The CFMG Blog Understanding Separate Lives and Divorce   Introduction Many couples face the difficult decision of whether to live separately or proceed with divorce when their marriage encounters challenges. Understanding the differences and consequences between living separate lives and pursuing a legal divorce is crucial for making informed decisions about your future, finances, family, [...]

The CFMG Blog Season of Transition: Tips for Navigating Holiday Emotions, Stress, and Grief During Separation and Divorce   1. Give Yourself Some Grace During this time of overwhelming change and grieving, allow yourself some grace. It can be helpful to acknowledge that the holidays will magnify the emotions of this loss and change in

The CFMG Blog Navigating Separation Under One Roof: Tips for Protecting Your Emotional Well-being   Separating from a partner while still living in the same household can be incredibly challenging. It’s a delicate situation that requires careful navigation to minimize conflict and protect your emotional well-being. Here are some tips to help you during this

The CFMG Blog Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness   Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the founding principles of the United States, liberal Western democracies, and many of the world’s democracies founded since our Constitution. These principles reward the freedom, spirit, and independence of the individual. At their core is a

The CFMG Blog Co-Parenting, New School Year, and a Fall Reboot As we enter the month of August, we become aware that it is a time of transition, a time when children and parents turn their attention to thoughts of a new school year and new routines. With this change often come new emotions and

The CFMG Blog Mediating Alimony Issues in Divorce Settlements: A Mediator's Perspective   Effective Strategies and Common Disagreements Divorce is often a challenging and emotionally charged process, and one of the most contested issues in a divorce settlement is alimony. As a mediator, my role is to facilitate a constructive dialogue between the spouses, helping

The CFMG Blog Paying for Mediation: What You Need to Know Before You Start   One of the first and most important issues that comes up in any mediation is this: who is paying for mediation? It might seem like a simple detail, but it can heavily influence the tone, trust, and pace of the

The CFMG Blog The Impact of Parental Conflict on the Family During my nearly 35 years as a family lawyer, a guardian ad litem, and now as a family mediator, I have worked with countless Virginia families struggling with parental conflict.  I have come to have a profound understanding of the devastating impact that ongoing,

The CFMG Blog Protecting Your Children During Divorce: Why Mediation Matters   Divorce is a difficult process for the entire family, but it can be particularly challenging for children. The emotional turmoil, uncertainty, and conflict can have a significant impact on their well-being. Choosing the right approach to navigate this difficult time is crucial for

The CFMG Blog When to Start Mediation   When to Start Mediation Mediation is a valuable process designed to help people navigate difficult conversations constructively, often in the context of personal relationships or family matters. One of the most common questions people have is, "When is the right time to start mediation?" The short answer