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
Are You Ready To Let The Cat Out Of The Bag?
When your relationship falls apart, it is a very personal feeling of loss that only you can come to terms with in your own time. If you are not ready to share the news, then don't unless of course, there are circumstances beyond your control that have accelerated the timeline for making your situation public. If you have time on your side, slowly build up to the idea of telling a few trusted friends and/or family members. The fact is you need their emotional support now more than ever, and keeping your grief to yourself is not helping anyone. Your loved ones will want to be there for you-- the longer you hide your pain, the worse they will feel later on that they were not there for you during the worst of it all. There is a lot you can do behind the scenes, very subtle things that most won't even notice. For example, take down old sappy posts on Twitter and Facebook and delete those lovey dovey photos on Instagram or other social media. Put away any of the daily reminders around the house of that person's existence. Meanwhile, create your own space-- redecorate, even if just by making a few minor changes, and start a new routine that is all yours. The point is to disengage [...]
Do You Need To Take A Break?
Listen to your gut-- if you feel like you need a break, don't try to convince yourself otherwise. Your partner may try to stop you, but don't let him/her scare you into sticking it out. What is wrong with taking a break? Nothing. Unless you or your significant other are afraid that absence will not make the heart grow fonder... which just confirms you need that break. When two people are in a good place, everything is so easy. You get along well, so you are able to relax and laugh while enjoying each other's company during a wide range of activities from the daily mundane chores to spectacular romantic dates that will remain memorable for the rest of your life. You feel secure and grounded, making it effortless to either stay present or look ahead to make plans for the future. Together, you can feel the warmth in the room that envelopes you like a soft, cuddly blanket that is oh so comforting. As you experience all this, you know without a doubt that this is love. But when you find yourself losing that loving feeling, and you are at odds with your significant other, the opposite becomes true-- everything seems off, and you can no longer relax. You wonder if you've lost your sense of humor, and it's [...]
3 Key Indicators A Divorce Is Imminent
After 17 years as a divorce attorney, I can easily spot the patterns of behavior that indicate a divorce is imminent. Here are the 3 most common ones: 1. Changes in Behavior- Either someone will join a gym and start working out more, or they now have to work late much more often than before, or maybe they have new friends that they have made on their own-- any of these become reasons they now avoid spending time at home. Your spouse will also hide his/her phone and emails. Privacy becomes increasingly important as they confide in others to prepare for the separation, and they don't want their emails or call history subject to scrutiny. 2. Separate Finances- If anyone wants to consult an attorney or start buying furniture for a new place, or they want to put a deposit on a new place or secure movers without letting their spouse know, they will pay these out of a separate bank or credit card account that the other spouse cannot access. If you ask questions and get a response saying "it's none of your business" you should know something is up. 3. No More Fun Together- It becomes a chore to make plans with someone that irritates you, and as a result you don't plan things together. It's hard to [...]
4 Major Pitfalls Stepfamilies Should Avoid
No one likes to makes mistakes, especially publicly. This is why a divorce is such a humbling experience, and yet eventually with time most will come to accept that they made the best choice for a spouse at the time with the information available then. Moving forward (since none of us can go back in time) all we can do is hope to be more cautious while remaining optimistic about the future. And this is how over 60% of those individuals that divorce will eventually remarry, hoping to get it right the second time around. Unfortunately, second marriages have a fail rate of 70% or more, and sadly not enough is done to really prepare these couples for the major challenges they will face early on, unlike first marriages. Here are 4 major pitfalls I would encourage step-families to avoid: 1. Don't expect to act like an intact family. You guys are not coming in with a clean slate- probably one or both of you will have a pre-existing obligation to a former spouse, such as child support or alimony, and there will be different custody schedules that have to be worked around for vacations and holidays with your new spouse. Coordinating priorities about time and money is bound to be tough. 2. Don't think the kids will share in [...]