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
Making Glue in Our Relationships
During the day, I get paid to be pragmatic-- to give people advice in their prenups or divorces that is completely stripped of any emotion. This is how we are trained in law school-- to focus on the facts, and detach from our client's emotions. Those who choose to go to law school probably already have strongly exhibited this ability to compartmentalize-- a real strength in business, but a real weakness in personal relationships. Our personal relationships are based on love, trust, and hopefully mutual admiration. It's all about opening up your emotions, breaking down barriers, and letting someone into your world. To build a healthy relationship with someone (after you've gone through the initial 20 questions phase) you need to work on what I call making glue-- enjoying experiences together and sharing fun activities that will provide awesome memories so when you hit a rough patch (and we all do at some point) the glue is what binds and keeps you together. Making glue doesn't have to be expensive-- it could be a hike, impromptu picnic, or even just washing a car together. Hosting a BBQ as a couple, enjoying a kayak trip, or doing a family outing with kids is all part of an important process, where you spend quality time and show one another that you are [...]
Ignoring Some Traditions May Actually Save Your Marriage & Bank Account
I have to say, I was overwhelmed with joy when I read about the low key affair that Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan put together this weekend. Everyone knows I love weddings and celebrating happy occasions, but some of the costs for these things have totally gone out of control! Back in 1997, when I was planning my wedding, I have to say it was a very tense time. All I wanted to do was elope-- go somewhere fun, exchange my vows with my husband-- simple no fuss, no frills. Unfortunately, the groom did not share in this vision-- he, being an only child, did not want to rob his family of the wedding celebration. Arguments over such minor things like the price of flowers, transportation for guests, menu choices, etc. ensued, and it is a miracle that we survived that year. Seven years later when we split, we had nothing to show from the actual party, and I couldn't care less about the wedding gifts. What did I care about the most? My son, and the pictures from all our wonderful trips, including our honeymoon in Hawaii. I think that says it all. Some of my friends joke that my new status is "in-between husbands." I have no idea if that day of exchanging vows will ever happen again, but there [...]
Let’s Have a Candid Talk About Sex
A recent study says that the average couple spends 42 minutes having sex, and the normal frequency is 1-3 times a week. That may seem low, but keep in mind that people at various ages have different energy levels, and there is a wide range among individuals with respect to their sex drives and stamina. Now, I'm not about to tell what category I fall into, but I am going to tell you this: one of the clearest signs that your relationship is in trouble is when you are not at least meeting the minimum average of making love once a week. We all get tired from work, dealing with our kids, etc. but if you cannot even find 42 minutes a week to have an intimate moment with your partner, what does that really say about your priorities? We all need to feel loved and wanted. There is no greater crush to someone's ego than feeling rejected by your own partner. I believe the opposite also holds true-- there is no greater boost to your ego than knowing that there is this amazing person that has chosen to give up all other options out there to be with you, just you. To touch someone in a way that no one else can-- know exactly what they like, how they [...]
Facebook and Its Impact on Marriages
Last night on ABC news, I got to weigh in on the impact of Facebook on marriages. Sadly, time is always limited on the air, so there is a lot that I did not get to cover-- but thankfully there is always this blog for me to finish expressing all my thoughts that may not make it on the air each week! It used to be that only the rich and famous were surrounded by temptation on a daily basis, but now thanks to modern technology and social media, we all are-- and that means no one is safe from the threat of an outsider looking to explore his/her options with you or your partner. So how can you protect your marriage from these outside threats? Simple-- by not ignoring the problems in your marriage or trying to avoid conflict. Let's be real-- marriage is hard work, and it is a constant work in progress. Many seem to forget this fact-- at least the 50% that I see needing my legal services with a divorce. What I've observed is that when you take each other for granted and ignore issues, you are setting the stage for disaster to strike. What seems to be happening much more these days is that a seemingly innocent reconnection with an old friend on Facebook [...]