In this episode of Divorce Explored, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan break down the real—and often overlooked—risk: making decisions before you truly understand your financial picture.

Because when you move toward agreement without verified numbers, you’re not negotiating from facts—you’re negotiating from assumptions.

This conversation defines what true financial clarity actually means, why it’s not a feeling, and what must be in place before signing anything. If you’re feeling pressure to “just get it done,” this episode will help you pause, refocus, and make decisions that hold up not just today—but years from now.

At My Divorce Solution, this is exactly why we focus on financial clarity before decisions are made—so strategy replaces reaction.

Get clear on your numbers before making decisions. Start with a Free Divorce Financial Assessment: https://myfinancialportrait.com/get-started

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There’s a quiet kind of divorce that doesn’t start with papers being filed. It starts years earlier—when the relationship has already ended emotionally, but nothing changes on the outside.

In this episode of We Chat Divorce, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan are joined by returning guest Karen Covy—divorce coach, attorney, mediator, and author—to unpack what it really means to feel “stuck” in a marriage.

If you’ve been living in that in-between space—where fear, uncertainty, and obligation keep you from moving forward—this conversation will help you understand why.

More importantly, it will show you what’s actually missing: clarity.

What a “hidden divorce” really is—and why so many people are living in one

The real reasons people stay stuck (it’s not just fear of divorce)

Why not knowing your financial picture keeps you in indecision

How misinformation from spouses, friends, Google, and AI can lead to costly mistakes

Why divorce is not a binary decision—and the options most people never consider

The role of financial independence and confidence, especially in long-term marriages

How to make decisions using head, heart, and gut—not just fear

Why clarity before action can dramatically reduce conflict, cost, and regret

Resources Mentioned

My Divorce Solution

MDS Financial Portrait™

MDS Community (free support + live Q&A)

Visit https://karencovy.com/ to find Karen’s resources

When Happily Ever After Ends (book)

Divorce Roadmap 3.0

Off the Fence Podcast

If you’re questioning your marriage—or quietly feeling stuck—you don’t need to rush into a decision.

Start with clarity.

At My Divorce Solution, we help you understand your full financial picture before you take your next step—so your decisions are grounded in knowledge, not fear.

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Most people enter divorce focused on legal steps. But divorce is ultimately a financial process—and the biggest mistakes happen before negotiations even begin.

In this episode of Divorce Explored, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan break down financial discovery in divorce—what it is, why it matters, and what happens when it’s skipped.

If you don’t fully understand your financial picture, you’re negotiating without the full story.

They walk through real client scenarios, including undisclosed retirement accounts, missing financial documents, and investment portfolios with hidden tax consequences. These are the kinds of details that can completely change the outcome of a settlement—and they’re often missed.

This conversation explains the difference between collecting documents and actually verifying them, why incomplete or outdated information leads to costly decisions, and how financial clarity creates confidence during negotiation.

You’ll also learn where attorneys, financial planners, and other professionals fit into the process—and why financial preparation must come first.

The bottom line: financial discovery is not a technical step. It is the foundation of every financial decision in divorce.

If you’re considering divorce, in the middle of the process, or preparing for negotiation, this episode will help you understand what needs to happen before any agreements are made.

Start with clarity before making decisions that impact your financial future.

Learn more or begin with a free Divorce Financial Assessment:
https://mydivorcesolution.com/

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Children don’t experience divorce through court documents or financial agreements. They experience it through tone, tension, and the daily communication between their parents.

And when that communication stays reactive, unclear, or emotionally charged, children carry that instability with them.

In this episode of We Chat Divorce, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan sit down with family law attorneys Elle Barr and Rebecca Perra from OurFamilyWizard to discuss one of the most important — and often overlooked — factors affecting children after divorce: parental conflict.

Drawing on decades of family law experience and research like the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study, this conversation explores why unmanaged conflict between parents can have lasting emotional and health consequences for children.

But there is good news: conflict can be reduced when parents use the right systems, tools, and communication structures.

You’ll learn how co-parenting platforms like OurFamilyWizard help parents:

You’ll also hear why financial clarity — understanding expenses, support, and shared responsibilities — is critical to building a sustainable co-parenting plan.

This episode is essential listening for parents navigating divorce, co-parenting challenges, or ongoing communication struggles with a former spouse.

Because divorce doesn’t have to damage children. Conflict does — and conflict can be reduced.

Links:

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Real Estate in Divorce: Selling, Buying, and Financial Risks

Hosts: Karen Chellew, Legal Liaison & Co-Founder, My Divorce Solution

In Part 2 of this conversation on real estate and divorce, Karen and Catherine focus on what happens when real decisions are made—buying property, selling the marital home, or dividing proceeds. While these steps may feel like progress during a difficult time, they can create unexpected financial risks if the details aren’t fully understood.

Through real client scenarios, they explain why clauses written into real estate contracts may not actually protect you in divorce and why agreements like indemnification don’t always provide the security people expect.

Risks of buying property before your divorce is finalized

Why realtor clauses may not protect you in a divorce

Key considerations when selling the marital home

Why splitting proceeds too early can create problems

The limits of indemnification in divorce agreements

Real estate decisions during divorce aren’t just legal or emotional—they’re financial risk decisions. Before buying, selling, or signing anything, it’s important to understand ownership, liability, and how the transaction could impact your final settlement.

If you want verified numbers and a clear strategy before negotiating property division, learn more about the MDS Divorce Financial Portrait™ at:
MyDivorceSolution.com

Part 1 of this episode covers the foundational concepts behind real estate in divorce, including the difference between the deed, mortgage, and promissory note, and why understanding those documents matters before making any decisions.

Episode OverviewWhat You’ll LearnKey TakeawayResourcesListen to Part 1

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When to Sell, When to Wait, and Why “Feeling Protected” Isn’t the Same as Being Protected

Hosts: Karen Chellew (Legal Liaison & Co-Founder, My Divorce Solution) + Catherine Shanahan (Divorce Financial Specialist, CDFA & Co-Founder, My Divorce Solution)

Real estate is often the biggest (and most emotionally charged) asset in a divorce — and it’s where rushed decisions can create long-term financial risk. In this episode, Karen and Catherine break down the real meaning of “protected” when you’re selling, refinancing, buying, or co-owning property during divorce.

They explain the critical difference between being on the note, the mortgage/deed of trust, and the deed — and why misunderstanding those documents can leave your credit, liability, and future borrowing power exposed even if your divorce agreement says you’re “off the hook.”

You’ll also hear real-life scenarios from recent clients: the spouse who didn’t know they were still on the mortgage, the hidden HELOC that sat unresolved for 20 years, and the buyer who thought a “divorce clause” in a purchase contract would protect him (it didn’t). The core message is simple: real estate decisions in divorce are financial risk decisions — and clarity is what actually protects you.

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Divorce is not just emotional. It’s economic.

In this powerful episode of the We Chat Divorce, Karen and Catherine sit down with Emily Pollock, partner at Donohoe Talbert LLP and one of Forbes Advisor’s Top 10 Divorce Attorneys in New York City.

With over 15 years of experience in high-net-worth matrimonial law, Emily brings a rare combination of legal precision and psychological awareness to the conversation.

Together, they unpack:

Why divorce creates a financial gap — especially for women

The truth about modern maintenance (alimony) laws

Why “lifetime support” is largely a thing of the past

What happens when wealth looks bigger than it actually is

The danger of entering mediation or litigation unprepared

Why your attorney’s job is to put you in your best position legally — and why that requires financial clarity first

This conversation is honest, strategic, and deeply grounding.

About Our Guest

Emily Pollock is a partner at Donohoe Talbert LLP in New York City. She focuses on high-net-worth divorce, complex asset division, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and cases involving businesses, trusts, and international financial structures.

She was recently named one of Forbes Advisor’s Top 10 Divorce Attorneys in NYC.

She is licensed in New York.

Website: https://donohoetalbert.com/attorneys/emily-s-pollock/

At My Divorce Solution, we believe divorce is financial first.

Before you hire an attorney.Before you agree to mediation.Before you react emotionally.

You need verified clarity.

The MDS Financial Portrait™ gives you:

A full inventory of assets and debts

Lifestyle analysis

Support calculations

Settlement scenarios

Organized financial disclosures

A structured plan for negotiation

When you walk into an attorney’s office prepared, everything changes.

Start with clarity.

👉 Take the Free Divorce Financial Assessment at MyDivorceSolution.com

👉 Join the MDS Community for expert guidance and live Q&As

You do not need to decide everything today. You are allowed to gather information. You are allowed to prepare before reacting.

Protect your peace. Let knowledge be your power.

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Many couples going through divorce say the same thing: “We’re amicable. We just want to get this done.”

In this episode of Divorce Explored, a series within the We Chat Divorce podcast, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan unpack what amicable actually means—and why emotional calm is not the same as financial clarity.

With California introducing a new joint divorce petition option in 2026, couples may be able to start the divorce process together with less initial friction. But as Karen and Catherine explain, this procedural change does not reduce the financial work required to reach a fair, sustainable settlement.

This conversation breaks down the real differences between contested vs. uncontested divorce, the hidden costs of rushing to agreement, and the financial red flags that quietly turn “easy divorces” into expensive ones.

If you’re considering an uncontested or joint filing—and want to stay amicable without sacrificing your financial future—this episode is essential listening.

The difference between being emotionally amicable and financially transparent

Why agreeing quickly can be more expensive than slowing down

What California’s 2026 joint petition option actually changes—and what it doesn’t

Common financial “agreement killers” in uncontested divorces

Why keeping the house without a budget often backfires

How missing documents, unclear income, or mixed business expenses derail settlements

Why financial clarity can prevent conflict—not create it

What it truly means to compare assets fairly (cash vs. retirement vs. property)

Clarity is not conflict. Asking questions does not make a divorce adversarial—it makes it informed.

Uncontested divorce still requires full financial discovery. Skipping this step creates costly mistakes.

Joint petitions may lower emotional tension, but they don’t reduce financial responsibility.

Rushing creates regret. Many uncontested divorces become contested after new information emerges.

If you can’t explain your agreement in plain English, you’re not ready to sign it.

You may need more structure and support if:

You can’t access financial statements

Income is variable, unclear, or disputed

Business and personal spending are mixed

New debt or unexplained transfers appear

One spouse is afraid to ask financial questions

The plan relies on “it will all work out”

At My Divorce Solution, we help individuals and couples get financially organized before legal negotiations begin—so decisions are based on verified data, realistic budgets, and long-term stability.

Our MDS Financial Portrait™ helps clients:

Organize and verify financial documents

Understand true cash flow and post-divorce budgets

Model settlement scenarios before committing

Avoid expensive renegotiations and legal waste

Learn more at mydivorcesolution.com

Considering an uncontested or amicable divorce

Curious about California’s 2026 joint petition option

Afraid of making a financial mistake you can’t undo

Trying to stay cooperative without giving away too much

Wanting clarity before talking to attorneys

We Chat Divorce is the #1 podcast for financial divorce preparation, hosted by Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan—co-founders of My Divorce Solution. Each episode delivers honest, grounded conversations about the financial realities of divorce so listeners can move forward with confidence, not fear.

Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you. Clarity changes everything.

What You’ll LearnKey TakeawaysFinancial Red Flags to Slow DownHow My Divorce Solution HelpsListen If You Are:About the Podcast

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When people hear “forensic accountant” during divorce, expectations run high. Many assume it means hidden money will automatically be uncovered or that every financial mystery will be solved. The reality is more nuanced—and far more strategic.

In this episode, we sit down with Sara Nanchanatt, founder of SN Forensics, to demystify what forensic accounting actually does in divorce, when it’s worth the investment, and when it’s not.

Sara brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood (and expensive) parts of the divorce process—helping listeners understand how to make informed, cost-effective decisions instead of emotionally driven ones.

This conversation is especially important if you’re navigating a divorce involving business ownership, complex finances, cash-based income, or concerns about missing information.

What a forensic accountant really does in divorce—and what they can’t do

Why not every divorce requires forensic accounting

How attorneys often default to “we need a forensic” (and why that matters)

When business valuations make financial sense—and when they don’t

The red flags forensic accountants actually look for

Why “cash businesses” and “hidden assets” aren’t always traceable

The difference between consulting, expert witness, and rebuttal roles

How limited-scope forensic work can save thousands

What questions to ask before hiring a forensic accountant

How preparation and document review can prevent wasted legal and expert fees

✔️ Spending money without a clear scope often leads to frustration and disappointment

✔️ The goal isn’t to “prove wrongdoing”—it’s to understand the numbers well enough to make informed decisions

✔️ Preparation before engaging experts can dramatically reduce costs

✔️ A strong divorce team communicates clearly and works collaboratively

This episode reinforces a core MDS belief: Fear is expensive. Clarity is not.

Understanding when forensic accounting adds value—and when it doesn’t—puts control back where it belongs: with you.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.snforensics.com

(Free consultations available when referred through My Divorce Solution)

Take the Free Divorce Financial Assessment

Join the MDS Community for expert guidance and live Q&A

Listen to more episodes of We Chat Divorce

Questions or topic requests? Email: [email protected] 🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs clarity💬 Remember: You don’t have to decide everything today. You’re allowed to gather information first.

Protect your peace. Let knowledge be your power.

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In this episode of We Chat Divorce, Karen Chellew, Legal Liaison, and Catherine Shanahan, CDFA®, sit down with Jody Bruns, founder of the Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) certification and the creator of the divorce mortgage planning profession.

The conversation focuses on one of the most expensive and misunderstood parts of divorce: the marital home and the mortgage attached to it. With interest rates, refinancing challenges, and equity decisions shaping modern divorce settlements, this episode breaks down why housing decisions made without preparation often lead to permanent financial consequences.

Why you cannot simply remove a spouse from a mortgage after divorce

The difference between a traditional mortgage lender and a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®)

How refinancing really works — including escrow accounts, taxes, insurance, and closing costs

Why alimony and child support payment structure matters for mortgage approval

What lenders require to use support income for qualification

The financial risks of keeping the house versus selling it

How capital gains taxes and filing status changes impact long-term equity

Why mortgage assumptions are complex, limited, and not guaranteed

The dangers of quitclaim deeds and poorly written settlement language

How title changes after divorce can expose homeowners to liens, probate issues, and loss of control

Without coordinated legal, financial, and mortgage planning, housing decisions in divorce often become the most costly mistakes people make.

🔗 Websites DivorceLendingAssociation.com  /  JodyBruns.com 

🔗 Social Instagram: @JodyBrunsOfficial LinkedIn: jodylbruns

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