Author Archives: MaritalMediation Staff

When infidelity happens to a marriage

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: August 12, 2010

When infidelity occurs in a marriage, it’s usually time for some tough decisions. If both partners want to save the marriage, the process of rebuilding the relationship can often be helped through marital mediation or marriage counseling. Here’s what Arlene … Continue reading →

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New book on history of marriage

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: August 11, 2010

In this insightful history, marriage counseling is shown to be a modern innovation in a world in which marital perfection has become an American ideal. In an interview with Rebecca Davis, the author of More Perfect Unions: The American Search … Continue reading →

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Joanna Grossman on Ansin v. Craven-Ansin

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: August 2, 2010

Here is another summary on the Ansin case, from law professor Joanna Grossman. Here are the facts of the case the SJC recently resolved: Kenneth Ansin and Cheryl Craven-Ansin married in 1985. At the time, like ninety-five percent of couples … Continue reading →

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Decision on Kenneth S. Ansin vs. Cheryl A. Craven-Ansin

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 26, 2010

This just in… the slip opinion for Ansin v. Craven-Ansin. Worcester. April 5, 2010. – July 16, 2010. Present: Marshall, C.J., Ireland, Spina, Cowin, Cordy, Botsford, & Gants, JJ. Husband and Wife, Marital agreement. Contract, Marital agreement. Divorce and Separation, … Continue reading →

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Don’t Take Your Spouse for Granted

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 21, 2010

Mark Suster is a well-known technology blogger, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. On the occasion of his wedding anniversal, he departed from his usual tech startup advice to talk about his marriage. When I was in my early 20′s I was … Continue reading →

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Functional and Dysfunctional Marriage

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

I always cry at weddings. It’s not because I think the wedding is so beautiful or the newlyweds are so adorable. It’s because I know (and they don’t) how difficult marriage will be for them. You will see tears on … Continue reading →

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How to Succeed in Marriage

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

As a divorce lawyer and mediator, my job is to sort through the wreckage of a marriage to help clients find a post-marriage equilibrium of safety, fairness, and a modicum of peace. I read the signs of the breakdown like … Continue reading →

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The Art of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

Intrigued by the title of the workshop and feeling that I needed to work on my skills in managing effective communication, I came to the Toronto IACP conference early to take the all-day Pre-Forum workshop on “Powerful Non-Defensive Communication” (“PNDC”), … Continue reading →

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The American Law Institute (ALI) on postnuptial agreements

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

The American Law Institute (ALI) in its Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution (2002) has written standards applicable to postnuptial agreements, i.e., agreements made during a marriage where divorce is not imminent. These principles have been incorporated (or rejected) … Continue reading →

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Finding a marital mediator

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

In choosing a marital mediator, the background and experience of a mediator, the geographical location, the mediator’s hourly rate, and the experience of the marital mediator are all important considerations. There is also the intangible personal “fit” between mediator and … Continue reading →

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Marital mediation or marital counseling

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 20, 2010

Many people ask the question, “How is a marital mediation different from a marital counseling?” and  “Can a marital mediator help us if we were unable to be helped by marital therapy?”  Yes, there is a distinct difference between marital … Continue reading →

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Making Marriage Last

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 16, 2010

We just came across a great article on improving marriage by the (AAML) American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. You can read the whole article here. They conclude the article with these 12 ways to improve your marriage: Treat your spouse … Continue reading →

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Taking the War Out of Our Words by Sharon Ellison

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 12, 2010

This is a great book if you want to learn how not to jump to conclusions (which are often wrong) during your daily life, whether at work or home. A careful reading of Taking the War Out of Our Words … Continue reading →

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The Relationship Handbook: A Simple Guide to Satisfying Relationships by George Pransky

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 12, 2010

This book, formerly published under the title “Divorce is Not the Answer”, is a simple, well thought-out and organized little book containing chapters on topics such as “A Fresh Start” and “Compatibility is Only a Thought Away”. Pransky is a … Continue reading →

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A Definition of Marital Mediation

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 11, 2010

There is a veil of silence that surrounds every married couple. Spouses express loyalty by not complaining about their partner or their marriage. People feel ashamed if other people know there are problems in their marriage. People often feel that … Continue reading →

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Case Study: Job loss and marital mediation

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 11, 2010

Bill and Sally have been married 15 years. They have two children, Kristin 9 and Rob 6. Bill has worked since college at one job in the pharmaceutical industry. He has earned enough so that Sally has been able to … Continue reading →

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Stanley R. Fogg v. Geraldine Fogg – Postnuptial Agreement

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 10, 2010

Fogg v. Fogg, 409 Mass. 531 (1991), is a postnuptial agreement enforceability case, in which the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) denied enforcement of the agreement. It was a second marriage for both, and each had children from previous marriages. … Continue reading →

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Ansin v. Craven-Ansin, A Massachusetts Postnuptial

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 10, 2010

Ansin v. Craven-Ansin is an important recent case in Massachusetts. The issue is the validity of the postnuptial agreement and whether it may be specifically enforced. See Fogg v. Fogg, 409 Mass. 531, 536 (1991). The Massachusetts Supreme Court recent … Continue reading →

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Burkle v. Burkle

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 10, 2010

Burkle v. Burkle was a 2006 California case in which the enforcement of a postnuptial agreement was contested by the wife at the time of divorce (Janet E. Burkle v. Ronald W. Burkle, 139 Cal.App4th 712 2006). In Burkle, a … Continue reading →

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Case Study: Postnuptial agreement for second marriage

By MaritalMediation Staff | Published: July 10, 2010

Judith and William are in their 60s. It is a second marriage for both, and they each have children from their prior marriages. Judith, a widow, accumulated some wealth from her deceased husband. William’s financial circumstances are more modest. They … Continue reading →

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