Divorce 101

In this final episode of Divorce 101 A to Z from the Divorce Happens podcast, Olivia Howell explores zero-sum thinking , a mindset that frames divorce as a win-lose battle instead of a restructuring of life and family systems. Brought to you by the letter Z and the number 0 , this episode explains why divorce does not need a scoreboard — and how releasing zero-sum beliefs can reduce conflict, guil...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains your best interest standard , the legal principle courts use when making custody and parenting decisions in divorce cases. Brought to you by the letter Y and the number 3 , this episode breaks down the three core areas judges evaluate: a child’s needs, safety, and stability. Listeners learn what the best interest standa...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of ex parte , a critical legal concept used in emergency or safety-related situations during divorce or custody cases. Brought to you by the letter X and the number 1 , this episode explores how ex parte requests work, why they are used when immediate protection is required, and what happens after an ex part...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explores the emotional side of divorce that most people never talk about: the withdrawal of emotion . Brought to you by the letter W and the number 2 , this episode explains why most divorces have two endings — the emotional ending and the legal ending — and how those timelines often unfold at different speeds for each partner....

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of visitation — a traditional legal term that describes when and how a child spends time with each parent after separation or divorce. Brought to you by the letter V and the number 7 , this episode highlights why most parenting schedules center around a seven-day structure and explores the most common visita...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down one of the most essential pillars of divorce education: understanding your rights . Brought to you by the letter U and the number 5 , this episode outlines the five fundamental rights every person should know when entering the divorce process, including the right to safety, financial transparency, marital assets,...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down the concept of a divorce timeline — one of the most grounding and helpful tools in the divorce process. Brought to you by the letter T and the number 6 , this episode walks listeners through the six common stages of divorce: consideration, preparation, filing, negotiation, resolution, and implementation. Listeners...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down what a divorce settlement is and why it is the foundation of every finalized divorce. Brought to you by the letter S and the number 4 , this episode walks listeners through the four key components of a settlement: parenting arrangements, support obligations, asset division, and debt division. Listeners learn how sett...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down one of the most important concepts in any divorce: resolution . Brought to you by the letter R and the number 3 , this episode explains the three primary paths to resolution — agreement, mediation, and litigation — and helps listeners understand how their divorce might reach its final outcome. Listeners learn what...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a QDRO (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) is and why it’s essential for dividing certain retirement accounts during divorce. Brought to you by the letter Q and the number 1 , this episode highlights the one category of assets that require a QDRO — qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans. Listeners learn how...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a parenting plan is and why it is one of the most important documents in any divorce involving children. Brought to you by the letter P and the number 2 , this episode highlights the two essential components of every parenting plan: parenting time (when the child is with each parent) and parental responsibility...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains one of the most essential parts of the divorce process: orders . Brought to you by the letter O and the number 4 , this episode breaks down the four major types of orders — temporary orders, financial orders, custody and parenting time orders, and final orders — and explains how they guide, protect, and structure the en...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the importance of notice in the divorce process. Brought to you by the letter N and the number 30 , the episode breaks down what notice is, why legally valid service is required, what methods are accepted in most states, and how notice ensures fairness, predictability, and due process in divorce proceedings. Listeners l...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down the meaning of mediation — one of the most common and collaborative ways to navigate divorce without litigation. Brought to you by the letter M and the number 3 , the episode explains the three essential qualities that make mediation successful: openness, honesty, and willingness to find common ground. Listeners lear...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a legal separation is, how it works, and why some couples choose it instead of divorce. Brought to you by the letter L and the number 6 , this episode outlines the six most common reasons couples choose legal separation — from health insurance considerations to religious beliefs to emotional readiness and financial...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains what a kitchen table agreement is and how couples can use this collaborative approach to outline the terms of their divorce without high conflict or litigation. Brought to you by the letter K and the number 2 , this episode highlights why kitchen table agreements work best when two people can communicate respectfully...

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of a divorce judgment — the final court order that legally ends a marriage. Brought to you by the letter J and the number 2 , the episode breaks down the two major components of a judgment: the legal dissolution of the marriage, and the detailed terms outlining custody, support, property division, and more....

In this Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down one of the most common — and most misunderstood — legal terms in divorce: irreconcilable differences . Brought to you by the letter I and the number 1 , this episode explains the meaning of irreconcilable differences in plain language, why it exists, and why most modern divorces use this no-fault ground. Listeners le...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down what a hearing actually is during a divorce. Brought to you by the letter H and the number 10 , this five-minute explanation clarifies why hearings are usually short, simple, and procedural — often lasting 10 minutes or less — and why they matter even when they feel overwhelming. Listeners learn what happens durin...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell breaks down a key legal term at the start of every case: grounds for divorce . Brought to you by the letter G and the number 2 , this five-minute guide explains the difference between fault-based and no-fault divorce, how each option works, and why most modern divorces proceed through the no-fault pathway. Listeners will lear...

In this episode of Divorce Happens , we continue the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter F , breaking down the meaning of financial disclosure — one of the most essential steps in any divorce. Brought to you by the letter F and the number 30, this short, approachable episode explains what financial disclosure includes, why transparency is legally required, and how accurate information lays t...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of Divorce Happens , Olivia Howell explains the meaning of equitable distribution , the system most states use to divide marital property during divorce. Brought to you by the letter E and the number 50 , this short, accessible episode helps listeners understand why equitable does not always mean 50/50 — and why fairness is based on context, not simple math. L...

In today’s Divorce 101 A to Z episode of the Divorce Happens podcast, Olivia Howell breaks down the meaning of a divorce decree , the final court order that officially ends a marriage. Brought to you by the letter D and the number 1 , this short, accessible episode explains what a decree includes, why it matters, and how it functions as the single, legally binding document that shapes life after d...

In this episode of Divorce Happens , we continue the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter C , focusing on one of the most important and emotional aspects of divorce: custody . Brought to you by the letter C and the number 2, this short, accessible episode explains the difference between legal custody and physical custody, how parenting schedules work, and why custody is not about ‘winning’ or...

This episode of Divorce Happens continues the Divorce 101 A to Z series with the letter B , where we break down one of the most important emotional skills during divorce: boundaries . Brought to you by the letter B and the number 2, this short, compassionate episode explains what boundaries are, why they matter, and how they can dramatically reduce conflict and overwhelm during a divorce or separa...