July 11, 2025 -   There is a common misconception that ending a marriage signifies failure. From her extensive experience with clients and friends, Clare emphasizes that internalizing feelings of failure can hinder your ability to progress healthily. She encourages reflecting on behaviors during the marriage, recognizing areas for personal growth, and seeking support from professionals and friends. For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my webs [...]

June 24, 2024 -   In my latest video, I discuss the surprising benefits of taking a deliberate break during divorce mediation. From emotional readiness to financial changes and even high-conflict situations, taking breaks can help you return to mediation more prepared and focused, ultimately leading to successful outcomes. For more information about mediation, divorce, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com. [...]

June 5, 2024 -   How can considerable separate assets owned by one spouse impact the equitable distribution of marital property? In mediation, it's up to the couple to determine what they consider equitable, rather than leaving it to a judge or lawyers. This can be approached in several ways, but no matter what a couple decides, they must involve a financial professional to assess the implications of their different options.For more information about mediation, divorce, and famil [...]

March 27, 2024 -   In this video, Clare introduces the idea of using objective standards to evaluate a separation agreement, especially when spouses have differing views on what's fair. If you would like more information about mediation, prenups, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com. [...]

May 1, 2023 -   In this video, I address whether guilt belongs in divorce mediation. Consider several factors: thoroughly evaluating the agreement and its consequences, seeking objective advice to assess fault accurately, and projecting future feelings to avoid potential regrets. Clients ultimately make their own decisions in mediation but are advised to do so with awareness and understanding. If you would like more information about mediation, prenups, and family law, check [...]

April 13, 2023 -   If one party doesn't believe they are receiving what they're entitled to and the other party doesn’t agree to what they seek, your divorce mediation could be in jeopardy. In this video, we look at real issues that could be behind the resistance to or desire for something to which a party believes they are entitled.  If you would like more information about mediation, prenups, and family law, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com. [...]

March 7, 2023 -   My last article spoke about how high mortgage interest rates could complicate a buyout in your divorce mediation. In the second article of this series, we explore how a partial buyout might be the answer for the person who is not staying in the home but needs to have some cash right away. There are a couple of options that might allow this to work for your divorce. If you would like more information about mediation, prenups and family law, check out my website [...]

February 22, 2023 - This article is the beginning of a series about the disposition of the marital home for couples with children. When there are no children in the marriage, the usual plan for a divorcing couple is to sell and divide the proceeds. When there are children, one party may buy out the other in order for the children to remain in their school district, but today’s higher interest rates may complicate the buyout and the divorce.If you would like more information about me [...]

June 8, 2022 -   In a recent video, available on my website, I described what, in addition to having a signed separation agreement, a successful mediation would look like. In this follow up video, I talk about three things clients who experience those positive outcomes have in common. After watching the video, If you think that mediation is the process for you, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com, where there are many more articles and blogs on all things divorc [...]

May 24, 2022 -   As is often the answer to questions like this, it depends. In this case, however, the answer may depend on how you define success. What are your measurement criteria? Just ending up with a signed Separation Agreement might be one, but in this video, I look at some other aspects of the mediation process that may also be valid reasons for success.If you think that mediation is the process for you, check out my website — ClarePiroMediation.com. [...]

April 30, 2021 - {4 minutes to read} I often receive phone calls from potential clients telling me that they have settled everything and just want me to write up their agreement. When faced with this request, I explain that this is not what I do and why mediation would still be important even if they have discussed and agreed upon terms.  Terms that were Not Addressed Even if there are no minor children, it’s difficult to navigate through all of the terms that need to be con [...]

December 3, 2020 - {4 minutes to read} The other day a friend told me about a conflict she was having with another person and how that person behaved towards her. While the other person’s actions were pretty awful, there was something in the back story she described that made me think there was a misunderstanding and possibly an incorrect assumption of the other person’s motives. To my friend, the other person was acting spitefully and just being mean spirited. I gingerly brou [...]