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Needless to say, Long Island is one of favorite places since it has been my home for my entire life.  As summer approaches (and as coronavirus restrictions begin to lift), it is always exciting to find different things to do.

These are among my favorites...making visits, even during the winter or fall months to the beaches, is a must for me.  I love hearing the beach sounds and walking to the lighthouse in Robert Moses State Park.  They have a great boardwalk path from the last parking lot to the lighthouse that is right next to the beach.  You can enjoy both and get some exercise at the same time!  Obviously the wineries are a fun place to go, either for a day out on the Island or a short trip.  The other thing that people may not be aware of is that we have some very nice museums right here on Long Island, and of course, boating, fishing and eating seafood are top on the list.

Check out this great article if you ever need a suggestion or need to think about what to do one weekend.

Linked article courtesy of Devorah Lev-Tov of Trip Savvy
Photo courtesy of Mitchell Bleier/Getty Images

Most people don’t look at it this way, but in fact, practically everything we do with our partner or spouse is a type of negotiation.  How and the manner in which we negotiate can truly determine how successful and healthy our relationship is. 

This article examines those tools and especially how Collaborative negotiations can be a type of problem solving that is very affective for couples.  As you will see, Collaborative negotiations allow a couple to effectively deal with every issue, from major decisions like child rearing to the simplistic decisions we make every day. 

This highlights the same tools used in Collaborative Divorce, which is also what makes a Collaborative Divorce so successful and beneficial to our clients.  This is why every family facing a divorce deserves a Collaborative Divorce.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeremy Brown, yourtango.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

For some this may be a new idea, but this is something I have spoken about before.  The way a couple communicates, and more importantly, the way a couple handles conflict and/or “arguments” reveals a tremendous amount about their relationship.  If you take the time to look or self-examine, you can improve resolution to conflict or argument. 

This article discusses and examines 5 different “styles” of fighting between couples.  It's a good read and I'm sure you will be able to identify yourself in these styles.

Remember, if you find that you are not happy with the communication level or the health of your relationship, you can always seek out a family specialist, like our professionals from the Collaborative Divorce Professionals.  We are trained to help couples figure out the problems of their communication and to learn tools for better communication and healthier relationships.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Nicole Yi, YourTango
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

This article is actually a compilation of responses tweeted from an inquiry on what was “the worst divorce advice they ever received”. 

One of the items that I have always thought was sage advice was “never go to bed angry”.  However, one person responded that sometimes it is exactly what you should not do, because you’re tired, you’re angry and you are better off getting some sleep and waking up fresh and seeing if the argument is still something that needs attention or is serious. 

This one seems to be truly one of the worst pieces of advice.  A woman recalled that a co-worker interpreted her and her husband’s decision not to have children as something that the husband was imposing, and she advised her to stop her birth control and once he was settled with the fact that she was pregnant, he would have no choice and therefore would have to be happy about having a baby.

Although that is truly mind blowing, we know from experience that marriages have been conceived this way as well as creating other difficulties in marriages when someone chooses unilaterally to make choices regarding having children. 

I hope you enjoy the balance of exciting and different so called advice, and if someone offers you advice about your relationship and/or divorce, hopefully you will approach it with common sense and knowing that only you truly know what is going on in your relationship and where the communication levels are at.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jonas Grinevičius and Mindaugas Balčiauskas of BoredPanda.com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

This article highlights a new change in New York State Law that has been a long time in coming and is incredibly significant.  It permits anyone, including LGBTQ individuals, to obtain a name change without requiring the Court to require a publication in a newspaper setting forth a legal notice that a particular person is changing their name and identifying their old name and their new name.  

For years, in order to protect the LGBTQ Community, as attorneys we would have to specifically request and hope that a Judge would agree not to require publication.  For many individuals the mere publication could put an LGBTQ individual, especially transgender and non-binary individuals, in actual danger.

The new law, "The Gender Recognition Act", which recently went into effect on December 21, 2021, also authorizes changes to the state records law so that people can have their gender identity on documents such as driver's licenses and birth certificates which reflect their individual identity.  

Although this new law was guided primarily to protect transgender and non-binary individuals, it also protects other individuals, especially victims of domestic violence, who will no longer be required to publicize their new names or addresses.  

It also changes the requirement of spousal consent to change one's name.  Most people are unaware that currently, if you are married, you need the consent of your spouse before the Court will issue an order to change your name.

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Hilary Gingold, NYDailyNews (dot) com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

As we get closer to the election...A justice in the Southern District Federal Courts in New York has directed two Trump supporters who sent out thousands of false voter intimidating Robocalls in several major cities and swing states to send out corrective robocalls with a specific script crafted by the judge acknowledging that their prior call was false and deliberately intimidated voters.

Selected excerpt(s), photo and linked article courtesy of Mark Hicks, The Detroit News

Open, honest communication is the bedrock of any relationship.  Strong communication as well as “connection” are vital components for any successful relationship.  The reality is, life is so busy.  We are pulled into different directions for various reasons.  That is why it's so important to make a ritual of checking in with one another and spending some time touching base on what is happening in each other’s lives and what issues you each might be grappling with.  This may sound extremely simple, but it's vital to take the time and do it right. 

This article has some important tips from a couple’s therapist on how to make it work and be consistent. 

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeremy Brown, fatherly(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT

So many times we look at the negative in life and fail to recognize the positive - and praise the positive!  I have always been a person who feels it's important to tell someone when they have done a good job and also take stock of all the good things we should be grateful for.

This article explores the 8 big signs your marriage is NOT in trouble.  What a wonderful thing to look at your relationship and see all the positives of what is working well.  This is not to say that a relationship is not work.  It's important to realize the things that are going well and the things you are doing to keep it working that are important. 

One point that I want to add to this list is that laughter truly is the best medicine for everyone.  So have fun, find joy and laugh!

Selected excerpt(s) and linked article courtesy of Jeremy Brown, fatherly(dot)com
Royalty-free photo courtesy of UnSplash

Concetta Spirio.  A Compassionate Collaborative Divorce Attorney, Mediator & Peacemaker Providing The Highest Level of Legal Representation For Over 34 Years.

#Concetta #ConcettaSpirio #ConcettaLaw #SpirioLaw #Marriage #Divorce #RealEstate #Litigation #Wills #Trusts #Estates #Mediation #CollaborativeDivorce #LongIsland #Suffolk #Nassau #Islip #Sayville #LGBT