Doing Divorce Right By Chief PeaceKeeper™ Scott Levin

At a youth sporting event, I overheard a woman talking with a friend about her divorce. Her friend’s response added more anger to an already painful situation. It made me think about what useful support from a friend can look like.

In this short solo episode, I explain why I encourage friends and family to help people understand their options, including mediation when appropriate. Listening, offering perspective and helping someone make a thoughtful decision can be more useful than encouraging another fight.

Read: An amicable divorce
Services: Divorce mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

How do business value and business income affect a divorce settlement? I talk with forensic accountant and valuation expert Sara Nanchanatt, owner of S.N. Forensics, about the relationship between valuing a business and evaluating income for support.

We discuss salary, distributions, retained earnings and replacement compensation. We also examine the questions raised when business value and ongoing income overlap, and how agreeing on reliable financial information can help couples move their negotiations forward.

Guest: Sara Nanchanatt, S.N. Forensics
Read: Business valuation and division
Services: Divorce financial consulting

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

Does a prenup make sense for your circumstances? In this episode, I discuss California community-property concepts, the questions couples can address before marriage and ways to approach the conversation thoughtfully.

We cover financial expectations, property planning and common problems that arise when agreements are rushed or unclear. I also discuss how mediation can help partners work through terms together, with independent legal review available before signing. My practice offers prenup drafting, independent review and mediation; the appropriate role depends on your situation.

Services: Prenup drafting, review and mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

A 401(k) may include money earned before marriage, contributions during marriage and growth over time. I talk with financial advisor and CDFA® Laurie Itkin about the questions couples need to resolve before dividing a retirement account.

We discuss identifying community and separate interests, understanding investment growth and coordinating the settlement with the retirement plan’s division requirements, including a QDRO when required. The goal is to understand what you are dividing and how the transfer will be carried out before agreeing to the terms.

Guest: Laurie Itkin
Read: 401(k) division and transcript
Services: Divorce financial consulting

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

Why did I move my practice from litigation to full-time mediation? In this appearance on the Divorce Doesn’t Suck podcast, I explain the experiences that shaped my approach and why helping families resolve disagreements became the focus of my work.

We discuss property, financial and parenting decisions, common sources of conflict and the role of mediation in helping couples negotiate agreements. I also share why the effect of divorce on children and future co-parenting relationships matters to me.

Original podcast: Divorce Doesn’t Suck
Read: Mediation versus litigation
Services: Divorce mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

How can you prepare for divorce with a clearer understanding of what matters most? I talk with divorce coach Lara Brunstrom about setting priorities, managing emotions and communicating during separation.

We discuss the value of preparation before mediation and the ways coaching can support people as they make legal, financial and parenting decisions. Our focus is on practical choices that help clients think about the future while working through the difficulties of the present.

Read: Communication with Lara Brunstrom
Services: Divorce mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

What happens to a joint mortgage when a couple divorces? I talk with Sam Mehta of Blue Fire Mortgage Group about refinancing, keeping a home and the questions to ask before agreeing to a property settlement.

We discuss possible arrangements for continued co-ownership, payment history and future borrowing. Lending requirements vary by loan and program, so the options need to be checked with the lender. The conversation highlights why a home agreement should address affordability, responsibility for payments and a fallback plan.

Guest resource: Blue Fire Mortgage
Read: Mortgage choices during divorce
Services: Asset division mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

Divorce decisions involve legal, financial and emotional concerns. I talk with divorce coach Jill Kaufman about how professionals can help clients address those concerns while working toward a settlement.

We discuss preparation, negotiation and the value of understanding the reasons behind a spouse’s requests. We also consider how legal advice, financial analysis and coaching can work together, with each professional serving a clear role. The conversation focuses on informed agreements and the practical needs of families after divorce.

Read: Legal, financial and emotional support
Services: Divorce mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

What is the difference between a divorce mediator and an attorney representing one spouse? I talk with CDFA® Tanya Aure about those roles and how mediation differs from litigation.

We discuss property, housing and other settlement decisions, along with the ways couples can obtain advice while negotiating. A neutral mediator helps both participants work toward agreement; an independent attorney advises one client. Understanding those roles can help you choose the support and process that fit your circumstances.

Read: Mediator and attorney roles
Services: Divorce mediation

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation

What can a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst help you understand before you sign a settlement? I talk with Tanya Aure about evaluating property, retirement accounts, RSUs and other financial issues during divorce.

We discuss how the type of asset, its tax treatment and its availability for living expenses can affect a proposed division. The conversation explains why a financial review can help you ask better questions and compare options before committing to an agreement.

Read: The role of a CDFA
Services: Divorce financial consulting

Scott Levin, California family law attorney, mediator and CDFA®
San Diego Divorce Mediation & Family Law | 858-293-1410

Helping California couples work through financial and parenting decisions, prenuptial agreements and divorce settlements. Independent consulting-attorney guidance is also available.

This podcast provides general education, not legal or financial advice for your particular situation.

Schedule a free consultation