Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce

Matthew Dolan
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education

Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce is a divorce and family law podcast hosted by Matthew Dolan and Nicole Bikakis from Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, a Connecticut family law firm helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions. Each episode breaks down the real questions people face before, during, and after divorce, including child custody, alimony, child support, property division, divorce mediation, high-asset divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, co-parenting, post-judgment issues, and the emotional realities of rebuilding your life. Hosted by the team at Dolan Divorce Lawyers, this podcast is designed to make complex divorce and family law topics easier to understand, without the legal jargon. Whether you are considering divorce, already involved in a family court matter, or simply want to better understand the process, Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce offers practical insight, grounded perspective, and clear explanations for Connecticut families. Learn more about Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC: Website: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/ Contact the firm: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/contact-us/ Bite Sized Learning: https://www.youtube.com/@dolandivorcelawyerspllc7203 This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, contact a qualified family law attorney in your area.

  1. 1d ago

    Collaborative Divorce in Connecticut: How It Works, Costs, and Benefits

    What is collaborative divorce, and how does it differ from mediation or traditional divorce litigation? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain how collaborative divorce works in Connecticut and why it may offer couples a more cooperative approach to ending their marriage. Matt and Nicole discuss the role of collaboratively trained divorce attorneys, financial neutrals, divorce coaches, and the collaborative participation agreement. They explain how these professionals help spouses work through property division, financial disclosures, alimony, child custody, child support, and parenting plans while focusing on reaching an agreement outside the courtroom. This episode also covers collaborative divorce costs, privacy, scheduling flexibility, financial transparency, and how the process compares with divorce mediation and traditional litigation. Matt and Nicole explain who may be a good candidate for collaborative divorce, when it may not be appropriate, and what happens if the collaborative process fails and the parties must pursue litigation with new attorneys. Whether you are considering divorce in Connecticut or looking for a less adversarial way to resolve financial and parenting disputes, this episode provides a practical overview of the collaborative divorce process, its potential advantages, limitations, and what to expect before getting started. Pod 25 - WORKING EDIT - audio review pending.txt This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com

  2. Oct 21

    Divorce Mediation in Connecticut: How It Works, Costs, and Benefits

    Can you get divorced in Connecticut without going through a lengthy court battle? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain how divorce mediation works, how it differs from traditional divorce litigation, and why it may be a less stressful and more cost-effective option for couples seeking a divorce. Matt and Nicole discuss the role of a neutral divorce mediator, why independent review counsel can be important, and how spouses work through financial disclosure, property division, alimony, child custody, child support, and divorce agreements. They also explain how mediation may allow couples to resolve their differences before filing for divorce and potentially finalize their case without appearing in court. This episode also explores divorce mediation costs, attorney fees, privacy, scheduling flexibility, how to prepare for mediation, and when mediation may not be appropriate due to high conflict, financial dishonesty, power imbalances, or domestic violence concerns. Whether you are considering divorce, comparing mediation versus litigation, or looking for ways to reduce conflict and legal expenses, this episode provides a practical overview of Connecticut divorce mediation and what to expect throughout the process.

  3. Oct 14

    Dividing Personal Property in a Connecticut Divorce: Furniture, Jewelry, and Household Items

    How are personal belongings divided during a Connecticut divorce? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain how personal property such as furniture, jewelry, artwork, household items, pots and pans, and sentimental belongings may be handled in the divorce process. Matt and Nicole discuss why personal property can become emotional, why replacement value often matters more than resale value, and why spouses may fight over items that are not worth the legal fees. They also explain how Connecticut’s automatic orders can limit selling, transferring, hiding, removing, or disposing of property while a divorce is pending. This episode also covers premarital belongings, inherited items, gifts between spouses, wedding gifts, dividing household contents by agreement, using post-it notes or item lists, binding arbitration, and why courts usually do not want to decide who gets every item in the house. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com

  4. Oct 7

    Depositions in Connecticut Divorce Cases: What to Expect and How They Work

    What is a deposition in a Connecticut divorce or family law case? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain how depositions work, why attorneys use them, and what parties should understand before testifying under oath. Matt and Nicole discuss how depositions are used to gather information, clarify financial records, evaluate witness credibility, prepare for trial, and lock in testimony before a court hearing. They explain who may be deposed in a divorce case, including spouses, fact witnesses, expert witnesses, accountants, business valuation experts, employers, or other third parties with relevant information. This episode also covers deposition transcripts, video depositions, objections, attorney questioning, inconsistent testimony, impeachment at trial, financial discovery, expert depositions, costs, and how to decide whether a deposition is worth it in a divorce or custody case. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com

  5. Oct 2

    Exclusive Use of the Marital Home During Divorce in Connecticut

    Can you ask the court to make your spouse move out of the house while a Connecticut divorce is pending? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain motions for exclusive use or exclusive possession of the marital home during divorce. Matt and Nicole discuss what exclusive use means, how it differs from a restraining order, and why being granted exclusive possession does not decide who owns the house or how the home equity will be divided. They also explain what must be included in a motion for exclusive possession, including the property history, who lives in the home, and the specific grounds for asking the court to remove one spouse from the residence. This episode also covers common reasons someone may request exclusive use of the home, including serious conflict in the house, privacy concerns, impact on children, bad behavior during the divorce, and situations where one spouse has already moved out but continues returning to the home. Matt and Nicole also discuss why these motions can be difficult to win, how alternative housing and financial realities may affect the court’s decision, and why related issues like household expenses, custody, visitation, and settlement strategy should be considered before filing. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com

  6. Sep 25

    When Can Alimony Be Changed After Divorce in Connecticut?

    Can alimony be changed after a divorce is finalized? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain when alimony may be modified in Connecticut and what courts may consider after judgment. Matt and Nicole discuss how alimony works, including weekly payments, percentage-based orders, safe harbor provisions, cohabitation language, remarriage, and whether alimony is modifiable as to amount or term. They also explain why the exact language of the divorce judgment matters when determining whether alimony can be increased, decreased, suspended, terminated, or left unchanged. This episode also covers substantial changes in circumstances, job loss, retirement, disability, increased income, decreased income, inheritance, cohabitation, earning capacity, financial discovery, motions for modification, and why parties should not simply stop paying alimony without a court order. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com

  7. Sep 18

    Emergency Ex Parte Custody Applications in Connecticut: How to File or Respond

    What happens when a parent files an emergency ex parte custody application in Connecticut Family Court? Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC explain when these emergency custody requests may apply, what the court looks for, and how parents can prepare whether they are filing the application or responding to one. This episode covers the legal standard for emergency ex parte custody orders, including immediate and present risk of physical danger or psychological harm to a child. Matt and Nicole discuss examples that may lead to an emergency custody request, such as physical abuse, intoxication around children, unsafe supervision, refusal of necessary medical care, serious mental health concerns, or an imminent attempt to relocate a child out of state. They also explain the required Connecticut custody forms, the role of affidavits, service by marshal, preparing evidence, subpoenaing witnesses, working with a Guardian ad Litem or Family Relations, and what to expect at the emergency custody hearing. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 💼 Need Legal Help in Connecticut? Contact Matthew Dolan, a trusted Connecticut divorce lawyer, for expert family law advice: 📞 Call Now: 203-902-8395 🌐 Visit Our Website: www.dolanfamilylaw.com 📩 Email: info@dolanfamilylaw.com 🔔 Subscribe for More Connecticut Family Law Insights! Stay informed about divorce law, child custody, and alimony laws in Connecticut. Why Choose Dolan Divorce Lawyers? At Dolan Divorce Lawyers, we specialize in Connecticut family law cases, including high-asset divorce, child custody disputes, alimony, and property division. We provide honest, dedicated legal representation to ensure our clients reach fair divorce settlements. About Matthew F. Dolan | Connecticut Divorce Lawyer Matthew F. Dolan is an experienced Connecticut family law attorney recognized for his expertise in high-asset divorce cases, child support, and financial settlements. He has been named in the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 and recognized as a New England Super Lawyers Rising Star. With years of experience handling divorce cases across Connecticut, Attorney Dolan and his team are committed to guiding clients through complex financial and custodial disputes.

  8. Sep 10

    Common Divorce Questions Before Filing in Connecticut: What You Need to Know

    Thinking about divorce but not sure where to start? In this episode of Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce, Matt Dolan and Nicole Bikakis of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC answer common questions people have before filing for divorce in Connecticut. Matt and Nicole discuss whether you need a reason to get divorced, whether your spouse has to agree, whether it matters who files first, and whether one attorney can represent both spouses. They also explain how long divorce may take, whether spouses can keep living together during the process, who pays household bills, what happens with bank accounts, and what parents should know before moving with children during a pending divorce. This episode also covers Connecticut divorce issues involving custody, child support, alimony, property division, inheritance, premarital assets, businesses, pensions, retirement accounts, adultery, settlement options, attorney’s fees, financial documents, communication mistakes, and what can or cannot be changed after a divorce is finalized. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

See All (23)

About

Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce is a divorce and family law podcast hosted by Matthew Dolan and Nicole Bikakis from Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC, a Connecticut family law firm helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions. Each episode breaks down the real questions people face before, during, and after divorce, including child custody, alimony, child support, property division, divorce mediation, high-asset divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, co-parenting, post-judgment issues, and the emotional realities of rebuilding your life. Hosted by the team at Dolan Divorce Lawyers, this podcast is designed to make complex divorce and family law topics easier to understand, without the legal jargon. Whether you are considering divorce, already involved in a family court matter, or simply want to better understand the process, Irretrievable Breakdown: All Things Divorce offers practical insight, grounded perspective, and clear explanations for Connecticut families. Learn more about Dolan Divorce Lawyers, PLLC: Website: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/ Contact the firm: https://dolanfamilylaw.com/contact-us/ Bite Sized Learning: https://www.youtube.com/@dolandivorcelawyerspllc7203 This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, contact a qualified family law attorney in your area.

Information

You Might Also Like