In this months’s edition:
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.
February can feel like a month that’s constantly clearing its throat.
It’s short. It’s loud. It’s full of hearts and pink and messaging that assumes you have a “we” to celebrate. And if you’re in the middle of a divorce—or the tender, weird aftershocks of one—it can make you feel like you’re watching life through a window: everyone else paired up, everyone else certain, everyone else held.
Photo by Terrie Alfieri
In this insightful interview, Jessica Zadjura, a Parent Coordinator, sheds light on her vital role in divorce processes. She emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution, clear communication, and providing structured support for families navigating co-parenting challenges, ensuring a smoother transition for parents and children alike.
In an insightful discussion, Taylor Beck, a Divorce Coach, shares how she empowers clients through personal transitions. Her approach balances empathy and strategic action, guiding individuals toward clarity and strength as they navigate the complexities of divorce. Discover transformative insights to redefine your journey.
In an enlightening interview, Laura Lorber, an experienced mediator, shares five essential tips for navigating divorce, emphasizing proactive co-parenting and clear communication. Her insights aim to ease stress during this challenging transition, making the process more manageable for families. Discover strategies for a healthier divorce experience.
In an insightful interview, Meg Priest, a Divorce Professional, shares her personal journey through divorce. She discusses the emotional challenges, the importance of clarity, and her mission to provide clients with the guidance she wished she had during her own transition. Embrace your fresh start with integrity and self-trust!
Review Those Beneficiary Designations — Especially After Major Life Changes by Bridget Borel of Clairwell Financial Planning
Being pressured to sign divorce papers? Divorce Coach Allison McFadden explains what you should never sign without review and how to protect your rights.
What happens if your spouse drains bank accounts during divorce? Courts forbid dissipating assets, but it still happens. Learn why documentation matters, how your attorney can raise it in court, and why judges take financial manipulation seriously. Fresh Starts has divorce attorneys and financial experts to help. Download our free ebook What to Consider When You’re Considering Divorce.
Discover the 10 essential questions to ask a potential co-parenting coach to ensure successful communication and harmony post-divorce. Learn how their experience, conflict resolution skills, and approach to parenting plans can help create a smooth, child-focused co-parenting experience.
When your lawyer says, "Make a list of everything you want," it can feel overwhelming. Divorce is about more than paperwork — it's about protecting your future, your children’s stability, and your ability to rebuild. This guide breaks down exactly what to ask for in a divorce, why each item matters, and how to advocate for yourself clearly and confidently.
My Spouse Moved Out: how do I make this place feel like home again? by Holly Martins founder of Holly Martins, NJ Real Estate, Real Estate Agent
Divorce is a deeply personal and emotionally charged process, especially when children are involved. We rounded up 10 important questions about custody to ask your divorce lawyer, and explore the significance of asking these questions, as well as the reasons why doing so is essential in safeguarding your children's future and ensuring a fair and amicable parenting arrangement.
February can feel like a month that’s constantly clearing its throat.
It’s short. It’s loud. It’s full of hearts and pink and messaging that assumes you have a “we” to celebrate. And if you’re in the middle of a divorce—or the tender, weird aftershocks of one—it can make you feel like you’re watching life through a window: everyone else paired up, everyone else certain, everyone else held.
Photo by Terrie Alfieri
February can feel like a month that’s constantly clearing its throat.
It’s short. It’s loud. It’s full of hearts and pink and messaging that assumes you have a “we” to celebrate. And if you’re in the middle of a divorce—or the tender, weird aftershocks of one—it can make you feel like you’re watching life through a window: everyone else paired up, everyone else certain, everyone else held.
Photo by Terrie Alfieri
Expert Features
In this insightful interview, Jessica Zadjura, a Parent Coordinator, sheds light on her vital role in divorce processes. She emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution, clear communication, and providing structured support for families navigating co-parenting challenges, ensuring a smoother transition for parents and children alike.
In an insightful discussion, Taylor Beck, a Divorce Coach, shares how she empowers clients through personal transitions. Her approach balances empathy and strategic action, guiding individuals toward clarity and strength as they navigate the complexities of divorce. Discover transformative insights to redefine your journey.
In an enlightening interview, Laura Lorber, an experienced mediator, shares five essential tips for navigating divorce, emphasizing proactive co-parenting and clear communication. Her insights aim to ease stress during this challenging transition, making the process more manageable for families. Discover strategies for a healthier divorce experience.
In an insightful interview, Meg Priest, a Divorce Professional, shares her personal journey through divorce. She discusses the emotional challenges, the importance of clarity, and her mission to provide clients with the guidance she wished she had during her own transition. Embrace your fresh start with integrity and self-trust!
You Don’t Have to Navigate Divorce Alone.
Start With a Divorce Resource Consult.
Feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to begin, or drowning in Google tabs? A Divorce Resource Consult is your first calm, grounded step forward.
In this 15-minute conversation with Fresh Starts co-founder Olivia Howell, you’ll get clarity on what you actually need, which professionals can help, and how to move through your next decisions with confidence — not chaos. No judgment. No pressure. Just clear direction and compassionate support.
We help you:
Understand your first steps
Find the right experts for your situation
Build a personalized “hype team”
Feel less alone in the process
Your fresh start begins with one conversation.
Book your free consult at divorceresourceconsult.com
Fresh Starts — Support You Can Feel.
Being pressured to sign divorce papers? Divorce Coach Allison McFadden explains what you should never sign without review and how to protect your rights.
What happens if your spouse drains bank accounts during divorce? Courts forbid dissipating assets, but it still happens. Learn why documentation matters, how your attorney can raise it in court, and why judges take financial manipulation seriously. Fresh Starts has divorce attorneys and financial experts to help. Download our free ebook What to Consider When You’re Considering Divorce.
Review Those Beneficiary Designations — Especially After Major Life Changes by Bridget Borel of Clairwell Financial Planning
My Spouse Moved Out: how do I make this place feel like home again? by Holly Martins founder of Holly Martins, NJ Real Estate, Real Estate Agent
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• Classic fit
• 1x1 athletic rib knit collar with spandex
• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Upcoming Events from Fresh Starts:
Amanda Mason, SOLAGREE® is joining Fresh Starts to host: How a Phased Approach to Divorce Can Save Your Time, Fees, and Spirit on Wednesday, August 19 at 12:45 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE!
Jessica Zadjura, Family Law Attorney is joining Fresh Starts to host: 18 and Legal: The 4 Documents Every Young Adult Needs on Wednesday, August 26 at 1:30 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE!
Chelsea Kim Long, Meditation Teacher, Post-Evangelical Spiritual Guide is joining Fresh Starts to host: You Were Never the Problem: A Conversation on Identity, Belief, and Starting Over on Wednesday, September 2 at 12:00 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE!
Ksenia Muench, Divorce Coach is joining Fresh Starts to host: High-Conflict Playbook™ on Monday, September 7 at 12:00 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE!
Vicki Vollweiler, Divorce & College Planning Expert is joining Fresh Starts to host: Divorce & College Planning: What Parents and Professionals Need To Know on Thursday, September 10 at 1:00 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE!
All Fresh Starts events led by Fresh Starts Experts are free to attend. Interested in the event but can’t make the time? Register anyway as we send a replay to everyone who signs up. All times are listed in EST. Dates and times are subject to change.
DIVORCE ISN’T A SOLO SPORT.
When your life is being rebuilt, redesigned, or completely reimagined… you deserve more than advice. You deserve a team.
THE FRESH STARTS EXPERT GUIDE
Your curated roster of divorce-savvy pros:
Therapists. Coaches. CDFAs. Lawyers. Mediators. Realtors.
Career strategists. Parenting specialists. Healing practitioners. The people who help you stabilize, strategize, and start again. We hand-select every expert for compassion, clarity, and credibility. No guesswork. No overwhelm. No “you’ll figure it out.” Just a vetted crew who actually understands what this season feels like.
WHY IT MATTERS
Because divorce is logistical. Because divorce is emotional. Because divorce is a thousand decisions you shouldn’t have to make alone. Because the right team turns chaos into a roadmap.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER STARTS WITH ONE CLICK: Build your hype team. Find your people. Start your fresh start.
Fresh Starts Registry
This is support. Reimagined.
Discover the 10 essential questions to ask a potential co-parenting coach to ensure successful communication and harmony post-divorce. Learn how their experience, conflict resolution skills, and approach to parenting plans can help create a smooth, child-focused co-parenting experience.
Build Your Team
Actress and creator Eva Amurri joins Divorce Happens to turn emotional turmoil into usable wisdom—sharing how therapy, mediation, and clean language around the kids can protect families, and why even a $5/day side hustle restores agency.
Feeling a little lost navigating the next steps?
Book your free 15-minute Divorce Resource Consult at divorceresourceconsult.com
Your Guide to Divorce
Discover the 10 essential questions to ask a potential co-parenting coach to ensure successful communication and harmony post-divorce. Learn how their experience, conflict resolution skills, and approach to parenting plans can help create a smooth, child-focused co-parenting experience.
When your lawyer says, "Make a list of everything you want," it can feel overwhelming. Divorce is about more than paperwork — it's about protecting your future, your children’s stability, and your ability to rebuild. This guide breaks down exactly what to ask for in a divorce, why each item matters, and how to advocate for yourself clearly and confidently.
Divorce is a deeply personal and emotionally charged process, especially when children are involved. We rounded up 10 important questions about custody to ask your divorce lawyer, and explore the significance of asking these questions, as well as the reasons why doing so is essential in safeguarding your children's future and ensuring a fair and amicable parenting arrangement.
From Fresh Starts to You
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.
The Divorce Guide Book Series
Empowering you to navigate divorce with confidence, clarity, and support, The Divorce Guide Series is your essential roadmap through one of life's most challenging transitions. Each book is designed to answer your most pressing questions, provide actionable steps, and offer guidance on building the support system you need. Whether you're contemplating divorce, wondering how to move forward without financial resources, or looking to ask the right questions of your legal and emotional support teams, this series is here to help. With current titles like 250+ Questions to Ask Your Support Team, What to Consider When You're Considering Divorce, and How to Get Divorced with No Money, you'll find practical insights and expert advice at every stage.
If you’re a stay-at-home parent ready to leave your marriage but don’t know how to afford it, this guide is for you. Written with compassion and practicality, this judgment-free book walks you through the legal, emotional, and logistical steps of getting a divorce without income.
Download the ePub and PDF for FREE
Thinking about divorce? This powerful, practical guide walks you through the first steps—emotionally, legally, and financially. With expert insights on custody, alimony, assets, and more, it’s your essential roadmap to clarity, confidence, and support as you consider, plan, and prepare for divorce.
Download the ePub and PDF for FREE
Your Divorce Support Team is your go-to guide for navigating divorce with clarity and confidence. Packed with 250+ essential questions and expert insights, this resource empowers you to build the right support team, protect your finances, and prioritize your emotional well-being during every step of the process.
Download the ePub and PDF for FREE
Life is filled with unexpected moments, and the VASE Method Workbook is here to help you navigate them with confidence. Through the power of our proprietary scripting VASE Method, you'll learn how to create short, impactful scripts - words and actions that can support you and others during life's challenges.
Simple Scripts to Support Your People through tough, trying and tremendous life moments. Speak them, text them, send them. Each simple script is like a hug that can be sent over the airwaves. Grounded in the revolutionary VASE Method, each script is crafted with supporting your people in mind. From lost luggage to funeral planning, from heartbreak to new jobs, and everything in between, we’ve got you.
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Divorce Guide Magazine is an educational and informational publication designed to support individuals navigating divorce and major life transitions. The content in this magazine is not intended to serve as legal, financial, mental health, or therapeutic advice. Nothing in these pages should be interpreted as a substitute for professional guidance from a licensed attorney, therapist, accountant, or other qualified expert.
Every divorce is unique. Readers are encouraged to seek individualized advice from professionals who understand their specific circumstances.
While we strive for accuracy and up-to-date information, laws, policies, and professional standards change, and Fresh Starts, Inc. makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information provided. The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Fresh Starts, Inc.
This magazine is created with compassion, intention, and care — but it is not a replacement for a legal strategy, a mental health plan, or personalized professional support.
For more resources, expert guidance, and community support, visit freshstartsregistry.com.
Please note that all articles written by outside experts for Divorce Guide Magazine reflect the views, opinions, and professional perspectives of the individual authors. They do not represent the views, opinions, or positions of Fresh Starts Registry or Divorce Guide Magazine. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice.
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• Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling
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• 1 × 1 athletic rib-knit cuffs and waistband with spandex
• Front pouch pocket
• Double-needle stitched collar, shoulders, armholes, cuffs, and hem
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Honduras or El Salvador
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!