How to Begin
There is so much to consider before you start the divorce process - explore it all here. Learn about divorce readiness, everything you need to know about finding and working with an attorney, and determining the best process for you moving forward.
Divorce Readiness - Are You Ready to Proceed?
Determining if you or your spouse are ready for divorce can influence the whole process.
Reluctant Spouse - If You or Your Spouse Aren't Ready
What to do if you or your spouse is reluctant to engage in the divorce process.
Discernment Counseling - Helping you Decide on Divorce
This counseling process can help you and your spouse decide whether to divorce or not.
Introduction to Attorneys
A brief overview of the attorney role and expectations for an attorney in divorce process.
How to Decide if you Need an Attorney
Learn about the considerations that go into deciding if you need an attorney to represent you in divorce.
Ten Questions to Ask When Interviewing an Attorney
Key questions to ask an attorney you are consulting with for potential representation.
Billing Practices for Attorneys
Learn about the various ways attorneys bill and you pay for legal representation.
How to Use Your Attorney Most Effectively
Strategies and ideas to establish a positive attorney-client relationship and have an effective (and efficient) process.
What to do if You are Not Satisfied with Your Attorney
How to address the attorney-client relationship if you are unhappy with your representation.
Attorney Conflict of Interest
What to do when conflicts of interest arise in the attorney-client relationship.
Pro Se or Self Representation - Working without an Attorney
There are many considerations if you are thinking about proceeding without an attorney.
Divorce, Separation or Annulment - Which is Right for You?
It's important to understand the difference between a divorce/dissolution, legal separation and an annulment so you can determine what is best for you.
Divorce Process Options - How to Decide
An introduction to exploring the process options for divorce and how to decide what's right for your situation.
Do It Yourself Process
Learn about the benefits and challenges of a Do it Yourself or "Kitchen Table" divorce process.
Mediation Process
Learn about the benefits and challenges of a Mediation divorce process.
Collaborative Law Process
Learn about the benefits and challenges of a Collaborative Law divorce process.
Litigation Process
Learn about the benefits and challenges of a Litigation divorce process.
Divorce Process Quiz
Not all divorces are created equal—do you know which path fits your situation best? Take this quiz to discover whether mediation, collaboration, or litigation is the right approach for your divorce journey.
Post-Divorce Financial Priorities Quiz
Your financial future starts now—do you know what matters most after divorce? This quiz helps you identify your top post-divorce financial priorities
Divorce Negotiation Style Quiz
Are you a peacemaker, a power-player, or somewhere in between when it comes to divorce negotiations? This quiz reveals your negotiation style and how it could impact the outcome of your divorce.
Support Network Quiz
Going through a divorce is tough—do you have the right people in your corner? Take this quiz to see how strong your support network really is and where you might need to build more connection.
How Prepared are you for Post Divorce Life Quiz
Are you truly ready for the next chapter after divorce? Take this quick quiz to find out how prepared you are for the emotional, financial, and practical realities of post-divorce life.
Do You Need an Attorney Quiz
Wondering if you really need a divorce attorney or can handle things on your own? This quiz will help you assess your situation and determine the level of legal support that’s right for you.
Divorce Readiness Quiz
Thinking about divorce but unsure if you're truly ready to take the leap? This quiz will help you explore your emotional, financial, and logistical preparedness for starting the divorce process.
Conflict of Interest
A situation where an attorney's personal or professional interests may interfere with their ability to represent their client effectively and impartially.
Party
One of the individuals involved in the legal case of divorce, sometimes also labeled as Petitioner, Respondent or Co-Petitioner.
Legal Separation
Also known as separation, the legal status or arrangement in which spouses live apart from each other or separate in other legal ways while still legally married.
Reluctant Spouse
A spouse who is hesitant, unwilling, or opposed to proceeding with the divorce often for reasons related to emotional attachment, financial concerns, religious beliefs or hope for reconciliation.
Zealous Advocate
A legal principle that requires lawyers to represent their clients with dedication, loyalty, and vigor to try for the best possible outcome, while maintaining ethical standards and meeting their legal obligations.
Unrepresented
Also known as pro se, when a client proceeds in a legal matter, like divorce, without an attorney and is self-represented.
Financial Neutral
Also known as financial specialist, a CPA, CFP, CDFA or other financial professional who may be engaged as a neutral in a collaborative law process to gather and verify financial information and facilitate the financial negotiations.
Mediator
A neutral third-party who facilitates discussions between the parties in divorce to help them reach mutually acceptable agreements and avoid adversarial processes.
Trial
In litigation, if parties are unable to reach agreements on key issues through negotiation or mediation, the process where a judge or judicial officer hears evidence, considers arguments from both sides, and issues a final judgment resolving the disputed issues.
Transformative Mediation
A mediation style that seeks to empower parties to transform their relationship and communication patterns, with the goal of fostering understanding, empathy and mutual respect, which can lead to long-term positive changes in the parties' relationship dynamics and interactions.
Response and Counterclaim
In litigation, the filing in response to a petition, either admitting or denying its allegations and asserting any counterclaims or defenses.
Pretrial Proceedings
In litigation, the hearings and other meetings completed prior to trial, such as motion hearings, settlement conferences and mediation sessions, aimed at resolving disputes and narrowing issues for trial.
Withdrawal Agreement
Also known as participation agreement, a contractual commitment in a collaborative law process to resolve issues collaboratively and refrain from litigation; if either party terminates the collaborative law process, the attorneys are bound to withdraw from representing the clients in litigation.
Participation Agreement
Also known as withdrawal agreement, a contractual commitment in a collaborative law process to resolve issues collaboratively and refrain from litigation; if either party terminates the collaborative law process, the attorneys are bound to withdraw from representing the clients in litigation.
Mediation
A process to navigate a divorce with the assistance of a neutral third-party mediator who facilitates discussions between the parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
