DC and MD Matrimonial Lawyer Focusing on Custody, Divorce and Prenups
For over 20 years, Regina A. DeMeo has been helping families in MD and DC with custody and divorce issues either through mediation, litigation or advocacy. She is an alumna of Georgetown University and GW University Law School, who is nationally recognized as a top matrimonial attorney. She is frequently quoted in the media for her ideas to promote healthier relationships and featured in the Washington Post, ABA Journal and Bethesda Magazine for her care and commitment to her clients. As a legal commentator, she has appeared on Washington Post Express Facebook Live, ABC tv, Good Morning America, MMCTV, YouTube and Sirius XM, and has been quoted in various magazines, books and journals across the country.
Regina offers appointments in Maryland and DC. Her areas of practice include:
Latest Blog Posts by GenXSmartie
Have You Taken On Too Much During COVID?
As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, it is important to acknowledge that just in the last 50 years (since Title IX was passed) our roles as women, mothers, and members of the workforce have changed so much. Less than 30% of U.S. households have a stay-at-home mother that is not earning some employment income, which I interpret to mean that over 70% of households then have to struggle with a division of labor negotiation regarding household chores and parenting. Parenting in the 21st century has been particularly challenging for those of us trying to set limits on our children's use of personal devices and exposure to social media. For introverted kids that are not interested in sports, music, theater or other social activities after school, a whole new world of options has been created this past decade to give them a false sense of connection while playing games online or sharing posts online, much to the chagrin of their parents. And now add to this challenge a global pandemic that forced many of us for over 18 months to work from home while also trying to ensure that our kids attended their classes online. Truth be told, this has been the perfect recipe for disaster for many parents, despite their best intentions. I wish we could all [...]
What Does Love-Bombing Look Like?
Love-bombing is defined as the strategic use of over the top gestures of affection, attention and admiration with the goal of making you feel dependent and obligated to that person. Narcissists and abusers often use this tactic to win someone over, until they feel they have obtained you and then you will start to see their dark side. In the beginning it is all rainbows and unicorns-- regular check-ins letting you know they are thinking of you, gifts that make you feel special, amazing dates that leave you wondering whether you are in a coma and this is all a dream. And the truth is, the greater the resources the greater the hook will be, including front-row center seats to sold out shows, decadent meals at Michelin star restaurants, expensive jewelry, clothes, perfume, and luxury trips. Year after year I have seen the same play, just different actors on a different stage. Whether the couple meets organically or online (that part doesn't matter) the problem is the same each time-- they are moving at warped speed. After just a few months they get engaged, marry and move-in together. All this happens within less than 18 months. The fact is that's just not enough time to really get to know someone, including how well they really handle finances and their [...]
Do You Know Your Own Value?
This Tuesday, March 8th is International Women's Day, and in preparation for two talks that I am leading this week, I came across some very sobering statistics. According to a recent LeanIn study, 1 in 3 women have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers during this pandemic. Burnout is real, and although I have seen it first-hand in the legal industry over the past two decades, the numbers are far worse than what I imagined. From a recent ABA study I learned that of the 1.3 million licensed and actively practicing attorneys in the U.S., approximately 86% are non-Hispanic whites; only about 5% are Hispanic like me, and just 23% of equity partners are women. The only way change can happen is if we are honest, rather than just suffering in silence. It is no secret that many companies, particularly law firms in major cities have continued to resist requests for more flexible schedules and work/life balance. This is the very reason I have run my own family law firm for over a decade, while also juggling the responsibilities of being a single mother. Many of my female colleagues have since followed suit for the same reason, while others have opted to leave the profession entirely or transfer from private sector to government or non-profit jobs. Last [...]
Tips for Online Dating, Especially During COVID
Online dating has become pretty mainstream over the past decade, but more so these past two years during COVID as other alternatives for meeting singles have been somewhat limited. And while various sites have made it incredibly easy to create a profile and browse their pool of eligible people, none of them provide a step-by-step guide of how to navigate the process once you actually match with someone, that is a skill you are either expected to have or quickly develop on your own.Before you even dip your toe in those waters, most experts would recommend that you develop a list of must haves and can't stands. What do you absolutely need in a partner, and what are your non-negotiables? Be honest with yourself, aside from wanting someone attractive (that is obviously important) ask yourself: (1) What's an appropriate age range? (2) How far are you willing to travel for a date? (3) Are you focused on getting married or looking for something casual? (4) Do you want children or are you an empty-nester that prefers people in a similar stage of life? (5) Do you want someone that shares your passion for sports, travel, or a healthy lifestyle? (6) Do you want a partner that has a similar education or professional status? (7) Would you get involved with [...]