The goal of The Divorce School is to provide – at no cost – expert guidance and peer support to all those who are thinking about getting a divorce, separated, or already divorced. The School was inspired by comments left by visitors on our company’s seven
Podcast: An Explanation of Divorce Mediation in Florida In this podcast, Florida family lawyer Vera Bergermann explains the benefits of divorce mediation in Florida, including how it works, how much it costs, why it is a better alternative to litigation, and more. Hosted By: Diana Shepherd, Editorial Director, Divorce Magazine Guest Speaker: Vera Bergermann, Family Lawyer Divorce Magazine's Podcasts are available on iTunes. Click here to subscribe.
Family lawyer Maria Cognetti discusses complex child custody issues during COVID-19 with Divorce Magazine's editorial director, Diana Shepherd. For the full transcript and video interview please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/articles/watch-complex-child-custody-issues-during-covid-19
Family lawyer Patricia Van Haren discusses her new book, How To File And Survive A Divorce In California, and how to avoid making mistakes during the divorce process. For the full transcript and video interview please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/watch-how-to-file-and-survive-divorce-in-california
Manhattan Tax and Financial Expert John Johansen discusses what divorcing individuals should know about the CARES Act with Divorce Magazine's Editorial Director, Diana Shepherd. For the full transcript and video interview please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/articles/watch-what-divorcing-individuals-should-know-about-the-cares-act
Sharon Klein, president of Wilmington Trust Family Wealth, Eastern U.S. region, discusses the urgency for divorce and estate planning in light of COVID-19 with Dan Couvrette, publisher of Divorce Magazine. For the full transcript and video interview please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/articles/watch-estate-planning-and-covid-19
In this podcast, family lawyer Patricia Van Haren discusses settling your case through mediation or collaborative divorce. For the full transcript and video interview please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/settling-your-case-through-mediation-or-collaborative-divorce
In this podcast, Pennsylvania family law attorney Maria Cognetti discusses the dos and don'ts of prenuptial agreements in Pennsylvania. Including who should get one and what should be covered in a prenup. Hosted By: Diana Shepherd, Editorial Director, Divorce Magazine Guest Speaker: Maria Cognetti, Camp Hill/Harrisburg Family Law and Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer in Pennsylvania. Divorce Magazine's Podcasts are available on iTunes. Click here to subscribe. For the full transcript, please visit: https://www.divorcemag.com/articles/prenuptial-agreements-in-pennsylvania-maria-cognetti
Lorelei Stevens has been a licensed real estate broker (Washington State Real Estate Managing Broker Designated Broker's License No. 13287) and a discounted note buyer since the 1970's. She has worked her entire adult life with Wall Street Brokers negotiating millions of dollars of paper. She is a nationally recognized expert.
Faculty Member: Abigale M. Stolfe, New Jersey Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA®, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine When going through a divorce involving children, parents are faced with numerous complex issues. From the factors courts consider when granting custody to how custody and child support is decided for unwed parents, family lawyer Abigale Stolfe outlines the top issues and offers tips related to child custody and parenting time.
Faculty Member: Hon. Michele F. Lowrance (Ret.), Family Law Mediator and Attorney Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com While couples who are involved in a high-conflict divorce may think going to court is the only option, it is possible to achieve resolutions by going through mediation. Michele Lowrance, an attorney and mediator, discusses why it can be possible to mediator high-conflict divorce cases and potential issues that may arise. This session will discuss: what creates high-conflict in divorce how a mediator can help people not get stuck in the past when going through a divorce whether or not it's possible to mediate a high-conflict divorce the method used to deal with high-conflict couples what a mediator does when parties reach an impasse how to negotiate or mediate with a narcissistic or borderline spouse whether a couple can go through mediation when one or both parties already has an attorney.
Faculty Member: Candace L. Meyers, Family Law Attorney Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com In cases involving high-net-worth individuals or business owners, the divorce process can become quite complex. Listeners in Illinois will gain a deeper understanding of what to expect while going through the process and what steps to take to protect one's business and assets. This session will discuss: whether a spouse who put their education or career on hold to help put their spouse through school is entitled to financial recognition for their sacrifice if the marriage ends in divorce how you can know if your spouse if being truthful in their financial disclosure how you can ensure you get a property settlement that is fair and meets your needs the division of property in cases where there are multiple properties what happens to private business records during a divorce whether spousal support is meant to guarantee that a recipient's lifestyle will remind the same after divorce what a business owner's first steps should be after being served divorce papers how a business owner can protect their company during divorce the importance of hiring a business valuator how true income and a business' worth is determined in a case where a party is self-employed in a cash-based business.
Faculty Member: Marta J. Papa, Divorce Attorney and Mediator Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com Whether you are a business owner or have a high net worth, there are special considerations you must keep in mind when going through a divorce. In this podcast, divorce attorney and mediator Marta J. Papa outlines some do's and don'ts – including keeping your financial information private and hiring the right experts to handle your divorce. This session will discuss: special considerations for high-asset divorces and individuals who own a business the importance of keeping personal and business financial information private ways to protect the privacy of your financial information the challenges of business owners who get divorced how it's possible to not have to sell a business during a divorce the importance of getting friends, relatives, and the public on your side when divorcing as a business owner why you shouldn't use your company's accountant to value the business other tips that will benefit business owners, high-net-worth individuals, and their spouses.
Faculty Member: John K. Grubb, Family Law Attorney, MBA (accounting and finance) Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com When borders are involved, child custody issues become more complex. In this podcast, John K. Grubb discusses international divorce and family law and outlines the options and rights of parents who do not live in the same country. This session will discuss: the legal options for having a child returned after the other parent has taken the child out of the country without your consent whether a foreign court will respect a United States court order to have the child returned factors to consider when dealing with a foreign court in an international custody dispute how a parent seeking to have his/her children returned to the United States can avoid breaking international custody laws whether or not a parent can take the children for a holiday outside of the country without their co-parent's permission whether or not a parent who has sole custody of the children can move to a different state/country with them, as well as if there's anything the other parent can do to prevent the move rights a mother has in a case where a paternity test discloses that a father is not the child's biological parent the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act, including how it's applied to divorce cases how child support works if the custodial parent lives in a different state or country what happens to child support if the payor moves to another country.
Faculty Member: Ginger L. Dugan, Florida Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA®, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine During a divorce, couples are required to go through the property division process, which includes determining what is separate property and what is marital property and how retirement benefits will be divided. In this podcast, family lawyer Ginger L. Dugan discusses the most frequently asked questions about property and retirement assets in Florida. This session will discuss: how real estate is divided in a divorce in Florida whether property owned by one spouse prior to the marriage is still considered separate property during divorce how furniture and household items get divided in Florida what happens to a spouse's vehicle in a divorce how a spouse can get an item they really want during property division whether engagement and wedding rings are personal property or marital property in Florida the difference between marital and separate property in divorce how a pension is divided on divorce and what happens if the plan administrator says a pension can't be divided how a pension is different from a 401(k) or an IRA how retirement assets are divided in Florida whether or not it matters if only one person worked during the marriage taxes associated with transferring retirement assets in a divorce.
Faculty Member: Sonya K. Zeigler, New Jersey Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA®, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine When a lot of assets are at stake during a divorce, parties may be faced with having to handle complex issues -- including dividing marital property and keeping financial information private. Whether you have a high net worth, a business, or own numerous assets, you will gain a deeper understanding of what to expect as you go through the divorce process. This session will discuss: whether private business records and private financial records become public records during a divorce in New Jersey how common financial misbehavior is during high-net-worth divorce cases the pitfalls someone should watch out for in the divorce process – particularly if there are a lot of assets at stake whether or not professional practices such as a dentist, doctor, chiropractor, etc. are considered assets of the marriage whether a non-business asset – such as a house, vacation property, or other real estate – that was inherited before marriage is still considered separate property how stock options, bonuses, etc. are treated in a divorce settlement how a financially inexperienced person can know if their spouse is being completely truthful in their financial disclosure. The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Hon. Michele F. Lowrance (Ret.), Family Law Mediator and Attorney Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com When a couple is faced with contentious child custody and financial issues during a divorce, hiring a family lawyer and going to court may seem like the only option. However, it is possible to find solutions to these issues without going to court. Michele Lowrance outlines the benefits of mediation in a high-stakes divorce. This session will discuss: what is typically involved in divorce mediation the benefits of mediation when it comes to working through challenging child custody and financial issues what a mediator does when parties reach an impasse because they can't come to an agreement regarding child custody and assets the different ways people can manage their reactivity when they feel like lashing out at their spouse during divorce mediation what happens when both parties' family lawyers are contributing to the conflict whether financial professionals are involved in high-stakes divorces whether mental-health professionals are ever involved in serious child custody issues The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Marta J. Papa, Divorce Attorney and Mediator Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com Divorce affects children in many different ways. Marta J. Papa – a divorce attorney and mediator in Missouri – discusses the latest research on the impact of divorce on children, especially when there is conflict involved. She also explains the steps parents can take to help their children survive the divorce. This session will discuss: the latest research on the effect a custody battle can have on a child the ways choosing sides between Mom and Dad plays out in the lives of children the Sleeper Effect and its impact on young adults how parents can protect their children from the negative impact of divorce the resources available to divorcing parents who are looking to resolve conflict without involving their children The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: John K. Grubb, Family Law Attorney, MBA (accounting and finance) Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergfell v. Hodges ended up legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. However, does same-sex divorce work the same way as heterosexual divorce in the U.S.? In this podcast, John K. Grubb discusses some of the issues same-sex couples may face during divorce and answers common questions couples may have. While Grubb focuses on Texas family law, this podcast will benefit any individual who is considering or going through a same-sex divorce. This session will discuss: whether coming out as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) is a ground for divorce in Texas some of the special issues same-sex spouses may face that heterosexual couples in Texas do not whether or not civil unions or domestic partnerships are recognized in all states and can be dissolved how custody is decided when one spouse is the biological parent of a child born during the marriage whether or not a same-sex spouse can adopt the biological or adopted child of his or her spouse the property rights same-sex couples have the federal and state benefits available to same-sex legally married couples in the United States. The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Arin R. Fife, Family Law Attorney Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com When going through a divorce, marital property will have to be divided between you and your spouse. Understanding how property and assets are divided and hiring the right divorce professionals could help you keep what is rightfully yours during your divorce. This session will discuss: the difference between an “equitable distribution” state and a “community property” state the difference between marital property and separate property who decides what is marital and what is separate property the factors a judge must consider when dividing marital property whether or not contributions to a retirement account is considered marital or separate property what happens if both spouses want to keep 100% of the same marital property whether fault ever plays a role in asset division whether an inheritance received before a marriage is still considered separate property after divorce whether stock options received at work are considered an asset to be divided during divorce The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Ginger L. Dugan, Florida Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA®, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine In a divorce, parents will either have to negotiate a custody agreement or agree to a court judgment. In this podcast, family lawyer Ginger L. Dugan discusses questions that are frequently asked by parents who are dealing with issues related to child custody in Florida. This session will discuss: how a court decides where the children will live in a divorce what shared parental responsibility is and whether it's the same thing as joint custody different types of custody arrangements available for divorcing parents what sole parental responsibility means and whether or not it's a possibility is there's a lot of conflict between parents if a parent can move out of Florida if a divorce has not been finalized at what age a child can decide who they want to live with how a stepparent can gain the rights to stay in their stepchild's life whether or not a parent can appeal a judge's decision. The Divorce School – www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Pegotty Cooper, MBA, CDC®, Certified President of Divorce Coaching, Inc. Facilitator: Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach, Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach Anxiety, stress, and intense emotions will greatly impact how a person behaves during their divorce. But, sometimes, these emotions can make someone unreasonable, or even out of control, during a time when emotions should be put to the side and parties should focus on the issues at hand. Certified Divorce Coach Pegotty Cooper explains the reasons for why one might be displaying such behavior and what can be done to start making better choices today -- and possibly have a healthy divorce. This session will discuss: types of bad behavior that occur during divorce what motivates someone to be angry or unreasonable what someone can do in moments where they feel out of control if there are ways to change someone who is being irrational where you can go to find practical and emotional support what a parent can do to ensure their children don't get caught up and impacted by bad behaviors on the part of the other parent how someone can take the high road in a divorce whether or not it's possible to have a healthy divorce. The Divorce School – www.thedivorceschool.com
Faculty Member: Diana Shepherd, CDFA™, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and co-founder of Divorce Magazine and Family Lawyer Magazine Every divorce is different, with legal, financial, and/or parenting issues unique to the individuals whose relationship has broken down. However, every divorce undergoes a similar journey from initiation to closure; whether you make this journey towards separate lives expensively or inexpensively, slowly or quickly, with conflict or kindness is up to you. Here's an overview of how the divorce process generally works in the United States and Canada; you'll need to speak to a family lawyer to discover how the process might vary in your state or province, as well as how the details and circumstances of your situation may affect your own process. This session will: explain the differences between using litigation, arbitration, mediation, collaborative divorce, and do-it-yourself (sometimes known as “pro se” or self-representation) to resolve your divorce-related issues discuss how the process begins: by filing a petition, application, or complaint about divorce with your local family court detail what information should you collect for your lawyer and financial advisor define temporary orders or agreements, which establish quick decisions about your children, property, bank accounts, support, and other key issues during the separation period describe the difference between contested and uncontested divorces examine the main issues couples will have to resolve during their divorce reveal how soon a divorce can take place after filing the divorce petition. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Ginger L. Dugan, Florida Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine When assets and debts must be divided in a divorce, there are many issues that may come up during the division process. When bankruptcy becomes an issue, it can have an impact on who will get what after the divorce is finalized. Ginger L. Dugan discusses everything divorcing Floridians need to know about property division and bankruptcy. This session will discuss: what an equitable distribution state means the difference between marital property and separate property how joint debts are divided in a Florida divorce what a person can do to prevent their spouse from trying to sell marital property before the divorce is final whether or not premarital or prenuptial agreements override normal property division rules what happens when a spouse moves out of the marital home and whether or not they are still obligated to pay rent, mortgage, and other bills associated with the home how to stay protected against mortgage debt post-divorce whether or not a spouse is entitled to a portion of their spouse's business after a divorce the effects of bankruptcy on alimony, child support, and division of marital assets and debts. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Ginger L. Dugan, Florida Family Lawyer Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Family lawyer Ginger L. Dugan answers some of the most frequently-asked questions regarding the divorce process in Florida. From how to initiate a divorce to how to choose the right attorney, to how long it takes to finalize a divorce, to the best alternatives to going to court for a divorce – this session will help you prepare for your divorce in Florida. This session will explain: the grounds for divorce in Florida advantages to filing using the mental incapacity ground whether or not a spouse can stop a divorce from happening how divorce is initiated in Florida the length of time it takes to finalize a dissolution in Florida the key factors to choosing the right divorce attorney alternatives to going to court to get a divorce the pros and cons of the different divorce processes whether or not a spouse can prevent the other from seeing the kids during and after divorce the most common custody situations in Florida if a parent can move with the children out of Florida during or after divorce if it's possible to get child support while a divorce is pending how alimony works in Florida and if lifetime alimony exists The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: John K. Grubb, Family Law Attorney, MBA (accounting and finance) Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com This session looks at how an experienced lawyer can help business professionals secure assets, property, and income – or how the non-monied spouse can be sure they're getting the property and support (alimony and/or child support) they're entitled to receive. John Grubb explains the difference between community and separate property, and how courts determine the distribution of assets in Texas. This session will discuss: high-net-worth divorce the difference between community and separate property in Texas – and why it's such a big issue how the courts determine property division in Texas how inherited property is treated the most common types of hidden assets – and how to find them What to do when there's a business involved: does your ex-spouse have a right to a percentage of the business if he/she never worked at or contributed to it? what about if both people own the business together? does it make a difference if one spouse is a "silent partner" while the other actively runs the business? what happens if one spouse owned the business before marriage? how will the Court value the business? if one spouse is a stay-at-home parent or earns substantially less than the other, how will that affect alimony and property division? what happens to each spouse's 401k, 403b, and IRAs in a divorce how prenuptial or postnuptial agreements are used to protect assets. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Nissa M. Ricafort, Parenting Coordinator and Family Law Group Partner Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine & DivorcedMoms.com Nissa M. Ricafort is one of the three founding partners of Broyles Kight & Ricafort, P.C. An experienced family law attorney, Nissa has assisted families through difficult transitions, including high-conflict custody proceedings, international custody disputes, and child support disputes. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Guest Speakers: Elliott Meyer and Dylan Couvrette, two adult children of divorce Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com This is a very intimate discussion with two adults whose parents divorced when they were young. One of them is the son of the Facilitator who is asking questions and hearing the answers from his own son about the Facilitator's divorce for the first time. These two guest speakers courageously share their experiences with their parents' divorce, what it meant to them when it happened, their relationships with their parents through the years, and the impact of the divorce on them and how they have been dealing with it. This session will: explore Elliott and Dylan's experience as the divorce happened and how they view it now as adults Elliott shares what it is like being raised by a single mother and being estranged from his father for 12 years address the impact divorce has on children as they become adults carry a message to all children of divorce The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Chris Armstrong, Certified Relationship Coach Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com Once you're ready to enter the dating world post-divorce, there are some things to keep in mind. This course will examine how one can achieve an equal and authentic relationship with someone long-term. This session will: share the biggest mistakes divorced people make while dating discuss the meaning of an authentic and equal relationship offer advice on dating after divorce reveal how someone can discover their wants and needs in a relationship outline things to be mindful of in a relationship advise viewers who are having a hard time forgetting their ex-spouse The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Tara Eisenhard, Author, Divorce Coach & Mediator Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Learn how to overcome the feelings of shame that often accompany divorce. Tara shares her personal story as a child of divorce who eventually married and divorced. She has a unique perspective on what causes shame after a divorce and how to reduce such feelings of shame. This session will:shame of divorce introduce viewers to a new paradigm through which to consider divorce discuss shame-reducing terminology to use during and after divorce provide practical tips to help viewers feel better as they navigate the journey through divorce. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Rosalind Sedacca, CLC, Divorce & Parenting Coach Facilitator: Martha Chan, Founder of The Divorce School, V.P. Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com Divorce doesn't have to devastate your child or your family – but it easily can if you, as a parent, are not diligent. Seeing divorce through your child's eyes is crucial to avoiding mistakes that can scar your child's emotional and psychological well-being. Find out what your child really wants you to know. This important session will: identify behaviors and common mistakes for divorced and divorcing parents to avoid address the effects of these common mistakes on children help you handle conflict, frustration, and differing co-parenting styles share some of the secrets to successful co-parenting offer a list of critical questions to ask yourself before making any decisions regarding divorce and parenting Rosalind will share her own experience and her passion about taking care of your children before, during, and after your divorce. You'll come away with useful strategies that will keep you on the right track… for the sake of your child – and your own sanity! The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Alison Fosbery, MA, Registered Psychotherapist Facilitator: Martha Chan, Co-Owner of Divorce Magazine and www.DivorcedMoms.com Stress levels increase when one starts considering divorce, going through a divorce, or having to co-parent with an unreasonable ex. How we handle stress and anxiety can impact our children and loved ones, so it's important to understand the underlying causes of these emotions and how to stay in control. This session will:divorce stress help viewers better understand the underlying causes of stress and anxiety discuss how to stay in control of emotions, stress, and anxious feelings explain how a parent's behaviour can impact the development of a child educate parents on how to ensure their children pick up healthy habits when it comes to anxiety introduce practical ways to create new habits that will have long-lasting physical and emotional benefits for parents and their families. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Megan L. Hunter, MBA, Publisher, Author, Speaker Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA™, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine These days, everyone involved in a difficult divorce thinks their ex has a personality disorder – such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, or Antisocial Personality Disorder. Find out how to determine whether or not your ex-spouse has a personality disorder and how to handle divorce and co-parenting when conflict is involved. This session will: discuss the most common personality disorders in divorce explain how one can tell whether or not their ex is suffering from a personality disorder offer tips and strategies for dealing with a difficult ex share with viewers how to guard against parental alienation provide advice on how to yourself from engaging when triggered by an ex-spouse discuss how to set boundaries and handle communication with a high-conflict ex address the ways one can recover after a long divorce process with a difficult ex. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Dr. Sheri Meyers, Psy.D., Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Infidelity Expert, author of Chatting or Cheating Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Infidelity can cause irreparable harm to a marriage. Dr. Sheri Meyers offers tips on how to spot the warning signs that your spouse may be cheating, and how to recover from the affair. This session will: discuss the different types of infidelity that could occur in a marriage explain the warning signs spouses should look out for help viewers understand how to start a conversation about infidelity with a spouse offer tips on how to read body language address the negative effects social media could have on committed relationships identify relationship vulnerabilities that may lead to infidelity talk about whether or not it's possible to regain trust after the discovery of an affair discuss how to move forward and forgive your spouse after infidelity share ways to bring love and intimacy back into a relationship. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Diana Shepherd, CDFA™, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Facilitator: Tanoya Greaves, The Divorce School In order to meet cash flow needs, there are three sources of money that may be available to you as a result of your divorce: spousal support, child support, and marital property. This session offers a general overview of how spousal support is supposed to work – including the factors influencing amount and duration of spousal support payable or receivable, and the tax issues of spousal support. This session will: outline how spousal support generally works discuss how payments are calculated and how long a spouse must pay it explain whether or not the amount of spousal support can be changed explore help viewers understand how to protect spousal support in the cases an ex-spouse dies or becomes disabled. You can download a simple expense worksheet at DivorceMag.com to help you create an accurate budget detailing your monthly and annual expenses and income. Make two copies of the chart, replacing or deleting items to suit your needs, then fill in pre-divorce expenses on one and post-divorce expenses on the other. To learn more about spousal support, go to: www.divorcemag.com/alimony-spousal-support The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach (MCC), Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com A look at the idea that there is gender bias in custody in the family court system. What divorce statistics say about such a bias and what fathers can do to protect themselves in court and remain bonded with their children after divorce. This session will: cover statistics related to gender bias in custody in family court offer opinions from the perspective of both genders discuss the importance of divorced fathers in their children's lives address what fathers can do if they feel they have been treated unfairly in court encourage divorced fathers to take steps needed to remain an equal parent after divorce Cathy and Dan both share their own experiences with custody and parenting after divorce identify behaviors and common mistakes for divorced and divorcing parents to avoid address the effects of these common mistakes on children help you handle conflict, frustration, and differing co-parenting styles share some of the secrets to successful co-parenting offer a list of critical questions to ask yourself before making any decisions regarding divorce and parenting discuss what divorced parents should keep in mind when dating after divorce. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Peggy L. Tracy, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine If you suspect your spouse of marital fraud or hiding assets during your divorce, there are important steps that can be taken to prevent your spouse from stealing your future. Learn about the warning signs and how to stop fraud in its tracks. This session will: discuss specific types of fraud that apply to divorcing couples examine situations that could make committing fraud easier than others talk about the warning signs that a spouse may have committed financial fraud in a marriage explain how to find missing assets offer tips on what steps to take to protect your financial future discuss marital fraud prevention and remediation explain the “fraud triangle”, which consists of: Opportunity. The person perceives an opportunity to commit an indiscretion without being caught. Pressure. The social or financial motive – a problem the perpetrator believes he/she cannot share with anyone. Rationalization. The rationalization is necessary so the individual can maintain his/her self-concept as a good or honest person who was caught up in a bad set of circumstances. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Diana Shepherd, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Faculty Member: Martha Chan, Founder of The Divorce School, Co-Owner of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com Diana and Martha discuss their experiences as stepmoms and offer their best advice to viewers. Topics covered include: questions you should answer before marrying a person with children; when to be a parent and when to take a backseat; how to deal with different parenting styles between you and the children's parent(s); how and why to befriend your spouse's ex; and the secret to creating a successful blended family. This session will: share Diana's and Martha's experiences as stepmoms explain the secrets to making a blended family work offer tips for parenting as a stepparent discuss the core of what makes remarriage successful examine how to develop a good relationship with your spouse's ex. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Allison Williams, Founder of Williams Law Group Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com Allison Williams, founder of the Williams Law Group, LLC practices family law with an emphasis on child abuse. Established as a thought leader in New Jersey child welfare law, Allison is also a Fellow AAML member and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney. This session will: examine the things the Division of Child Protection and Permanency looks for when determining if a child is being abused explain whether or not a parent should submit to an interview if he/she has nothing to hide to end the agency's involvement discuss the best way to defend allegations of child abuse or neglect in Court advise non-targeted parents on how to make use of the agency's court process to keep their kids safe outline what happens when an agency decides there's no child abuse, even though the parent firmly believes their child has been abused explain how a parent can gain access to the agency's records discuss what happens when an investigation reveals no signs of child abuse share what a parent should do if allegations of abuse cannot be proven in Court. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Robert Stevens, Family Lawyer Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine and DivorcedMoms.com Before you begin the divorce process, it's important to understand the various issues you may face and steps you need to take. While not all divorces can be amicable, considering the 10 things discussed in this podcast will allow you to go through a more civilized process. This session will: discuss whether or not you should wait until the kids have left home to divorce outline reasons not to post details about your divorce on social media address what can make an amicable divorce turn ugly list the main issues couples fight about in a divorce explain the qualities one should look for in an attorney examine the pros and cons of mediation, arbitration, and litigation advise viewers on how to plan for the divorce process and the steps to take before breaking the news to your spouse offer advice on how to make sure your children aren't affected by the divorce discuss how long a typical divorce process takes. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Marta J. Papa, a.k.a. the Divorce Whisperer®, is a highly reputable mediator and is considered an authority on mediation nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience in mediation, litigation, and settlement negotiations, she has successfully completed over 4,000 mediated divorces. This session will: explore the main differences between litigation and mediation offer a list of the benefits of mediation and what makes a divorcing couple ideal candidates for mediation address cases where litigation would be a better option share the qualifications couples should look for when choosing a mediator explore whether or not a couple can mediate some issues and litigate others discuss if/how complex and high-conflict cases are mediated advise viewers on how to prepare for mediation and litigation. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Marta J. Papa, Divorce Attorney and Mediator Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine Before a couple can finalize their divorce, decisions must be made regarding child custody and support, alimony, assets, and any other divorce-related issues. Disputes can be settled through litigation or mediation, but a couple must first decide which process will work best for them. This session will: explore the main differences between litigation and mediation offer a list of the benefits of mediation and what makes a divorcing couple ideal candidates for mediation address cases where litigation would be a better option share the qualifications couples should look for when choosing a mediator explore whether or not a couple can mediate some issues and litigate others discuss if/how complex and high-conflict cases are mediated advise viewers on how to prepare for mediation and litigation. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Veralynn Morris, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA™) Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA™, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine This session examines the special considerations for high-net-worth clients during divorce, including: the most common mistakes made during asset division; how to preserve money or property that was inherited during the marriage; and the role that marital lifestyle plays in the division of assets and/or determination of alimony and child support. This session will: define high net worth and who is considered a high-net-worth divorce client discuss the benefits of working with a financial professional who has experience in high-net-worth cases examine the special considerations or challenges high-net-worth clients might face during divorce list the professionals who would be involved in a financially complex divorce explain the difference between marital and separate property address the mistakes most commonly seen in the division of marital assets discuss how to preserve money or property that is inherited during the marriage explain the importance of disclosure in high-net-worth cases talk about the role that marital lifestyle plays in the division of assets and/or determination of alimony and child support offer viewers recommendations for high-net-worth clients seeking legal representation. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Dr. Benjamin Garber, licensed psychologist, former Guardian ad litem, and parenting coordinator Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine When the other parent intentionally turns the children against you, it becomes difficult – if not impossible – to have a successful co-parenting relationship. Knowing what symptoms and behaviors to watch out for in your children will help you determine whether or not parental alienation is occurring, and which steps to take to mitigate the effects. This session will: explore parental alienation and how it can occur discuss the warning signs and symptoms to watch out for in your children address how to raise your concerns with the other parent examine how to tell the difference between your child's normal anger and grief and negative emotions fueled by the other parent describe the long-term negative effects parental alienation can have on children explain how to prevent or recover from parental alienation. Links to the Reconciliation Camps and Workshops Dr. Garber refers to in this podcast are: Overcoming Barriers – www.overcomingbarriers.org Family Bridges – www.warshak.com/services/family-bridges.html The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Terry Gaspard, MSW, LICSW, licensed therapist, author, college instructor, and owner of Moving Past Divorce Facilitator: Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach, Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach Terry Gaspard and Cathy Meyer discuss a range of issues pertaining to parenting after divorce and, how better parenting promotes healthy adjustment for children after divorce. Terry offers strategies parents can use to help them co-parent more effectively, especially after an adversarial divorce. Want to learn how you, as a parent, can use parenting skills to help your child cope with your divorce? This video is for you. This session will: examine common problems parents face when co-parenting after divorce provide useful strategies for parenting and co-parenting after divorce discuss the differences in how boys and girls handle a parent's divorce offer advice on parallel parenting after a high-conflict divorce advise viewers on how to handle long-distance co-parenting explore whether children should be able to choose which parent to live with. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Pegotty Cooper, MBA, CDC, Certified President of Divorce Coaching, Inc. Facilitator: Cathy Meyer, Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach, Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach When going through a divorce, it may be beneficial to hire a Certified Divorce Coach who can help you figure out how to take more effective actions in moving forward through the divorce process. Pegotty Cooper discusses what a CDC is and the role they play in a divorce. This session will: explain what a Certified Divorce Coach is and what the advantages are to using one outline what kinds of issues a Certified Divorce Coach deals with discuss if the role of a Personal Divorce Coach is different depending on what form of dispute resolution is being used offer advice on how to choose the right Personal Divorce Coach share tips for divorcing couples address the biggest mistakes people make in handling their divorce outline the training required to become a Certified Divorce Coach. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com
Faculty Member: Mandy Walker, Divorce Coach and Mediator Facilitator: Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach, Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach Mandy Walker and Cathy Meyer discuss outdated myths about marriage and divorce that keep people stuck and unable to move forward after divorce. Are you a failure because your marriage ended? Is society putting rules on the concept of marriage and divorce that are unreasonable? Listen to Mandy and Cathy discuss how society's views on both play into our guilt and regret after divorce. This session will: discuss the difference between a marriage failing and a marriage ending emphasize how divorce doesn't define who you are. It's a life experience that doesn't have to define you negatively explain how every relationship has a beginning, a middle and an end – we just don't know when the end will be share how your family may look a little different now but you are still a family discuss how we all have a fundamental right to be happy, to be content – it's not frivolous, it's not selfish, it isn't selfish to leave a marriage if those rights aren't being met. The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com