Area of the law that deals with family matters and domestic relations
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What happens when you've spent so many years prioritizing everyone else's needs that you no longer know what you want?In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kelly Kessler sits down with Certified Family Law Specialist and divorce attorney Diana Romanov to discuss the emotional realities of divorce, self-abandonment, identity loss, and rebuilding your life after a relationship ends.Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal experience with divorce, Diana shares what she sees most often in women navigating separation: difficulty advocating for themselves, fear of hurting others, staying in unhappy relationships for the children, and making major decisions from guilt, exhaustion, or emotional overwhelm.In this episode, we discuss:• Why many women lose touch with what they truly want• The connection between self-abandonment and unhealthy relationship dynamics• Signs you may be staying in a relationship that no longer serves you• How divorce impacts children—and common misconceptions parents have• Why people-pleasing can lead to costly legal and financial mistakes• The emotional challenges of navigating custody, support, and asset division• How to advocate for yourself without becoming consumed by conflict• Practical steps to make empowered decisions during divorceWhether you're considering divorce, currently navigating one, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself after years of putting everyone else first, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and compassionate insight.Connect with Diana Romanov:https://www.romanovlaw.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanovska/https://www.facebook.com/FamilyLawCaliforniahttp://www.youtube.com/@Diana-RomanovConnect with Kelly:Ready to go deeper?If this episode resonated, start with my free Self-Abandonment Audit — a powerful first step to uncover where you may be putting everyone else first, overriding your needs, or talking yourself out of what you know is right for you.Get the audit here:https://drkellykessler.com/selfauditReady for more support? The Self-Respect Reset is my 4-week self-paced course designed for women who know what they need but struggle to follow through. You'll learn how to navigate guilt, build self-trust, create healthier boundaries, and stop abandoning yourself in the moments that matter most.Learn more here:https://drkellykessler.com/selfrespectresetLooking for personalized support? The Self-Loyalty Mentorship is for the woman who is ready to stop second-guessing herself, stay true to what she knows, and build the capacity to hold her boundaries and decisions with confidence even when it's uncomfortable.Learn more here:https://drkellykessler.com/selfloyaltymentorshipWebsite:https://drkellykessler.com/Socials: https://www.facebook.com/drkellykesslerhttps://www.instagram.com/drkellykesslerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drkellykessler
⚖️ Can the Division of Assets Be Changed After Divorce? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚖️ Many people assume that once a divorce is finalized, property division can never be reviewed again. However, in some California divorce cases, issues involving hidden assets, incomplete disclosures, or mistakes in agreements may create situations where disputes arise later.
⚖️ Can You Negotiate Your Own Divorce Settlement? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚖️ Many California couples successfully negotiate their own divorce settlements without lengthy court battles. When both parties are willing to communicate and cooperate, negotiated agreements can often save time, reduce stress, and lower legal expenses while still creating a fair outcome.
⚠️ What If Your Ex Refuses to Pay Alimony? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚠️ Alimony orders are legally enforceable—but problems can arise when payments stop. If your ex refuses to pay spousal support in California, there may be legal options available to help enforce the court order and address overdue payments properly.
⚖️ Can You Negotiate Your Own Divorce Settlement Without Court? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚖️ Many California couples are surprised to learn they can negotiate their own divorce settlement without going through stressful court battles. When both spouses cooperate, it's often possible to resolve important issues like property division, debts, support, and parenting arrangements through mutual agreement.
The judges discuss the importance of preparation, professionalism, and maintaining a practical approach to advocacy. They explain why understanding your client's goals, treating all courtroom participants with respect, and focusing on clear communication can have a significant impact on both the court and your client's interests. They also provide perspective on: Why thorough preparation remains the foundation of effective advocacy How professionalism and courtroom decorum strengthen an attorney's credibility What judges look for when attorneys appear opposite self-represented litigants Why respect for court staff matters and how judges notice interactions outside the courtroom The importance of answering judicial questions directly and clearly How practical problem-solving often leads to better outcomes than adversarial posturing What attorneys can do to build trust and communicate more effectively with the court Throughout the conversation, Judges Mitchell-Munevar offer candid observations from the bench and practical guidance for attorneys seeking to improve their courtroom advocacy and better serve their clients. Connect with us on social!Instagram: mcle.newenglandLinkedIn: Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE│New England)X (Formerly Twitter): MCLENewEnglandBluesky: mclenewengland.bsky.socialFacebook: MCLE New England Important Note:Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing high-quality, practical continuing legal education for the legal community. As part of its educational mission, MCLE presents a wide range of viewpoints and instructional content intended solely for educational purposes.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by individual participants in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of MCLE, its Board of Trustees, staff, or affiliated institutions. Inclusion of any material or commentary does not constitute an endorsement of any position on any issue by MCLE.
In episode 60 of Law in the Family, host Jen Ryan speaks with Shelly Grossman and Candice Komar about the growing use of arbitration as an alternative to traditional court proceedings in Pennsylvania family law matters. Attorneys Grossman, Komar and Ryan provide firsthand insights into the arbitration process, common misconceptions, and best practices for attorneys representing clients in arbitration. Topics include: the advantages of arbitration, procedural considerations, and strategies for achieving efficient, client-focused resolutions and offer valuable guidance for family law practitioners looking to expand their dispute resolution toolkit.Candice Komar is a founding member of the Pittsburgh law firm of Pollock Begg. She is the next PBA FLS Chair commencing July 2026. Shelly Grossman, Esquire, founded the Center for Family Resolution to provide alternative dispute resolution services to parties seeking to resolve their domestic relations issues outside of the court system. Having spent 15 years in private practice before serving more than 14 years as a Family Court Master in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she presided over hundreds of equitable distribution matters and custody disputes, Attorney Grossman brings over 30 years of family law experience to her practice. Host Jennifer R. Ryan is a partner at Boyd & Early Family Law, servicing Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Delaware counties. *audio editing, voice over & music by Nick DeMatteo
⚠️ Ex Refusing to Pay Alimony? Here's What You Can Do | Los Angeles Divorce
⚡ Is Uncontested Divorce Faster Than Contested Divorce? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚡ One of the biggest differences between uncontested and contested divorce is how long the process can take. When both spouses agree on major issues such as property division, support, and parenting arrangements, the divorce process is often much simpler and more efficient than a contested case involving disputes and court hearings.
⚖️ Can One Lawyer Represent Both Spouses in a Divorce? | Los Angeles Divorce ⚖️ Many couples who agree on everything wonder if they can simply hire one attorney to handle their divorce together. In California, an attorney generally cannot represent both spouses in the same divorce case because of potential conflicts of interest. That's why many amicable couples explore neutral alternatives for document preparation and filing assistance.
Divorce Mediation: Why Preparation Matters More than you Think Most people approach divorce mediation with one thought:"I have to do this."But what if that's the wrong mindset?Make you check out the $50 Divorce Crash Course. In this mini episode of How Not to Suck at Divorce, Andrea Rappaport explains why mediation can actually be one of the most valuable opportunities you'll have during your divorce—and how proper preparation can save you time, money, stress, and frustration.Too many people walk into mediation without a clear strategy, without understanding what they want, and without discussing realistic outcomes with their attorney. The result? Missed opportunities, wasted time, and unnecessary conflict.Andrea breaks down exactly how to prepare for mediation, what questions to ask your attorney, and why mediation should be viewed as an opportunity to move closer to your goals—not just another frustrating step in the divorce process.This episode is sponsored by Worthy: the smarter way to sell your jewelry. Get started by heading to Worthy.com/divorcepod and lock in an extra $100 when your item sells for more than $1,500.In This Episode, We Discuss:Why mediation is often misunderstood during divorceThe biggest mistake people make before mediationWhy preparation is critical to successful mediationHow to identify what you actually want from the processCreating a mediation strategy with your attorneyUnderstanding realistic outcomes before you walk into the roomHow to anticipate what your spouse may ask forWhy mediation can provide valuable information—even if no agreement is reachedThe importance of choosing the right mediatorHow mindset impacts divorce outcomesKey Takeaways✔️ Mediation gives you more control than having a judge decide for you✔️ Showing up unprepared can cost you valuable opportunities✔️ You should clearly define your goals before mediation begins✔️ Work with your attorney to develop a negotiation strategy✔️ Ask your attorney for best-case, worst-case, and most likely outcomes✔️ Even unsuccessful mediation can provide valuable information✔️ Mindset matters—view mediation as an opportunity, not a punishment✔️ The more prepared you are, the better positioned you'll be to advocate for yourself and your childrenQuestions to Ask Your Attorney Before MediationIs what I want realistic?What steps will help us get there?What do you think the other side is likely to ask for?What is the best-case scenario?What is the worst-case scenario?What is the most likely outcome?What concessions or "sweeteners" might help move negotiations forward?What should I expect during the mediation process?About the HostsAndrea Rappaport is a comedian, marketer, divorce survivor, and co-host of How Not to Suck at Divorce. Through humor, honesty, and practical advice, Andrea helps people navigate divorce with more confidence and less fear.Morgan L. Stogsdill is Head of Family Law at Beermann LLP and brings legal insight and real-world family law experience to every episode.Divorce Crash CourseThinking about divorce? Currently going through one?Our Divorce Crash Course walks you through the biggest mistakes people make during divorce, how to save money on attorney fees, what to expect during the process, and how to protect yourself legally and financially.Typically priced at $150, available now for $50, thanks to our angel underwriters, Our Family Wizard and Soberlink.