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how to get what you want in divorce mediation

How to Get What You Want in Divorce Mediation

Divorcing spouses often wonder how to get what you want in divorce mediation. Divorce mediation can feel scary and threatening, and defenses can go way up. But one thing I’ve learned in the 20+ years of being a divorce mediator is, what a party thinks they want when they start the mediation process may not … Read more

divorce mediation for LGBTQ

Divorce Mediation for LGBTQ and Same-Sex Couples

Over the past year, my partner Brian James and I have had a number of cases for divorce mediation for LGBTQ and same-sex couples for the dissolution of their marriage or Civil Union. While many of the issues to be mediated are the same as with heterosexual couples, we have found subtle and unique differences … Read more

blind dates

Why Blind Dates Are Still One Of The Best Ways To Find Love

When did people stop going on blind dates? When the dating app industry exploded. Dating apps are the most common way people find love, and while I’m happy that there is such an effective method, I can’t help but feel like the blind date got pushed aside way too quickly. Blind dates, in my opinion … Read more

dating after divorce with kids

Dating After Divorce With Kids Isn’t Easy When They Refuse To Accept It

One of the many reasons I love being a divorce website writer and dating columnist is that almost every time I meet someone new and they find out what I do, they ask me for either dating or divorce advice, or in the case of two nights ago, dating with kids advice. I love when … Read more

how to start dating again

Divorced Woman Wants to Know How to Start Dating Again

Divorced Girl Smiling received this comment from a woman seeking inspiration and asking how to start dating again. Still kind of saddened by my divorce of 6 years ago. My ex’s son and I live across the country and enjoy a new life – but with single mom duty and a very, very thin budget, … Read more

lying about age on dating sites

Lying About Your Age on Dating Sites? Why You Should Stop

Dating websites and dating apps are still the number one way people meet, connect and fall in love. That said, there are some downsides. one negative is the ease in which people can lie, specifically about age. So, are you lying about your age on dating sites? I want to tell you why you should stop. … Read more

how I leave my husband

“How Do I Leave My Husband?” Woman Asks

“How do I leave my husband?” is a question that pops up on Divorced Girl Smiling a lot. I think this is a question that is beyond painful, and a very difficult one. It’s really, really, really, really hard to leave someone, no matter what the circumstances are. It’s hard to end something long-term, it’s … Read more

mediation and divorce attorneys

Mediation and Divorce Attorneys: How They Can Support or Undermine the Process

My partner Brian James and I have been mediating as a team for almost 14 years. Most of our clients come to us voluntarily because they believe they are amicable, have agreed to most of the issues regarding children and finances, and they want to be efficient and cost-effective as they get divorced. Some of … Read more

considering a divorce

Should This Woman Be Considering a Divorce? 8 Reasons I Say Hell Yes!

As a rule, when people ask me, “Should I be considering a divorce?” I try not to share whether I think they should or should not, and instead give my insight into their situation in hopes the answer comes to them. But in some cases, I just can’t help answering the question because my opinion … Read more

how to get your self-esteem back

How to Get Your Self-Esteem Back After Divorce: 10 Tips

It’s no secret that good self-esteem fosters a happier, healthier life. But what happens when you find your self-esteem temporarily suffering as a result of someone or something negative or difficult going on in your life? That negativity or difficulty could be a divorce. While it’s normal to have lower self-esteem during and sometimes after … Read more

same-sex divorce in Illinois

Same-sex Divorce in Illinois Has Its Challenges

Since 2014, same-sex marriage has been legal in the United States. This means that the legal process for divorce is the same for LGBTQ couples as it is for everybody. Although the legal process is the same, there can often be challenges in a same-sex divorce in Illinois that are not present in divorces in … Read more

linkedin as a dating site

Don’t Rule Out LinkedIn as a Dating Site

Men and women are always asking me, “How do I meet someone?“I think that is a tough question. But, something happened a couple days ago that ignited the spark for this article, and it had to do with the potential of a romantic relationship that can stem from LinkedIn or another business networking site. In … Read more