3 Divorce Tips to Avoid Expensive Mistakes

**Get informed before your next divorce decision.** Our **Divorce Crash Course** combines a private podcast and guidebook to help you understand the process, prepare, and avoid expensive mistakes. Typically priced at **$150, available now for $50**, thanks to our angel underwriters **OurFamilyWizard and Soberlink**. Get the Divorce Crash Course You know what you’re angry about. But do you know what you actually want from your divorce—and what it could cost to get it? In this mini episode of **How Not to Suck at Divorce**, family-law attorney **Morgan L. Stogsdill** shares three practical divorce tips inspired by issues she’s seeing in her cases. With Andrea Rappaport mostly sidelined by illness—but still finding a way to unmute—Morgan explains how to set useful divorce goals, prepare for financial discovery, and evaluate a proposed divorce settlement without letting frustration drive every decision. From demanding the house when your real priority is keeping your children in their school district to spending $30,000 in legal fees fighting over a $10,000 difference, this episode helps you think through what you’re pursuing, why it matters, and whether the fight serves your goals. **In this episode, you’ll learn:** - How to distinguish your underlying divorce goals from a particular demand. - Why ranking your priorities can help you evaluate compromises during settlement negotiations. - How clear goals help your divorce attorney focus their time. - What to review in bank statements, tax returns, credit card statements, and business records before providing them through discovery. - Why unexpected financial details deserve a conversation with your attorney—and why full disclosure still matters. - How financial disclosures can have consequences you should discuss before documents are exchanged. - What to ask your attorney about whether your proposed settlement is realistic. - Why honest pushback from your lawyer doesn’t automatically mean they aren’t advocating for you. - How to weigh potential legal fees against what you might gain by continuing a dispute. **Your three action steps** 1. **Write down and rank your goals.** Identify what matters most, then revisit that list when new issues or strong emotions arise. 2. **Read your financial documents.** Flag surprises and questions for your attorney so you can prepare while meeting your disclosure obligations. 3. **Bring your settlement ideas—and listen to the feedback.** Ask what’s realistic, why, and what pursuing each issue could cost. **Free pre-divorce checklist** Thinking about divorce or trying to organize your next steps? Our free printable checklist helps you review your financial picture, organize your concerns, and prepare questions for an attorney. Get the free pre-divorce checklist through our website **More resources and support** Join our free private Facebook community Connect with other people navigating divorce, ask questions, and find support on the difficult days. Guided Divorce Meditations Take a moment to breathe and regroup when divorce stress and anxiety feel overwhelming. How to Hire an Attorney Guide Prepare for consultations and make a more informed choice about your legal representation. OurFamilyWizard: Get 20% off your first year Explore tools for organizing co-parenting communication, schedules, and shared expenses. Explore our podcast playlists Find more episodes organized around the divorce questions you need answered. **Follow How Not to Suck at Divorce** so you don’t miss the next episode. If this conversation helped you, leave a rating and review and share it with someone who needs it. Divorce is a marathon, not a sprint. **You’ve got this. And we’ve got you.** *This episode provides general information and does not replace legal advice about your individual circumstances.* Mentioned in this episode: **Our Family Wizard** How Not to Suck at Divorce is proud to be the only podcast that can offer you 20% off your first year of the essentials package. Visit Our Family Wizard to ask your attorney is OFW is right for your family. Our Family Wizard