Divorce Dialogues

Divorce Dialogues

By Katherine MillerSociety & Culture
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Divorce Dialogues episodes

  • The Legal and Emotional Intersection of Divorce with Jill Murray & Adam Dodge
    Making the decision to end a marriage is stressful enough. But for those women who have been misled or misinformed about their legal rights, it may not feel like they have any choice at all. There is so much overlap between the emotional and legal aspects of divorce, women need guidance that encompasses both elements of the process.
    Jill Murray is one of the nation’s leading experts on unhealthy relationships. She has appeared on CNN, Dr. Phil, The Today Show and Good Morning America. Adam Dodge is a former divorce attorney who now serves as Legal Director of Laura’s House, an emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Together, Jill and Adam wrote The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Divorce, a resource to help women navigate the decision to end a marriage, the legal and emotional components of the process, and the challenges of the aftermath.
    Today, Jill and Adam join Katherine to discuss the intersection between the legal and emotional aspects of divorce. Jill explains how she conceived of the idea for The Empowered Woman’s Guide… and how it serves as a tool for therapists, lawyers and women considering divorce. Adam shares how he came to work with victims of domestic violence, his role in providing women with accurate legal information, and the important idea of ‘actions as evidence.’ Listen in for insight around the idea of love as a behavior, not just a feeling, and how to approach safely collecting information about your financial situation as you consider divorce.
    Topics Covered
    How Jill conceived the idea for The Empowered Woman’s Guide…
    The intersection between the emotional and legal aspects of divorce
    What led Adam to work with victims of domestic violence
    Adam’s shift to empowering clients to represent themselves
    Jill and Adam’s seamless writing process
    How the book affords choice to women considering divorce
    The subjects and opportunities to explore post-divorce
    Adam’s role in providing women with accurate legal information
    How the book functions as a resource for therapists and lawyers
    The feelings of loss and fear experienced by men in the divorce process
    The idea of ‘actions as evidence’
    Jill’s insight around love as a behavior, not just a feeling
    Collecting accurate data related to finances, laws in your jurisdiction
    How children deserve two emotionally healthy parents
    Connect with Jill Murray & Adam Dodge
    Empowered Woman’s Divorce Website: www.empoweredwomansdivorce.com
    Empowered Woman’s Guide… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmpoweredWomansGuide/?ref=br_rs
    Jill’s Website: www.drjillmurray.com/
    Adam’s Website: www.adamrdodge.com/
    Resources
    The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Divorce  by Jill Murray and Adam Dodge: amazon.com/Empowered-Womans-Guide-Divorce-Therapist/dp/1532026099
    Laura’s House: www.laurashouse.org/
    Books by Dr. Jill Murray: www.drjillmurray.com/books/
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    25 min
  • Navigating Your New Role as a Stepparent with Jean McBride
    Being a stepparent is tricky. How do you get involved in your stepchildren’s lives without overstepping? How do you go about disciplining a stepchild? How do you approach the holidays? Stepfamilies do have their benefits but taking on the role of a stepparent is never going to be easy. On the bad days, it can feel like you ‘set your hair on fire, and you’re trying to put it out with a hammer.’
    Jean McBride is a marriage and family therapist in Northern Colorado who has helped more than 20,000 families navigate divorce. She has spent the past 11 years specializing in post-divorce relationships, which encompasses parenting during and after divorce, remarriage and stepfamilies. Jean serves as a divorce coach trained in the Collaborative Divorce model as well as a speaker and consultant in the area of divorce and remarriage. She is the author of Encouraging Words for New Stepmothers and Talking to Children About Divorce.
    Today, Jean joins Katherine to share her take on why the role of stepmother is the most complex. She explains the difference in societal expectations for mothers and fathers, discussing how those expectations impact stepmoms and stepdads. Jean walks us through some of the common mistakes made by new stepparents and the ongoing discussion a new couple should have with regard to parenting. Listen in to understand the concept of diplomacy within a stepfamily and learn how to approach the holidays in a way that makes everyone feel welcome and equal.
    Topics Covered
    The complexity of taking on the role of stepmother
    The challenge for stepmothers to be involved without overstepping
    Jean’s advice for new stepparents
    Take it slow
    Let biological parent lead
    Why it can be simpler for stepfamilies if both adults have children
    How the societal expectations for fathers impact stepdads
    The common mistakes made by stepfathers
    The ongoing discussion a new couple should have about parenting
    Expectations
    Parenting style
    Communication
    Discipline
    The concept of diplomacy within a stepfamily
    How to make stepchildren feel welcome during the holidays
    The value in establishing new holiday traditions
    Mixing biological and stepparents at holiday celebrations
    Jean’s guidance for stepfamilies
    Manage expectations
    Get help (i.e.: books, online resources, life coach)
    Connect with Jean McBride
    Jean’s Website: www.divorcehelpforparents.com
    Resources
    Encouraging Words for New Stepmothers by Jean A. McBride: amazon.com/Encouraging-Words-Stepmothers-Jean-McBride/dp/0970772912
    Talking to Children About Divorce: A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Communication at Each Stage of Divorce by Jean McBride: www.amazon.com/Talking-Children-About-Divorce-Communication/dp/1623156858
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246
    Call (914) 738-7765
    25 min
  • Pioneering Collaborative Divorce in New York with Barry Berkman
    After 15 years of trying divorce cases in the courts, Barry Berkman had come to realize that ‘nobody ever won a divorce case.’ Litigation comes with a high price tag in the form of expense and the toxic effect on everyone involved, especially the children. So he started looking for a better way.
    At a mediation training in California in the mid-1990’s, Barry was inspired by stories of matrimonial lawyers using the collaborative process who hadn’t been to court in years. He returned to New York and started the state’s first collaborative practice. Today, Barry is a founding partner at Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, where he continues to specialize in matrimonial law and mediation. Barry teaches mediation at the Center for Mediation in Law, and he has been named among the Best Lawyers in America for eight years running.
    On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Barry joins Katherine to explain his role in bringing collaborative divorce to New York. He shares the advantages of collaborative law over mediation as well as the traditional litigation model. Barry speaks to the necessary shift in thinking for couples pursuing the collaborative process, discussing the role the lawyer plays in modeling a spirit of cooperation. Listen in for Barry’s insight on addressing mistrust through the collaborative divorce process and bringing in non-lawyers for additional support.
    Topics Covered
    Barry’s role in bringing collaborative divorce to New York
    The advantages of collaborative law over mediation
    How the collaborative process differs from traditional litigation
    The shift in thinking from win/lose to solving a common problem
    The exorbitant legal fees associated with a litigious divorce
    The unpredictable interpretation of equitable distribution
    How to address mistrust in the collaborative process
    ‘Let the documents decide’
    Experts to verify numbers
    Why litigation provides a false sense of protection
    How the collaborative process facilitates openness
    The collaborative lawyer’s role in modeling cooperation
    The non-lawyers who support the collaborative process
    Child specialist, parent coordinator
    Finance professionals
    Connect with Barry Berkman
    Barry’s Website: www.berkbot.com
    Phone 212-867-9123
    Resources
    Stu Webb on Divorce Dialogues: https://player.fm/series/dialogue-on-divorce/dialogue-on-divorce-with-stu-webb-the-founder-of-collaborative-law
    Hon. Sondra Miller on Divorce Dialogues: https://player.fm/series/dialogue-on-divorce/dialogue-and-divorce-with-hon-sondra-miller-on-why-its-so-important-to-stay-out-of-court
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    The New Yorker’s Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246
    Call (914) 738-7765
    24 min
  • Reframing Divorce as Evolution, Not Dissolution with Tara Eisenhard
    There is a great deal of shame associated with divorce, and much of the language we use around the process has an incredibly negative connotation—no one wants to be responsible for a ‘broken’ home or family. But Tara Eisenhard argues that we are all continually learning and growing, and divorce doesn’t have to be about dissolution. It can be seen as evolution, the opportunity to move forward toward new goals.
    Tara is a divorce coach and mediator on a mission to change the conversation about divorce in our culture. She also offers online courses and speaks at community events, sharing her GOOD Divorce Philosophy and inspiring a mindful approach to the process. Tara’s articles have been featured in DivorceForce, The Huffington Post and StepMom Magazine, among others. She is the author of The D-Word: Divorce Through a Child’s eyes as well as the Relative Evolutions blog.
    Today, Tara joins Katherine to share her take on divorce as an opportunity to move forward. She discusses the principles of nonviolent communication, explaining how divorcing couples can leverage the technique to get out of the conflict trap and closer to their goals. Tara speaks to her own positive experience as a child of divorce, walking us through the things her parents did well and how they might have improved. Listen in for Tara’s insight on how we define success or failure in a marriage and how to reframe the process as evolution—rather than dissolution.
    Topics Covered
    Tara’s mission to reframe divorce as evolution, not dissolution
    The way a new world opened up to Tara after her divorce
    Tara’s work as a divorce coach
    • One-on-one coaching
    • Mediation services
    • Online courses
    • Speaking engagements
    The similarities between physical and emotional wounds
    The shame around the topic of divorce
    The principles of nonviolent communication
    • Identify feelings and needs, offer empathy
    • Stop and consider goals in conflict scenario
    How The D-Word serves as a tool for the whole family
    Tara’s positive experience as a child of divorce
    The value of a regular family meeting to facilitate dialogue
    Tara’s GOOD Divorce Principles online course
    • Goals
    • Observations
    • Options
    • Dignity
    How the landscape of divorce is changing
    How we define success or failure in a marriage
    Tara’s intention to help clients hear their own voice
    Connect with Tara Eisenhard
    Tara’s Website: https://taraeisenhard.com/
    Resources
    The D-Word: Divorce Through a Child’s Eyes by Tara Eisenhard: https://www.amazon.com/D-Word-Divorce-Through-Childs-Eyes/dp/1475931395
    The GOOD Divorce Principles Course: https://taraeisenhard.com/courses/
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    26 min
  • Changing the Cultural Narrative Around Stepparents and Blended Families with Monique Honaman
    Stepparents tend to get a bad rap. Odds are, your first encounter with the role was through the archetype of an evil stepmother in a fairy tale like Cinderella. The cultural narrative depicts stepparents as a negative force in the life of a child—either ignoring, taking advantage, or actively working against them!
    Monique Honaman is on a mission to change the narrative. She has joined forces with her husband, Justin, to write BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom! A Child’s Guide to Understanding the Role of a Step-Parent. The picture book illustrates the positive role a bonus parent can play, not to replace either parent—but to be a ‘bonus’ trusted adult in the child’s life. Monique has also written two books for adults on the topic of divorce, The High Road Has Less Traffic and The High Road Has Less Traffic … and a Better View.
    Today, Monique joins Katherine to share the inspiration for BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom! She explains the message of the book and what she has learned from reader feedback. Monique discusses her own experience, offering advice on how to include the kids as you build a strong blended family. Listen in and learn how to avoid competition between step- and biological parents and reframe the stepparent as an additional positive role model—a BONUS!
    Topics Covered
    The impetus for BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom!
    The messages behind BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom!
    Bonus vs. replacement
    No superheroes
    Value words
    How competition between biological and stepparents puts kids in an unfair place
    Monique’s guidance for adults who feel threatened by stepparents
    Empathize with children
    Conversation with bonus parent
    Set ground rules, expectations
    The pros and cons of bonus parents who don’t have kids of their own
    What Monique learned in writing BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom!
    Applies to diverse situations beyond divorce
    Why the ‘core parent’ should handle issues like discipline
    How the bonus parent can serve as a trusted role model in a child’s life
    Monique’s advice for putting together a strong blended family
    The common thread among Monique’s High Road books and BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom!
    Monique’s mission to change the narrative around what it means to be a stepparent
    Connect with Monique Honaman
    Monique’s Website: http://highroadlesstraffic.com/
    Bonus Dad and Bonus Mom Website: www.contenderbrands.com/bonus-dad-bonus-mom/
    Resources
    BONUS Dad! BONUS Mom! A Child’s Guide to Understanding the Role of a Step-Parent by Justin and Monique Honaman: amazon.com/BONUS-Childs-Guide-Understanding-Step-Parent/dp/1940237084
    The High Road Has Less Traffic: Honest Advice on the Path Through Love and Divorce by Monique A. Honaman: amazon.com/High-Road-Has-Less-Traffic/dp/0615375340
    The High Road Has Less Traffic … and a Better View by Monique A. Honaman: amazon.com/High-Road-Has-Less-Traffic/dp/1940237033
    Janis Abrahms Spring: www.janisaspring.com/
    National Stepfamily Resource Center: www.stepfamilies.info/
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    25 min
  • Process Choice: The How of Divorce Settlement with Sarah Hechtman
    Once you’ve decided on divorce, the next step is to determine how you and your former partner will come to a resolution. Given that 97% of divorces in New York settle before a judge gets involved, it is in your best interests to explore the full spectrum of options and make an informed decision based on your particular circumstances. This is called process choice.
    Sarah Hechtman is a trained collaborative lawyer and family mediator. Before practicing family law, Sarah worked as a civil rights lawyer, prosecuting class action cases on behalf of children through Children’s Rights and Advocates for Children of New York. She also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County DA’s Office where she was a member of the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit. Sarah made the transition to family law in 2006, and since then she has handled complex divorce cases involving substantial financial assets as well as highly contested child custody cases. Sarah’s interest in the welfare of children coupled with her experience as a litigator led her to a commitment in helping clients resolve their family disputes outside the court system.
    Today, Sarah joins Katherine to share the definition of process choice, discussing the full spectrum of options divorcing couples have regarding how they will settle. She explains the mediation model, walking us through the value a mediator adds as a neutral third-party. Sarah also speaks to collaborative law, describing the professionals who may be included in the process. Listen in for Sarah’s insight around the myth of ‘having your day in court’ and how collaborative law enables the parties involved to craft their own resolution.
    Topics Covered
    The definition of process choice
    The full spectrum of paths to settlement
    How the ‘kitchen table’ template works without representation
    The value a mediator adds to the settlement process
    Big picture view
    Creative solutions
    Neutral third-party
    Who is involved in three-way and five-way mediation meetings
    The collaborative law model
    The role of a divorce coach
    The myth around having your ‘day in court’
    The concept of attribution error
    How collaborative law enables the parties involved to craft their own solution
    The circumstances under which litigation may be appropriate
    Domestic violence
    Safety of child at risk
    Need discipline of court
    Why the most highly contested cases involve mental illness
    How the court system is designed to address the worst possible circumstances
    Wasteful dissipation of assets exemplar
    Connect with Sarah Hechtman
    Sarah at Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/our-attorneys/sarah-b-hechtman
    Sarah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hechtman-10083418/
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    26 min
  • Selling Your Home in the Divorce Process with Anthony Sibio
    The divorce process initiates a time of radical change and transformation, and one major part of that change involves a potential change of address. As you and your ex-partner separate your assets, it may be necessary to sell the home you shared and make arrangements for a new place to live.
    Anthony Sibio is a licensed broker with Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Anthony has served the Pleasantville area for 15 years, and he sees his role as that of a trusted advisor tasked with helping each client achieve their particular goals. Anthony is a graduate of Iona College in New Rochelle, where he earned a BBA in marketing.
    Today, Anthony joins Katherine to explain how he handles a sale when the circumstances involve divorce. He discusses the seller’s tendency to overestimate the value of their home and walks us through his approach to comparative market analysis. Anthony speaks to the necessity of having a plan in place should your home sell quickly as well as the feasibility of keeping your children in the same school district. Listen in for Anthony’s insight on choosing the right broker, staging your home, and creating curb appeal.
    Topics Covered
    Why a real estate broker should remain neutral in cases of divorce
    The broker’s responsibility to communicate with both parties
    The seller’s tendency to overestimate their home’s value
    How Anthony carries out a comparative market analysis
    Walk through home, take notes
    Research nearby sales in last six months
    Anthony’s tips around staging your home to look spacious and tidy
    The benefits of pricing your home at fair market value
    How to garner the best possible price despite difficult circumstances
    How Anthony reasons with sellers who are overpricing their homes
    Provide range based on data
    Bank refuses mortgage if not fair market value
    Anthony’s take on the value of curb appeal
    How to choose a good broker if you’re going through a divorce
    The necessity of having a plan in place should your home sell quickly
    The best times of year to put your home on the market
    The feasibility of keeping your kids in the same school district
    Why Anthony recommends the option to buy out the other party
    How a broker’s consult differs from an appraiser’s analysis of fair market value
    Connect with Anthony Sibio
    Phone 914-319-2970
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    25 min
  • A Mindful Approach to Divorce with Nancy Colier
    How do you learn to be okay with not being okay?
    In a culture where we’re taught to run from discomfort, it can seem like quite a feat to stop and take inventory of what’s true for us in a particular moment—especially if what we’re feeling is pain. But Nancy Colier argues that ‘company with our own experience IS the healing.’
    Nancy is a psychotherapist and relationship coach whose work is grounded in mindfulness practices. She is the author of Inviting a Monkey to Tea: Befriending Your Mind and Discovering Lasting Contentment as well as The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World. A thought leader on the topics of wellbeing, mindfulness and technology, Nancy has been featured on Good Morning America and in The New York Times, Huffington Post and Psychology Today.
    Today, Nancy joins Katherine to share the definition of mindfulness and explain what it means to bring mindfulness to divorce. She walks us through the process of communicating in a less reactive, more compassionate way by speaking the truth of our experience. Listen in for Nancy’s insight around the connection between attention and love and learn how our capacity to be empathic impacts our relationships.
    Topics Covered
    Nancy’s simple definition of mindfulness
    What it means to bring mindfulness to the process of divorce
    How to be okay with not being okay
    How mindfulness helps us communicate in a less reactive way
    How to stop the conflict dynamic by speaking with the word ‘I’
    The danger in linking our freedom with changing another person
    How to get out of the dialogue of blame
    Fight with reality, reality wins
    Acceptance brings choice
    How we dodge intimacy with technology
    The connection between attention and love
    How the capacity to be empathic impacts our relationships
    Nancy’s insight on seeing disparity as ‘another freaking growth opportunity’
    Connect with Nancy Colier
    Nancy’s Website: http://nancycolier.com
    Resources
    Inviting a Monkey to Tea: Befriending Your Mind and Discovering Lasting Contentment by Nancy Colier: amazon.com/Inviting-Monkey-Tea-Befriending-Discovering/dp/1628480513
    The Power of Off: The Mindful Way to Stay Sane in a Virtual World by Nancy Colier: amazon.com/Power-Off-Mindful-Virtual-World/dp/1622037952
    Nancy’s Column in HuffPost: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/nancy-colier
    Nancy’s Column in Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inviting-monkey-tea
    Books by Nancy Colier: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Colier/e/B007U6A8ZY
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    26 min
  • A Humorous Look at the Divorce and Recovery Process with Kevin Cotter
    Laughter really can be the best medicine, even when what ails you is a painful divorce.
    When Kevin Cotter’s ex-wife moved out of their home, she left her wedding dress in its preservation box—on the middle shelf at the center of the closet. When Kevin asked her what he was supposed to do with it, she said, “Do whatever … you want, I’m not taking the dress!” He eventually shared this backstory with his family, and they brainstormed a number of ideas. It was Kevin’s sister-in-law who suggested that he could probably come up with 101 uses. The laughter was therapeutic, and Kevin realized that sharing his experience through a blog might benefit others as well.
    Kevin’s humorous look at the divorce and recovery process evolved to become the book 101 Uses for My Ex-Wife’s Wedding Dress: How One Man Took an Awkward Situation and Made It Hilarious and Practical. Today, Kevin joins Katherine to discuss the unexpected response he received upon launching the blog, from both men and women. He walks us through the evolution of the project, explaining the therapeutic nature of sharing his experience with others and sharing some of his favorite uses for the dress! Listen in for Kevin’s insight on how the time he spent with his brother helped him heal and learn how his ex-wife reacted to the project.
    Topics Covered
    The liberating nature of sharing the divorce experience
    The unexpected response Kevin received from both men and women
    How a family dinner inspired the 101 Uses… blog and book
    The healing quality of brainstorming uses for the dress with family
    How the project evolved from a simple list to a website
    Kevin’s favorite uses for his ex-wife’s wedding dress
    Darth Vader scarecrow
    Snow camouflage
    How Kevin found support through the people who reached out
    The difference between how men and women responded to the project
    How Kevin’s site connects charities with women looking to donate their dresses
    How Kevin’s ex-wife reacted to the 101 Uses… project
    Why spending time with his brother on the project was integral to Kevin’s healing
    Connect with Kevin Cotter
    My Ex-Wife’s Wedding Dress: http://myexwifesweddingdress.com
    Resources
    101 Uses for My Ex-Wife’s Wedding Dress by Kevin Cotter: https://www.amazon.com/101-Uses-Ex-Wifes-Wedding-Dress/dp/0451235894/
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    24 min
  • Evolving Laws Around Companion Animals and Divorce with David Favre
    Pets are family. As a growing number of people form emotional attachments with their animals, the divorce process is further complicated by decisions around who gets to keep the pets. What can people do to look out for the best interests of the animal involved? What does the law say?
    Professor David Favre practiced law in Virginia prior to joining the Michigan State University Law College faculty in 1976. An expert in animal law, David has written several articles and books dealing with issues like animal cruelty, wildlife law, the use of animals in scientific research and international control of animal trade. He is a national officer of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the ABA Committee on Animal Law, and David teaches Property, International Environmental Law, Wildlife Law and Animal Law at MSU.
    Today, David joins Katherine to explain the many facets of animal law and how it has evolved in the US over the last 150 years. He shares his take on animals as ‘living property’ and walks us through the legal process of creating a trust to provide for our pets. David speaks to decision-making about pets in the divorce process, offering insight around the emotionally changed nature of those discussions and why joint agreements are preferable to litigation. Listen in to understand the evolution of the law when it comes to animals and divorce—and learn how Alaska is at the forefront of legislation based on the best interests of the animal.
    Topics Covered
    The many aspects of animal law
    How animal law in the US has changed in the last 150 years
    The popularity and acceptance of companion animals
    The creation of trusts for animals in the 1990’s
    David’s take on the idea of animals as ‘living property’
    Human has legal control
    Animal has status above property
    How animals become a proxy for negative circumstances between people
    Making decisions about where the pet is placed after divorce
    Emotional attachment, comfort and support
    Financial well-being, best quality of life
    Why David recommends joint agreements over litigation
    The emotional nature of mediations involving pets
    The evolution of laws around pets and divorce
    Alaska first to give judge authority
    Placement based on best interest of animal
    David’s advice around providing for your animal through a trust
    Connect with David Favre
    David’s Faculty Profile: www.law.msu.edu/faculty_staff/profile.php?prof=12
    Resources
    Books by David Favre: amazon.com/David-S.-Favre/e/B001JSDCDY
    Connect with Katherine Miller
    The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/
    Miller Law Group: https://westchesterfamilylaw.com/
    Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1
    25 min

About Divorce Dialogues

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Divorce Dialogues helps people navigate divorce with dignity, clarity, and perspective. Through thoughtful conversations with experts and practitioners, the show explores the emotional, financial, legal, and relational realities of divorce, so listeners can make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and move forward with greater confidence.