$ 350-385 per hour
Future-Focused Dispute Resolution
I am a Massachusetts divorce and family law attorney and mediator, and the owner of Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC of Norfolk, MA.
Although I believe many families are best served by considering mediation or the collaborative divorce process, it is not an option for everyone. In those instances, we provided trusted court representation in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts, primarily in Norfolk, Middlesex, Bristol, Plymouth, and Worcester Counties.
I am experienced in guiding my clients through complex, high-net worth Massachusetts divorces. I have focused on divorce and family law throughout my legal career, both here in MA and previously in Charlotte, NC. One of the most important things to me is also providing prompt service and communications to our clients.
At Next Phase Legal, we provide the option of a fixed fee for many of our clients, including our divorce mediation and collaborative cases.
Besides divorce, we work with clients needing help with modifications, parenting issues, child support, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and other family law matters. We are also pleased to provide estate planning services, and are a Wealth Counsel member firm.
I am a member of several other professional organizations, including the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Association of Professional Family Mediators, Association of Family & Conciliation Courts, Massachusetts Association of Guardian ad Litems, and the Norfolk County Bar Association. I am also a volunteer conciliator, and available for private conciliations also.
Please visit our informative website and blog.
We look forward to hearing from you.
3
Practice Areas
19 years
22 years
22 years
$ 350-385 per hour
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Chat withState: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
65 Holbrook Street, Suite 270, Norfolk, MA, 02056
20 Cabot Blvd, Suite 300, Mansfield, MA, 02048
Showing 1 - 5 of 26 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Deborah A. Mason, Esquire | September 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Attorney McDonough was a consummate professional during our conciliation. He gave us two full days to settle what was a very difficult and complex matter, one that was absolutely going to trial and managed to guide both counsel and their clients to a full settlement. His demeanor and knowledge of ...
Thank you Attorney Mason for your positive feedback. I hope to work with you again in the future.
Posted by anonymous | January 24, 2016 | Hired Attorney
I feel so lucky to have found Stephen for divorce mediation services (lucky we did not have to turn to lawyer services). He was unbelievably professional but also kind and sensitive during such a difficult period in anyone's life. I can not recommend him highly enough and would not hesitate to use ...
Posted by Jennifer | January 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Steve McDonough and Next Phase Legal were a tremendous help as I went through the process of divorce. In choosing to do Mediation, there needs to be a high degree of trust that your attorney will provide honest and fair advice to both parties. Steve created a very open, trusting environment. My ex...
Thank you for your nice comments. We are glad the mediation process worked out well for you and your family.
Posted by Karen | January 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney
I would highly recommend attorney Stephen MdDonogh. I was going through a painful divorce after 23 years and he was able to keep me focused and help me to understand what I needed to do to not only take care of myself, but what I needed to think about going forward. Really can't say enough!
Thank you for your positive feedback!
Posted by Brian | January 7, 2015
Steve was great to work with. Divorce is an awful situation and Steve treated me with respect and kept me calm through the process. He moved the divorce as quickly as the court could accomadate and was very fair with his bills. I would highly recommend him
"Steve is an excellent lawyer - I was involved in a case with him a few years ago and was impressed by his legal expertise and his collaborative, problem-solving approach. I would welcome the chance to do more cases with him."
"Steve and I have known each other for a few years after first meeting at a conference. It became obvious from our first meeting that Steve is committed to remaining on the cutting edge of his practice both technologically and from a client services perspective. Steve has a passion for service to his clients. A family law case is one of the most stressful and difficult things a person can go through and Steve is committed to making it as easy on his clients as possible. I wholeheartedly endorse him not only for his legal skill but also his compassion."
"I endorse this lawyer. Stephen is a dedicated and caring attorney who is also involved in assisting families in medication and collaborative."
"Steve is dedicated to helping his clients resolve their family law matters as quickly and smoothly as possible. He is always up-to-date on the latest news and technology, which he generously forwards to his clients and the legal community. I endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Stephen for several years in the same firm. I know him to be compassionate, diligent, and ethical. I would not hesitate to recommend Stephen to a friend for the handling of any kind of family law case."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. I have been very impressed with his legal blog, and know he has an excellent reputation as a lawyer, mediator, and collaborative lawyer."
"I've met with Stephen McDonough to discuss how he and I both practice family law, divorce and mediation cases. Stephen has a great grasp on the emotional complications of divorce cases and the right way to minimize the trauma of clients going through a divorce. From my interaction with Stephen I believe he understands the challenges of divorce law and the necessity of balancing good representation and service with the value to families of settlement and moving on with their lives. Although our practice areas overlap, I intend to recommend Stephen to potential clients in his area when I have the opportunity to do so."
"I would highly endorse Attorney Stephen McDonough. He is a very intelligent, caring and committed professional. Stephen is down to earth and he has a great sense of humor which makes him a pleasure to be around. Stephen is also a remarkable businessman. I am so impressed with his business and technical skills and also his incredible generosity in sharing his expertise with his colleagues. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of working directly with him on a case, I would wholeheartedly recommend him, and I very much look forward to working with him."
"I have worked with Steve and have referred matters to him with the utmost confidence. Steve is dedicated, pragmatic, and focused on obtaining great results for his clients in a manner that is both effective and rational. Steve is an excellent resource both as an attorney and mediator."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I carefully consider the impact of referrals to other attorneys on my own law practice. I can honestly say that a referral to Steve is given in full confidence. He cares deeply about his clients and his practice. It shows in his ability to combine his skills and knowledge as an attorney/mediator with a sense of humor, enthusiasm and genuine good nature. Steve also serves his clients well by assimiliating the latest technologies into his practice. Glenn J. Murphy, Esquire"
"I want only the best results and best relationships for my clients in their family law and divorce cases. I am therefore very pleased to recommend fellow lawyer Steve McDonough. Steve is not only well versed in domestic relations law, but he also cares deeply about his clients. I know this because I share an office building with him. Steve is highly organized, discreet, smart, quick, funny, and good company. After 25 years in the practice of law, I know that clients will need to rely on all of these attributes through their divorce. Steve has the street smarts that are useful in understanding human nature, the investigative nose that comes from years in law enforcement, and the guts to work hard for the client. He also loves families and wants the best for all concerned. From what I can see, Steve has always been a top performer. His leadership shows especially in his promoting of the collaborative approach to divorce, which really impresses me. I recommend Steve highly."
"I enjoy working with Steve on matters and find him to be very thorough, creative, efficient and personable. He brings a unique perspective to his clients and continues to be a valuable resource to me and my clients who need his firm's services."
"Stephen was a classmate of mine in law school. He is bright and compassionate. I have referred clients to him with complete confidence."
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
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Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
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Divorce and separation lawyer
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2021
Quest for the Best - Divorce Lawyers, Silver Award, MyFM 101.3 - Milford, MA Listener's Choice
2015
Volunteer Recognition Certificate, Norfolk Probate and Family Court and Norfolk County Bar Association - Massachusetts
2015
Certified Mediator, Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
2001
Honorable Mention - Best Oral Advocate, Suffolk University Law School, Legal Practice Skills
2001
Distinguished Brief, Suffolk University Law School - Legal Practical Skills Class
2014 - Present
Owner, Attorney/Mediator, Next Phase Legal LLC
2009 - 2013
Owner - Principal Attorney & Mediator, The Divorce Collaborative LLC
2007 - 2009
Managing Partner, Wagner McDonough LLP
2005 - 2006
Attorney, Rosen Law Firm
2016 - Present
Association of Professional Family MediatorsMember
2015 - Present
Town of Norfolk, MassachusettsAdvisory Board
2014 - Present
Bar association of Norfolk County, MACommittee on Bench-Bar Relations
2009 - Present
Association of Family and Conciliation CourtsMember
2006 - Present
Massachusetts Council on Family MediationMember
2006 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Norfolk County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Norfolk, MA Lions ClubMember
2005 - Present
International Association of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2005 - Present
American Bar Association, Law Practice Management SectionMember
2015 - 2016
MEMO - Medfield Employer's and Merchant's OrganizationDirector
2014 - 2017
Bar Association of Norfolk CountyVolunteer Conciliator - Probate Court
2010 - 2015
Association for Conflict ResolutionMember
2009 - 2010
Massachusetts Collaborative Law CouncilBoard of Directors
2009 - 2012
Western Norfolk County Bar AssociationMember
Settlement on all issues
2004
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
BS - Bachelor of Science
2017
2017
Divorce Financial Issues & Mediation
2012
2012
2011
Working With Divorcing Families
2011
Collaborative Law - A Better Way to Resolve Conflict
2011
Making the Collaborative Process More Affordable
2010
Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce
2010
Divorce & College Financial Planning
2010
Fixed Fees in Mediation
2010
Use of Fixed Fees in Domestic Relations Cases
2010
Divorce & Family Law
2009
Major revisions to Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines
2017
2016
2015
2008
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Health insurance/child support
19 Apr 2020
I received a settlement in a medical malpractice case, can my wife claim any of it, we just started divorce proceedings.
08 Mar 2014
I am going through a Divorce, The ex wife lied and got caught lieing to the police.
20 Jun 2012
How to Avoid a Horrible Divorce
26 Jan 2016
Returning to Work During & After Divorce
19 Jan 2016
Talking to your Spouse About Divorce Mediation
03 Jun 2014