One of the most common questions couples ask when considering divorce is: "We’ve already agreed on everything, but don’t we still need lawyers?" It's a fair question. After all, even though you've already worked through the major decisions about your children, finances, property, and future living arrangements, your friends and family are likely saying, “you better get a lawyer.” But why would you spend thousands of dollars hiring attorneys to negotiate issues that have already been...

When people first begin considering divorce, fear is often the driving force behind their decisions. Fear of losing time with their children. Fear of being taken advantage of financially. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of the unknown. Unfortunately, that fear often leads people to take the first step they believe will protect them: hiring an attorney and preparing for a fight. The problem is that what feels like protection in the moment frequently becomes the source of the very stress,...

Divorce does not always begin with a dramatic moment. Sometimes it begins quietly, in the middle of everyday life, while planning summer vacations, attending graduations, or sitting together at family dinners, wondering what comes next. For many couples, one of the most surprising realizations is understanding that deciding to begin the process does not mean everything has to change immediately. At Family Transitions, we often remind people that divorce is a process that should evolve in...