Donuts & Divorce: A Family Law Podcast

In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil explains the concept of Silent Divorce and how it is perhaps even overtaking infidelity and money issues as a top reason to divorce.  She provides a hypothetical of what Silent Divorce may look like, as well as common signs.  She also explains ways to address Silent Divorce with professional experts. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko take a closer look at child support and answer 3 main questions: (1) what counts as income in calculating child support, (2) what expenses are considered in calculating child support, and (3) what deviations or arguments are available to adjust the basic child support amount. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding M...

In this episode, Dorothy O'Neil interviews Stephanie Wijkstrom, MS, LPC, NBCC, who is the CEO and founder of The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh.  In this episode, they discuss what high conflict co-parenting looks like, the effect it can have on children, how to implement resources and boundaries, and habits to reduce conflict over time. Find out more about Stephanie and The Cou...

In this episode, Dorothy O'Neil and Donna Cheswick discuss the post-divorce checklist items that you do not want to forget once you are officially divorced! Since 2008, Donna Cheswick has been a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® and assists clients, couples and their attorneys to better understand the financial complexities surrounding divorce and to forecast the long-term effects of alter...

In this episode, Dorothy addresses a newer concept of Mediation: Blended Family Mediation.  Blended Family Mediation is when co-parents and potentially their significant others sit with a mediator to go through a parenting plan that is all encompassing for all parties and all children’s schedules and needs.  It focuses on the bigger picture as a whole, as opposed to just the two co-parents' s...

In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil discusses the rise of Premarital Mediation, and how couples can mediate the terms of a Premarital Agreement.  Many couples are choosing this process as a means of "marriage planning" so that they are on the same page when it comes to finances, responsibilities, and combining households.  Check it out! Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner an...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko tackle the subject of shared custody, and what that really means under Pennsylvania law.  The address shared legal custody, as well as shared physical custody, along with the varying schedules parents can choose from.   Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is...

In this episode, Partners and Founding Members Dorothy O'Neil and Rachael Bowe discuss the "Discovery" Phase of Divorce, which can also be called the "Information Gathering" Phase of Divorce.  They dive into the various discovery options, such as Interrogatories and Requests for Production of Documents, as well as Requests for Admissions, Depositions and Subpoenas, all wit...

In this episode, Mediator Dorothy O'Neil discusses the five types of family mediation: (1) Divorce Mediation, (2) Co-Parenting Mediation, (3) Premarital Mediation, (4) Blended Family Mediation, and (5) Couples/Marital Mediation. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitione...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko discuss how to change adult names (often as a by-product of a divorce), as well as how to change children's names in PA.   Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified Divorce Financial A...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko address how personal property is divided in a divorce/separation.  This can include anything from the pots and pans, personal belongings, and you guessed it, PETS! Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitione...

In this episode, Dorothy discusses the differences between proceeding as a fault divorce versus a no-fault divorce in PA. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.  If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy O'Neil at in...

In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil interviews Natalie Frazier regarding the post-COVID trends for refinancing your mortgage, loan assumptions, and where to be cautious. Natalie Corsello Frazier is a licensed Pennsylvania Loan Officer and Title Agent working in the real estate industry for more than 30 years.  Natalie's expertise lies in mortgage loans for Pennsylvania residents, in...

In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil interviews Attorney Lisa Standish, owner of the Law Offices of Lisa Standish, regarding why it may actually benefit parties to hire attorneys who actually get along.   Attorney Lisa Standish works work with a vast array of individuals, young and old, whether they are married or single, as they face a broad array of family law issues, including contempl...

In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil interviews Erin Troup, LPC, NCC, CT, IMH-E IV®, owner of Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC.  Together, they discuss the unique issues with co-parenting teenagers in both healthy co-parenting relationships and volatile co-parenting relationships. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko discuss the issue of school choice, including where a child should go to school after separation or divorce.   Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.  If you h...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko discuss traveling and vacationing with minor children after separation from your ex.  Can you cross state lines with your children without your ex's permission?  Can you take children on vacation without your ex's permission?  Can you fly with your children without your ex's permission.  Dorothy and Aleks answer t...

In this episode, Attorneys Dorothy O'Neil and Aleksandra Kocelko tackle the Do's and the Don'ts in custody cases, including the behaviors to really avoid, and why it is important to set healthy co-parenting practices as soon as you separate. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborat...

In this episode, Attorneys Aleksandra Kocelko and Dorothy O'Neil discuss step-parent adoption in Pennsylvania, including the procedure, what is needed, and the law surrounding step-parent adoptions. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified Divorce Finan...

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2024!  In this episode, Attorney Dorothy O'Neil discusses hiring an attorney, and what to expect at an Initial Consultation, including what to bring, what to ask, and what to avoid. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified...

In this Episode, Dorothy interviews Erin Troup, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in early childhood social emotional needs, particularly attachment, grief & loss, trauma and anxiety.  Erin is also the owner of Sprout Center for Emotional Growth and Development, LLC.  Erin and Dorothy discuss the impact of divorce particularly on infants and toddlers, and what parents shoul...

We have been busy the last couple of months forming our brand new law firm, BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC!  But we are back and ready to tackle the difficult issues surrounding divorce and separation in PA!  In this introductory episode, we address who we are, what services we provide, and how we stand out! If you are in need of any family law or estate-related services, feel free to cont...

In this episode, Dorothy discusses and dispels 14 common myths, misconceptions, and rumors about family law cases. Dorothy O'Neil, Esq. is a Partner and Founding Member of BOK Law & Mediation Services, PLLC.  She is a Family Law Mediator, Collaborative Divorce Practitioner, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.  If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy O'Neil at info@bokl...

Dorothy is back!  In this episode, Dorothy explains online mediation, its benefits, and how Dorothy has revamped her online mediation program.  Learn about the "Four C's and the E: Communication, Convenience, Comfort, Cost, and Efficiency."  Dorothy also explains how many more clients can mediate their entire divorce case, without even leaving the comforts of their homes. Dorothy O&...

In this episode, Dorothy interviews Michell Butcher, MA, LPC, regarding how to recover after a divorce or separation is finalized.  Often attorneys can get clients over the finish line, but there is still work to be done. Michelle Butcher, MA, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Divorce Mediator with Cognitive Behavior Institute.  Michelle's specific population of interest includes...