team-member

Stephen McDonough

Norfolk, MA

Licensed for 17 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Estate Planning

Language

English

About

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.  

Practices Areas

Estate Planning

Divorce and separation

Language

English

Contact

Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC65 Holbrook StreetSuite 270Norfolk, MA, 02056 Office (508) 359-4043 65 Holbrook StreetSuite 270Suite 270Norfolk, MA, 02056 Office (508) 359-4043(508) 359-4043

Office: (508) 893-4143

Website: N/A

Reviews

Lisa
December 15, 2011

Steve did a great job guiding us through the mediation process and keeping both parties focused on the important issues.

Bill
June 27, 2012

I went into our first meeting not knowing what to expect and right away Steve made me feel at ease and comfortable. He did an excellent job of explaining the entire process and brought up many things that I had not yet thought about. I left our first meeting feeling that we (my ex-wife and I) made the correct choice in hiring Steve.

Deborah A. Mason, Esquire
September 12, 2016

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 the law, our Judge and his ability to be empathetic and balanced to both clients was the turning point of this case. I would highly recommend Attorney McDonough for any matter which requires his level of professionalism in a mediation, conciliation or divorce.

anonymous
January 24, 2016

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 his services again in the future if ever necessary. Our case was sensitive and difficult. Stephen provided helpful suggestions and insights, above and beyond mediator services, that turned out to be very valuable. Initially he was the only individual who gave his condolences when I was trying to evaluate and choose a mediator. That initial kindness was a great indicator of his character. Very kind, knowledgeable and fair to both parties involved. Thanks so much for all of your help guiding us in such a difficult time.

Jennifer
January 13, 2016

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-husband and I both went into the meetings with high stress levels, but Steve was able to diffuse the tension and help us work toward a common goal at each session. The mediation process went quickly and we were able to cover all areas within six sessions. The Next Phase team prepared all of our paperwork, making it simple to file with the court. Overall, Steve helped make the painful process of divorce go smoothly and as pain-free as possible.

Karen
January 13, 2016

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!

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

Heather
September 22, 2014

Stephen F. McDonough proved to be the best decision I ever made when hiring a lawyer for my divorce. McDonough provides practical advice, as well as an ear, to help work through what is an incredibly emotional and painful process. He went above and beyond in his quest to help me achieve my goals. His compassion and knowledge have helped to make the process a little less painful. He is well educated on all current laws. I highly recommend him to anyone going through the divorce process.

Hilary
April 4, 2014

Stephen McDonough has been my family law attorney for many issues relative to my past divorce. He is wonderful to work with, talk to, and he continuously puts my mind at ease when we have had to go to court. He's worth entrusting your legal needs with. I would gladly recommend him to others and use him again when necessary.

Mark
April 1, 2014

If you need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/ family law lawyer, I highly recommend attorney and mediator Stephen McDonough at Next Phase Legal LLC in Medfield, MA. I have used Stephen McDonough as my attorney on multiple occasions, starting with my divorce and later for post-divorce parenting and child support issues. Stephen is well-prepared and gets favorable results. He is always prepared and does a great job on the customer service side by keeping me advised about my case and returning calls and emails promptly. If I need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/family law attorney in the future, my first call will be to Stephen at Next Phase Legal.

Lisa
December 15, 2011

Steve did a great job guiding us through the mediation process and keeping both parties focused on the important issues.

Bill
June 27, 2012

I went into our first meeting not knowing what to expect and right away Steve made me feel at ease and comfortable. He did an excellent job of explaining the entire process and brought up many things that I had not yet thought about. I left our first meeting feeling that we (my ex-wife and I) made the correct choice in hiring Steve.

Deborah A. Mason, Esquire
September 12, 2016

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 the law, our Judge and his ability to be empathetic and balanced to both clients was the turning point of this case. I would highly recommend Attorney McDonough for any matter which requires his level of professionalism in a mediation, conciliation or divorce.

anonymous
January 24, 2016

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 his services again in the future if ever necessary. Our case was sensitive and difficult. Stephen provided helpful suggestions and insights, above and beyond mediator services, that turned out to be very valuable. Initially he was the only individual who gave his condolences when I was trying to evaluate and choose a mediator. That initial kindness was a great indicator of his character. Very kind, knowledgeable and fair to both parties involved. Thanks so much for all of your help guiding us in such a difficult time.

Jennifer
January 13, 2016

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-husband and I both went into the meetings with high stress levels, but Steve was able to diffuse the tension and help us work toward a common goal at each session. The mediation process went quickly and we were able to cover all areas within six sessions. The Next Phase team prepared all of our paperwork, making it simple to file with the court. Overall, Steve helped make the painful process of divorce go smoothly and as pain-free as possible.

Karen
January 13, 2016

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!

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

Heather
September 22, 2014

Stephen F. McDonough proved to be the best decision I ever made when hiring a lawyer for my divorce. McDonough provides practical advice, as well as an ear, to help work through what is an incredibly emotional and painful process. He went above and beyond in his quest to help me achieve my goals. His compassion and knowledge have helped to make the process a little less painful. He is well educated on all current laws. I highly recommend him to anyone going through the divorce process.

Hilary
April 4, 2014

Stephen McDonough has been my family law attorney for many issues relative to my past divorce. He is wonderful to work with, talk to, and he continuously puts my mind at ease when we have had to go to court. He's worth entrusting your legal needs with. I would gladly recommend him to others and use him again when necessary.

Mark
April 1, 2014

If you need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/ family law lawyer, I highly recommend attorney and mediator Stephen McDonough at Next Phase Legal LLC in Medfield, MA. I have used Stephen McDonough as my attorney on multiple occasions, starting with my divorce and later for post-divorce parenting and child support issues. Stephen is well-prepared and gets favorable results. He is always prepared and does a great job on the customer service side by keeping me advised about my case and returning calls and emails promptly. If I need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/family law attorney in the future, my first call will be to Stephen at Next Phase Legal.

Lisa
December 15, 2011

Steve did a great job guiding us through the mediation process and keeping both parties focused on the important issues.

Bill
June 27, 2012

I went into our first meeting not knowing what to expect and right away Steve made me feel at ease and comfortable. He did an excellent job of explaining the entire process and brought up many things that I had not yet thought about. I left our first meeting feeling that we (my ex-wife and I) made the correct choice in hiring Steve.

Deborah A. Mason, Esquire
September 12, 2016

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 the law, our Judge and his ability to be empathetic and balanced to both clients was the turning point of this case. I would highly recommend Attorney McDonough for any matter which requires his level of professionalism in a mediation, conciliation or divorce.

anonymous
January 24, 2016

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 his services again in the future if ever necessary. Our case was sensitive and difficult. Stephen provided helpful suggestions and insights, above and beyond mediator services, that turned out to be very valuable. Initially he was the only individual who gave his condolences when I was trying to evaluate and choose a mediator. That initial kindness was a great indicator of his character. Very kind, knowledgeable and fair to both parties involved. Thanks so much for all of your help guiding us in such a difficult time.

Jennifer
January 13, 2016

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-husband and I both went into the meetings with high stress levels, but Steve was able to diffuse the tension and help us work toward a common goal at each session. The mediation process went quickly and we were able to cover all areas within six sessions. The Next Phase team prepared all of our paperwork, making it simple to file with the court. Overall, Steve helped make the painful process of divorce go smoothly and as pain-free as possible.

Karen
January 13, 2016

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!

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

Heather
September 22, 2014

Stephen F. McDonough proved to be the best decision I ever made when hiring a lawyer for my divorce. McDonough provides practical advice, as well as an ear, to help work through what is an incredibly emotional and painful process. He went above and beyond in his quest to help me achieve my goals. His compassion and knowledge have helped to make the process a little less painful. He is well educated on all current laws. I highly recommend him to anyone going through the divorce process.

Hilary
April 4, 2014

Stephen McDonough has been my family law attorney for many issues relative to my past divorce. He is wonderful to work with, talk to, and he continuously puts my mind at ease when we have had to go to court. He's worth entrusting your legal needs with. I would gladly recommend him to others and use him again when necessary.

Mark
April 1, 2014

If you need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/ family law lawyer, I highly recommend attorney and mediator Stephen McDonough at Next Phase Legal LLC in Medfield, MA. I have used Stephen McDonough as my attorney on multiple occasions, starting with my divorce and later for post-divorce parenting and child support issues. Stephen is well-prepared and gets favorable results. He is always prepared and does a great job on the customer service side by keeping me advised about my case and returning calls and emails promptly. If I need a Norfolk/Medfield/Westwood divorce/family law attorney in the future, my first call will be to Stephen at Next Phase Legal.