Sarah and John are fictional characters going through a divorce. As Lea Finegan explains, they could take two avenues: litigation or collaboration. In the litigation scenario, their case could drag on for years, personal details would become public record, legal fees mount, and a judge who doesn't know them would make a one-size-fits-all decision. But through the collaborative family law approach, Sarah and John would craft personalized solutions that preserve relationships, avoid traditional alimony while protecting Sarah's financial future, and maintain privacy.

Lea describes how the collaborative option works. The parties sign a participation agreement that commits them to staying out of court, bring in financial neutrals and divorce coaches to address specific concerns, and focus on interests rather than positions. The result? Creative, outside-the-box solutions that courts would never consider, maintained privacy, lower costs, and a foundation for respectful co-parenting. How would Sarah and John’s story end? Here’s how Lea writes the closing chapter: With both of them attending their daughter's wedding—remarried, happy, and both sitting on the front row.

The insights and views presented in “Welcome to Splitsville” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. If you’re ready for compassionate and reliable legal guidance on your journey through divorce, contact the team at www.TouchstoneFamilyLaw.com

Todd Owens often encounters family law clients who insist they simply want what they’re entitled to. His answer? "[In court] You're entitled to only one thing, and that's the opportunity to go in the courtroom, stomp your foot, pound your fist on the table, make your argument, and then cross your fingers and hope to God that the judge sees it exactly the same way you do." His guidance? “I need them to keep an open mind and understand that nothing is etched in stone.”

His unique perspective to family law dispute resolution comes from his experience as a judge in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and now as a certified mediator and arbitrator.

In this conversation with host Leigh Sellers, Todd draws on that background to explain the critical differences between litigation, arbitration, and mediation. He offers listeners an unvarnished view of the family court experience and cautions litigants not to assume that a judge will believe them “100 percent” – which is why he tells his clients that “what you think is not necessarily what the judge is going to think or what the judge is going to believe.”

Tune in to learn why Todd advocates for mediation and why sending settlement offers back and forth often backfires.

For more information on Todd’s services, visit Dozier Miller Law Group or connect with him on LinkedIn.

The insights and views presented in “Welcome to Splitsville” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. If you’re ready for compassionate and reliable legal guidance on your journey through divorce, contact the team at www.TouchstoneFamilyLaw.com

"There's always a lot of fear around a divorce situation. Everyone's always worried that the outcome's going to be something that is going to negatively impact them," says Kristen Shearin, a certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA).

In this conversation with host Sheila Passenant, Kristen describes how CDFAs can reduce that very fear throughout the divorce process. They do this by providing a range of financial projections and budgeting assistance.

As Kristen explains, divorces are rarely straightforward when it comes to what income actually exists. But a CDFA double-checks the numbers so all parties are comfortable saying at the start: “Okay, this is the income that we have to work with, and this is the actual income that we have to work with.”

Kristen outlines the difference between supporting and dependent spouses and how CDFAs can verify income streams, especially when compensation plans are complex or irregular. And she shares her insights about when to engage a CDFA – whether before consulting an attorney or during the process – and how they can work as neutrals or advocates. While CDFAs prefer working outside of court through mediation and collaborative processes, Kristen says that they can testify at temporary hearings and trials when necessary.

For people who are facing a new life on a single income, CDFAs are a powerful resource. They can suggest financial options, such as keeping the family home or selling it. They can also guide divorcing spouses who haven't been involved in managing family finances so they understand their marital estate and make informed decisions about their financial future.

For more information on Kristen and her CDFA practice, visit Shearin Law or connect with her on LinkedIn.

The insights and views presented in “Welcome to Splitsville” are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. Nor does tuning in to this podcast constitute an attorney-client relationship of any kind. If you’re ready for compassionate and reliable legal guidance on your journey through divorce, contact Leigh Sellers and her team at www.TouchstoneFamilyLaw.com