Life, Law, & Lattes

Host Nadia Gilkes explores how couples can talk about parenting expectations—covering discipline styles, core values, education choices, faith and cultural traditions—so partners know what kind of people they want to raise together. The episode emphasizes that different childhoods shape parenting beliefs and that the goal is not perfect agreement but the ability to make child-centered decisions to...

In this episode, Nadia Gilkes explores family and future planning, moving beyond the simple question "Do you want children?" to examine what family means, timing, expectations, and the importance of honest conversation before committing to a life together. She emphasizes discussing the reasons behind your wishes, preparing for changes like infertility or blended families, and ensuring you and your...

Host Nadia Gilkes guides couples through practical conversations about splitting day-to-day financial responsibilities before marriage, focusing on clear expectations, equity versus equality, and creating a system that works for both partners. She highlights options like income-based splits, assigning specific bills, and the importance of revisiting arrangements as incomes and life circumstances c...

In this episode of Before Forever, host Nadia Gilkes explores the importance of financial transparency before marriage, focusing on hidden obligations like wage garnishments, intercepted tax refunds, unpaid taxes, child support, and other debts that can surprise a partner after saying "I do." She explains why these conversations are about trust and practical planning, not judgment, and encourages...

Host Nadia Gilkes discusses whether couples should use joint or separate bank accounts, arguing the choice matters less than the reasons behind it. She urges partners to share their financial stories, prioritize transparency, and build trust through intentional conversations to prevent future conflicts.

In this episode of Before Forever, host Nadia Gilkes talks with boundaries expert Sheryl Green about why boundaries matter in relationships and how to start setting them. They define boundaries, explore why people struggle to create them, and share practical steps couples can use—communication, role‑playing, and unified front—to protect intimacy and respect. The conversation also covers handling e...

Host Nadia Gilkes reviews the Netflix documentary A Toxic Love Story and unpacks how a relationship spiraled from charm to control, stalking, and criminal wrongdoing. She explores the family, property, and criminal law angles, Michelle’s escape, wrongful arrest, and the long road to justice. Key takeaways include spotting red flags, defining non-negotiables, the risks of buying property or co-sign...

In this episode, Nadia Gilkes brings together Authors & Espresso and Life, Law & Lattes to announce her new book, Before Forever. The book offers 22 chapters of guided conversations and practical exercises couples should discuss before making a lifelong commitment, aiming to bridge the gap for those who can't access premarital counseling. Topics include faith, family background, money, bou...

In this episode of Before Forever, Nadia Gilkes guides couples through the crucial conversation of defining what a successful marriage or long-term partnership looks like. She explores how partners can use the same words but mean different things, and why sharing a detailed vision for the future prevents mismatched expectations. The episode invites listeners to imagine their ideal life—considering...

This episode explores how intimacy is shaped by communication, vulnerability, and relational history, and why couples should discuss expectations, boundaries, and curiosities before committing long-term. Host Nadia Gilkes highlights emotional safety, practical communication strategies, and even legal implications, and invites listeners to use the free Before Forever Reflection Workbook to begin ho...

Host Nadia Gilkes examines how past relationships continue to influence current partnerships—through patterns, expectations, trust issues, and unresolved legal or practical realities like co‑parenting or court orders. The episode encourages awareness, honest conversation, and clear boundaries to prevent old wounds from quietly controlling the future. Listeners are invited to reflect using the Befo...

Host Nadia Gilkes begins the 'Relational History and Emotional Landscape' portion of the series asking couples to examine what they bring into a relationship. This episode focuses on criminal history—misdemeanors, felonies, and expungements—and explains why transparency matters for trust, planning, and future opportunities. Nadia offers perspective on how past legal issues can affect employment, t...

Host Nadia Gilkes examines the Netflix documentary Maternal Instinct, recounting the case of Taylor Parker and the murder of pregnant Reagan Hancock, the social-media deception, and the missed warning signs in a close-knit Texas community. The episode highlights legal and ethical questions about when professionals should speak up, the dangers of manipulation, and practical safety advice for pregna...

In this episode of Before Forever, host Nadia Gilkes explores how couples handle conflict and why communication—more than avoiding fights—is essential to a healthy relationship. She discusses common conflict patterns, how to create emotional safety, repair after disagreements, and the legal consequences of poor communication, and points listeners to the free Before Forever Reflection Workbook at e...

This episode explores how past emotional wounds shape how we communicate and connect, asking: How comfortable are you discussing emotional pain with a partner? It focuses on awareness, not blame, and explains how unresolved hurt can appear as withdrawal, defensiveness, or need for reassurance. The host encourages honest, gradual vulnerability (not perfection), highlights the role of emotional self...

This episode explores how political and worldview differences affect relationships and offers guidance for couples on navigating disagreement with respect, emotional safety, and curiosity. Host Nadia Gilkes emphasizes the importance of honest conversations, understanding underlying values, and creating a partnership that can hold space for difference without devaluing each other.

Host Nadia Gilkes explores how couples can talk about faith, traditions, and spirituality before committing—why these conversations matter and how they affect parenting, community, and decision-making. The episode encourages intentional reflection with practical prompts to help partners understand where they align, where they defer, and how to build a life together with honesty and clarity.

In this episode, attorney Nadia Gilkes breaks down a high-profile paternity case reportedly involving Floyd Mayweather — how refusing a court-ordered DNA test can lead to a default judgment, massive back child support, and liens on property. She explains why responding to summons matters, options for collecting child support when payors have irregular income, and practical steps to protect your ri...

Before Forever, hosted by attorney Nadia Gilkes on Life, Law, & Lattes, is a guided conversation series helping couples ask the essential questions before marriage or long-term commitment. Each episode slows things down to explore one meaningful question that promotes honesty, alignment, and intentional decision-making. Listeners can download the free Before Forever Reflection Workbook at eLeg...

On this episode of Life, Law & Lattes, host Nadia Gilkes examines the notorious Betty Broderick case — a once-devoted wife and mother whose marriage, husband's affair, and their bitter divorce escalated into murder, a high-profile trial, and decades behind bars. Nadia walks listeners through the couple’s rise, the breakdown of the marriage, the contested custody and financial dispu...

Actor Quinton Aaron woke from a coma to discover the woman he believed was his wife was not legally married to him, triggering disputes over hospital decision-making and legal standing. This episode explains practical steps to protect yourself: verify divorce decrees and public records before marrying, run basic background checks, and sign clear medical and financial powers of attorney so the pers...

This episode explains what happens to child support when the person paying it dies: the obligation becomes a debt of the estate, child support is high priority in probate, and creditors must file claims quickly (timelines vary by state). It also covers how Social Security survivor benefits can offset estate payments, options like life insurance or trusts to secure support, and the importance of ha...

Host Nadia Gilkes reviews the documentary The Death and Life of Lamar Odom, exploring his childhood trauma, addiction journey, and the medical crisis that brought his story back into the spotlight. She highlights the legal takeaways—why powers of attorney, guardian nominations, and state lockboxes matter, how next-of-kin rules work, and how proper planning can prevent family fights and delay...

On this episode of Life, Law, & Lattes, attorney Nadia Gilkes explains what to do when a parent stops paying child support and why having a court order is the essential first step. She outlines enforcement options—wage garnishment, license or passport suspension, fines, and even jail—advises how to document missed payments and violations, and stresses the importance of following co...

Host Nadia Gilkes returns with a follow-up on Michelle Hundley Smith, who disappeared in 2001 and was recently found living in a rural trailer near the state border. The episode covers the family’s reactions, new details about an old DWI case, and Smith’s upcoming court appearance on March 26. Nadia also discusses a separate high-profile Utah murder trial, noting unusual courtroom beha...