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 Your Plans for 2020 Gone Awry?
As we begin Week 5 of shelter in place, after celebrating holidays with our loved ones from a safe social distance, knowing that over 22,000 Americans have died because of COVID-19, it’s easy to slip into a mind-frame full of sorrow and regret. And while those feelings are completely valid and justified, we have to find a way to redirect our thoughts to a more positive mind-set. It’s not easy to break a negative loop, but you have to will yourself to do it. Make a commitment to not allow dark thoughts to linger. I know it’s not easy, but it can be done. Here are some examples of how I’ve re-framed major disappointments recently: This week, I had plans to take my partner out to a lovely birthday dinner followed by a show that I booked back in 2019. Instead, we’ll have to get a bit more creative and make the day special ourselves. Next month, I was planning to attend my brother’s wedding in Spain. Obviously that is no longer happening, but hopefully next year we can all come together and celebrate their one year anniversary. In June, I was supposed to attend my 30th high school reunion in New England. That event has now been canceled, but some of my classmates have been connecting via Zoom, and [...]
What Financial Resources Are Available To Couples Seeking To Split?
Before this COVID-19 crisis hit, we already knew that the average credit card debt per family was over $5,000 and that about 60% of Americans did not have enough saved to cover an unexpected $1,000 emergency. Now as we shelter in place in an attempt to lower the curve, businesses across all sectors are taking a hit while unemployment numbers soar. As a result, the inevitable and harsh reality that we will all have to face is that financially it is going to take us all a long time to dig out from under this mess. So how will married couples looking to split up manage? Same as they did after 9/11 or the Great Recession. When you don't have savings available, you need to look at all your options for borrowing funds-- and right now, family and friends are properly stretched to their limits, so I'd be very careful about trying to call in a monetary favor with them. Instead, talk to your financial advisor to figure out your options for getting some cash. Can you liquidate some investments or get a loan based on the investments you currently have? If you don't have investments, is there a home equity line or line of credit you can draw from? Are you able to borrow or withdraw from your [...]
What Are You Most Nostalgic About These Days?
It's hard to believe that just two months ago, I was visiting my beloved hometown, NYC. My partner took me to see a show, "Come From Away" about a little town in Canada that rallied to help all the stranded passengers that had to seek shelter there while their planes were grounded during the 9/11 crisis. The story was incredibly uplifting, and without minimizing the pain we all felt back then, highlighted the collective power we have as humans to rally in order to surpass the most trying times. Who knew I would need that message now more than ever to help get through each new day as this COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage our world? New York City, which in the past couple of weeks has seen over 1,000 deaths from COVID-19, is now the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., and the last place on Earth I would want to be right now. Never in a million years would I think I could ever utter those words, and my heart goes out to everyone there, not just my friends. The images on the news of empty streets juxtaposed with overrun hospitals are heart-breaking, and sadly we all know the worse is yet to come as we begin week 3 of the shelter in place mandate, [...]
Are You Still Making Time for Date Nights?
It’s easy to slip into a comfortable pattern of wearing pjs all morning, adopting a minimalist grooming routine, and just hanging out in sweats or yoga pants all day when you are working at home during this COVID-19 crisis, but if you have a significant other that you truly care about, I suggest you make an effort to break it up a bit. At least one night a week, make time for a date night. Plan a special meal together, get out those table linens and candle sticks, and dress up as if you were going out. Find some good tunes, and toast to life with an adult beverage. If you have little ones, send them to bed early. Seriously, you need to carve out some special adult time to preserve your relationship. Now more than ever, you are each other’s lifeline. You need to be able to lift each other’s spirits and express your appreciation for being in a stable, loving relationship. Practice speaking each other’s love language, and don’t ignore the importance of physical intimacy. If you were having a tough time before this whole crisis began, use this time as an opportunity to do some repair work and reconnect. There are few reasons to be “too busy” during this pandemic to truly check in with your significant [...]