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Bridges’ Divorce Coaches

A divorce coach is a mental health professional – often a psychologist or an LCSW – who assists the client to effectively move through the divorce. The “divorce coach” is unique to collaborative law. There is an emotional component…
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Meeting Anger in Children

During times of transition and grief, parents often expect sadness and anxiety as the news of a divorce is shared and daily activities and homelife changes. We practice empathizing and soothing our children, creating structures and plans to…
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Divorce Coach

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Choosing between Mediation and Collaborative Law

When you go through the divorce process, you will need to address all of the same issues regardless of the process you choose.  When you are choosing between mediation and Collaborative Law, you are choosing how you want to discuss those issues. There…
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FAQ – Winter 2022

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) I’m worried that my partner might not be fair to me in the divorce process. How can we try to work together in a peaceful process but still make sure I am taking care of myself? Divorce is…
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Can Divorce be Easy?

First, a couple of definitions:   Amiable Divorce: You discuss, you negotiate, and you agree about children/parenting, support and finances/property.   Difficult Divorce: You tried, but you can't agree on some or all of the…
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“So you’re trying to get divorced, and now you’re both working from home.”

Our new life, sheltering in place is in full swing.  Oregonians have been at it awhile and divorcing couples and families are experiencing a wide range of circumstances, challenges and perks. Maybe you’re both still working, just one of…
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How to Avoid an Expensive Divorce

If you want to avoid an expensive divorce, the biggest piece of advice is to figure out a way the two of you can work together. If you go to mediation and or use the Collaborative Divorce process, you can find agreement the issues without the…
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Stimulus Package 2021

What We Should Know About the Stimulus Package of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law on March 12, 2021 for the purpose of addressing the financial fall out for so many families from COVID 19.  The provisions range from agriculture and nutrition assistance to education…
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Divorce Cost
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How Much Will This Divorce Cost?

The cost of a divorce varies depending on the style of divorce you choose. From Collaborative Divorce to Mediation to Litigation, or even if you come up with the agreement completely on your own, there will always be documents that must be…
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How to not fight
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How (Not To) Fight

I picked up a little book at my daughter’s house last week while riding out the ice storm and long power outage here in Oregon. The author was Thich Nhat Hanh, a beloved peacemaker. The title was How to Fight. *   How can that be?? Thay…
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Top 10 Tips to have a Successful First Virtual Divorce Mediation or Collaborative Session

Location -  It’s important to find a private, quiet space where you can focus and hear without too much distraction. Sometimes, it’s the car, and other times, a den or patio works well. Try to think about best areas for reception, good…
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What Is A Good Co-Parenting Relationship?

The effects of a divorce on the children involved can be detrimental to their development into healthy adults. A 2019 study published in the journal World Psychology revealed that while most children of divorce go on to lead well-adjusted lives,…
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Negotiating with Your Partner: Look Ahead, Not Backwards

  A colleague recently shared some training materials from Bill Eddy, founder of  High Conflict Institute.  This article shares some of Bill’s wisdom on how to help resolve conflicts by making effective proposals. Setting…
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Intel Corp
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Retirement Basics for Divorce – Part 2 – Intel Plans and related benefits, as of September 2020

Intel is one of Oregon’s largest employers and has several different retirement benefits for their employees. Here is a list of the different plans that may exist (depending on hire date and position within the company): Intel 401(k)…
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Retirement Basics for Divorce in Oregon: Part 1 – Pension Plans

Here are some tips for information gathering and decision making to get started in the area of retirement benefits in an Oregon divorce. It is very important to consult with a family law or financial professional in your area, and this article…
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Dignity and divorce
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How to Divorce with Dignity and Respect

Television shows and movies often depict divorces as being highly contentious. Each party does his or her best to make the other one pay, both financially and emotionally. In real life, it does not have to be that way. Many couples are now doing…
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COVID-19, Energy Conservation and Divorce Settlement

COVID-19 is guiding us to see inefficiencies and find new ways to help ourselves and others.  We hear a lot about energy efficiency in cars and conserving fuel usage.  But we don’t think as much about energy as our life force and conserving…
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What should I know about divorce during COVID-19 in Oregon?

Is it possible to start and complete a divorce during social distancing and “shelter in place?” orders? Short answer is, yes. 100% of a mediated, collaborative, or uncontested “kitchen table” divorce can be done remotely through phone,…
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Giving Thanks After a Split

When you’re a child of divorce, holiday celebrations can come with a lot of baggage.   Check out this first-person article about new Thanksgiving “traditions” (it's older, but still appropriate). [click the turkey]   "On…
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