Blog | M. Hart Divorce & Family Law

6/11/13

Top 5 Ways to Take Control When You are Worried about How Divorce Could Affect Your Child

If you are thinking about divorce or are in the midst of a divorce and are worried about how the divorce might affect your children, you can take action now to help ease the transition for them. The term “divorce” is simply a legal term for dissolving the marriage. What tends to negatively affect your child’s emotional well-being is actually the amount of conflict and hostility present in...

6/4/13

6 Tips for Choosing A Divorce Lawyer Who is Right for You

Choosing a lawyer to represent your interests in your divorce is one of the most important decisions you will make in the divorce process. So it’s essential that you choose the lawyer that has a style and approach that resonates with you. I recommend the following tips: 1. 2. 3. 4. The attorney seems to value your input and makes it clear that...

5/28/13

The Right Way To “Win” in the Divorce Process

Going through a divorce can make already hurt and angry feelings worse. It can therefore be tempting to show your spouse that he or she is “wrong” and that you are “right.” It’s important to remember that getting a divorce is not at all like playing a baseball game – there is no actual “winner.” Very few, if any, cases result in one of you...

5/20/13

5 Actions To Take Right Now When Planning for Divorce

When you experience the unexpected loss of a marriage or are thinking about ending a marriage, it can feel like all of a sudden you’ve been blindsided and the rug has been pulled out from under your feet. At the same time, it can feel overwhelming and scary if you don’t know where to look for answers to the steady stream of questions whirling around...

2/4/13

Your Practical Step by Step Guide to Divorce or Ending Your Relationship

You know that punched in the gut feeling you get when you realize that your marriage or relationship just isn’t working? You know it has to end but the thought is overwhelming, especially when you have children. You don’t know where to start. You become immobilized so you do nothing . . . just for now, you tell yourself. Maybe you even rationalize to yourself...

1/13/13

5 Powerful Ways to Help Your Child Develop Effective Communication Skills

When children are able to communicate their needs and feelings effectively, they gain confidence and self-esteem, both of which are essential for developing healthy relationships. Below are 5 powerful ways to help your child develop these essential skills. Feel free to try these yourself to improve your own communication skills! 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Adults, try these too – they really work!...

12/16/12

5 Simple Ways to Turn Frustration into Intention

We all get frustrated from time to time – right? Right! Suppose you’re frustrated with the fact that your ex hasn’t been reliable in picking up or dropping off your kids for parenting time. Or your child is consistently bringing home bad grades. Perhaps your mother in law is undermining your authority when it comes to raising your kids. The scenarios are endless. When we’re...

12/4/12

You Have More Control Than You Think When You Choose Collaborative Divorce

When you are facing the possibility of divorce, it is important for you to see that you are not a powerless victim. You don’t need to worry about your future. You can simply Collaborative Divorce is similar to mediation but generally more effective in that both parties have their own attorney to advise them and there is a team environment where additional professionals are added as...

11/19/12

8 Easy Ways to Increase Your Persuasiveness When Negotiating

We are often trying to persuade or influence someone in our professional and personal lives. Here I focus specifically on negotiating – whether you are buying a car or negotiating a business transaction. The truth is, people are more likely to give you what you want when they like and trust you. The psychology of why people say “yes” was the subject of the well-known book by...

11/2/12

Valuable Life Lessons from Hurricane Sandy

In the midst of what is being called one of the devastating events in history, unexpected opportunities to connect with loved ones and help those in need can be seen all around us. From the moment the monumental storm ripped through our area on Monday night, we saw that there really is a powerful force out there that is much larger than ourselves. As my...