Karen A
Myatt
Legal & Consulting Services
Divorce. The word sounds harsh, and it has come to be synonymous with war. Two people disappointed by their promising beginning’s end spend time, energy and money acting out their serial unhappiness with each other.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Think of the end of a marriage as a cleaving, two souls separating from the same path and moving off in different directions. They return to that path from time to time to serve the needs of what their marriage has brought: children, property, business interests, pets.
Think of maintaining family relationships, respecting the needs and emotional health of children and honoring the family’s shared past.
It is possible to divorce without war. As a mediator, I am dedicated to helping couples decide whether to end their marriage and, if so, figure out how to move through the temporary discomfort of rearranging family life into two separate households and taking legal steps to achieve it.
I help unmarried parents and parents-to-be
negotiate the unfamiliar terrain of coparenting.
I help Divorced families seeking to modify their original plan
to come to the table and devise a new one.
All of this can be done by mediation if parties are willing to cooperate, disclose all finances and compromise.
Mediation takes less time, is less expensive and encourages people to comply with the agreement they reached.
In some cases, alternative dispute resolution does not work. Generally that is due to the personality or emotions of one or more parties, intrusion by their families or friends and, sometimes, the attorney warriors they have chosen.
Where mediation is possible, my representation is effective and efficient. Parties exit mediation with an agreement and parenting plan to be approved by the court.
For clients who entrust cases to me, I have a team approach, pairing clients with whatever resources they need.
Rarely is a divorce the only challenge clients face. They may need lawyers who specialize in bankruptcy, criminal law, estate planning or personal injury. They may need accountants, financial advisors and mental health counseling for them or the children. The kids may need an IEP, focus on their special needs and assistance with determining post secondary education.
If there is real estate or the sale of a business involved, appraisers and tax experts may be required.
Clients who have been out of the workforce for a period of time may need career counseling, further education and help with wardrobe, hairstyle and interview techniques.
I consider it part of my representation to find clients
whatever they need to move forward in a way that
accuses the least amount of pain and is the most rewarding.
A well-considered and crafted settlement agreement is like Seaglass: unique and valuable. It withstands heat, salt, crashing against rocks and tumbles along the shore. It sparkles quietly, always there if parties need it, but otherwise unobtrusive.
At Seaglass Law & Mediation we know that one size does not fit all for people seeking to resolve family law-related conflicts peacefully. This is why we offer options.
Divorce
Separation
Paternity
Property Distribution
Alimony and Child Support
Agreement Modification
mediation
Many cases involving children, property and support lend themselves to peaceful resolution with the assistance of a professional neutral who understands the law, family dynamics and personality.
The process can be done in a number of ways, either with parties alone or with their attorneys and other professionals. It can occur in one long session or be broken down into 1-3 hour meetings. The goal is to negotiate a written agreement that covers issues of parenting, property division and support and a plan to help the entire family transition as seamlessly as possible.
Courts tend to treat families with a cookie-cutter approach. Mediation affords parties the opportunity to do things their own way, within the bounds of the law. And on their own timeline.
At Seaglass we provide nights and weekend options for busy families trying to keep work and children schedules intact.
entertainment law
Represents artists and entertainers (singers, songwriters, actors, writers and other talents) assisting with contract negotiations and drafting and protection of works.
consultation
People contemplating divorce often need legal guidance about what they can expect in terms of parenting plans, property and support. In order to engage in the process, they need to know their rights and gather a team prepared to help them as they move forward.
The team may consist of financial, child-related, emotional, vocational, asset management and other assistance. There may be real property to sell, investments to manage and a new career to explore.
We are dedicated to helping our clients move forward from this life transition, whether a divorce or paternity matter, seamlessly and successfully.
litigation
For cases that do not lend themselves to alternative dispute resolution, you have the choice to engage a seasoned family law attorney to take you through the entire legal process or to represent you for parts of it; in court, for settlement negotiations and other limited assistance representations. Karen A Myatt, Esq has over 20 years of experience in Family Courts in Massachusetts and Florida.