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
What Is Conscious Dating?
A mindful approach to dating is very different from the hook up culture model where as long as there is some chemistry in the beginning, you give the person a shot until it ceases to be fun, and then you simply move on to the next adventure. Conscious dating involves the following steps: 1. A self exploration process- This is where you look at past patterns and identify those negative behaviors you want to break. Kick those bad habits, including any false assumptions you have made about having a specific "type" that is limiting you from expanding your options. Recognize your attachment style and think about the qualities you want to find in a potential partner. 2. Set clear goals and intentions- Do you want a casual relationship or are you seeking a committed relationship? What shared interests are important to you? What are your deal breakers? Know that if you want something more meaningful, this is going to take time and patience. 3. Pay attention- When you are getting to know someone, really listen to what they are saying and see if their actions match their words. Are you at ease with this person, or do somethings make you feel uneasy? Don't ignore red flags or dismiss your concerns. For example, if someone is spending money like it is [...]
Are You Ready to Get Engaged?
Most couples get engaged between November and February each year, and then the wedding planning takes over for another 6-9 months until the big day. During that time, a couple will formulate a guest list that will not only drive the choice of a venue, but also the costs of the caterer and floral arrangements. Selecting the right entertainment and photographers to capture the special day are also important, as are coordinating the proper attire and transportation of all the key members of the wedding party. Add on the costs of the invitations, rings, gratuities to all the service providers, and a honeymoon, and without much imagination it is easy to see why the average U.S. wedding costs at least $25,000. Now, for a fraction of that cost, don't you think it is wise to invest in a prenuptial agreement in case you wind up in the 50% bracket that do not wait until death to part? Even if you currently do not have anything, don't you expect to buy a house together and accumulate some savings? What if you inherit money later on or develop intellectual property rights that might actually be worth something? What is the downside to having a discussion about what you think should be marital versus what should be kept separate? And do you really [...]
5 Key Issues in a Divorce
What most people going through a divorce dwell on is the why, or how did we get to this point? Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of having a closure conversation, and many will be deprived of the apology they so long for, and perhaps rightly deserve. Ultimately, it only takes one person to call it quits, and often one party feels a bit blind-sided. The leaver undeniably has a clear head start on the process, no matter how quickly the other tries to catch up, which makes the whole experience feel a bit imbalanced and unjust. But these are all emotional issues that actually play a very small role in the legal process. Here are the questions that a divorce court will focus on: Alimony- Does one party need support from the other? Is the other able to help the economically dependent spouse, and if so in what amount and for what duration? Property Division- What did the parties accumulate during the marriage, and how can we divide the assets fairly? Is anyone claiming premarital assets need to be traced out, or that inheritance or gifts from third parties were received during the marriage that need to be excluded from the marital pie? Legal Custody- Can the parents continue to make shared decisions on major issues such as education, medical care and [...]
Have You Dealt With Your Baggage?
Anyone over the age of 35 that has gone through a divorce has baggage-- even if there were no children that resulted from that marriage. We all have poured time and energy into a relationship that failed, and when all your hopes and dreams for that marriage are shattered, it is normal (and healthy) to take some time to wonder: What went wrong? What could have been handled differently? And most importantly, what did this experience teach me? First, let's explore what might have gone wrong. Did you argue about kids? Did you have conflicts over money? Did someone do something to breech the trust or lose the respect you once had for each other? Did you have issues with intimacy or communication? Were you not on the same page about work-life balance, the division of labor, family or the future? Were you unable to handle a crisis together? Were expectations not met, or did someone drastically change? Any one of these could cause a marriage to collapse instantly if not handled properly. Now, what could you have done differently? Did you seek the advice of an individual therapist, couple's counselor or financial planner/CPA? Did you read any books or talk to others with similar issues? Did you try to talk about your issues, and how did you bring up [...]