Month: June 2025

June 2025

Seeing the Light

June 19, 2025 / Doing Divorce

I have a regretful confession. I nearly forgot my dad on Father’s Day this past Sunday. Father’s Day was sandwiched between coming home from a week long family vacation on Saturday and dropping my daughters off to camp on Sunday afternoon. While I was doing parenting pirouettes with laundry in and out, suitcases emptied and filled, and finding the plastic rain ponchos I knew I had somewhere, I was distracted to say the least. Add to this, my daughters and I gave my dad – their Funpa – his Father’s Day gift a week prior to the actual day. We

Mediation Mondays: How Your Emotional Wellbeing Impacts the Process

June 16, 2025 / Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Mediation Mondays

Divorce is not just a legal process—it’s an emotional one. When you’re navigating the uncertainty of separation, your mental health plays a vital role in how you show up in mediation. Stress, grief, anxiety, or even trauma can make it difficult to communicate clearly, make decisions, or advocate for your needs. Acknowledging this emotional weight isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a crucial step in preparing for a successful and sustainable resolution. A trauma-informed mediation process recognizes that people arrive with unique histories, emotional states, and coping mechanisms. Skilled mediators create environments that are calm, respectful, and paced appropriately. This

The Ebb and Flow

June 12, 2025 / Doing Divorce

We nearly broke into a run when we first spied it. The wind whipped through our hair and the telltale smell of fire-faded driftwood blew through our bodies. After awkwardly walking through the dry shifting sand, we reached the stable ocean line where the waves tickled our toes – easily mesmerized by the methodical movement of the ocean tide. My daughters and I spent the last week at the Oregon coast. Several times we made our way to the beach and as I watched them delight in dancing in and out of the frigid water, I found myself thinking of

Mediation Mondays: Beyond Divorce

June 9, 2025 / Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Mediation Mondays

When most people hear the word mediation, they think of divorce. But for many families, the need for clear communication and problem-solving doesn’t end when the papers are signed. Co-parenting is an ongoing relationship—one that grows and changes over time. Whether it’s adjusting to a new school schedule, introducing new partners, or rethinking summer vacation plans, life doesn’t stay still—and neither should your parenting plan. Mediation offers a safe, neutral space for co-parents to revisit their agreements and respond to life’s inevitable changes. It’s often less adversarial, faster, and more cost-effective than returning to court. More importantly, it allows parents

Treasured Time

June 5, 2025 / Doing Divorce

18 days. Eighteen whole days. Eighteen full days with my daughters to love, to cherish, to have and to hold, to not be obeyed, to get annoyed, to lose my temper, and to count down the days until they return to their dad… But eighteen uninterrupted days! Days to fully feel like a mom and be fully immersed in the good, the glorious, and the ugly of my own parenting. Why am I counting? Under my normal schedule, my consecutive days max out at three. Summer months provide periods of vacation time that expand our normal paradigm. For me, and a lot of

Mediation Mondays: Mediation for LGBTQ+ Couples

June 2, 2025 / Divorce Made Simple, Divorce Tips, Mediation Mondays

June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate love in all its forms and affirm the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. For LGBTQ+ couples navigating divorce or separation, traditional legal systems have not always felt inclusive or affirming. Mediation offers a different path: one rooted in respect, understanding, and the recognition that every family is unique. It creates space for thoughtful conversations and customized solutions, whether about parenting, finances, or future plans. At Koenig|Dunne, we’ve long been at the forefront of advocating for LGBTQ+ couples and families. We understand the nuances that may come with dissolving a partnership—especially in a