“If you had to give divorce advice to your best friend, what would you say?” The question intrigued me. As someone who has been a divorce lawyer for decades, I’ve given my share of divorce advice. But what was my best stuff? If my brother, or my best friend, was getting divorced, what would I … Read more about 50+ Pieces of Divorce Advice Your Lawyer May Not Have Told You (But Should Have!)
Karen’s Divorce Blog: Practical Information to Get You Through Your Divorce
The 3 Most Important Questions in Divorce
The minute the word “divorce” enters your consciousness, your brain gets flooded with questions: “What do I do now?” “How am I going to survive?” “What will happen to the kids?” “Will I spend the rest of my life alone?” All of those questions are important to ask yourself at some point. But … Read more about The 3 Most Important Questions in Divorce
How to Get a Collaborative Divorce: Don’t Let Your Divorce Lawyer Fool You
Collaborative divorce is an alternative to fighting to the death with your spouse in court. Using the collaborative process you can resolve your case your way, in private, out of court. The collaborative process will also help you preserve at least a civilized relationship with your ex so … Read more about How to Get a Collaborative Divorce: Don’t Let Your Divorce Lawyer Fool You
How to Decide Who Gets the House in a Divorce
You are facing divorce and the only two assets you and your spouse have got that are worth anything are your house and your retirement accounts. You could keep the house and give your spouse the retirement accounts, or vice versa. But you are not sure which is best. How do you decide who gets the … Read more about How to Decide Who Gets the House in a Divorce
10 Tips for Effective Co Parenting
Anyone who thinks co-parenting is easy has probably never tried it themselves! Even if you and your ex did your best to “consciously uncouple,” you are still likely to push each other’s buttons from time to time after your divorce. If your divorce was more like World War III than a civilized split, … Read more about 10 Tips for Effective Co Parenting
Divorce and Money: 8 Tips to Keep Your Ex From Hurting You Financially in Divorce
One of the scariest parts of getting divorced is wondering whether your ex is going to take you to the cleaners. Sadly, when it comes to divorce and money, there are no guarantees. We all know people who have been left financially devastated by an ex who seemed to be hell-bent on destroying them. … Read more about Divorce and Money: 8 Tips to Keep Your Ex From Hurting You Financially in Divorce
A Different View: 8 Reasons to be Thankful for Your Divorce
It seems like a crazy question: Are you thankful for your divorce? Who would ever be thankful that their life was turned upside down, their dreams dashed to pieces, and their family changed forever? Why would anyone be thankful for the pain, the misery, the disruption, or the financial … Read more about A Different View: 8 Reasons to be Thankful for Your Divorce
10 Ways to Take the High Road In Divorce – And the Best Reason to Do It
We all know that we are supposed to take the high road in life. We have heard it from our parents, teachers, spiritual leaders, and even that little voice in our head that always has an opinion about what we “should” do. But what exactly does it mean to take the high road in divorce? Here are a few … Read more about 10 Ways to Take the High Road In Divorce – And the Best Reason to Do It
The 5 Most Important Things to Know About Health Insurance After Divorce
I was totally blown away. Being a well-educated, professional person who has been part of the “divorce industry” for decades I thought I was pretty savvy about most things having to do with divorce. So, when I sat down to write an article about health insurance after divorce, I thought it would be … Read more about The 5 Most Important Things to Know About Health Insurance After Divorce
Are You on a Divorce Guilt Trip?
Were you the one who pulled the trigger on your divorce? If so, my guess is that you have probably asked yourself one (or more) of these questions a thousand times: “Are things really so bad that I need to get divorced?” “Am I giving up too soon?” “How can I do this to my kids?” and “Am I going to … Read more about Are You on a Divorce Guilt Trip?
7 Surprising Ways You Are Giving Away Your Power in Divorce
No one in their right mind would ever knowingly give away their power, their energy, or their ability to control their own future at the one time in life when they need it the most - when they are getting a divorce. Yet, I see people doing it every day. Here are 7 surprising ways you may be giving … Read more about 7 Surprising Ways You Are Giving Away Your Power in Divorce
Is Custody Dead? Understanding Child Custody in Illinois
Have you ever stopped to wonder why we use the same word – “custody” – to describe the right to care for our children and the imprisonment of criminals? It seems a little strange once you actually think about it. Maybe that's why the Illinois legislature recently eliminated child custody in … Read more about Is Custody Dead? Understanding Child Custody in Illinois
Divorce and Yoga: 10 Surprising Insights For a Zen Divorce
Divorce and yoga. At first blush they seem so different. Yoga and divorce. One is so Zen. The other is about as “un-Zen” as you could possibly get. Yet, as I was trying to balance in Eagle pose yesterday, standing on one leg with my arms and legs wrapped around each other like pretzels and the sweat … Read more about Divorce and Yoga: 10 Surprising Insights For a Zen Divorce
Discernment Counseling: A Way to Cope When Your Head Says “Stay” & Your Heart Says “Go”
You know your marriage isn’t perfect, but you don’t want to just let it go. You're worried that divorce will destroy your kids’ lives, but you are also worried that staying married will destroy yours. You don’t want to give up on your marriage, but you are not sure there is anything left to save. … Read more about Discernment Counseling: A Way to Cope When Your Head Says “Stay” & Your Heart Says “Go”
Why Knowing Your Family Finances is Important in Marriage
While people divorce for many reasons, two key factors that cause marriages to fail are lack of communication and money. Surprisingly, a recent study found that, even though 72% of married couples believed that they communicated well, and an even higher percentage believed they could talk to their … Read more about Why Knowing Your Family Finances is Important in Marriage
What Hidden Superpower Helps You Recover From Divorce?
Have you ever had someone ask you: "If you could have any superpower there is, which one would you choose?" Would it be x-ray vision? Or superhuman strength? Or maybe you would like to fly? While that question doesn’t seem to have very much to do with divorce, the truth is that you have one … Read more about What Hidden Superpower Helps You Recover From Divorce?
What Do Celebrity Divorces Have That We Don’t … But Should?
What makes celebrity divorces different from the average, run-of-the-mill marital split? You might think the answer is money, seemingly unlimited resources, or visibility. After all, celebrity divorces often get enormous amounts of publicity, are staffed with the best, high-powered divorce … Read more about What Do Celebrity Divorces Have That We Don’t … But Should?
Insights from the Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Divorce
It’s not a secret any more. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have announced their divorce after 10 years of marriage. While some are surprised that this seemingly solid couple with three beautiful children has split, what’s most encouraging is how the two are handling their situation. Here are seven … Read more about Insights from the Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner Divorce
Do You Believe in Divorce?
No one ever questions whether I believe in divorce. I’m a divorce lawyer. Divorce is my job. It’s how I make money. Of course I believe in divorce! Or, at least that’s what most people think. The truth, though, is not that simple. When I was young I believed, as most young girls do, in true love. … Read more about Do You Believe in Divorce?
The Truth About Divorce: The #1 Factor That Predicts Everything
There is one truth about divorce that is the key to everything. If you know this one thing, you can predict, with surprising accuracy, how difficult your divorce will be, how badly your kids will be affected by it, and the level of financial devastation you will suffer once your divorce is finally … Read more about The Truth About Divorce: The #1 Factor That Predicts Everything
5 Tips to Keep Your Emotions from Driving Your Divorce
Everyone knows that they shouldn’t make important decisions while they are in a highly emotional state. But when you are going through a divorce and everything is highly emotional, what are you supposed to do? You can’t very well refuse to make any decisions until your divorce is over! While you … Read more about 5 Tips to Keep Your Emotions from Driving Your Divorce
How to Lose Your Custody Battle
Most divorcing couples embroiled in a custody battle think that the way they can win custody is by proving that their spouse is a terrible parent. They think that if they can persuade their kids to want to live with them, the judge will award them custody. They think that if they can show that their … Read more about How to Lose Your Custody Battle
8 Truths Most Divorce Lawyers Won’t Tell You
Divorce lawyers are typically not shy about telling their clients what to do: "Don’t talk to your spouse." "Don’t argue in front of the kids." " Do what the judge says." "Make sure to make copies of everything!" Yet, there are also a lot of things most divorce lawyers don’t tell you ... but they … Read more about 8 Truths Most Divorce Lawyers Won’t Tell You
Can I Keep My Ex Away From My Kids?
If you have been fighting in court with your ex for years, it is not surprising if you feel like you never want to see him or her again! You are probably exhausted, emotionally drained, and financially wrecked! You probably feel like you (and your kids) would be so much better off if your ex would … Read more about Can I Keep My Ex Away From My Kids?