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Divorce doesn’t have to be a zero-sum brawl. We sit down with Jennifer Reynolds, lawyer, mediator, and founder of Fresh Legal, to unpack a trauma-informed, people-first approach to separation that lowers conflict, saves money, and leads to agreements that actually stick. Jennifer explains why court was built for contracts, not co-parenting, and how choosing mediation or collaborative law can preserve control, dignity, and long-term family stability.
We walk through the real process from first meeting to final agreement: understanding rights and obligations, collecting financial disclosure, and deciding who should make the decisions—you, a mediator-assisted negotiation, an arbitrator, or a judge. Jennifer illustrates how independent legal advice functions like a house inspection: you still choose your path, but with eyes open to the risks, costs, and likely legal outcomes. She shares candid insights on timelines, delays, and why “it depends” is the most honest answer to questions about cost and duration. You’ll learn why 95% of family cases settle before trial, and what that means for protecting your energy, finances, and co-parenting relationship.
The conversation also tackles misconceptions that keep people stuck, like “talking to a lawyer means a fight” or “TV pace equals real life.” We explore how trauma-informed practice meets clients where they are—acknowledging grief, fear, and cognitive load—so they can disclose, decide, and move forward. By reframing rigid demands into underlying needs, couples craft parenting plans and financial solutions that feel fair and are easier to follow. And yes, sometimes mediation opens space for genuine repair, even reconciliation.
If you’re navigating separation or supporting someone who is, this guide to mediation, collaborative divorce, arbitration, and court will help you choose a process aligned with your values and goals. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs clarity, and leave a review telling us which insight changed how you see family law.