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
Out With The Old, In With The New
The new year is right around the corner, and this is a perfect time to throw out unnecessary or unwanted parts of our past to make room for what the new year will bring. I personally have been on a roll since this summer, when I finally made time to sort through 21 boxes of old client files in storage that needed to be shredded. Once this was done, I felt so much better-- and I decided to continue with this process at home in 3 phases: -Sort through your closets-- what are you holding on to that is no longer worth keeping? Get rid of clothes that no longer fits or has gone out of style. If you have not worn something in years, let it go and then maybe splurge on new hangers that match, it actually makes a world of difference. -Do you have filing cabinets or old boxes full of documents? Now that it is a bit nippy outside, take time to go through them and throw out what you don't need. Declutter your home, including the garage and basement, and let go of the past. Take it in small chunks at a time if you have to so you don't get overwhelmed, but soon you will find that a little each day will take you [...]
5 Reasons To Get A Prenup
Ever since the Great Recession, I have seen a dramatic increase in prenups-- especially among young couples that have never been married before. While they may not have much to protect at this time, they are a forward-thinking group that want to protect future interests, reduce the risk of money arguments going forward, and minimize any losses. Here are the top reasons Millennials ask me to draft their prenuptial agreements before exchanging their vows: 1. What's Separate? They want to define what will be kept as separate interests, including perhaps student loans, a family business, or any gifts and inheritance they may get in the future from family; 2. What's Joint? Clarify what will be joint or marital assets, sometimes by simply stating that title will control; 3. Ongoing Support? Many want to limit their exposure to alimony, if not with a complete waiver then at least with caps on amount and duration; 4. What's Premarital? To avoid arguments later, a prenup can easily memorialize each party's premarital property, including the current amounts invested in 401(k)s or other investments; and 5. Who Moves Out? Rather than have a War of the Roses scenario where no one is willing to move out, a prenup can establish a wind-down provision in the event of a separation, including at least a 60 [...]
5 Tips To Survive A Divorce
When things are falling apart, people are at their worst-- they are scared, anxious, angry, and deeply disappointed in the present set of circumstances that they find themselves in. It is my job as the attorney to calm things down, give them a roadmap, and help them see a light at the end of the tunnel. Most of my divorce cases are concluded within 12 months, and after observing my clients cycle through the grief process for almost two decades now, I've definitely picked up on 5 patterns of behavior that all healthy people demonstrate while coping through this difficult transition phase: 1. Stay Healthy- you need to eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest. If you feel something is wrong, don't delay in seeking medical care, including checking in with a mental health professional to help you process your loss. 2. Rely on others- your family and friends that love you want to help you, even if it is just cooking a meal for you, keeping you company, and providing emotional support for you during a difficult time. 3. Set Goals- whether it is an immediate need to find new housing or a new job, you tackle the important tasks critical to your family's survival first, and then you allow yourself to dream a bit and plan fun [...]
5 Terrible Reasons To Get Engaged
With the holidays approaching, this is a very popular time of year for couples to get engaged while surrounded by family and friends-- but just make sure you are doing for the right reasons, and not because you have fallen in love with the idea of getting married. Remember, the party only lasts a day, but the commitment is supposed to last a lifetime, in both good and bad times. While none of us can predict with 100% accuracy if a marriage will go the full distance, here are some clear signs you are off to a really bad start: 1. If you think getting engaged will make things better. Seriously? The dating phase is normally the best part-- it is when people are actually on their best behavior and making an effort to please you. If you are not on solid ground now, don't expect the ring to magically make things better. No object will ever have that kind of power. 2. If you think nothing better will come along. Just because no one has come along and wowed you yet, doesn't mean you should settle now. Don't fall victim to the sunken cost theory. I know it can get tiring to keep playing the Dating Game, but then just take a break, regroup, and maybe find new [...]