How to Work with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst

Over the course of the past several months, We’ve had the great fortune to get to know Jennifer Taylor, a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and founder of Square One Financial Services, Inc., based in San Clemente, California. Jennifer’s personal experience going through divorce inspired her to do what she does today: help others receive easy-to-understand financial guidance during their divorce process. Separation of financial assets is one of the most complicated parts of the California divorce process. …
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Why You Might Want A Prenup (And Not Even Know It)

Written by: Ashley Schuh Originally published: A Practical Wedding How getting a prenup is an exercise in #selflove First, I’m happy you are in love (hooray for love!). Even though I have spent the last thirteen years working as a divorce attorney, I believe wholeheartedly in love and relationships. I want yours to be perfect for you, and I want it to last. But as the cofounder of Love & Real Life, an experienced Family Law attorney, and a Mediator, I …
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6 Steps to Take Before You Begin Divorce Mediation

Thinking about divorce mediation? Excellent idea if you and your spouse have the shared goal of uncoupling amicably (or at least are committed to working together to dissolve your marriage in a fair and cooperative way) but have too many issues to resolve them on your own. Working with a good mediator has its perks — most notably you can cut down on attorney fees and costs, go at your own pace, keep the intimate details of your life a lot …
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What You Should Never Say To Someone Who Is Going Through Heartbreak

Going through a divorce or breakup is grueling. The pain people experience as a result of heartbreak is excruciating, and second to that pain is what friends and loved ones feel when they listen to and watch a person they care about suffer. Because of that, concerned loved ones often counsel the brokenhearted in a way that may not be the most conducive to healing, even when their heart is in the right place. With that in mind, here’s what not to …
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It’s Over: The Checklist You Need For Your New Beginning

It’s over. Officially. But, now what? As a divorce lawyer for the last 12+ years, I can tell you that – as crazy as it sounds – sometimes one of the most difficult parts of divorce is the end. After enduring so many months of negotiation, paperwork, deadlines, heartache and perhaps even frustration or anger; when the divorce judgment is finally granted, it can feel all at once like an incredible burden lifted – but also like a thick cloud …
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I’m a Divorce Lawyer and This is the #1 Thing I Tell My Clients to Do

As a seasoned divorce lawyer, I see far too many of my clients putting off the one thing they absolutely need to be doing throughout this emotionally complex process: making time for self-care. You are being pulled in so many different directions and are experiencing a sea of transitions – it is so easy to get swept up in the stress of it all that physical and mental health take a back seat. But I want you to come out …
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Pronoun Power – The Standard for Gender Neutrality

Originally published by the Bar Association of San Francisco, Authored by Stan Sarkisov and Carleigh Kude Language and laws reflect the values of society—and we are a nation of equals.[1]  Unlike codified equality, human hearts and minds are not so orderly.  As receivers of information, our myriad cognitive biases allow us to process the data we consume.[2]  Our biases have also been institutionalized, written into the language of our nation’s founding legal documents. The Founding Fathers (or men) made sure to …
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Divorce & Wellness: Self-Care Matters

Laura Aiello, Divorce Strategist, weighs in on the importance of self-care throughout the breakup process in our first guest blog:     “Put your own oxygen mask on first” “You can’t pour from an empty pitcher” “There’s nothing selfish about taking care of YOU” By now, you have heard all these self-care mantras and more. And what’s more, you probably agree with them – wholeheartedly! But then… LIFE. DIVORCE. KIDS. JOB. PAPERWORK!   It’s not unusual to feel like it’s all you …
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When are Attorney Fees “Awarded” in a Divorce Action?

It’s no secret that hiring an attorney is expensive. Even if you are using a lawyer on a ‘limited scope’ basis to help you only with strategy or to review and revise your forms, it is still a cost that you probably didn’t plan for. So when can you request that your spouse pay your fees? Conversely, will you be on the hook to pay some or all of your ex’s lawyer costs? While there are many ways fee requests …
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