A reader wonders how to communicate her divorce to her kids without her explanation affecting how they see their dad.

A newly divorced reader writes in anxious about attending a wedding where her ex will also be a guest — unsure about dating logistics, seating, whether to alert the couple, and how to act if she crosses paths with her ex, all while trying not to make the couple's day about her situation.

October is a month of structure. Routines settle, schedules solidify, and life begins to operate with more predictability after the flux of summer and early fall. In divorce, that same need for structure is often met through orders—the legally binding instructions that bring stability while everything else is still being sorted out.

A reader wants to respond with compassion — and asks how to show up for someone she doesn't know very well.

Framed around September's return to routine, this piece unpacks "separation" as far more than an informal in-between — a transition that can carry real legal and financial consequences (from property division dates to support calculations) while also marking the emotionally hardest phase of divorce.

A reader still sharing a long-standing friend group chat with her ex asks how to protect her peace without abandoning her community or forcing friends to pick sides. Jenny reassures her that boundaries aren't drama and offers three graceful options — quietly muting, starting a parallel thread, or asking a trusted friend to help set up a clean separation.

The Divorce Happens Community is a totally free, year-long space we built for anyone navigating divorce and we’d love to tell you more about it!

A reader wonders why signing the divorce papers broke her open — and asks the question so many of us are afraid to ask out loud.

An affidavit is a written statement made under oath — legal evidence, not an informal explanation — and in divorce it appears everywhere: financial affidavits detailing income and assets, parenting affidavits describing routines, and sworn statements supporting motions on custody, support, or safety.

A parent asks how to handle the ex's new partner suddenly appearing at school concerts, soccer games, and kid birthday parties — under the watchful eyes of other parents — without looking bitter or pretending to be a happy blended family. Jenny's rule is "neutral grace": be civil, brief, and kid-centered with a simple script and an exit strategy, then let yourself feel it all afterward.

A reader wonders why signing the divorce papers broke her open — and asks the question so many of us are afraid to ask out loud.

Your July cheat sheet for understanding what a divorce judgment actually means — minus the legalese, plus the emotional reality nobody warns you about.

You don't owe strangers your justification. You can be compassionate without accepting shame — and protect your kids without performing your pain for the public.

A reader wants to know how divorce handles the things that matter most — and discovers this is one of the most emotionally complicated questions nobody prepares you for.

Joint custody is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — concepts in divorce. It doesn't automatically mean a 50/50 split. It's not a scorecard. And it's not a measure of parental worth. This piece breaks down what joint custody actually means, why the distinction between legal and physical custody matters, and how to think about it as a framework — not a competition.

What do you do when everyone wants to set you up — but you're still figuring out who you are post-divorce? In this column, Jenny tackles the pressure to date before you're ready, why your timeline isn't anyone else's business, and the exact scripts to shut it down with grace. Kindness doesn't require compliance.

A reader asks how to survive a high-conflict divorce when her ex has all the resources — and all the leverage.

A Registry Fairy is exactly what it sounds like: a person who occasionally receives a Fresh Starts registry link and decides, on their own terms, whether to purchase something from it. No formal training. No monthly commitment. No pressure. You sign up, you get added to the list, and when we have a registry to share, we'll send it your way.

The Registry Fairy started as something we just quietly did. We kept a list of people who wanted to be that stranger, and when registries came in, we supported them. No fanfare, no formal launch. Just people taking care of other people in a real and tangible way.

We made you a fortune teller because we can pretend it’s middle school again but leave all the bad parts in the past.

When you’re divorcing and staring at your bank app, it can feel like the floor is dropping out from under you. You’re not lazy, you’re not behind—you’re in survival mode, trying to keep everyone fed and the legal plates spinning.

May is a month of growth and possibility. It’s when things begin to open, stretch, and soften after a long winter. That makes it a fitting time to talk about one of the most effective—and often misunderstood—paths through divorce: mediation.

Divorce makes you a subject. Suddenly everyone wanted the story — neighbors, relatives, the well-meaning acquaintance sliding into your DMs. And every time someone asks, it's like being pulled back into the worst chapter and forced to summarize it in 30 seconds.

You're not obligated to satisfy curiosity in order to be "nice." Polite doesn't mean porous. You don't owe a recap of your pain to earn your place in the room.

Need a little distraction? Our crossword is here for you, friend.

When you’re divorcing and staring at your bank app, it can feel like the floor is dropping out from under you. You’re not lazy, you’re not behind—you’re in survival mode, trying to keep everyone fed and the legal plates spinning.

Shared friend group post-divorce? You’re allowed to ask for a softer landing. It’s not rude to request some events without your ex—or at least a heads-up for smaller gatherings. Lead with clarity + generosity: you’re not demanding, you’re helping friends host thoughtfully. If they can’t accommodate, opt out guilt-free—with love and manners.

March has a way of waking us up—windows open, closets emptied, life quietly asking: what are we carrying forward? That’s why this month, in our Divorce 101 A to Z series, M is for Marital Assets. Marital assets are the things built during the marriage—sometimes obvious (the house, savings, retirement), sometimes surprising (stock options, points, miles)—and understanding them matters because you can’t protect or divide what you don’t even realize exists. This isn’t about being combative; it’s about getting clear, gathering what’s real, and making intentional choices as you step into what’s next.

Olivia responds to a reader who’s been living with daily rejection for years—trying to stay for the kids and the cost of life, while hoping to avoid attorneys if possible. With warmth and clarity, Olivia offers a gentle, beginner-friendly roadmap: start with safety, quietly gather key documents, understand your real numbers, explore non-court options, and take one small next step (with Fresh Starts Registry there to help you map it all out).

You’re not obligated to make a public “divorce announcement” — you can share quietly, selectively, and in whatever format feels safest. Jenny offers a simple boundary-first approach that reduces emotional labor and keeps you from over-explaining. Using the VASE Method (Validate, Acknowledge, Support, Express), you can tell the truth with warmth, clarity, and a built-in “no details” line that protects your peace.

February has a reputation for being about love—roses, chocolates, grand gestures. But in the world of divorce, February often marks something quieter and far more practical: clarity. That’s why this month, in our Divorce 101 A to Z series, F is for Financial Disclosure.