Divorce Dialogues

"That it's a journey, allow yourself time, allow yourself the grace and whatever that you need and set intentions for why you are trying to reconnect with certain people." - Kimia Moghadam Kimia Moghadam, a licensed mental health counselor and clinical director at My Therapy NYC, is dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate the complexities of relationships, particularly when facing th...

"Yelling is not a consequence. It's the avoidance of a consequence." - Gary Edelstein Gary Edelstein, a seasoned psychotherapist specializing in neuropsychology and family systems, is dedicated to advancing a collaborative co-parenting model. He underscores the importance of maintaining a unified front in parenting, particularly when children experience emotional, psychological, or neurodevelopmen...

"You don't get divorced from your spouse. It doesn't exist. It's a made-up word. You commit to a new relationship with them." - Avi Kahan Avi Kahan, a distinguished mediator and founder of the non-profit Vad Hadin Vahora, is renowned for his innovative approach to divorce proceedings, integrating halakhic principles with civil law to offer comprehensive conflict resolution. With a background in fi...

"Mirroring slows down the communication process. It really helps us to be able to tune in and listen in addition to be able to hear the information." - Trisha Sanders Trisha Sanders is a licensed clinical social worker with nearly twenty years of experience, specializing in guiding families through the challenging transitions associated with divorce. Recognized for her expertise in expressive ther...

"Well, I guess it's important to know what's important to the spouse that you're divorcing and for them to know what's important to you so you could have a win-win situation." - Jeff Landers Jeff Landers is a distinguished expert with over 40 years of experience in real estate, mortgages, and the financial intricacies of divorce, renowned for his guidance in navigating the complex financial challe...

"There's a whole grief process that starts all over again when you make that final decision to sell that property. And that's hard for people." - Nikki Beauchamp Nikki Beauchamp, a seasoned Manhattan-based real estate expert with over two decades of experience at Sotheby's International Realty, provides invaluable guidance at the intersection of divorce and property transactions. With a keen focus...

"Divorce will get you out of one situation. It will not guarantee, though, a happy ending in the next." - Jessica McCarthy Dr. Jessica McCarthy, a renowned clinical and school psychologist from New Jersey, is celebrated for her expertise in supporting women through life transitions, including divorce. As the founder of Elements Psychological Services, she adopts a no-nonsense approach to simplify...

"If you don't know about the money, you don't have control over the money or access to the money." Ed Vargo, the founder of Burning River Advisory Group and Enlighten Her, is a fervent advocate for financial literacy, particularly focusing on empowering women. Inspired by his immigrant mother's struggles with financial independence, Ed has dedicated his career to providing compassionate financial...

"If your parents and you are just going to look at the negative side only and just keep making it worse for yourself, it's never going to get better." -Joseph Zweben- Joseph Zweben, a student at Pace University, is a testament to the positive impact of cooperative parenting during challenging times like divorce. Having personally experienced the benefits of his parents' collaborative efforts, Jose...

"You really want to know what your priorities are and then you want to know what your spouse's priorities are, because they might be different." - Melissa Murphy Pavone Melissa Murphy Pavone is a seasoned certified financial planner and divorce financial analyst, whose 18 years of experience in the field are deeply influenced by her personal experiences as a child of divorce. She founded Mindful D...

"In divorce we grieve the marriage, we grieve the life we once had with our partner and what that looked like. We grieve that stability." - Justine Carino Justine Carino, a licensed mental health counselor with over 12 years of experience, is a prominent voice in understanding the psychological impact of divorce. Specializing in anxiety and depression, she highlights the critical role therapy play...

Why is emotional well-being important in financial planning post-divorce? Jody D'Agostini is a renowned financial strategist and certified divorce financial analyst with nearly two decades of experience, specializing in helping individuals navigate the financial intricacies of divorce at Falcon Financial Group in Morristown. Transitioning from a career as a physician's assistant, Jody has dedicate...

"Depth psychology is a more spiritual approach, a psychospiritual approach to understanding yourself more deeply." - Deborah Lukovich Dr. Deborah Lukovich is a renowned depth psychologist who offers a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of divorce by delving into the unconscious mind. With a belief that up to 90% of our actions and decisions are influenced by hidden forces, she empha...

"Kids have large antenna on their heads that you can't see, but they're always scanning for information, and that is information that is picked up very easily." - Lisa Herrick Dr. Lisa Herrick, a renowned family therapist and collaborative divorce coach, has nearly twenty years of experience guiding families in the Washington, D.C. area through the complex transition period of separation and divor...

"The key is that it keeps the children stable. It keeps their routines consistent. There's a lot less upheaval and chaos for the children. It's a very child centered approach to separation and divorce." - Ann Gold Buscho Ann Gold Buscho, a licensed clinical psychologist, is renowned for her expertise in family dynamics surrounding divorce, with a particular emphasis on child-centered solutions. As...

Prenups get a bad rap. And if you broach the subject with a partner, they often think you’re planning for the marriage to fail. But what if a prenuptial agreement could help you get on the same page about money before you got married? What if a prenup could reduce tension in your marriage and even prevent divorce? Aaron Thomas has been named Atlanta's best divorce attorney three times, and he’s on...

If you’re considering divorce, it’s useful to do a cost-benefit analysis before you initiate the process. And think beyond the legal fees and division of property. How much time will it take to work through the process? What's the emotional cost to you, your spouse and your children? How might it impact your career? Raiford is CEO and Managing Partner of STG Divorce Law in Chicago and Fellow at th...

Neepa Padia gave up her senior level career in India to get married and immigrate to the US. But her partner was abusive, and Neepa wanted out. Unfortunately, she was in the country on a dependent spouse visa and had no friends, no family and no job. How did Neepa navigate divorce as an immigrant? Neepa is the Certified Divorce Coach behind Holistic Divorce Journey, a platform that helps immigrant...

You might assume that mediators who specialize in prenups recommend them for everyone. But Laurie Israel is actually against prenuptial agreements for most couples. So, when should you consider creating a prenup? And how do you write one in a fair and loving way that strengthens the new marriage? Laurie is a collaborative lawyer and mediator based in Massachusetts, where she concentrates her pract...

In the early days of her family law practice, Heather Quick noticed a troubling pattern among the women she represented. Women often undervalued what they brought to the marriage and failed to stand up for themselves in the divorce process. So, what can women do to change their mindset around divorce and fight for what they deserve? Heather Quick is Founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group, th...

If you’re going through a divorce, writing a love letter is probably the last thing on your mind. But Jennifer Lee, AWMA, AIF, suggests that sharing your values and hopes for the future in a family love letter to your children is a good first step for financial planning in divorce. So, how does a love letter help you set meaningful financial goals and make better money decisions? Jennifer is the f...

Asking your partner for a divorce is challenging under any circumstances. But the conversation can be downright dangerous if you’re leaving an abusive spouse. In fact, upwards of 70% of women who leave an abusive spouse are murdered. So, what resources are available to victims of intimate partner violence? How do you mitigate the risks associated with divorcing an abuser? Beverly Price is the driv...

Is your relationship causing you a great deal of stress? Do you suspect that your partner has a diagnosable mental illness? In such a challenging situation, it’s human nature to blame the other person in the relationship. To label their behavior as wrong and ask, ‘Why won’t they change?’ But if their mental health is in question, they may not be able to change. And the better question is, ‘What is...

If you aren’t fully informed about your finances in marriage, you can’t negotiate from a level playing field in divorce. That’s why Adrienne Grace is committed to helping women with what she calls holistic financial planning. So, what is holistic financial planning? How can it help you negotiate a realistic divorce settlement and build a plan for the future? Adrienne is the Women’s Wealth Advocate...

What do you need to know about filing your taxes during or after divorce? Are asset transfers taxable? What about alimony and child support? Who claims the children? And what if your ex mishandled the finances and there’s tax debt you knew nothing about? Tax Attorney Hubert Johnson is Founder of Guardian Tax Law, where he has assisted thousands of individuals and businesses dealing with IRS and st...