Divorce impacts people in many different ways. I’ve represented spouses with little financial knowledge who suddenly had to take charge of the household budget and parents navigating the complexities of raising children across two separate homes. These challenges are often intensified by the strong emotions that accompany the process.
To help address these demands, many clients are increasingly building a “divorce team” — bringing together professionals such as financial advisors, parenting coaches and divorce coaches, alongside their family law attorney.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve seen this trend grow, particularly among stay-at-home parents and women who were not the primary income earners in their marriage. Having a team in place can help clients gain confidence as they take on new roles and responsibilities, while also providing support for the emotional aspects of divorce.
If you decide a divorce team is right for you, success depends on selecting the right professionals and relying on your attorney to coordinate their contributions effectively.
Choosing the Right Professionals
Who belongs on your divorce team depends on the specific issues in your case. Financial advisors and divorce coaches can help create budgets, identify spending patterns and answer detailed questions about money management. While your attorney may address certain financial matters, their primary role is protecting your legal interests and guiding you through the process. Partnering with other professionals allows these financial and practical questions to be handled thoroughly, leaving your attorney free to focus on a legal strategy that supports your goals.
In some matters, a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) — an independent professional appointed by the court to evaluate the child’s best interests — may recommend that both parents work with a parenting coach. This type of coach can help families adjust to life in two households and offer neutral guidance on decisions such as setting bedtimes or which apps children can access on their devices. Even outside of GAL involvement, attorneys or parents may choose to bring a parenting coach on board voluntarily to support a smoother transition.
Divorce coaches are also becoming more common, often serving as a single point of contact to assist with the personal, logistical and emotional aspects of ending a marriage. Confirm a coach’s credentials and understand the boundaries of their role. While they can provide valuable support, legal advice should always come from your attorney.
Beyond identifying the right types of professionals, it’s critical to build a team you trust. Consider how each person’s expertise and personality align with your needs to ensure a collaborative dynamic. Attorneys often have established networks of qualified financial advisors, parenting coaches and therapists they can recommend. Divorce coaches, as an emerging profession, may not yet have the same referral infrastructure, so many clients find them through personal connections.
How Your Attorney Can Bring Your Team Together
Your team functions most effectively when your attorney is aware of who is involved. Sharing information about all professionals allows your attorney to coordinate efforts and ensure that everyone is aligned on strategy.
Whenever possible, your attorney should participate in discussions between team members. This reduces miscommunication, streamlines requests — such as gathering financial documents — and allows input from other professionals to be incorporated directly into your legal strategy, helping you make informed decisions.
Keep in mind, though, that attorney-client privilege — a high legal standard protecting communication between you and your attorney — may limit what your attorney can share with other team members. This is especially relevant as divorce coaches become more involved. Since they are not attorneys, any legal questions should be directed to your lawyer to prevent inaccurate advice. Divorce is both a legal and deeply personal process. Bringing together supportive, skilled professionals, coordinated by your attorney, can make the experience more manageable and help you turn the page on your next chapter.