Divorce Dialogues

"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...

Julie Rountree began her career as a divorce attorney. And she quickly realized that clients expected her to be both their legal advocate and counselor. But it was very difficult to wear both hats. Julie recognized that her clients needed someone to help them navigate the emotions of divorce. That’s when she stumbled on divorce coaching and thought, ‘This is professional who’s been missing from th...

We all assume that when we get divorced, things are going to get better. But when a marriage ends, communication is usually at a low point. And that communication style tends to stick, which causes ongoing conflict in the co-parenting relationship. So, what can you do to interrupt that conflict dynamic with your ex? How do you build a constructive, positive co-parenting relationship? Jenni Rock is...

Do you suspect that your soon-to-be-ex-spouse is hiding money? If your partner is trying to avoid equitable distribution in a divorce settlement, they might be keeping assets from you or transferring money into a secret account. But is it necessary to hire a forensic accountant? Or can you do the job yourself? Tracey Coenen is a renowned forensic accountant and the brains behind the Divorce Money...

What story are you telling yourself about your divorce? Blaming your ex may seem justified, but that story only gets you stuck in a victim mentality with no control over your own life. So, how do you rewrite your story and start building an empowered life post-divorce? Kimberly Kelley is the neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner and hypnotherapist behind Reinvent Yourself, a program that...

Wonder what your kids are experiencing during the divorce process? What if you could ask adult children of divorce for advice? Grace Casper became a child of divorce at the age of eight. By age 10, she had written the first draft of her book, Dear Parents: Notes from a Child of Divorce by Grace Casper. Today, Grace runs Divorce Tips from Kids, a platform dedicated to helping families navigate divo...

Worried thoughts about the future generate anxiety. And divorce begets an uncertain future. So, it’s no surprise that anxiety is such a common emotion in divorce. But how do you navigate that anxiety without getting overwhelmed in the process? Bernadette Purcell is Founder of Shore Behavioral Health, a practice that helps patients with anxiety disorders enjoy more fulfilling lives and supports ind...

Divorce makes us feel vulnerable. And many of us lawyer up and come out swinging to protect ourselves. But what if there’s a more effective way to reach an agreement with your ex? What if a little self-reflection early on can help you improve the process of working with a divorce professional? Jacinta Gallant is a respected lawyer, mediator and educator recognized internationally for her innovativ...

If your marriage is ending, you may be convinced that things will never be good again. But what if I told you there is a way to stay positive, even during a divorce? To feel less vulnerable in stressful situations? And change the dynamic of conversations with your ex? Bill Carmody serves as Chief Coaching Officer for Positive Intelligence, where he oversees the application of mental fitness for th...

According to the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, divorce is the second most stressful life event after the death of a spouse. And that stress has an impact on our food choices and overall health. So, how might we leverage integrative nutrition to make positive, lasting lifestyle changes while we’re coping with divorce? Suzy Wood is the Integrative Nutrition Health Coach behind True Wellness Within,...

Traditional coparenting arrangements put the focus on the divorcing couple. They establish new, separate households, and the kids go back and forth. But what happens if you shift your focus and build a coparenting plan around the children? When Bill DeSalvo’s ex-wife introduced him to the idea of nesting, he had misgivings. But he was open to the alternative because of its benefits for his kids. O...