of where you stand. It’s a real test of composure, asking you to stay present and grounded, even when the...