Author Archives: Louise Livesay

About Louise Livesay

Louise Livesay, JD is known for her ability to problem-solve on behalf of her clients in a way that maximizes the best outcome for the entire family. Understanding that most families facing divorce or uncoupling want to have effective co-parenting relationships and be treated with respect and feel heard during the process, she has created a practice focused on fostering healthy families as they transition to a new configuration through non-adversarial methods, such as the Collaborative Process and Mediation. Learn more at www.CollaborativeLawMn.com

January 23, 2020

Marriage Story, Really?!

There has been some buzz about the new film on Netflix called Marriage Story about a couple, Charlie and Nicole, with a son, Henry, going through divorce. I decided to watch it since this is my area of practice and Continue reading…

July 17, 2017

Teamwork in the Midst of Substance Abuse

Categories: Children in Divorce • Collaborative Law • Divorce • Mental Health

About 3 and a-half years ago, a family in the Collaborative Divorce process was working with the Neutral Child Specialist . It was stated by my client that dad’s alcohol use was the primary basis for her seeking the divorce. She Continue reading…

January 15, 2014

Top 5 Rules for Facebook in Divorce

Categories: Divorce

Facebook is such a handy way to communicate what is going on in your life. It is a quick way to communicate life changes, events, accomplishments and information to people. And then people let you know they hear your news Continue reading…

June 7, 2013

Mutually Informed

Categories: Collaborative Law • Divorce

“I am so glad we came in together, this has been so helpful.” This is a comment I hear so often from couples after they come in to meet with me together to talk about their divorce process options. Not Continue reading…

May 16, 2013

Can We Be Friends?

Categories: Collaborative Law • Family Law • Parents

“I hope we can be friends.” This is not an uncommon wish of one or both people when going through a divorce. Sometimes, however, there is a lot of pain and anguish going on for at least one of them Continue reading…

May 15, 2013

Same-Sex Marriage Bill Will Effect Divorce Law in MN

Categories: Collaborative Law • Divorce • GLBT Divorce

Now that Minnesota has passed the Same-Sex Marriage Bill, there is much to figure out with regard to how laws will apply to same-sex couples and how laws will need to be amended to include same-sex couples. Now that same-sex Continue reading…

May 10, 2013

Undivided Loyalty: Minimize the Effects on Children During Divorce

Categories: Children in Divorce • Collaborative Law • Parents

Almost every potential client I meet with wants to minimize the negative effects of divorce on the children. So many couples want to consciously have a healthy co-parenting relationship. And as parents, we know our kids better than anyone and Continue reading…

May 2, 2013

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

Categories: Children in Divorce • Collaborative Law • Family Law • Parents

Several years back, I was working on a case with another collaborative attorney and our clients were arguing about a parenting issue. My client was trying to tell her soon-to-be former spouse how he should spend his time with their Continue reading…

April 22, 2013

Divorce Readiness: Penny-Wise or Pound-Foolish?

Categories: Children in Divorce • Divorce • Separation

I remember about 9 years ago when I needed to make a big life changing decision. I knew I needed to decide whether or not to leave my safe, predictable law position or go and start my own firm, practicing Continue reading…