When you're considering divorce but have zero access to financial information because your spouse manages everything, the whole idea of leaving can feel impossible. How are you supposed to negotiate a settlement when you don't even know what accounts exist? How do you plan for your future when you literally have no idea what you have I hear this exact fear almost every day from people who reach out to me. You're definitely not alone in feeling completely in the dark about you

One of the first questions people ask me when they're thinking about divorce is: "How do I find a good lawyer?" Not just any lawyer. A good one. Someone who's experienced, reasonable, won't drain your bank account unnecessarily, and actually gets what you're going through. It's one of the most important decisions you'll make during this process—and one of the most overwhelming. Because how are you supposed to evaluate something you've never done before? How do you know if som

How One Simple Exercise Helped Me Navigate Divorce — and How It Can Help You Too If you're going through a divorce right now, your to-do list probably looks something like this: find an attorney, gather financial documents, figure out the custody situation, try not to fall apart. Writing a letter to yourself is probably not on that list. It should be. I spend a lot of time talking about spreadsheets, financial disclosures, and getting organized before you ever set foot in an

The decision-making framework I created during my own divorce — and now use with every single client — to help you stop making choices from fear and start making them from strategy. Divorce is chess, not checkers. Every move you make has consequences that ripple out for years — so make them count. When I was going through my own divorce, I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer number of decisions I had to make. Big ones, small ones, financial ones, emotional ones—they just

By Alex Beattie | The Divorce Planner If you've ever Googled "where do I even start with divorce," you're not alone. Most people enter the process completely unprepared — and they pay for it. Not just emotionally, but financially, in real attorney fees for questions they could have answered themselves. A divorce preparation toolkit is exactly what it sounds like: a system that helps you organize your documents, understand your finances, clarify your goals, and walk into every

Tax season is here — and if divorce is on your radar, that refund isn't just a windfall. It's a strategic opportunity. Your tax refund isn't just a check. It's a head start. Let's talk about something nobody brings up during tax season: what to do with your refund when your marriage is on shaky ground. Most people get their check and either spend it, save it, or put it toward something that feels immediately satisfying. I get it. But if divorce is something you're actively co

Should You Keep the House After Divorce? What You Need to Know Before You Decide Keeping the family home after divorce is a huge expense. Are you sure you can afford it? Whether you're in an apartment, condo, townhouse, or single-family house, the idea of leaving your family home after divorce can feel overwhelming and scary. Maybe your life is firmly rooted in the area, or your kids go to school nearby, or your job is close by—whatever the reason is, you want to stay put. If

What to do when you're still legally married but emotionally — you checked out a long time ago. You're still wearing the ring. But you already left. "You've probably seen the phrase ' quiet quitting your marriage ' floating around since The Cut published their piece on it last November. And while that article named something real — women emotionally withdrawing from marriages that stopped working — I want to talk about what's actually happening underneath that phrase. Becaus

Watch the full conversation above, then read on for the essential strategies that will help you create a co-parenting agreement that protects your children's future. Creating a parenting plan is one of the most emotionally difficult parts of divorce. No parent starts a family thinking, "I'm only going to have my kids for a certain percentage of the time." But here's the thing—a well-crafted parenting plan can save you thousands in legal fees, protect your relationship with yo

Take Control of Your Divorce Journey: Navigating the Uncertainty January—often referred to as "Divorce Month"—has just passed. I know many of you might be thinking: "Everyone else who was considering divorce in January has made a decision by now. Why can't I just decide?" Let me be clear: If you're not ready to decide, you're not behind. You're not late. You're exactly where you need to be. Subscribe to The Divorce Planner's newsletter and get divorce prep tips and tools del