In this episode of 5 Fresh Tips, Ron Platt of the National Association for Single and Divorced Families (NASDF) shares an expert roadmap for anyone preparing to navigate divorce. As an industry connector, strategist, and fresh starts expert, Ron specializes in helping families build a stronger foundation before, during, and after separation. He approaches divorce recovery not as a single legal event but as a coordinated process spanning legal, emotional, financial, and practical decisions—making his guidance especially valuable for parents seeking divorce preparation tips and co-parenting strategies that protect both their families and their futures. Ron walks listeners through five actionable strategies that together form a practical divorce preparation checklist. First, he makes the case for mediation as an effective, lower-cost alternative to litigation, noting that trained mediators can guide even high-conflict, strained conversations toward workable resolutions. Second, he emphasizes mental health and emotional resilience, reminding parents and children alike to build a support system and a safe space to process and heal. Third, he tackles career services, offering single parenting advice for at-home parents re-entering the workforce and explaining how a professional can reframe resume gaps around real skills and experience. Fourth, he highlights financial planning, urging families to consult a financial professional before finalizing a settlement so that future costs—college, housing, transportation—are accounted for in advance. Finally, he covers real estate, recommending realtors with a CDRE (Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert) certification and the market expertise to price and sell the family home fairly. The throughline across all five tips is that smart preparation creates confidence when starting over after divorce. Rather than reacting to each crisis as it arrives, Ron encourages listeners to assemble the right team of experts early—mediators, mental health providers, career coaches, financial planners, and divorce-savvy realtors—so they can move forward with clarity and stability. Listeners will come away with a concrete framework for protecting their finances, supporting their children, and rebuilding their careers and homes. Whether you're just beginning the process or actively pursuing fresh starts after divorce, this episode delivers expert-led, practical tools to help you and your family step into the next chapter with resilience.