Moniz Law & Mediation, P.C.

10/12/2026

MONIZ MONDAY
Practical insights on divorce, mediation & family law

What is collaborative divorce?

Collaborative divorce is an alternative to traditional divorce litigation that allows spouses to work toward a settlement without having a judge make decisions for them.

In the collaborative process, each spouse is represented by an attorney specially trained in collaborative law. Rather than approaching the divorce as an adversarial process, the spouses and their attorneys work together to identify concerns, exchange information, explore options, and negotiate an agreement that addresses the needs and priorities of both parties.

Depending on the circumstances, the collaborative team may also include other professionals, such as a neutral divorce coach to help facilitate communication and manage the emotional challenges of divorce, and/or a financial neutral to assist with understanding financial information and evaluating settlement options.

An important distinction is that the spouses and their attorneys agree to resolve their differences outside of contested court proceedings. If the collaborative process ends without an agreement and either spouse decides to pursue litigation, the collaborative attorneys must withdraw, and the spouses will need to retain new litigation counsel.

For couples who want the guidance and advocacy of their own attorneys while maintaining greater control over the decisions affecting their family and financial future, collaborative divorce may be an option worth considering.

Every family is different, and understanding the available approaches can help you determine which process best fits your circumstances.

Moniz Law & Mediation, PC
Helping you understand your options and make informed decisions.

10/05/2026

MONIZ MONDAY
Practical insights on divorce, mediation & family law

If we are using a mediator, do I still need my own attorney?

A mediator is neutral and cannot represent either spouse individually. That does not mean, however, that you cannot consult with your own attorney during the mediation process.

It is recommended that you meet with an attorney outside of mediation to better understand your legal rights, review financial information or settlement proposals, discuss questions that arise during mediation, or review a proposed divorce agreement before signing it.

This type of limited or consultative representation can provide individual legal advice while allowing the couple to continue resolving their divorce through mediation.

There is no single process that works for every family. Understanding the different levels of legal assistance available can help you decide what makes sense for you.

Moniz Law & Mediation, PC
Helping you understand your options and make informed decisions.

09/28/2026

MONIZ MONDAY
Practical insights on divorce, mediation & family law

What exactly is divorce mediation?

Divorce mediation gives spouses an opportunity to work through the decisions that need to be made in their divorce with the assistance of a neutral mediator.

The mediator does not represent either spouse or make decisions for them. Instead, the mediator helps identify the issues, facilitates productive discussions, provides legal information when appropriate, and helps the parties work toward an agreement they can both accept.

For couples who are able to communicate and want to maintain greater control over the process, mediation can provide an alternative to resolving every issue through the courts.

Every family is different, and part of the process is determining which approach is the right fit for your circumstances.

Moniz Law & Mediation, PC
Helping you understand your options and make informed decisions.

09/21/2026

I am excited to share that I have earned the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation.

Throughout my career, I have believed that one of the most important responsibilities of an attorney is to help clients understand their options before making important decisions. Divorce often involves significant legal, financial, and practical considerations, and clients deserve to understand not only the available options, but also the potential implications of each.

Earning the CDFA® designation strengthens my ability to help clients identify and evaluate the financial aspects of divorce settlements so they can make informed decisions that align with their goals. It complements my commitment to educating clients, exploring options, and providing thoughtful legal guidance—not by making decisions for them, but by ensuring they have the knowledge and perspective needed to make decisions for themselves.

I look forward to continuing to serve clients throughout Massachusetts through mediation, collaborative law, settlement-focused representation, and other family law matters with the same philosophy that has always guided my practice:

Helping You Understand Your Options. Empowering You to Make Informed Decisions.

03/08/2025

12/24/2024

Happy Holidays!

05/30/2024

Thanks Erica Corrigan for inviting me to join this great panel of speakers. Whether you are looking to purchase your first home or have not gone through the home-buying process in many years this will be an informative event!

Please share and invite those actively looking to buy or even just thinking about it. It is never to early to be informed, set financial goals and understand the process! Looking forward to this event and seeing you there!

Join us for a casual and informative Home Buying Seminar where you can learn all the tips and tricks to finding your dream home!

03/23/2024

Good news for mediation clients - eFiling Has Arrived for 1A Joint Petition Divorces in Massachusetts https://mcfm.org/blog/content/efiling-has-arrived-1a-joint-petition-divorces-massachusetts

03/23/2024

This is definitely worth sharing again…

This is some of the best parenting advice I've ever received, and it came from our precious friend Elizabeth Gilbert. (I only ask folks who don't have kids for parenting advice. They're the only ones sane enough to have any real insight.)

The March column for O, The Oprah Magazine is about Liz's advice, and learning that, because life is not safe, our task is not to promise our kids there will be no turbulence. It's to assure them that when the turbulence comes, we will all hold hands and get through it together.

You can read it here: http://www.oprah.com/inspiration/glennon-doyle-melton-parenting-children-of-divorce

05/16/2023

It is great when you ask a potential new client how did you hear of me and the answer is a prior client referred me and speaks very highly of you. I worked with this prior client many many years ago. It means a lot especially when it is a prior divorce client, as it is certainly not alway a pleasant or happy area of law.

It made me pause and then it occurred to me that I am also currently working with a divorce client from over 10 years ago on a modification. I must be doing something right to be remembered and recommended by former clients! Sometimes you just need to pause and recognize these moments!

Thank you for all of you that keep me in mind for divorce, family law and real estate needs. I truly appreciate you.