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Month: March 2026

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March 2026

Raw Regret

March 26, 2026 /
Sophia wanted her turn.  We sat at the dinner table going through our days and she was anxious to share.   It was a 7th grade drama – a mild version of mean girls.  Sophia set the scene.  “We were playing a trick on Josie and hiding her book.  I don’t know why.  It’s just a thing.  So I told her I had her book.  I didn’t.  So I don’t know why I said it, but that’s what I told her.”  I could see the snowball forming as she moved through her story.  “Sophia, you are too dumb to have my
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Performance Review

March 26, 2026 /
I get nervous just thinking about it – all of my co-workers rating me in all areas of my professional performance.  Do I keep my promises?  Do I approach my work with enthusiasm?  Do I listen without interrupting? Every year I must remind myself why I actively choose to put myself through a performance review. Founded on the principle “look, see, tell the truth, take authentic action,” our firm coach, Susan, teaches us that to move toward growth and betterment these four steps are key.  Performance reviews help us pause to look.  Our co-workers and supervisors help us see and
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Mediation Mondays: How Mediation Helps Privacy in Divorce

March 25, 2026 / , , ,
Divorce can be one of the most personal and emotionally difficult experiences a person faces. When a divorce proceeds through traditional litigation, many of the details about your finances, your children, and your personal life may become part of the public record through court filings and hearings. For many individuals and families, the thought of these private matters being publicly accessible can add an additional layer of stress to an already challenging situation. Divorce mediation offers a more private alternative. Mediation sessions take place in a confidential setting where both spouses work with a neutral mediator to discuss and resolve
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Mediation Mondays: Mediation for Busy Professionals

March 23, 2026 / , ,
Divorce is never easy—but for busy professionals, the traditional court process can feel especially overwhelming. Between demanding schedules, career responsibilities, and personal commitments, the idea of drawn-out litigation, multiple court appearances, and constant back-and-forth with attorneys is simply not practical. Divorce mediation offers a more efficient, streamlined alternative that allows you to resolve important issues without putting your life on hold. One of the biggest advantages of mediation is flexibility. Instead of being tied to a court’s calendar, mediation sessions can be scheduled around your availability, whether that means early mornings, evenings, or virtual meetings. This level of control allows
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The Challenge

March 19, 2026 /
She was troubled by her eighth grade essay assignment for school: to write about a significant challenge she had faced in life.  She would be reading this essay in front of her class.  “But I haven’t had a major challenge,” she bemoaned to her teacher.  “Anna, aren’t your parents divorced?” As she relayed this to me, privately I felt proud that she needed that reminder – that she didn’t consider having divorced parents as being a challenge.  I was scooting toward being self-congratulatory and smug until she told me she thought that would be a good topic to write about.
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Being Seen

March 12, 2026 /
I could tell you a love story. But this is a divorce blog. However, for context and fun, I will write you some of the good bits (with his permission, of course). I noticed his arrival across the outdoor pavilion that mid-August evening where my future fellow law school classmates were mingling and meeting for the first time before our classes started the following Monday. He approached with his big smile outlined by deep dimples.  I was instantaneously smitten. If love at first sight exists, this is the closest I have ever been. He was a year ahead of me in
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Mediation Mondays: When Mediation Gets Stuck

March 9, 2026 / , , ,
Divorce mediation is designed to help couples work through difficult decisions in a structured and cooperative way—but that doesn’t mean every conversation will be easy. It’s completely normal for mediation to hit a point where progress slows or a disagreement feels impossible to resolve. These moments, often called “impasses,” can happen when emotions run high, when financial concerns are complicated, or when one issue feels particularly important to one or both parties. The good news is that reaching a temporary standstill doesn’t mean mediation has failed. Experienced mediators are trained to help couples move through these moments productively. Sometimes this
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Preservation Paradox

March 5, 2026 /
We woke early with our mission in mind.  On this misty morning, we found the tide reaching as far back into the ocean as possible.  We walked quickly on the smooth, sand-soaked surface to discover this spot of local magic.  Here in the tiny town of Neskowin, Oregon (population 134) – just past Proposal Rock – we ventured to Ghost Forest. Ghost Forest reveals the remnants of an ancient spruce forest.  It is presumed that the trees were likely abruptly lowered due to an earthquake and then were covered by mud from landslides or debris from a tsunami.  The forest reappeared in
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Mediation Mondays: Can We Mediate If We Don’t Even Speak?

March 2, 2026 / , ,
One of the most common concerns we hear is, “We can’t even have a conversation—how could we possibly mediate?” It’s a valid question. When communication breaks down completely, the idea of sitting across from someone to make legal and emotional decisions can feel impossible. But the truth is, mediation can still work—even if you aren’t speaking directly to each other. Enter shuttle mediation. In this process, you and the other party are in separate rooms (or separate virtual spaces), and the mediator moves between you—sharing proposals, clarifying concerns, and guiding both sides toward agreement. This format lowers tension, keeps communication
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