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
Understanding the Complexties of Adultery
Over half the divorce cases I handle involve adultery, and over the past decade I have represented a fair amount of clients on both sides of this issue. My experience is that it is not the reason for the break down of the marriage, but rather a symptom of a larger issue that has gone unaddressed for some time. Those that have committed the transgression typically fall into 2 distinct camps: 1) there are those who feel terribly guilty, and as a result may want to be far more generous than what would be considered reasonable from a legal perspective, and 2) those who feel that it was not at all their fault, this is what they were driven to do. Either way, with the person that has committed the affair, it is simply my job to explain how this may impact his/her divorce case, the process ahead, etc. Emotionally, the adulter is usually in a far better place than his/her spouse in the sense that this person has already moved on from the marriage for they have been detached for a while, and now they are usually relieved to end this dysfunctional charade. Dealing with the betrayed spouse, however, is far more complicated. Often times, they have just learned the news and are grappling with a million unanswered questions, [...]
Lasting Impressions
I was having lunch with my step-brother the other day, and even though we are only 10 years apart, it struck me how that one decade has made Gen Y and Gen X think so differently. Our experiences growing up based on events that transpired world wide definitely have left lasting impressions on us, and these impressions continue to shape us as adults. As a child, I remember the Carter days, and everyone complaining about inflation. Then, Reagan became President, and delivered these great messages about hope. He had faith in American values and our future, and shortly thereafter, I saw the Berlin wall come down and the Cold War came to an end. We had a great economic boom in the 80's and 90's, which coincided with my formative academic years all through law school. When I graduated, there were still plenty of jobs, and spirits were high. Then, a few years later the twin towers in New York and the Pentagon in DC were hit on September 11, 2001, and everything changed. For those of us lucky enough to remember the good times prior to September 11, 2001, I think we remain filled with hope and take solace in our memories of better days. But for those that lack those things, I'm not sure what guidance to provide. This [...]
10 Virtues of Being Married
The last several years, I have had the distinct vantage point of crossing over two separate worlds-- on alternating weekends I am surrounded by my happily married friends with children, then the next by single professionals in their 30'-50's. As much fun as I have had with the latter group, I really have to thank the former one for keeping me grounded and sane. As exciting as the whole dating game can be, it is not lost on me that the goal is in fact to find a life-long partner, and whenever I've found myself losing faith in that possibility, it is married friends that restore my faith in love and humanity. It is these friends, who are truly reaping the joys of married life, that fill my heart with hope and help me remember the many benefits of being married. Here are some of my favorites: 1. You do not have to face life's challenges alone-- you are part of a team; 2. You have a guaranteed date for weddings, galas, benefits, etc; 3. You can divide up the household chores; 4. You can plan trips, vacations, adventures together; 5. You can share in each other's success, and that of your children; 6. You can problem-solve together and bounce ideas off each other; 7. You have a sympathetic ear [...]
Emotional Baggage
We each carry our own set of “emotional baggage” some just have heavier loads than others. Quite recently, a friend shared with me an analogy that has really proven useful with others. She said, “if you don’t empty out your suitcase after each trip, the suitcase will just get heavier and heavier with all that dirty laundry. Sooner or later, a time will come when you need to face that mess.” Well, from personal experience I just want to say that I wish I had faced my dirty laundry ages ago. Instead, it all exploded on me at once. Thankfully, I was surrounded by kind people willing to help me wash, fold and put away all that laundry. Finding healthy outlets is also key: exercising, meditating, writing and talking about our feelings are all great ways to deal with the pain and sorrow inflicted upon us by life’s challenges. Another useful thing that I have learned is that anger is just a more aggressive way of exhibiting disappointment, and that actually stems from expectations we set and that are not met. What is noteworthy is that ending this horrible cycle is completely within our control—for if we do not set unrealistic expectations upon others, we are far less likely to be disappointed and/or angry. Trust me, it is a far [...]