Hosts Fara Rodriguez and Stephanie Lehman, matrimonial attorneys, dig into one of the most consequential decisions in a divorce, choosing the right lawyer. They talk through the signs that a marriage may be over, the financial timing questions worth considering before filing, and where to find a trustworthy referral, whether through friends, other attorneys, or professionals like accountants and real estate brokers. Fara and Stephanie share what to ask in a consultation, why lawyers who oversell or love bomb prospective clients are a red flag, and why a bulldog reputation does not always serve a client well in court. They also discuss the emotional weight of matrimonial work, the role of the consultation fee, and how firm size, big, small, or solo, can shape the resources available to a client.

00:00 How to Choose the Right Divorce Lawyer

00:07 Signs a Marriage May Be Over

02:00 When to Consult a Lawyer vs. Marriage Counseling

03:00 Financial Timing: Bonuses, Business Deals, and Filing for Divorce

04:00 Finding a Divorce Lawyer Through Referrals

05:00 Why Honesty with Your Divorce Lawyer Matters

06:00 The Rise of the “Silent Divorce”

08:00 Other Professional Referral Sources

09:00 Questions to Ask When Vetting a Divorce Lawyer

10:00 Managing Expectations Around Custody

11:00 Avoiding “Love Bombing” Lawyers Who Oversell

12:00 The Emotional Toll of Practicing Divorce Law

13:00 Getting Attached Without Losing Objectivity

13:30 The Consultation Fee, and Why It Matters

14:00 Talking About Money From the Start

15:00 Letting Clients Vent Without Losing Focus

16:00 Why “Bulldog” Lawyers Aren't Always the Best Choice

17:00 The Triple Threat: Negotiator, Litigator, Strategist

18:00 Big Firm vs. Small Firm vs. Solo Practitioner

19:00 Closing Thoughts and What's Next

Hosts and Offit Kurman partners Stephanie Lehman and Fara Rodriguez open the series by tracing their path from opposing counsel in matrimonial cases to law partners and friends, including a chance reconnection while both were pregnant that eventually led Fara back into practice and into partnership with Stephanie. The two turn the lens on their own lives, discussing what it is like to date and marry as divorce attorneys, why they each valued transparency and financial honesty over chemistry, and the practical, prenup-style conversations couples avoid at their own risk. They share candid stories from years of practice, including memorable moments from early cases, and outline the red flags they look for on a partner's social media before marriage. The episode closes with a preview of the next installment on how to choose a divorce lawyer.

00:00 Podcast Intro

01:00 Welcome and Why We're Doing This

02:00 How Stephanie and Fara Met

03:00 Fara's Path to Family Law

04:00 Reconnecting as Adversaries and Moms

05:00 Becoming Law Partners

06:00 Dating as a Divorce Lawyer

07:00 The Vetting Process and Prenup Talk

08:00 Baby Lawyer Stories and Asking Tough Questions

09:00 Why Couples Avoid the Hard Conversations

10:00 Red Flags Before Marriage

11:00 Debt, Transparency, and Financial Honesty

12:00 Social Media Red Flags

13:00 Marriage as a Business Partnership

14:00 Property, Resentment, and Trust

15:00 Next Time: How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer

Love Ends. Law Begins. brings together Offit Kurman partners Stephanie Lehman and Fara Rodriguez—once formidable courtroom adversaries who faced off in complex matrimonial matters and are now colleagues and friends. Drawing on decades of experience in family law, they offer a rare dual perspective on the personal and practical realities of divorce and life transitions.

More than a legal podcast, Love Ends. Law Begins. explores the broader issues that shape modern relationships and the paths people take after major life changes. Through candid conversations with professionals from a range of fields—including finance, medicine, faith, and personal wellness—the hosts examine the emotional, financial, and social dimensions of divorce and reinvention.

Thoughtful, practical, and engaging, the podcast offers insight and perspective for anyone navigating relationships, change, and what comes next.