Lawfully Ever After

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In this roundtable episode, Julie is joined by three fellow family law attorneys (Cara Sawyer, Katie Fow, and PJ McGinnis) to explain what custody mediation looks like in real life, especially in Chester & Montgomery Counties, including required steps before court, what “legal custody” actually means, and why mediation is often about making incremental progress rather than solving everything at once.

The conversation also addresses common pressure points that derail resolution: mismatched work schedules, trust issues, support-related suspicions, and situations where one party may feel overpowered. The attorneys discuss how effective mediators handle stalemates, when mediation may be inappropriate, and why even strong court orders can’t “fix” underlying behavior.

The episode closes with a child-centered lens: how kids experience custody conflict, why shared time is often the direction courts lean when safety isn’t an issue, and what parents can do to reduce emotional harm—by focusing less on winning and more on stability, communication, and the child’s best interest.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

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In the final chapter of our mock custody trial series, Julie steps fully into the role of judge and walks listeners through how custody decisions are actually made. Drawing from real-world family law practice, this episode breaks down the factors judges are required to consider, what “equal” really means in custody cases, and why outcomes often feel emotionally devastating even when they’re legally balanced.

The conversation also zooms out to explore a bigger truth about family court: what the court can fix, what it can’t, and why chasing courtroom “wins” can sometimes do more harm than good. It’s a candid, behind-the-scenes look at judicial reasoning, expectations vs. reality, and the often-overlooked work that happens outside the courtroom.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

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Holloway v. Holloway (Part Two): Testimony, Cross-Examination & What Judges Really Weigh

In Part Two of the fictional custody case Holloway v. Holloway, we move past the setup and into the heart of a Pennsylvania custody trial: live testimony. This episode walks listeners through abbreviated, but realistic, direct and cross-examinations of both parents, a workplace witness, and the often-overlooked impact of third-party caregivers.

Mom takes the stand first, describing routines, anxiety, and decision-making around therapy and medication. Dad follows, explaining why he’s seeking 50/50 custody, how his job has changed, and how he relies on family and a girlfriend for support. From there, we hear from Dad’s boss about work schedules, unpredictability, and the limits of flexibility—testimony that often carries more weight than parents expect.

We also break down the in-camera interviews with the children: what judges listen for, how anxiety and routine factor into custody decisions, and why courts are cautious about labeling kids as “coached” or “manipulated.”

Finally, Julie pulls back the curtain on what actually happens at a custody trial—how testimony is structured, why parents usually testify first, how long real trials last, and what it means when a judge “takes it under advisement” instead of ruling from the bench.

No ruling yet—that’s coming in Part Three. For now, this episode is all about credibility, consistency, and the quiet details that can tip the scales in a custody case.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

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In Part One of our three-part Judge Julie series, Emily introduces a completely fictional—but highly realistic—Pennsylvania custody case: Holloway v. Holloway. A long-term stay-at-home mom, a traveling dad, two school-aged kids with very different needs—and a dispute over whether 50/50 custody is truly in their best interests. Julie hears the facts for the very first time and shares her raw, real-time legal analysis—no ruling yet, just the issues that will shape everything to come.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

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This week, we were invited by local Realtor Bela Vora as a guest on her podcast to discuss real estate transactions during divorce: when you should move out, how to negotiate repairs that need to be done, the best timing for appraisals, and how property settlement agreements tie into the process.

Check out more of Bela's content on her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@phillysuburbsrealtor

And check out her website to learn more about her and her real estate services: https://phillysuburbsrealtor.com/

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

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Thinking about representing yourself in family court? In this candid conversation, we break down what “pro se” really means—and why even seasoned attorneys won’t do it. We cover when mediation helps (and its limits), the critical protections people miss in DIY agreements (like securing alimony with life insurance), and the evidentiary traps that derail cases—hello, hearsay and inadmissible police reports. You’ll hear how judges expect self-represented parties to follow the same rules as lawyers, what really happens at pretrial conferences in Chester County, how document exchanges and “for settlement purposes only” work, and why preserving the record with timely objections matters on appeal. We also touch on cross-exam basics, discovery misconceptions, and a quick PSA on Miranda rights and consent searches. 

Bottom line: do it once, do it right—hire counsel and save yourself years of stress and expense.

(This episode is for general information only and is not legal advice.)

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

Send a text

In this episode, we break down the do’s and don’ts of PFAs in Pennsylvania—what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how a temporary order can impact your custody case down the line. A practical guide with real-world examples and lessons learned the hard way.

Disclaimer: If you are in immediate danger, please always call 911 right away.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

Send a text

Today, we're tackling one of the most common — and most misunderstood — custody questions: When can kids decide where they want to live? 

Julie breaks down how Pennsylvania law actually works (hint: kids don't get the final say), why putting children in the middle is damaging, and how judges weigh a child's preference alongside 16 other custody factors. 

Plus, we talk about parenting teens in custody situations, appeals when you don't like a court's decision, and why being "the bigger person" isn't just good advice — it's essential. Buckle up, Julie’s fired up on this one!

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

Send a text

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health is a very common subject brought up in court for both divorce and custody cases...so let's talk about it!

In this episode, Julie Potts, a seasoned family law attorney from Chester County, PA, and co-host Emily discuss how mental health is (and isn't) treated in family court, why transparency with your lawyer is critical, and how addressing mental health issues can actually strengthen your case. Plus, they offer real-world advice for navigating custody battles, protecting yourself, and supporting your kids through divorce. 

Whether you're new here or a longtime listener, this is the episode to understand the heart of the show — and why information is power.

Link to information mentioned in episode:

The Daily Podcast Episode, "The Parents Aren't All Right": https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/podcasts/the-daily/parenting-stress.html

Kayden's Law in PA: https://www.aclupa.org/en/legislation/sb-78-child-custody-proceedings-kaydens-law

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.

Send a text

In this episode, we're diving into the LawyerJulie TikTok post that stirred up quite the conversation: my take on why women should never be full-time stay-at-home moms—at least not without a backup plan.  Watch the video here: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie/video/7466149689814011178

We break down the financial and personal risks of stepping out of the workforce, the long-term implications of giving up a career, and why independence is key (even if you never need it).

We also tackle some of the top comments and criticisms, including the "Who hurt you?" response. Spoiler: No one, but life experience and years in family law have shown Julie how quickly things can change. Plus, we discuss social security benefits, postnups, and how couples can proactively protect a stay-at-home spouse’s future.

Oh, and trolls? We see you. And we’re not losing sleep.

Want to ask a free legal question for a future episode on our new podcast project? Apply for an Initial Consult at https://juliepottsesq.com/apply-for-the-initial-consult/

Show Notes:

Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com

Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie

Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliepotts_esq

To contact the podcast with questions, suggestions, or if you are interested in being a guest, please e-mail [email protected]

Please remember that this podcast should not be considered legal advice, and you should always consult your own attorney if you have questions or need clarifications about your specific situation.

This episode of Lawfully After Ever was produced and edited by Emily Murphy.