If an expert is listed on Fresh Starts, do I still need to interview or vet them myself?

We really hope our Expert Guide feels like a safe starting place, not a random internet search — and we do a lot of work behind the scenes to make that true. Every expert on Fresh Starts applies, shares about their work, and agrees to our ethos around compassion, inclusivity, and support for people in major life transitions. We get to know them as humans and as professionals before they’re listed.

That said, only you can know who feels like the right fit for your situation, your nervous system, and your budget. We always recommend doing your own due diligence: think of Fresh Starts as the warm introduction, and your next step is to interview them and see how you feel.

Here are a few questions you might ask any expert you’re considering working with:

• “What experience do you have with clients in situations like mine?”

• “How do you typically support someone going through a divorce/major life change?”

• “What does working together look like — how often do we meet, and for how long?”

• “What are your fees, payment options, and cancellation policy?”

• “How do you prefer to communicate between sessions (email, portal, messages)?”

• “How will we know if this is working — what does ‘success’ look like to you?”

If something doesn’t feel right, you’re always allowed to keep looking. Our job is to make it easier to find good options; your job is to choose the person who feels like the best support for you.

What is a Fresh Starts Expert?

A Fresh Starts Expert is a vetted professional listed in the Fresh Starts Expert Guide—our trusted directory of divorce and family support providers. Experts include therapists, coaches, lawyers, financial advisors, real estate agents, organizers, and more, all dedicated to helping people navigate major life transitions with compassion and clarity.

People come to Fresh Starts Registry looking for support as they go through divorce, breakups, or fresh starts of any kind. They browse our site to find free resources, build their divorce registries, and—most importantly—connect directly with professionals they can trust. Each Expert has a dedicated profile page where visitors can learn more, get in touch, and access support with just a click.

As a Fresh Starts Expert, you’re not just listed—you’re part of the premier divorce support network. We refer our experts daily, and with 40K+ monthly page views and over 20 million social media views a month, your work gets seen by people actively seeking help.

Please note: Fresh Starts Registry does not endorse, guarantee, or warrant the services of any expert listed on our site. You can view our full disclaimer here.

Can Fresh Starts help me with legal stuff like divorce papers or custody?

We don’t provide legal services directly, but our Expert Guide includes family law attorneys and legal coaches who can help you understand your rights and next steps.

Do you offer support for co-parenting or blended families?

Yes. We have a number of experts — including coaches, therapists, and legal professionals — who specialize in co-parenting, blended family dynamics, and parenting through transition.

What is a Divorce Resource Consult?

A Divorce Resource Consult is a FREE, 15-minute call with our CEO, Olivia Howell, created to help you find the right support for wherever you are in your divorce journey—whether you’re just starting to think about it, actively going through it, or navigating life post-divorce. Olivia, a certified life coach, will listen to your unique situation and then follow up with a personalized email full of expert referrals and helpful resources. You don’t need to be on camera, it’s completely confidential, and there are absolutely no strings attached. It’s a safe, supportive space—and it’s totally free.

You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’ll guide you step by step.

How do I know which expert is right for me?

Each expert profile includes background info, services offered, pricing, and a personal note so you can get a sense of their style. You can also book a free Divorce Consult if you’re not sure where to start.

How are experts vetted?

We don’t just add names to a list. Every expert starts with an application, and a real human reads it. We look at their background, the services they offer, who they support, and how they describe their scope of practice. We’re looking for a good fit with our mission, clear ethics, and a grounded, client-centered approach.

We also pay attention to training and experience. Divorce support is broad: some experts focus on emotional support, some on logistics and planning, some on money or real estate, some on communication and conflict — and many blend a few of those together. Across all of that, what matters to us is that:

• Their training and/or education makes sense for the work they’re doing.

• They have real, relevant experience in this space.

• They describe their work honestly and clearly, without over-promising or blurring lines.

Credentials matter to us. We look at self-reported credentials alongside experience, approach, and how clearly someone defines their role.

Just as important: how someone practices. We weigh ethics, inclusivity, and trauma-informed care just as much as we do resumes. There have been times when certified coaches have applied and we’ve chosen not to bring them into the community because their perspective, language, or marketing didn’t feel aligned with our values. Now more than ever, we’re committed to being an inclusive space for divorce across identities, family structures, and stories. If someone’s approach doesn’t feel protective of the humans we serve, we’re not comfortable featuring them or referring clients their way.

Fresh Starts is also built as a community, not a one-time signup. Through networking calls, workshops, podcast episodes, events, and ongoing email conversations, we get to know our experts over time. We see how people show up, how they talk about clients, how they hold boundaries around their role, and who they’re the best fit to support. That ongoing relationship is a big part of why we feel confident recommending and spotlighting folks.

Because the field itself is changing, our process changes too. Coaching — including divorce coaching — is still evolving, with more specific specialties emerging (divorce coaching, decision coaching, accountability coaching, discernment coaching, and more). The questions we ask and the language we use today aren’t identical to what we used four years ago or even two years ago, and that’s intentional. As roles become more defined, we keep refining how we categorize experts, talk about scope, and guide consumers to the right kind of support.

Underneath all of this is our simplest guiding principle: People come to Fresh Starts in an incredibly vulnerable season. We want them to be met by professionals who will lift them up, reflect their dignity back to them, and help them move forward feeling safer and more supported — not more scared or confused.

Is there a fee to connect with an expert?

Nope — there’s no cost to browse the Expert Guide or reach out to any of the professionals listed. Each expert sets their own pricing for their services, so you can explore options and connect with someone whose offerings and costs align with your needs and budget.

What is the Expert Guide?

The Fresh Starts Expert Guide is a curated list of trusted professionals who specialize in supporting people through Fresh Starts. These include therapists, coaches, lawyers, realtors, organizers, doulas, financial experts, and more.