Divorce Diaries: Lessons From the Trenches

When divorce looms, most people fixate on the emotional fallout or legal battles ahead – rarely do they understand how profoundly financial decisions made during this vulnerable time will shape their future for decades to come. Host Cary Jacobson sits down with Melissa Murphy Pavone, a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who brings mindfulness to the dollars and cents of divorce. 

Whether yo...

Divorce can be one of life’s most overwhelming transitions—but it can also be an opportunity for growth, strength, and transformation. In this episode of Divorce Diaries: Lessons from the Trenches, host Cary Jacobson sits down with Heather Quick, founder and CEO of Florida Women’s Law Group, to discuss why women often feel pressure to “give in” during divorce and how they can reclaim their power in the process. Heather shares her j...

Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson, is joined this week by Lance Hilsinger as he pulls back the curtain on the misunderstood world of child welfare after spending 34 years on the frontlines. His candid conversation reveals surprising truths about the system designed to protect our most vulnerable children.

Lance's advice resonates with compassion and practicality: normalize life for children caught in custody disput...

Forget everything you thought you knew about divorce. The battlefield metaphor? The years of expensive court battles? The permanent damage to family relationships? None of that is inevitable. Family law attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson pulls back the curtain on divorce mediation—a powerful alternative that's transforming how couples navigate separation.

Preparing for successful mediation means gathering financial ...

In this powerful conversation, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined by Olivia Howell, founder of Fresh Starts Registry. Olivia shares how personal experience led her to create the world's first divorce registry – a platform where friends and family can tangibly support loved ones rebuilding their lives.

Whether you're experiencing divorce yourself or supporting someone who is, Fresh Starts Registr...

What happens when you realize the courtroom isn’t the only path to divorce? In this episode, attorney and mediator Cary Jacobson sits down with Azizah Ahmad, Esq., whose personal four-year battle in family court transformed how she now helps others navigate divorce. Azizah shares her story of moving from high-conflict litigation to out-of-court mediation — and how choosing dignity and collaboration can lead to healthier co-parentin...

The deepest wounds in our relationships often trace back to our earliest experiences. When divorce happens, these hidden patterns suddenly emerge, demanding our attention. In this transformative episode of Divorce Diaries, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, is joined by somatic trauma recovery guide Danielle Bird as she reveals why divorce acts as a powerful catalyst for exposing attachment wounds w...

Host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator, is joined this week by Jeff Kolez as he shares his journey through a brutal seven-year divorce that cost him $100,000 and left him emotionally devastated with a "soul wound." He reveals how he developed a five-step process for healing and rebuilding trust in himself after losing friends, money, and his sense of identity.

Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the ...

Documenting the invisible battles of divorce can be your strongest defense against ongoing manipulation and control. Join host, Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator with Jacobson Family Law, as she sits down with divorce coach, Tiffany Colburn. Tiffany reveals how proper documentation becomes not just preparation for potential court appearances, but a crucial tool for recognizing harmful patterns in high-conflict co-parenting relat...

Attorney and mediator, Cary Jacobson is joined by divorce coach Jill Kaufman to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of family separation—co-parenting with high-conflict ex-spouses or narcissistic personalities. Drawing from her own difficult divorce experience and professional expertise as a therapist, Kaufman shares transformative strategies that can revolutionize even the most strained co-parenting relationships.

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The emotional aftermath of divorce often blindsides us when we least expect it. Just when the paperwork is finalized and court appearances end, a profound sense of grief emerges—catching many off guard who anticipated only feeling relief. Dr. Emma Mansour, licensed psychologist and owner of Life Matters Counseling, joins Cary Jacobson to unpack this complex emotional landscape and offer guidance for those navigating the turbulent w...

Divorce fundamentally changes who we are—and that's not something to fear, but to embrace. When former divorce attorney and certified coach Sharri Freedman joins host Cary Jacobson, she reveals the transformative power hidden within the painful process of ending a marriage. Drawing from 30+ years of experience and her innovative "liberated method," Sharri explains how understanding divorce as an identity evolution ca...

Facing family court without an attorney can feel like entering a foreign country without speaking the language. In this illuminating conversation, former family law attorney Tracey Bee reveals how she transformed her 25-year legal career into a mission helping self-represented litigants navigate the complex world of divorce and family court proceedings.

Whether you're considering self-representation by choice or neces...

The home you shared is often the most emotionally and financially complex asset to handle during divorce. With today's rising interest rates, many couples face agonizing decisions about what to do with property they purchased at historically low rates.

Bridget McGee, known as the Maryland Mortgage Mama, brings 24 years of mortgage expertise and specialized divorce lending certification to help you navigate these chall...

Frances Shefter, education attorney and former special education teacher, shares how parents can effectively advocate for their special needs children during and after divorce. Her unique experience on both sides of the IEP table helps create what she calls a "stress-free IEP experience" for families navigating complex educational systems during family transitions.

Visit jacobsonfamilylaw.com or call 443-726-4912...

Mary Blackwood, licensed clinical marriage and family therapist and founder of the Couples and Family Institute, shares her expertise on healing family systems during divorce and separation. She reveals how communication breakdowns occur when people listen to reply rather than listening to absorb, and offers practical approaches to help families navigate transitions with less trauma and more growth.

Visit mpbhealth.com to ...

The financial intricacies of college planning become exponentially more complex when divorce enters the picture. In this episode, host Cary Jacobson sits down with Vicki Vollweiler, founder of College Financial Prep and a divorced parent herself, as she reveals game-changing strategies that can potentially save families hundreds of thousands of dollars in college costs.

Ready to transform your approach to college planning ...

In this episode, host Cary Jacobson, attorney and mediator for Jacobson Family Law, sits down with Eric Chilton, a Certified Divorce Coach, as he reveals how communication strategies and proper preparation can save divorcing couples significant money and emotional distress. Eric explains why immediate legal action isn't always the best first step and shares practical techniques for managing high-conflict situations.

V...