Tag: Family Law

Breaking Free: Unmasking High Conflict Divorces with Susan Bernstein [Ep. 161]

Breaking Free: Unmasking High Conflict Divorces with Susan Bernstein [Ep. 161]

High-conflict divorces are some of the most emotionally draining and complex experiences a family can face, especially when children with special needs are involved. In this episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Dr. Susan K. Bernstein, a certified divorce coach specializing in high-conflict cases, to explore how divorce coaching can help navigate this emotionally charged process.

Dr. Bernstein shares practical strategies to save time, reduce costs, and help families manage the legal and emotional hurdles of divorce. From uncovering hidden assets to ensuring proper care for special needs children, her advice offers a roadmap for those seeking a more manageable, less overwhelming approach to divorce.

Key Points Covered:

  • The role of a divorce coach in offering emotional support, preparing clients for legal meetings, and simplifying high-conflict divorces
  • Strategies for handling challenges like hidden assets, domestic abuse, and custody battles in high-conflict divorces
  • The importance of organizing finances and emotionally preparing children before starting legal proceedings
  • The value of a team approach, including a CDFA®, attorney, and therapist, to streamline the divorce process
  • Dispelling the myth that hiring a divorce coach increases costs, when it actually saves money by reducing inefficiencies
  • And more!

 

Connect with Dr. Susan Bernstein:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

 

About Our Guest:

Dr Bernstein is a Certified Divorce Coach and Certified High Conflict Divorce Coach with a speciality in Post Divorce Transition and  Recovery and will help you go through the changes of divorce with ease.  She helps clients achieve their goals and get to where they want to be.  Susan helps many clients who want to get out of toxic relationships get what they need and deserve related to their children and finances. Susan is a mom, best selling author, leader for Vesta Divorce and the National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP) as well as The Divorce Coalition. She teaches a mastermind class and coaches coaches! She is also a Certified Divorce Specialist and Pre Mediation Divorce coach. Prior to becoming a Certified Divorce Coach Susan earned her doctorate in Education Leadership and was a school teacher and administrator. Her studies and focus have always been on what is best for the children.  Susan’s promise to you is that you will end each session with action steps to get you closer to achieving your goals and the life you want! Susan is the coach that attorneys hire for their own divorce! 

Divorce Without Drama: Understanding Collaborative & Mediation Options with Andrea Vacca [Ep. 159]

Divorce Without Drama: Understanding Collaborative & Mediation Options with Andrea Vacca [Ep. 159]

Divorce is rarely easy, but what if there were alternatives to the adversarial process of litigation that could lead to more peaceful resolutions? 

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA® is joined by Andrea Vacca, Founder of Vacca Family Law Group, to define and explore two powerful divorce alternatives: mediation and collaborative law.

From choosing the right attorney to the importance of strong communication skills, Andrea provides tips and resources for transitioning between mediation and collaborative law, ensuring you have the support you need every step of the way. If you’re facing a divorce or simply curious about your options, this conversation could be the key to finding a less stressful, cost effective, and more collaborative path forward.

Key Points Covered:

  • The definitions and differences between Mediation and Collaborative Law and how these processes address both the emotional and practical needs of both people
  • How these methods give couples more control over their own divorce process, often leading to clearer agreements and fewer post-divorce regrets
  • The positive mindset these methods reinforce with their focus on problem-solving and mutual agreement
  • Practical tips such as choosing the right attorney and emphasizing clear communication between spouses
  • The benefits of having a team working on your case versus a solo attorney
  • And much more!

 

Resources:

Connect with Andrea Vacca:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

 

About Our Guest:

Andrea Vacca graduated from SUNY College at Buffalo with a B.A. in Journalism and received her J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University. Andrea was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1993 and to the Federal Bar, N.D.N.Y. in 1994. She earned a Certificate in Positive Psychology in 2013.

Whether you are ending a relationship or trying to prevent potential problems in your current relationship, Andrea wants to help you reach your goals with minimal conflict. Andrea gets to know her clients, their concerns, and their goals for their future so that she can assist them by crafting solutions to meet specific needs before, during, or at the end of a marriage.

As an attorney in the collaborative process, Andrea is a strong advocate for her clients without being adversarial, and without inflaming the strong emotions that can arise during divorce. When serving as a mediator, she helps both parties understand each other’s concerns, bridge their differences, and arrive at an agreement that works for both.