Frequently Asked Questions

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.

No — Fresh Starts isn’t a charity. We’re a support platform dedicated to helping people navigate divorce and other life transitions with ease and care. Our registry works just like a wedding or baby registry, giving your friends, family, and community a simple way to show up for you. Our resources, Divorce Resource Consults, educational content, ePubs, PDFs and Expert Network is always free with no paywall. And while we’re not a charity, we are deeply committed to making sure people going through divorce never have to pay to access resources, vetted professionals, or our support network — because we believe guidance and access should always be free when you’re starting over.

Fresh Starts doesn’t purchase everything on your registry — the support comes from your friends, family, and community, who can choose items to gift you directly, just like with a wedding or baby registry. We encourage you to create a registry because it’s not just about “things,” it’s about giving the people who love you an easy way to show up and support you during a big life transition. To make it simple, we even provide scripts you can use to share your registry with your people. And of course, there’s always a little magic in the mix: if you submit your registry to the Registry Fairy, she just might surprise you by buying something off your list. 💫

The items on your registry are purchased by your friends, family, and community — the people who want to show up for you. We encourage creating a registry because it gives your loved ones a clear, tangible way to support you during a big transition. To make it even easier, we provide ready-to-use scripts you can share when sending your registry to your people, so asking for help feels less overwhelming and more empowering.

Fresh Starts doesn’t purchase everything on your registry — the support comes from your friends, family, and community, who can choose items to gift you directly, just like with a wedding or baby registry. We encourage you to create a registry because it’s not just about “things,” it’s about giving the people who love you an easy way to show up and support you during a big life transition. To make it simple, we even provide scripts you can use to share your registry with your people. And of course, there’s always a little magic in the mix: if you submit your registry to the Registry Fairy, she just might surprise you by buying something off your list. 💫

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.

We do not collect personal user data like names, emails, or registry contents for privacy and safety reasons. However, like most websites, we do collect basic web traffic information such as IP address, general location, and pages visited to help us improve the user experience. We have never — and will never — sell or share this data. Your journey is your own, and we’re committed to keeping your experience safe and private.

Just head to FreshStartsRegistry.com — you can start a registry, browse experts, or book a free consult today. We’re here to walk beside you as you begin again.

We take the overwhelm out of searching. Our experts are pre-vetted, our registry is thoughtfully curated, and everything we offer is designed specifically for people navigating change. You’ll get trusted, targeted support — not random search results. Plus, it’s totally free to access our resources!

Yes — we host free and paid workshops, virtual meetups, and community events led by experts. Keep an eye on our calendar or newsletter for upcoming sessions you can join.

No! Fresh Starts is for anyone going through a life transition, regardless of gender. Our Experts and resources are inclusive and welcoming to all.

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.

Once your registry is created, you’ll receive a personalized link that you can share via email, text, social media, or anywhere else you’d like. We recommend connecting directly with friends and family, because the registry and support is all about connection. Don’t know what to say? We’ve got you — check out our scripts for what to say when sending your registry.

You can browse and create a registry anonymously if you choose, and you’re in control of how much you share. When connecting with Experts, you’ll need to provide contact info, but that happens off of Fresh Starts we for your privacy we do not handle Expert communications or booking. Your privacy is always respected here.

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.

Unfortunately, not yet — but it’s a feature we’re actively working on and hope to implement in the near future. We know how valuable it would be to include services like therapy, coaching, or legal support on your registry, and we’re excited to make that possible soon. Stay tuned!

Absolutely. Whether you’re leaving a job, moving to a new city, grieving a loss, or just turning a new page, Fresh Starts is designed to support all kinds of transitions — not just divorce.

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.

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.

We personally review every expert application (no auto-approvals!) and look for three big things: relevant training, real-world experience, and very responsible, trauma-informed positioning. We also weigh ethics and inclusivity just as heavily as credentials, and because we’re a true community—not just a directory—we get to know our experts over time through ongoing conversations, events, and collaborations.

This answer is kind of long — read more.

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.

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.

Yes! You can choose to keep your registry private, share it only with specific people, or make it public — whatever feels best for you.

You can add anything from new sheets and kitchen tools to therapy sessions, cleaning services, self-care products, and more. Think of it as a wishlist of everything that will help you feel safe, secure, and supported in your next chapter.

Yes! Creating a registry is completely free. You can build a list of items you need to start over — from everyday basics to meaningful self-care — and share it with friends and family who want to support you.

Anyone experiencing a fresh start! Whether you’re going through a divorce, leaving a job, moving, or starting over after loss, we’re here to help you rebuild practically and emotionally with the support of professionals who get it.

Fresh Starts Registry is the first platform designed to support people going through major life transitions — like divorce, career changes, breakups, relocations, and more. We offer expert guidance, emotional support, and curated product registries to help you rebuild your life on your terms.