DC and MD Matrimonial Lawyer Focusing on Custody, Divorce and Prenups
For over 20 years, Regina A. DeMeo has been helping families in MD and DC with custody and divorce issues either through mediation, litigation or advocacy. She is an alumna of Georgetown University and GW University Law School, who is nationally recognized as a top matrimonial attorney. She is frequently quoted in the media for her ideas to promote healthier relationships and featured in the Washington Post, ABA Journal and Bethesda Magazine for her care and commitment to her clients. As a legal commentator, she has appeared on Washington Post Express Facebook Live, ABC tv, Good Morning America, MMCTV, YouTube and Sirius XM, and has been quoted in various magazines, books and journals across the country.
Regina offers appointments in Maryland and DC. Her areas of practice include:
Latest Blog Posts by GenXSmartie
Stop the Madness- Learn to Disengage
A few years ago, I went to a wonderful seminar by Bill Eddy, who is the founder of the High Conflict Institute and author of many insightful books on how to deal with high conflict personalities (HCPs"). What I love most about my work as a divorce lawyer is watching someone transform into a butterfly as they find freedom and learn to fly on their own with their new wings. Unfortunately, many will falter for a while because they are unable to disengage with their spouse, who may well be an HCP. And so it is no secret that the worst part of my job is dealing with these HCPs, which are defined as people with (often undiagnosed) personality disorders that cannot simply be cured by popping some happy pills. Here are the 4 to watch out for, as I would describe them (remember I'm not a LCSW): 1. Narcissists- totally self absorbed, can't empathize at all with others; 2. Borderlines- severe attachment issues; 3. Anti-socials- truly can't distinguish between right and wrong; and 4. Histrionics- addicted to drama. Honestly, I knew nothing about HCPs when I graduated law school, and it wasn't until I started seeing some CRAZY behavior that I started researching more about psychology (which sadly is not a required course in law school.) Turns out, according to an NIH study about [...]
Every Rose Does Have Its Thorn
No, I'm not a huge Poison fan, never was, but I do remember when the song "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" came out, and that line has always stuck with me because it is just so true. Everyone to me is like a rose in the beginning-- especially on a first date, when we are all on our best behavior. But here is what I always know-- sooner or later, no matter how beautiful that rose may be, you will hit a thorn. The key to understanding why this happens is that we all have a vulnerable side, and usually it's when you hit that spot that you see someone become like a porcupine-- that prickliness is his/her protective mechanism. Now, I'm not suggesting you jump in the sack with every porcupine you encounter, but what I am proposing is cutting each other a little slack in the beginning. If someone says or does something that makes you pause, try to either ask what that is about or file the incident away for review at a later date. When you are dating, your mission is to gather information, and it's critical not to pass judgment too quickly until you have enough data. Of course, this assumes you've found an intellectual connection and some chemistry, because if you don't have that it is just game over, [...]
Let’s Revisit the Marriage Contract…
If you look at the traditional marriage vows, here's what they say: I take thee to be my wedded spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. So sweet and simple, right? Well, except that the lawyer in me now wants to clarify a few points and maybe add some footnotes-- particularly around the part about sickness and the "till death do us part." Let me explain why... As a matrimonial lawyer, I draft and negotiate contracts for people everyday-- sometimes for happy couples about to get married (that is about 25% of my practice), and the rest are for not so happy couples that need to separate and untangle their joint lives. After 15 years of observing family dynamics and 8 years of research as to what can make or break a marriage, I firmly believe it is these vows themselves that doom a couple if even just one truly believes that a person is going to stay in the marriage no matter what. Maybe so in ancient times, but NOT in the 21st century. We all understand and accept that everyone has good and bad days, that sometimes we'll have good financial years and other times we'll have lean years, and of course everyone [...]
The Quickie Divorce? It is Possible.
In the Netherlands, they have the Divorce Hotel, and there is a couple in Chicago that is now promoting the Weekend Divorce. Does this sound too good to be true? Not to me actually-- lots of couples cannot take time off of work during the day, and at night we all want to go home and unwind and spend time with our families. So, what if you could meet with a mediator on the weekend and hash out your legal issues? I've been asked to do this many times, and it's actually a very efficient process. Here is how it works: Upfront, a couple will submit their joint request for a mediation. They book a three hour block of time and pay upfront. They bring with them all of their financial info, and meanwhile I bring snacks and a flip chart. Part 1- We go over the basic rules of mediation, and an overview of the legal issues we must address. Part 2- Each side gets an equal amount of time to express his/her goals and concerns re the divorce. Part 3- We generate options (aka brainstorm solutions) on how to address the key points re (1) custody; (2) child support; (3) alimony and (4) property division. Part 4- Evaluate and narrow the options for an amicable resolution. Only lawyers can actually explain the law [...]