DivorceMD Podcast

Nancy Chausow Shafer, JD of Chausow Shafer, P.C. and consultant from Family Law Software (FLS) speaks about how FLS can now be used by clients to help them better understand the financial issues in divorce.

In this episode, we discuss why it is important to get organized for divorce. If you are a working Mom with a busy schedule, it is critical!

Divorce can be overwhelming and can distract you from your family and your career for months and even years. Working with a therapist can help you to identify strategies to cope, give you tools to establish much needed personal boundaries, and, most importantly, reduce your stress levels overall. Listen to this podcast with Licensed Counselor, Kristen Breese from Counseling Works which offers both online and in-person therapy options.

Funding college for your kids can seem overwhelming after a divorce. Listen to Vicki Vollweiler, College Financial Aid Specialist, as she tells how she helps families with the college financial and merit aid application process.

Stacy Freeman, Family Attorney, discusses the importance of having a clear parenting agreement, especially when divorcing a Narcissist or high conflict personality. Dealing with a Narcissist or Borderline personality is hard enough, Stacy helps explain how to avoid years of turmoil and costly court battles.

Join us as we speak to Laura Baldwin, Family Law Attorney, and Peggy Tracy, MBA, CFP, CDFA, and CFE, about hidden money in divorce and how you can utilize professionals to help you find assets that are not being disclosed or may have been dissipated by your spouse.

Brian Durkin, Wealth Manager at Integrated Wealth Planners, speaks to us about what are the first five steps to get your financials in order for divorce.

What is Fixed Fee Divorce? Katie VanDeusen, Family Lawyer, talks about Fixed Fee Divorce as another option for divorcing individuals. Katie explains how, with this model, she assesses a fixed fee for each stage of her client's case. Clients are given goals to help them achieve resolution. The fixed fee model takes away incentives for increased billing hours by the lawyer. Clients are not charged for every interaction with their attorney. Katie knows divorce isn't easy. Where many shut themselves off to their client's emotional state, Katie chooses to fully engage and help her clients set clear goals and to be fully informed throughout the process. In this podcast, Katie tells about her work at Sterling Law Offices and how they started the fixed fee model of divorce in Wisconsin. Katie is also trained as a Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator.

She earned her Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School, graduating cum laude in 2011.

Are you divorcing an entrepreneur? Jeff Brend, Attorney and CPA, discusses how some business owners try to hide money during a divorce. The techniques may surprise you. People going through divorce are not their best selves. Jeff says, "Don't expect rational thoughts from irrational people." Jeff also talks about the "Fraud Triangle" that people get caught up in while trying to hide money.  The triangle is formed when individuals act on opportunity, motive, and rationalization.  Jeff's hilarious stories will keep you amazed at what people will do to hide money.  Listen to this podcast and find out "rules" that fraudsters follow.

Jeff Brend, Attorney, CPA, Certified Business Examiner, and Certified Fraud Examiner, and is an immediate past president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Illinois Chapter, who shares his pearls of wisdom gleaned after many years working with individuals and court professionals in divorce. Jeff practices law in the following areas: Family Law, Taxation, Business Litigation, Business Valuation, and Forensic Accounting.  Jeff is also an AAML Certified Family Law Arbitrator.  As a speaker on financial issues affecting divorce, child custody, and other issues related to domestic relations, Jeff is known throughout Illinois and nationally.

Do you want to use mediation in your divorce? How do I find a trained divorce mediator? If your mediator is not an attorney, do you need to hire an attorney, at any point? Listen to this podcast with our guest, Jenet Pequeno, Family Lawyer, and Mediator, to find out how mediation works and how you can have your best outcome for your divorce.