How treating yourself with kindness becomes your most powerful tool for navigating divorce with clarity and strength Treat yourself with the same compassion you would give to your best friend. When people talk about protecting your energy during divorce, they often suggest rest, long walks, or bubble baths. And while those things help, they don't go deep enough. Because the biggest energy drain isn't always your ex, your lawyer, or your to-do list -- it's your inner critic. Y

The strategic framework that turns overwhelming decisions into clear action steps Divorce can feel like a big game of chess. Every move you make has consequences—some you see immediately, others that don't reveal themselves until it's too late. Subscribe to The Divorce Planner's newsletter  and get divorce prep tips and tools delivered right to your inbox! A client of mine came to me insisting that she wanted to keep the family home and most of the retirement accounts. It fel

There's no better feeling that knowing you can trust your gut. When clients first reach out to me, they usually start with some version of this: "I don't know if I should get divorced. How do I figure out if it's the right decision?" But here's what I've learned after coaching hundreds of people through this exact question—deep down, they already know. They're not really asking me to help them decide. They're asking for permission to trust what they already feel. This hit me

You can get just about anything online these days: a first date, wedding registry, and a divorce. Is an online divorce service right for you? Yep, you read that right. Getting divorced online is now as common as ordering your morning coffee through an app. But before you start thinking divorce is as simple as adding items to your Amazon cart, let's pump the brakes and talk about what online divorce services actually are, how they work, and whether they're right for your situa

You know that feeling when you're lying awake at 2 AM, staring at the ceiling, asking yourself the same question that's been haunting you for months—maybe years: "Should I stay or should I go?" It's one of the most isolating places to be. You feel stuck in what feels like relationship purgatory, not fully in your marriage but not ready to leave either. If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. I recently had an incredible conversation with Betsy Pake , midlife cha

Do It Even If You’re Scared: Why Fear Shouldn’t Stop Your Next Chapter Fear is sneaky. It shows up right when you're about to make a decision that could change your life for the better, whispering all the reasons why you should stay exactly where you are. Whether you're considering divorce, thinking about changing careers, or just trying to take any step toward a better life, fear has this incredible ability to make you freeze right at the moment of action. This happens const

Thinking about your retirement during divorce might sound premature, but your best bet to stay on track to achieve your goals is to educate yourself on how your long-term financial plans will be effected by divorce. How to Prepare for Retirement During Divorce: A Financial Survival Guide Divorce when you're staring down the barrel of retirement can feel absolutely terrifying. Maybe you've been married for 20+ years, and suddenly you're facing the reality of splitting everythi

Why Your Marriage Ending Might Be Your Best Life Beginning Your next chapter gets to be written by YOU. When you're facing divorce after 45, it feels like everything is falling apart. The life you built, the future you planned, the person you thought you were—suddenly none of it makes sense anymore. I hear this from clients all the time: "I should be grateful for what I have, so why do I feel so empty?" Here's what I want you to consider: what if this is your moment to finall

Divorce when you've been in the dark about finances can paralyze you, but you can take control and get the info you need. 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 make decisions about your future when you literally don't know what you have? I hear this exact fear almost every day from women who reach out to me. You're definitely n

With some thoughtful planning, you can turn summer during divorce from “yuck”  to “yeah!" Summer is supposed to be the season of freedom and fun for kids—but if you’re navigating divorce, you know it can bring a whole different set of challenges. I’ve worked with countless families who dread the approach of summer break, worried about custody schedules, vacation conflicts, and how their kids will handle all the changes. Here’s what I want you to know: your kids can absolutely

When you're going through divorce, it's not just your living situation that's changing—your entire relationship with yourself is being tested. I've been there, and I know how easy it is to become your own worst critic during this time. "I should have seen the signs," "I'm a failure," "I'm not good enough," "I've ruined everything"—sound familiar? Self-compassion during divorce isn't a luxury—it's the foundation that helps you make clearer decisions, heal faster, and build res

So excited to be joining forces with C.D.F.A.and financial powerhouse Josephti Cruz! When you're facing divorce, the financial aspects often create the most anxiety. Not because they’re complicated (though they can be), but because they represent something much deeper: your future security, peace of mind, and ability to move forward with confidence. “Will I be okay financially?” “Can I keep my home?” “What will happen to my retirement?” These questions don’t just occupy your

Going into divorce negotiations prepared ensures you'll end up with a satisfying outcome. "Divorce negotiations are fun!" said no one ever. Even in the best of circumstances, divorce negotiations often become battlegrounds where emotions run high and rational decision-making takes a backseat. Going into the process unfamiliar or unprepared for the negotiation process is a recipe for disaster that can haunt you for years to come. But that's not going to happen to you because I

This 20 minute conversation is packed with meaningful info for people navigating divorce after 50. In a recent insightful conversation, Divorce Prep Coach Alex Beattie of The Divorce Planner sat down with Michigan-based family law attorney Jorin Rubin to discuss the unique challenges of "gray divorce" – divorces occurring among couples aged 50 and older. Their conversation revealed critical insights about navigating divorce later in life, from financial considerations to le

Divorce brings a multitude of challenges, and navigating the complex financial landscape is often among the most daunting. When it comes to dividing assets and establishing new financial foundations, most people think primarily of attorneys, mediators, and perhaps financial advisors. However, there's a specialized professional who can make a tremendous difference in your divorce outcome, particularly when real estate and mortgages are involved: the Certified Divorce Lending P

If you're at a point in your marriage where you're not sure if you'll divorce or stay married, the uncertainty can be paralyzing. You're not completely sure if divorce is what's next, yet you can't shake the feeling that you need to be prepared just in case. If this resonates with you, you're not alone. This crossroads is exactly where many of my clients find themselves when they first reach out to me. As a divorce prep coach, I've personally guided hundreds of people throu

This 20 minute conversation is a great place to start your collaborative divorce education. When a divorce enters your life, the path forward can seem overwhelmingly steep. Images of courtroom battles, endless legal fees, and emotional devastation often flood our minds. But what if there was another way? A path that prioritizes dignity, communication, and solutions that work for everyone involved? I recently sat down with family law attorney Renée Turner to discuss collabora

When you've internalized rage for long periods of time, or even if it just snuck up on you, addressing it can feel really scary. There's a common narrative around divorce that suggests we should "keep calm and carry on." Be reasonable. Don't rock the boat. Stay positive. Handle the business side efficiently. And while yes, there is absolutely a time and place for pragmatic, level-headed decision-making—especially when dividing assets or creating parenting plans—this approach

Watch the above 20 minute conversation to learn expert tips for SAHMs facing divorce. Navigating Divorce as a Stay-at-Home Mom: Key Insights from Family Law Attorney Sharie Reyes Albers When you're facing divorce as a stay-at-home mom, the financial and legal landscape can feel overwhelming. Without your own income stream and possibly years away from career growth, divorce presents the stay-at-home mom unique challenges that working spouses simply don't encounter. In this rec

By actively engaging in divorce preparation, you reduce your anxiety and activate yourself to be a part of the process rather than a passenger. When you're proactive about preparing for divorce, you not only save time and money, you'll experience profound peace of mind about your future. In this comprehensive guide we'll explore how proper preparation can transform one of life's most challenging transitions into an opportunity for growth, empowerment, and financial stability.

Josephti Cruz breaks down what a CDFA does and how working with one during divorce is a game changer. When navigating divorce, most people focus heavily on finding the right attorney. While legal representation is essential, there's another professional who could significantly impact your financial future: a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). In our recent conversation with CDFA and wealth management expert Josephti Cruz of Cover Your Assets Divorce Financial Planni

Building the right parenting plan for you start with understanding what points to include. When it comes to navigating divorce with children, few elements are as important—or as challenging—as creating an effective parenting plan. This critical document will guide your co-parenting relationship for years to come, yet many parents struggle to develop plans that truly work for their unique situations. Subscribe to The Divorce Planner's newsletter and get divorce prep tips and