The Divorce Planner

Alex Beattie | The Divorce Planner

The Divorce Planner Podcast is your essential guide to divorce preparation and navigating one of life's hardest transitions with clarity and confidence. Built around the four pillars of divorce preparation—emotional, financial, administrative, and practical—each episode gives you actionable strategies for gathering documents, understanding your finances, negotiating well, and reframing this transition as an opportunity to create your best next chapter. Host and divorce prep coach Alex Beattie talks with top attorneys, mediators, financial experts, therapists, and coaches, and shares her own coaching frameworks along the way. Whether you're thinking about divorce or already in the process, this podcast helps you become your own best advocate. Divorce is hard. Preparing for one doesn't have to be.

  1. Don't Do Divorce Alone: Building Your Support Community with Hilary & Bethany of Sincerely, Divorced

    3d ago

    Don't Do Divorce Alone: Building Your Support Community with Hilary & Bethany of Sincerely, Divorced

    If you're going through divorce and feeling isolated and alone, this episode is exactly what you need. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Hillary Livingston Giddings and Bethany M. Pace, the powerhouse duo behind Sincerely, Divorced, for an uplifting conversation about why community is everything during and after divorce. Hillary and Bethany know firsthand what it's like to navigate divorce feeling like you have to figure it all out alone. As friends who both went through divorce during the pandemic, they turned their experience into something powerful—a community that's changing how people think about life after divorce through real talk, raw honesty, and their "breakdown to glow-up" philosophy. We dive deep into how to use your vulnerability as a superpower to make genuine connections, why finding your people transforms the divorce journey, and how to rediscover joy and laughter when you never thought you'd feel that way again. What we cover: Why community matters during one of life's loneliest transitionsHow to find your people when you're feeling isolatedUsing vulnerability as strength to make authentic connectionsThe "breakdown to glow-up" philosophy and embracing both sides of divorceFinding humor and joy again even in the hardest momentsBuilding a support system that actually works (friends, coaches, online communities)Why it's okay to not have it all figured out and who can help at each stageReal talk and raw honesty about what divorce actually feels likeHow friendship saved them during their own divorce journeysWhether you're just thinking about divorce, in the middle of the process, or rebuilding on the other side, this conversation will remind you that you're not alone—and that joy, laughter, and connection are not only possible but within reach. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    21 min
  2. High-Net-Worth Divorce: What Is a Financial Litigator & When Do You Need One with Lisa Zeiderman

    Jun 17

    High-Net-Worth Divorce: What Is a Financial Litigator & When Do You Need One with Lisa Zeiderman

    If you're navigating a high-net-worth divorce, dealing with complex assets like stock options or business valuations, or suspect your spouse isn't being transparent about finances, this episode is for you.  I sat down with Lisa Zeiderman, divorce financial litigator and managing partner at Miller Zeiderman LLP, for an essential conversation about a type of expert most people have never heard of—but who could be critical to protecting your financial future. We dive deep into the most expensive errors people make in high-asset divorces, the tax bombs that blindside even the most savvy clients, and how to navigate situations where your spouse controls the financial information or isn't being transparent about marital or business assets. What we cover: What a financial litigator is and how they differ from divorce attorneys and forensic accountantsWhen you actually need one and whether this is only for high-net-worth casesThe powerful combination of working with both a financial litigator and a CDFAThe most expensive mistake people make by NOT hiring a financial litigator early enoughTax bombs in high-asset divorces and how financial litigators help you avoid themComplex assets demystified including stock options, business valuations, and retirement accountsWhat to do if your spouse isn't transparent about financial information or business assetsCost vs. value of hiring a financial litigator and how to know if it's worth it for your situationFirst steps for anyone considering divorce and when in the process to reach outWhether you're high-net-worth, dealing with a business owner spouse, facing financial abuse, or just starting to educate yourself about divorce options, this conversation provides expert guidance on protecting your financial interests through one of life's most challenging transitions. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    36 min
  3. Dear Future Self: The Exercise That Will Change How You Navigate Divorce

    Jun 10

    Dear Future Self: The Exercise That Will Change How You Navigate Divorce

    Here's something nobody tells you about divorce: the entire process is designed to pull you backward. Every negotiation is about what happened—who earned what, who did what wrong. You spend months, sometimes years, staring into the rearview mirror. And then suddenly it's over, and you're standing in a life you don't recognize, because you were so consumed by the past that you never stopped to build toward a future. Here's what I learned during my own divorce: you can't build a future by only looking at the past. So I did something that changed everything. I wrote a letter to myself from my future self. And then, with every decision I faced in the divorce process, I asked one question: does this get me closer to that future? That single shift—from looking backward to looking forward—kept me on track, helped me make smarter choices, and let me feel hopeful about my life on the other side. In this episode, I'll walk you through how to write your own letter from your future self and use it as your compass through divorce. It's the same practice I shared on the Divorce and Beyond podcast, where it became their most downloaded episode of the year. Whether you're contemplating divorce, deep in negotiations, or just tired of making decisions from a place of anger and fear, this episode will help you stop reacting and start building something specific, hopeful, and yours. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    11 min
  4. Hidden Assets in Divorce: How to Find Hidden Money with Forensic Accountant Jennica Moore

    Jun 3

    Hidden Assets in Divorce: How to Find Hidden Money with Forensic Accountant Jennica Moore

    If you suspect your spouse might be hiding money during divorce—or you're in a situation where they control all the finances—this episode is exactly what you need. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Jennica Moore, a forensic accountant with over 10 years of specialized experience in fraud examination and family law matters, for a crucial conversation about finding hidden assets and protecting your financial future during divorce. Jennica brings expert insight into the most common ways people hide money, the red flags to watch for, and what you can actually do to uncover hidden assets—even if you don't control the finances in your marriage. What we cover: What a forensic accountant does during divorce and how they differ from regular accountantsWhen to bring in a forensic accountant and whether your suspicions justify the costMost common ways people hide money including cryptocurrency, offshore accounts, cash businesses, and underreported incomeRed flags to watch for before you even hire an expertWhat to do if your spouse controls all the finances and how to access information safely in a controlling situationWhat's actually traceable and the limits of forensic investigationBiggest financial mistakes people make once they know divorce is comingLegal consequences of hiding assets and how it impacts the divorce settlementFirst steps to take if you suspect hidden money but don't have proofCost vs. benefit of forensic investigation and what you might uncoverWhether you're dealing with a business owner spouse, suspect hidden accounts, or just have a gut feeling something isn't right with the finances, this conversation provides expert guidance to help you protect your financial interests during divorce. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    28 min
  5. The 5-5-5 Rule: Your Divorce Decision-Making Framework

    May 27

    The 5-5-5 Rule: Your Divorce Decision-Making Framework

    If you're stuck in decision paralysis, overwhelmed by every choice you need to make during divorce, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing one of my signature coaching frameworks: the 5-5-5 Rule. When you're contemplating divorce or in the middle of one, every decision feels enormous. Should you file now or wait until after the holidays? Should you keep the house or sell it? Should you fight for the retirement accounts or let them go? Should you tell your spouse you want a divorce or stay married? The weight of these decisions can freeze you. You overthink. You ask seventeen people for advice. And then you still don't do anything. The 5-5-5 Rule helps you zoom out when you're stuck in the weeds. It's a simple but powerful framework that helps you figure out which decisions actually matter, and which ones are just emotional noise you need to let go of. Whether you're contemplating divorce, actively going through it, or struggling to make post-divorce decisions, the 5-5-5 Rule will give you a clear lens for moving forward with confidence. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    11 min
  6. How Much Will Your Divorce Cost? Insights from attorney Dennis Vetrano Jr.

    May 20

    How Much Will Your Divorce Cost? Insights from attorney Dennis Vetrano Jr.

    If you've been wondering what divorce actually costs—and getting frustrated with vague "it depends" answers—this episode is exactly what you need. In today's episode, I welcome back Dennis R. Vetrano Jr., a New York-based family law attorney and mediator, for a straightforward conversation about the real costs of divorce. We dive deep into the financial realities most people don't understand until they're already spending thousands more than they expected. What we cover: What divorce actually costs including real ranges for different types of divorceHidden fees that blindside people and catch them off guardHourly rates vs. flat fees and which payment structure works best for your situationWhen you actually need expensive experts like forensic accountants or appraisers (and when you don't)The biggest money mistakes people make that cost them thousandsHow being organized saves you money with your attorney and mediatorWhat to do if you can't afford divorce including resources and optionsSmart strategies to keep costs down without screwing yourself over in the settlement Whether you're just starting to consider divorce or actively going through the process, this conversation provides the practical financial information you need to make smart decisions about how you spend your money and protect your interests. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    26 min
  7. Co-Parenting with a Toxic Ex: Boundaries & Survival Strategies for Single Moms with Leah Marie Mazur

    May 13

    Co-Parenting with a Toxic Ex: Boundaries & Survival Strategies for Single Moms with Leah Marie Mazur

    If you're struggling to co-parent with a toxic or high-conflict ex, you're not alone—and you're not crazy for finding it exhausting. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Leah Marie Mazur, a certified divorce recovery coach and founder of Mindfully Ready, for a practical conversation about protecting your peace while co-parenting with someone who makes everything harder. Leah specializes in helping single moms heal, set boundaries, and thrive after divorce, especially when dealing with difficult co-parents. We dive deep into the real strategies that actually work when you're dealing with someone who ignores boundaries, manipulates situations, or makes co-parenting feel impossible. What we cover: How to identify if your ex is truly toxic vs. just difficult to deal withWhat "protecting your peace" actually means when you share kids with someoneSetting and enforcing boundaries with someone who constantly ignores themOvercoming mom guilt when you need to put yourself firstHandling parental manipulation and alienation tacticsMinimizing contact while still effectively co-parentingProtecting your mental health from a draining co-parent relationshipWhen to involve lawyers and how to document concerning behaviorFirst steps to take when you feel completely overwhelmedTalking to your kids about the situation without causing harmWhether you're navigating parallel parenting, dealing with high-conflict situations, or just trying to survive co-parenting with someone who turns everything into drama, this conversation offers real, actionable strategies that prioritize both your children's wellbeing and your own mental health. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    24 min
  8. Divorce for Dads: Custody, Child Support & Parenting Rights with Attorney Bill Farias

    May 6

    Divorce for Dads: Custody, Child Support & Parenting Rights with Attorney Bill Farias

    If you're a dad navigating divorce, you know the challenges are different than what most people talk about. How do you advocate for equal parenting time when the system feels stacked against fathers? What happens to your finances when you're the breadwinner? How do you create a parenting plan that works with demanding work obligations? In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Bill Farias, a family law attorney, for an honest conversation about the real hurdles fathers face during divorce—and we didn't hold back. Bill breaks down what dads actually need to know to protect their relationships with their children and their financial futures. We dive deep into the misconceptions that hurt fathers in divorce proceedings and the strategic moves that help level the playing field. What we cover: The biggest misconceptions about fathers going through divorce and how they hurt your caseHow to advocate for equal parenting time when you're fighting outdated assumptionsWhat breadwinning dads need to know about child support and alimony calculationsCreating a parenting plan that works with demanding work obligationsFinancial strategies to protect yourself while supporting your childrenLegal realities vs. what fathers assume about their rightsThe one piece of advice Bill wishes every dad could hear before starting the divorce processCommon mistakes fathers make that cost them time with their kidsIf you're a dad going through this—or you know someone who is—this episode will help you understand your rights and advocate effectively for yourself and your kids. Want more resources? Check out my blog, grab my free "24 Questions to Ask A Divorce Attorney" guide, or sign up for my free 4-Email Divorce Prep Series for a step-by-step roadmap before you meet with an attorney.  Need personalized help? Book a free 15-minute call or subscribe to my newsletter for weekly tips. The Divorce Planner podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your situation. Podcast Original Music, Editing, and Mixing by: Benjamin Robinson

    26 min

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About

The Divorce Planner Podcast is your essential guide to divorce preparation and navigating one of life's hardest transitions with clarity and confidence. Built around the four pillars of divorce preparation—emotional, financial, administrative, and practical—each episode gives you actionable strategies for gathering documents, understanding your finances, negotiating well, and reframing this transition as an opportunity to create your best next chapter. Host and divorce prep coach Alex Beattie talks with top attorneys, mediators, financial experts, therapists, and coaches, and shares her own coaching frameworks along the way. Whether you're thinking about divorce or already in the process, this podcast helps you become your own best advocate. Divorce is hard. Preparing for one doesn't have to be.

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