The Divorce School

Faculty Member: Arin R. Fife, Family Law Attorney

Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and Publisher of Divorce Magazine, Family Lawyer Magazine, and DivorcedMoms.com

When going through a divorce, marital property will have to be divided between you and your spouse. Understanding how property and assets are divided and hiring the right divorce professionals could help you keep what is rightfully yours during your divorce.

This session will discuss:

the difference between an “equitable distribution” state and a “community property” state

the difference between marital property and separate property

who decides what is marital and what is separate property

the factors a judge must consider when dividing marital property

whether or not contributions to a retirement account is considered marital or separate property

what happens if both spouses want to keep 100% of the same marital property

whether fault ever plays a role in asset division

whether an inheritance received before a marriage is still considered separate property after divorce

whether stock options received at work are considered an asset to be divided during divorce

The Divorce School - www.thedivorceschool.com

Faculty Member: Diana Shepherd, CDFA™, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine

Facilitator: Dan Couvrette, CEO and co-founder of Divorce Magazine and Family Lawyer Magazine

Every divorce is different, with legal, financial, and/or parenting issues unique to the individuals whose relationship has broken down. However, every divorce undergoes a similar journey from initiation to closure; whether you make this journey towards separate lives expensively or inexpensively, slowly or quickly, with conflict or kindness is up to you. Here’s an overview of how the divorce process generally works in the United States and Canada; you’ll need to speak to a family lawyer to discover how the process might vary in your state or province, as well as how the details and circumstances of your situation may affect your own process.

This session will:

explain the differences between using litigation, arbitration, mediation, collaborative divorce, and do-it-yourself (sometimes known as “pro se” or self-representation) to resolve your divorce-related issues

discuss how the process begins: by filing a petition, application, or complaint about divorce with your local family court

detail what information should you collect for your lawyer and financial advisor

define temporary orders or agreements, which establish quick decisions about your children, property, bank accounts, support, and other key issues during the separation period

describe the difference between contested and uncontested divorces

examine the main issues couples will have to resolve during their divorce

reveal how soon a divorce can take place after filing the divorce petition.

The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com

Faculty Member: Peggy L. Tracy, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner

Facilitator: Diana Shepherd, CDFA, Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Divorce Magazine

If you suspect your spouse of marital fraud or hiding assets during your divorce, there are important steps that can be taken to prevent your spouse from stealing your future. Learn about the warning signs and how to stop fraud in its tracks.

This session will:

discuss specific types of fraud that apply to divorcing couples

examine situations that could make committing fraud easier than others

talk about the warning signs that a spouse may have committed financial fraud in a marriage

explain how to find missing assets

offer tips on what steps to take to protect your financial future

discuss marital fraud prevention and remediation

explain the “fraud triangle”, which consists of:

Opportunity. The person perceives an opportunity to commit an indiscretion without being caught.

Pressure. The social or financial motive – a problem the perpetrator believes he/she cannot share with anyone. 

Rationalization. The rationalization is necessary so the individual can maintain his/her self-concept as a good or honest person who was caught up in a bad set of circumstances.

The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com

Faculty Member: Pegotty Cooper, MBA, CDC, Certified President of Divorce Coaching, Inc.

Facilitator: Cathy Meyer, Cathy Meyer, Master Certified Coach, Certified Legal Investigator and Marriage Enrichment Coach

When going through a divorce, it may be beneficial to hire a Certified Divorce Coach who can help you figure out how to take more effective actions in moving forward through the divorce process. Pegotty Cooper discusses what a CDC is and the role they play in a divorce.

This session will:

explain what a Certified Divorce Coach is and what the advantages are to using one

outline what kinds of issues a Certified Divorce Coach deals with

discuss if the role of a Personal Divorce Coach is different depending on what form of dispute resolution is being used

offer advice on how to choose the right Personal Divorce Coach

share tips for divorcing couples

address the biggest mistakes people make in handling their divorce

outline the training required to become a Certified Divorce Coach.

The Divorce School - www.TheDivorceSchool.com