Case Studies

We know that finding a trusted partner to help you navigate through the complexities of divorce is an important decision.

You need someone who can offer both expertise, and genuine support during this challenging time – and that's exactly what we provide.

Below, you'll find case studies and success stories that illustrate the types of clients we frequently work with.

If you recognize yourself in any of these scenarios, and you and/or your spouse lives in a state where we practice, let’s schedule a time to talk.

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NOTE: Our services encompass all aspects of divorce negotiations, beyond the examples presented here.

The following case studies are based on actual clients. And while they highlight select issues we helped the couples resolve, we assisted them in negotiating all required issues for their divorce.

** Names and identifying details have been altered to maintain client confidentiality. **

Divorce after 20 Years

When divorcing after a long-term marriage, especially in situations where one spouse has been a stay-at-home parent, several unique concerns often surface. These typically include maintaining overall financial stability, the feasibility of keeping the family home, and the stay-at-home parent's anxiety about re-entering the workforce after dedicating years to raising children.

The Millers, married for 23 years with two children, faced this exact situation. Dave, earning $325,000 annually, frequently relocated for work, straining family relationships. While Jennifer, out of the workforce for years, worried about her future financial stability and keeping their home in Bedminster, New Jersey.

Drawing on his extensive experience facilitating negotiations involving a primary earner and a primary caregiver, learn how Joe’s combination of open communication, interest-based and proprietary financial negotiation techniques, helped the Millers reach a highly flexible agreement on both support and property division.

And resulted in the transformation of a complex situation - with the potential to become contentious, into a mutually beneficial outcome.

Read the full case study >>

Business Owners

Many divorcing couples with a business involved face complex challenges during divorce, including agreeing on a fair valuation of the business, flexible support scenarios, and balancing work commitments with parenting responsibilities. It’s this potent combination of issues that makes maintaining the business's stability, while ensuring financial security for the non-owning spouse and children, a difficult proposition.

The Andersons, married for 17 years with two teenagers, checked all of these boxes. Ron owned an insurance agency earning $400,000 annually, while Linda provided unpaid administrative support from home. Ron's variable income and demanding schedule combined with Linda's unofficial role in the business added layers of complexity to their divorce negotiations.

Learn how Joe leveraged his expertise in finance, negotiation, and conflict resolution, to craft creative solutions to the Anderson’s unique challenges including a flexible nesting arrangement, a nuanced approach to support, and an innovative business valuation compromise. Guiding the Anderson’s to a mutually beneficial and cost-effective outcome.

Read the full case study >>

Gray Divorce

It’s extremely common for retiring couples facing divorce to have concerns about maintaining their post-marital lifestyles on reduced incomes, fairly dividing retirement assets, and managing healthcare costs.

After nearly four decades of marriage, the McMillens discovered their retirement aspirations had diverged. Ken, preferred a quiet life, while Mary wanted to travel. This fundamental disconnect in their future plans ultimately catalyzed their decision to divorce.

Complicating asset division was a $2.2 million home in Kirkland, Washington, and a significant imbalance in their individual retirement holdings, and anticipated Social Security benefits.

Learn how Joe crafted a custom financial model which detailed their projected cash flow needs, created multiple property division and retirement income scenarios, and guided Mary and Ken towards a tailored financial solution for property division and retirement income that met each of their unique needs.

Read the full case study >>

High Asset Divorce

Intergenerational wealth, complex investment portfolios, and multiple real-estate properties, are the backbone of many high net-worth divorces. With so much at stake, these couples also often struggle with communication difficulties, heightened emotions, and high conflict during divorce. Potentially impacting their ability to mediate, and avoid a lengthy, and financially ruinous divorce proceeding.

The Reeds, both 58, co-owned a printing business and had significant assets including a Tribeca condo, a Catskills vacation home, and commercial office building. Their pending divorce was causing friction, affecting their business, and complicating asset division due to intertwined personal and business finances.

Learn how Joe and Cheryl combined the power of their team approach, to help the couple reduce conflict, negotiate productively, and reach a flexible agreement addressing the complexity and uncertainty of their financial situation.

Read the full case study >>

Employees or Owners of Equity-Backed Start-Ups

When working for a start-up company, long hours, complex compensation structures, and employment instability can put a strain on a marriage. These couples often struggle to balance the work commitments of one spouse, with the desire for a stable and enriched family life of the other. And it’s this disconnect which can often lead to divorce.

The Wilson family was presented with both unique challenges and tremendous opportunities. Brad, a startup CEO, had an opportunity for significant financial gain should his company go public. But he traveled extensively and worked excessively. Claudia, a nurse, with her own demanding career, felt overburdened with childcare and desired financial security. Throughout their marriage, they invested $250,000 in Brad's ventures instead of buying a house and the couple spent very little time together.

Learn how Joe leveraged his negotiation and financial expertise to bridge the gap between Brad and Claudia and help them find common ground. Which paved the way to the development of creative solutions to accommodate Brad's travel, and a sophisticated agreement granting Claudia a share of Brad's company equity if it went public.

Read the full case study >>

Dual Income Professionals with Children

High-earning couples with children often face the complex challenge of balancing demanding careers with family life. This struggle can strain the marital relationship, potentially leading to divorce. Post-divorce, these couples then confront the dual challenge of maintaining their established lifestyle while prioritizing their children's emotional well-being.

The Lawsons, both 42, were successful professionals earning over $400,000 combined. Their hectic schedules, involving extensive travel and long hours at work, strained their 14-year marriage and impacted the well-being of their two children.

Their spending habits, focused on childcare and conveniences, were unsustainable post-divorce.

See how Joe’s expertise in financial planning, interest-based negotiation, and creative problem-solving helped the Lawsons reduce projected expenses, improve work-life balance, and prioritize their children's well-being with a parallel parenting plan.

Read the full case study >>

Thank you for helping us reach a fair and balanced agreement.
I guess that's why you're called Equitable Mediation Services!

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Each day, we're driven by our desire to smooth the rough road that lies ahead for divorcing couples and their families.

And minimize the damage divorce can have on them financially and emotionally now - and into the future.

So skip the lawyer-driven destruction, spare your children, preserve your financial resources and mediate with us instead!

Your future will thank you!

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