Beth McCormack

Pride Month is a celebration, but it is also a jarring reminder of how recent many LGBTQ+ rights truly are.

In many ways, it is shocking how recent many of these rights are, with protections involving marriage, military service, and workplace discrimination only being established within the last two decades.

This timeline is a powerful reminder that these changes came through decades of tireless advocacy, courage, resilience, and the fight for equality under the law.

These are just a few of the many milestones that helped shape LGBTQ+ rights in America and highlight the importance of continued understanding, respect, and legal protection.

Photos via dims.apnews.com, Time.graphics, Historic Chicago, psychiatryonline.org, mcny.org, lambdalegal.org, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov, apnews.com, nbcnews.com, and axios.com.

My definition of family has changed more than I ever expected.

Over the years, my understanding of family has evolved. From being married, to navigating life as a single parent, to building a new chapter with Russell and blending our families, I’ve seen how much the idea of family can shift.

As we all know, relationships within a family are not always easy. There are disagreements, growing pains, and seasons where things feel hard. But there can also be space to repair, to grow, and to find your way back to one another.

I know that is not everyone’s story, and for those with unsafe family relationships, it is okay to redefine what family means, because it extends beyond blood.

And let’s not forget our “Framily” -- the friends who become family. They’re the ones who show up, who push you, who hold space for you, and make belonging feel real.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: family isn’t just what you’re born into. It’s what you build, with the people who choose you back.

Redefining family is not a failure, it might be growth.

I work with people in one of the hardest seasons of their lives. Divorce, custody, blended families, shifting roles, and redefining what “family” looks like in real time.

There is no blueprint.

I’ve seen families break apart and rebuild in much healthier ways. I’ve seen people create stability for their children in the middle of uncertainty. And I’ve seen how much strength it takes to navigate change.

My own life has followed a similar path. From my first marriage, to single motherhood, to building a blended family with Russell, I understand that family is not static. It evolves.

What matters most is not what your family looks like on paper. It is whether it is a place of support, stability, and care.

For some, that is the family they were born into. For others, it is the one they build. And for many, it becomes a combination of both.

There is no one right version, just the life that allows you and the people you love to thrive.

If you are navigating a family transition and need legal guidance, I am here to help. You can learn more and get in touch with me at beermannlaw.com/team/beth-f-mccormack.

Dividing assets in a divorce is one thing. Dividing a business in a divorce is a whole separate negotiation.

When a marriage ends, what happens to the business built during it?

This is often a very complex and emotional part of divorce, and one that people often don’t think about until they are in it.

A business is not just an asset. It is someone’s livelihood, identity, and in many cases, something built together over years of hard work.

So how do you divide something like that?

It starts with understanding value. Not just financially, but operationally. What is the business worth? Who is involved in running it? What does each person’s role look like moving forward?

From there, the conversation becomes about ongoing ownership and sustainability. Can one person buy the other out? Does it make sense to continue working together in some capacity? What solution protects both the business and the individuals involved?

Like many aspects of divorce, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

The best outcomes, where you are divorcing with a scalpel and not a machete, often come from a collaborative approach. One that focuses not just on division of assets, but on possibly preserving what has been built.

This increases the chances of both people being able to successfully move forward, either together in the business or apart. Either way, there is a reduction in post-divorce animosity, which ultimately serves the whole family in the long run.

At the end of the day, it is not just about closing a chapter. It is about setting up what comes next. If you would like to learn more about the Collaborative Divorce process, head to my page at beermannlaw.com/team/beth-f-mccormack.

The way we, as a society, handle domestic violence isn’t working. We can’t afford to ignore it anymore.

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how we can create real change when it comes to domestic violence.

I’ve curated a list of people who want to create change. Alongside a survivor's family and my coach, we have formed a team of incredible professionals. Together, we’re asking a big question: What can we do to move the needle?

In June, we’ll be collaborating at a summit where we will have honest conversations and identify the gaps. Where are people not being educated? Where are systems falling short? And how can we better bring awareness to coercive control and domestic violence?

This is just the beginning. It will be a long, hard road, but I’m ready for it. What gaps in understanding do you see?

If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, feel free to send me a DM. I’m always happy to connect.