Greater Newburyport

Bar Association

2026 Schedule​​​​​​​​​​

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 Grey Divorce: Advanced Legal, Financial, and Policy Issues in Later-Life Divorce

Monday, March 2, 4:30-6:30

Newburyport Art Association and live-streaming

 

In 2024, Grey Divorces--those involving clients over 50, were 40% of the divorces. In 1990, they were only 8%. As the numbers of this type of divorce grow, are you aware of the special issues raised by these divorces and how to address them? Do you know why traditional divorce assumptions often fail in older-age cases?

Attend and learn:

• Grey Divorce and the Empty-Nester Phenomenon

• Inheritances Received Later in Marriage

• Property Division and the Alimony Reform Act (ARA)

• Retirement Assets in Payout Status

• Social Security in Grey Divorce

• Medicare and Medicaid in Grey Divorce

• Emotional, Ethical, and Capacity Concerns

• The Role of ADR in Grey Divorce

Faculty

Hon. Evelyn J. Patsos, Associate Justice, Probate and Family Court

Robert A. Jutras, Sheehan, Schiavoni, Jutras and Magliocchetti, LLP, Haverhill & Woburn

Thomas J. Taranto, Law Office of Thomas J. Taranto, P.C., Salem

Gary O. Todd, Todd & Weld, LLP, Boston

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To register: https://gnba.ticketbud.com/grey-divorce-advanced-legal-financial-and-policy-issues

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Beyond the Judgment: Addressing High Conflict Family Systems

Tuesday, April 7, 4:30-6:30

Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water Street, Newburyport

 

Attorneys are often the first—and sometimes the only—professionals families rely on during high-conflict separations. But what happens when legal orders, expertise & strategy isn’t enough? 

 

Join a panel of legal & clinical professionals for this interactive training, inviting legal professionals to explore and better understand the hidden emotional dynamics that derail progress, even in well-structured parenting plans. Through real-world insight, experiential learning, and cross-disciplinary resources & tools, participants will gain a deeper understanding of mindset, emotional paralysis, and how to talk with clients about support options beyond litigation. 

 

Expect to leave with more than just knowledge—expect to leave with language, clarity, and a renewed approach to your role in safeguarding families during the divorce process, leading to lasting resolutions.

 

Attend & Learn

• How to recognize signs of emotional paralysis in clients that may hinder legal resolution or compliance with court orders.

• How to differentiate between therapeutic, coaching, mediation, and collaborative law interventions, and identify when each is most appropriate in high-conflict cases.

• How to use emotionally attuned, non-clinical language to guide clients toward the right support resources—without the need to overstep legal scope.

• About your role within family systems 

• What are the opportunities to reduce litigation

• The core features of the BeH2O® co-parenting model, and how it complements court orders by addressing mindset, communication, and accountability.

 

About the Faculty

Kimberly Hutchins, LMHC, MA, CMHC, NH, Child & Family Psychotherapist & Collaborative Law Divorce Coach, Mardi Balcom-Chadwick, Family Law Attorney, Holistic Coach & Mediator, Maria Natapov , Certified Co-Parenting Coach, Aiko Suyemoto, Attorney, OFW

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To Register: https://gnba.ticketbud.com/beyond-the-judgment-addressing-high-conflict-family-systems

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