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
Tips for Recognizing 4 Main Types of Domestic Abuse
As we wrap up Domestic Violence Awareness month, I hope the key take-away is that we all need to be vigilant year-round to this profound problem that impacts about 1/3 of women and 25% of men in intimate relationships. The abuse rarely starts right away. In fact, there is usually a very romantic honeymoon period that lures people into the relationship. Yet ever so slowly, things start to change. It can start with little digs that are played off as a joke, or small embarrassing stories shared with others that appear to be in jest. Over time, the slights escalate, and either a person starts to doubt his/her self-worth or grows to resent the other, maybe a bit of both. Arguments can easily escalate, especially when alcohol is involved, and even without raising a finger certain words can cut deeper than a knife. Apologies the next day grow old when the same repetitive behavior persists without any effort to change. The cycle of violence can go on for a while, until one day someone finally accepts this one fundamental truth: love should not hurt. Over the past two decades, I have worked with countless survivors of abuse. Those that manage to escape these situations do not succeed on their own-- they rely on the help of either family, friends, [...]
The Benefits of Hiring a Prenuptial Agreement Attorney: Why You Need One for Your Prenup
Planning a wedding is an exciting and blissful time, but amidst the joyous chaos, it's important not to overlook the practical side of things. That's where a prenuptial agreement attorney can come to the rescue. A prenup may not be the most romantic aspect of marriage, but it can save couples from potential legal headaches down the line—especially when you consider that the statistics show that about 50% of first marriages and 75% of second marriages will end in divorce. Everyone hopes to beat these odds, but we need to be safe here not sorry later down the road. What is a prenuptial agreement? A prenuptial agreement, commonly referred to as a prenup, is a legal contract that couples enter into before getting married or entering a civil partnership. It outlines how their assets, debts, and other financial matters will be divided in the event of a divorce or separation. While it may not be the most romantic topic to discuss, a prenup can provide clarity and protection for both parties involved. A prenuptial agreement covers a wide range of issues, including the division of property, spousal support, and the handling of debts. It can also address other matters such as the protection of family heirlooms or the safeguarding of independent business interests. By clearly outlining each party's rights and [...]
New Grounds For Divorce In Maryland: What You Need to Know
As of October 1, 2023, the process of obtaining a divorce in Maryland has become far less complicated, thanks to a new legislation that eliminates fault-grounds for divorce. Maryland is now a no-fault state, which now allows couples to file either on the basis of a six month separation (which can be under the same roof), Mutual Consent (if you have a signed agreement) or irreconcilable differences. This transformation is likely to have profound implications for couples considering divorce in the state. Understanding Divorce in Maryland In Maryland, as in any other state, the process of divorce is a legal procedure that formally ends a marriage. Until now, Maryland's divorce laws recognized two types of divorce: limited and absolute. However, with the new legislation, the state has abolished the concept of a limited divorce, which was essentially a legal separation, now leaving only the absolute divorce. A limited divorce was a court-sanctioned separation period where couples lived apart but remained legally married. On the other hand, an absolute divorce legally terminates a marriage, severs their financial assets and allows either party to remarry. Redefining Grounds for Divorce Maryland has eliminated the need for a waiting period or physical separation in different residences, which were difficult burdens for some families to bear particularly during challenging financial times. Under the new law, [...]
Big Changes in Family Law for Maryland Couples!
As of October 1, 2023 Maryland will no longer have fault grounds for divorce. Instead we will only have these 3 grounds for divorce: (1) Mutual Consent; (2) Irreconcilable Differences; or (3) a 6 month separation, which may be under the same roof. This will hopefully streamline the process and reduce the amount of conflict between couples looking to divorce, who are essentially are being directed to just focus on how to execute the separation and not the why. The filing process itself has also become much easier, as we now file everything online and since 2020 all of my scheduling conferences and uncontested hearings in Maryland have been via Zoom. Aside from experiencing a far more efficient court process, there is a significant cost savings to the clients. Given that in person meetings are rarely necessary anymore, I have also enjoyed reaching clients from a far greater range throughout Maryland and DC than ever before. Personally, I believe these changes were all long overdue. While I have found it incredibly interesting to work with families in transition the past 25 years, watching them struggle to navigate the challenges of the court process has been difficult. I have always felt the more we can do to lighten their load, the better. Now my job in helping them get to the finish line is [...]