collaborative divorce

Collaborative Law
Avoid These Common Mistakes Often Made in High Net Worth Divorces
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices February 23, 2021September 15, 2026
Like other marriages, high-net worth couples don’t just divorce without reason. Heartache is heartache no matter portfolio size; however, when there are significant assets, such as business interests, real estate, large retirement accounts, investments, and other assets on the line, emotional decisions can wreak havoc on high-net worth divorce settlements, and the spouses’ assets after the divorce. As New Hampshire divorce attorneys who represent couples in high-net-worth divorces, we thought we’d list some common mistakes made by couples with high-net worth during divorce. Fortunately, these mistakes can be avoided with quality legal counsel. Contact Law Offices of Parnell, Michels & McKay Our law practice covers every area of family law and includes all divorce and post-divorce issues, unwed parenting and property issues, domestic violence, adoption,…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Tell Tale Signs That Divorce Might Be Around the Corner
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices September 17, 2020September 15, 2026
In the beginning, marriages can be a lot of fun! You get engaged, walk down the aisle, honeymoon at the beach and spend time day dreaming about the life you will build together. However, as time goes on, situations and people change. Over time, you or your partner may begin to question the relationship and the stability of the marriage. You may be contemplating separation or you may even already be living independently. And, while most rocky marriages can be revived through marriage counseling, guidance and therapy; sometimes, after all other support avenues are exhausted, divorce is simply the answer. How do you recognize trouble in the relationship? While each relationship has its own living, breathing dynamic, there are some early warning signs that commonly…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Divorce: A Personal Perspective
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices June 1, 2019September 15, 2026
With almost 50% of all marriages in the United States ending in divorce or separation, most people you encounter will have one ‘crazy’ family story or another. Sadly, when I was 13 years of age, my parents decided it was time to end their marriage and get a divorce. At the age of 13, I did not fully understand why they were leaving each other and the circumstances around it. Nothing too bad was going on, in reality, they just weren’t in love with each other anymore and wanted to separate. Of course, they had their moments, but from what I have seen throughout my life, most divorces are very difficult.At such a young age, my parents did not expose me to the legalities surrounding…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Considering Premarital Cohabitation In An Equitable Division of Property
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices January 15, 2018September 15, 2026
In August of 2016, the New Hampshire Supreme Court issued a decision In the Matter of Munson and Beal which gives the Court the clear ability to consider the parties’ premarital cohabitation in the determination of an equitable division of marital property.Every discussion about the division of marital property begins with what is marital property. Many clients come into our office with the belief that assets titled to that party individually or assets that the party brought into the marriage are not marital assets. This is wrong. In New Hampshire, RSA 458:16-defines marital property as all assets titled to either party individually or to the parties jointly. This means that all assets are marital assets, no matter how they are titled. The statute also requires…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Closing of Supervised Visitation Centers Complicates Contested Parenting Cases
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices December 11, 2017September 15, 2026
The Greater Nashua Supervised Visitation Center is expecting to close its doors at the end of the year due to a lack of federal funding. This closure further reduces the options available to parents needing supervision of their parenting time. Since the 2014 closing of the Manchester YWCA supervision center, only a handful of supervised visitation centers remain in New Hampshire. In 2016, Focus on Families opened in Manchester, filling part of the void. However, due to the limited hours each of the centers offer for supervision services, there is often more cases needing supervision than time available to supervise. With the closing of the Greater Nashua Supervised Visitation Center, the shortage of available supervision will only increase. Supervised visitation centers serve an important role…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Co-Parenting Dos and Don’ts
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices July 6, 2017September 15, 2026
Several months ago, this blog discussed the value of good co-parenting. All too often, the media plagues its consumers with disheartening narratives like the vindictive ex-wife or the deadbeat dad. Unquestionably, Family Law is a field bursting with deep-seated emotions. The most important thing for any parent is their child. Parents want to make sure their kids are safe and secure, both financially and physically. Parents want to ensure their children grow up healthy, happy, and successful. They want a better life for their children. In fact, what is often lost in the media’s tropes are the impact such narratives have on children. These tropes can arise from toxic co-parenting. A consistent and constant problem in a number of cases before New Hampshire’s Family Courts…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Co-Parenting: Sacrificing Your Own Desires for the Betterment of your Child
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices March 6, 2017September 15, 2026
Family Law is arguably the legal profession’s most volatile field. Certainly, there are a number of other fields that could vie for this claim. Intellectual Property law is in constant flux, there is often palpable tension at Real Estate closings, and in Criminal Law, individual freedom often hangs in the balance. However, it is in the realm of Family Law that those with deep emotional hurt must plot out the remaining years of those who are most important to them: their children. All too often, individuals are blinded by their disgust and anger with their ex-partners to properly address co-parenting. Are there times when a parent effectively has chosen to alienate themselves from their child? Unfortunately, that answer is sometimes yes, but a significant majority…
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Collaborative Law | General News
New Hampshire Collaborative Divorce Honors Catherine P. McKay with 2016 John Cameron Award
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices October 16, 2016September 15, 2026
We are proud to announce that Catherine P. McKay has been named the 2016 John Cameron Memorial Award winner for her service towards the development of Collaborative law in New Hampshire. This award is given annually to the individual who best represents and moves forward the goals and ideals of collaborative law. The late John Cameron was once quoted by Attorney McKay as having a “collaborative heart”. He, like Catherine McKay, recognized the benefit of keeping legal disputes out of Court and allowing parties to obtain their own relief by working together. This takes the focus off of litigation and the negativity that can accompany it and instead focuses on a more progressive approach to legal problem-solving. Collaborative law is an ideal option in family…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
What Is Recrimination and How Does It Affect Adultery Divorces In NH?
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices September 6, 2016September 15, 2026
Divorce is an area of family law that frequently delves into the sensitive foundation of the parties’ relationship. Some clients come in emotional, hurt, and raw, looking to determine the exact cause of their divorce. However, fault-based divorces are difficult to prove in and of themselves. Moreover, parties must prove that the alleged fault was the exact and only cause of the breakdown of the marriage. Even when the parties are convinced they can achieve a fault-ground divorce (like adultery), there are a number of traps and pitfalls for potential Petitioners. The defense of “recrimination” is one such example. As a practical matter, this defense is frequently conjoined with a cross-petition for a fault-ground divorce to help support this legal defense. In August of 2016,…
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Collaborative Law | Family Law
Collaborative Divorce: Why You Want to Consider the Collaborative Approach to Divorce
ByParnell, Michels & McKay Law Offices April 6, 2016September 15, 2026
Collaborative divorce is an approach to problem resolution in the family law setting. In New Hampshire, parents are often required to discuss and agree on a “parenting plan” which encourages collaborative resolution. It is an alternative dispute resolution technique for resolving conflicts and reaching agreements using cooperation rather than adversarial techniques and litigation. It recognizes the value of an attorney, but avoids the involvement of the Court. The idea is that the parties will fully cooperate in the process. The result of the process is that the divorcing parties develop skills through the collaborative process that will assist them in addressing not only the issues common to divorce but also the inevitable issues that all parents confront as their children grow. The Collaborative process incorporates…
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