The CFMG Blog To Litigate or to Mediate- Who Wins?   Linda and Frank have been divorced for two years and Frank has remarried. Together, Linda and Frank have one son, Jacob, who is 7 years old.  They share joint legal custody and joint physical custody (50/50) of Jacob. Linda and Frank are not able [...]

The CFMG Blog Can AI Help You Navigate Your Virginia Divorce?   If you are currently going through a divorce, you already know it is an emotional and financial puzzle. In an effort to save money and find common ground, an increasing number of spouses are turning to artificial intelligence like ChatGPT or Claude as

The CFMG Blog Family Mediation: New Frontiers   Traditionally, family mediation has been assumed to be limited to matters associated with divorce. Specifically, people come to family mediators when they have decided to part ways and need to settle parenting plans for their children and property matters in cost-effective and cooperative ways. Typically, these matters

The CFMG Blog Creating a Child-Centered Summer Parenting Schedule During Separation   Summer scheduling for every family with children always feels like a real-life game of Tetris. It is truly a puzzle to figure out how to make all of the moving pieces fit each summer. Add a separation to the equation, and it can

The CFMG Blog Divorce with Adult Children: Navigating the Tented Family Tree   “At least the kids are out of the house.” It’s a phrase we hear often in divorce with adult children, and it makes the process sound like a simple paperwork exercise. But the truth is that when a couple splits after decades

The CFMG Blog Mediation: Bridging Differences for Lasting Solutions   Exploring the Power and Process of Mediation in Modern Conflict Resolution Mediation is an increasingly popular approach to resolving disputes in a variety of settings, from workplaces and families to communities and businesses. Unlike traditional litigation or arbitration, mediation empowers the parties involved to communicate

The CFMG Blog The Top 7 Myths about Family Mediation in Virginia Debunked   As a family mediator in Northern Virginia, I have spoken to hundreds, if not thousands of people throughout Virginia about family mediation. During these conversations, I started identifying a list of common misconceptions about family mediation (or divorce mediation). Part of

The CFMG Blog Why Divorce Mediation is the Smartest Resolution for 2026   Divorce is tough. No one goes into marriage expecting it to end, and when it does, it often feels overwhelming. As you face this transition, you are standing at a critical fork in the road. You can choose the path of traditional

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