Preparing for Divorce

Onward Glossary

Confused by financial and legal jargon? The Onward Glossary breaks down the key terms you’ll encounter when navigating divorce, asset division, or financial planning — ...

15-Minute Meditation Visualization Mindfulness Exercises

Visualization is a powerful mindfulness technique that helps to focus the mind, promote relaxation, and achieve specific mental or emotional goals. Different types of visualization ...

Marital vs Separate Property

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming, especially with asset division. Knowing the difference between marital and separate property is essential for your financial future. Marital property ...

Access to Medical and Psychological Records During Divorce

When divorce involves child custody or concerns about a spouse’s health or behavior, it’s natural to wonder if their medical or psychological records can be ...

Explore Wellness with these Books

Divorce can shake your sense of identity — but it can also become the start of deep personal healing. This wellness reading list offers empowering, ...

Onward Tip: Navigating Custody & Co-Parenting 101

Creating a custody arrangement and co-parenting plan is one of the most important, and often most emotional, aspects of divorce. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but ...

Should I Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether considering divorce or dealing with the aftermath, understanding your options is ...

What is an MOU in Colorado? 

Navigating the complexities of divorce can be overwhelming, but understanding concepts like the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can empower you. In Colorado, an MOU outlines ...

10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Divorce

Divorce can be an emotional journey with unexpected challenges. Gifts from your spouse may not always be yours, and pets might be viewed as property ...

HALTS: A Guide to Effective Communication

Effective communication during divorce can be tough. The acronym HALTS—Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Sick—highlights triggers that hinder clear communication. By recognizing these states, we can ...

The First 5 Steps After Being Served Divorce Papers

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming. Understanding your rights and steps is crucial. Reviewing documents and gathering financial records are vital. Don’t face this alone—seek legal ...

Co-Parenting for Children of Different Ages

Navigating co-parenting after divorce can be challenging as your children's needs evolve. Each developmental stage, from infancy to teenage years, requires a tailored approach for ...

Onward Tip: Parenting Plan Schedule Overview

Navigating parenting after divorce can be daunting, but finding the right schedule doesn’t have to be. Many parents feel overwhelmed, yet a structured plan provides ...

Onward Intel: What is a Parenting Plan?

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming, especially regarding your children's well-being. A solid parenting plan is crucial for separated or divorced parents, outlining shared responsibilities and ...

Nesting: An Alternative Way to Co-Parent During Divorce

Divorce can be tough for children as they adjust to new routines. Nesting offers a solution, allowing kids to stay in the family home while ...

Dividing Real Estate in Divorce: What You Need to Know

Dividing real estate during a divorce can be a challenging aspect of the process. The emotional and financial complexities of deciding the fate of your ...

Should You Keep, Sell, or Buy Out Your House

Deciding what to do with your home during a divorce can be challenging. Whether selling, buying out your spouse, or co-owning, each option has emotional ...

Valuing Real Estate: What Is It Worth?

Divorce can be a complex process, particularly in dividing real estate. Knowing your property's market value is essential for an equitable split. Options like refinancing, ...

Can I Access My Spouse’s Medical or Psychological Records During Divorce in Colorado?

Navigating a divorce can be emotionally challenging, especially concerning your spouse’s health records. In Colorado, privacy laws protect these records, but certain circumstances allow for ...

How to Manage a Timeshare During Divorce

Navigating a timeshare during a divorce can be challenging due to emotional and financial complexities. Whether selling, buying out your spouse, or sharing the timeshare ...

Onward Tip: De-Stress by Listening to Nature Sounds

Feeling overwhelmed by life stresses? Discover how nature sounds can help you unwind and find peace. Our guide offers practical tips for creating a serene ...

Onward Tips: 5 Essential Need-to-Knows on Divorce

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming, but understanding essential steps can empower you. Our guide offers insights to help you manage emotional and logistical challenges. Embrace ...

Guide: Sharing Your Decision to Divorce With Your Family

Navigating the emotional landscape of divorce can be challenging, but sharing your journey with friends offers vital support. Our guide provides conversation starters to help ...

Guide: Sharing Your Decision to Divorce With Your Kids

Navigating the emotional landscape of divorce can be challenging, especially when it comes to sharing the news with your children. Understanding their unique needs based ...

Recommended Reads: Narcissism

Are you feeling trapped in a toxic relationship with a narcissistic partner? Discover the effects of narcissistic abuse and reclaim your life. Our curated selection ...

Guide: Understanding Narcissism

Navigating divorce can be overwhelming, especially with a partner exhibiting narcissistic traits. Understanding the phases of divorce—from contemplation to post-divorce—can empower you to make informed ...

Key Differences Between Narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)

Navigating the complexities of divorce can be overwhelming, especially when coupled with narcissism. Understanding the phases of divorce—whether you're contemplating, preparing, or dealing with the ...

Distinguishing between Overt and Covert Narcissism

Navigating the complexities of narcissism can be challenging, particularly in distinguishing between overt and covert narcissists. While both types share traits like a need for ...

Email Privacy: How to Prevent your Spouse from Snooping

Are you thinking about divorce and want to keep your privacy safe? Changing your email or creating a new account can help protect your personal ...

Onward Intel: State-Specific Mediation Rules

Some states require mediation for certain aspects of divorce, particularly when it comes to child custody and parenting disputes. The requirement varies by state and ...

Who Had an Affair or Who Files For Divorce Reveals Nothing.

Years ago, I became friends with a woman who was divorcing a famous movie star. Her divorce was covered in the local paper gossip column, ...

If You’re Thinking of Leaving Your Spouse, Read This ….

You’ve been unhappy in your relationship for a long time. You can taste the idea of freedom, focusing on your own needs, a new start. ...

Understanding How Retirement Accounts Are Divided in Divorce

Dividing retirement accounts during a divorce can be confusing, especially because different types of accounts require different legal processes. Below is a quick comparison chart ...

Breaking Free: A Survivor’s Journey Through Domestic Abuse

Breaking free from an abusive relationship is a complex and arduous journey.

Onward Intel: Financial Literacy for Kids and Teens

Divorce often brings financial changes, and it can be helpful for kids to learn about managing money early. There are free tools and programs that ...

Onward Tips: What to say to someone who just finalized their divorce.

When someone has just finalized their divorce, they may be feeling a mix of emotions. The key is to offer support without making assumptions or ...

Onward Tips: Positive Self-Talk When You Feel Overwhelmed

When navigating divorce, it’s normal to feel completely overwhelmed. Yet with these short but mighty self-talk reminders, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can calm ...

Onward Article: To Move or To Stay

One of the questions we’re asked most often is: Should I move out of my home or stay put? Deciding to move during the divorce ...

Onward Intel: Dividing Child-Related Expenses

Dividing child-related expenses is often one of the most confusing and emotionally charged aspects of divorce, but having clarity upfront will make a huge difference ...

Kids Corner: Understanding Divorce

Divorce can be a confusing and emotional experience for children. It’s important for kids to know that while divorce means their parents are no longer ...

Kids Corner: Talking to Parents About Divorce and How to Express Your Feelings

When parents get divorced, kids often have a lot of questions, emotions, and concerns—but knowing how to talk about them can feel hard. Talking to ...

Family Focus: Helping Kids Stay On Track in School

Divorce can bring a lot of changes, and school may feel harder when emotions are running high. Some kids may have trouble focusing, keeping up ...

Family Focus: Staying Connected with Family and Friends

Divorce changes family dynamics, but it doesn’t change the love and connection between kids and their parents. It can take time to adjust to new ...

Family Focus: Helping Kids Understand the Legal and Practical Aspects of Divorce

Divorce isn’t just an emotional process—it also involves legal decisions and paperwork that affect a child’s daily life. While parents and lawyers handle the legal ...

Family Focus: Helpful Reads and Resources for Kids During Divorce

Going through a divorce can feel overwhelming, but no one has to go through it alone. There are many resources available to help kids understand ...

Taking Care of Yourself in Tough Times

Divorce can be stressful, emotional, and exhausting, but that doesn’t mean life has to be all about sadness or change. Taking care of yourself and ...

Family Focus: Emotional Support and Coping Strategies for Kids

Divorce is a big change, and it’s normal for kids to feel a mix of emotions—sadness, anger, confusion, relief, or even guilt. The good news ...

Family Focus: Co-Parenting and Family Communication: Navigating Two Households

Kids often have to split their time between two homes when parents divorce. This can be a big adjustment, especially if parents have different rules, ...

Onward Intel: How Do I Know If and When It’s Time for a Divorce?

Deciding whether to end a marriage is one of the most daunting challenges individuals can face. Divorce is a life-altering decision that can bring about ...

Onward Tip: A Daily Gratitude Journal Routine

No one typically marries thinking it will end in divorce, yet when it does, many of us can feel stuck and overwhelmed when navigating the ...

Onward Intel: 529s During Divorce

Navigating 529 college savings plans during a divorce can be complex, as they involve financial, legal, and custodial considerations. Here’s a breakdown of key steps ...

Do I Lose Rights by Leaving Our Home?

Leaving the marital home during a divorce does not automatically mean you lose your rights to the property or the custody of your children, but ...

Divorce Financial Disclosures in Colorado

In a Colorado divorce, both spouses are required to complete financial disclosures, including the JDF 1111 form (Sworn Financial Statement) and relevant supporting documents like ...

What Exactly is Codependence?

Codependence is a dysfunctional pattern of behavior in which one person excessively relies on another for emotional, psychological, or even physical support, often at the ...

Onward Tips: Back to Basics: A 5-Minute Breathing Meditation

If you practice this for a week, you can add 5 minutes of mindfulness each time (for a total of 10 minutes week two) to ...

Onward Tips: 7 Days, 7 Ways to Self Care

During times of stress—like navigating a divorce or major life change—practicing self-care can be a lifeline, helping to maintain stability and manage anxiety.

Divorce and Grief: A Bumpy and Necessary Process

Divorce is often likened to grief—it involves losing a relationship, a shared future, and, sometimes, even a sense of self. The grieving process during and ...

Onward Intel: The Emotional Reality of Divorce

Divorce isn’t just about ending a relationship—it’s about leaving behind the life you once knew. From saying goodbye to a home or city to grieving ...

What is Couples Therapy

Couples therapy helps partners improve communication, resolve conflicts, and rebuild trust. It offers a safe space for open dialogue and can lead to stronger relationships ...

Domestic Abuse and Violence Resources

Seeking support for domestic abuse can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. Numerous organizations offer confidential help, safety planning, and legal resources to ensure ...

Kids Corner: Recommended Reading for Kids and Divorce

Navigating the emotional challenges of divorce is tough, especially for children. Our selection of books provides guidance to help them cope with their parents' separation. ...

Relationship Reflection and Renewal Exercise

Reflect on your past relationship to gain clarity and heal. This exercise guides you to examine both the positives and negatives of your experiences—from identifying ...

Setting Boundaries with Others

Setting boundaries is essential for emotional well-being, especially during a divorce. Clear boundaries help manage stress, reinforce identity, and promote healthier relationships. To establish them, ...

Understanding the Personalities and Negotiation Styles of Family Law Attorneys: Choosing the Right Fit for Your Divorce

Selecting a family law attorney involves understanding their personality and negotiation style. Some prioritize collaboration, while others take a more aggressive or litigation-driven approach. Detail-oriented ...

When Should I Hire a Therapist?

Therapy can provide vital support during and after divorce, helping with emotional struggles, conflict resolution, and co-parenting. It offers stress management during legal proceedings and ...

Understanding the Mediation Format: What to Expect

Mediation helps resolve disputes outside of court through in-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions. The process includes opening statements, issue identification, negotiation, and agreement drafting. Choosing ...

Getting Ready for Mediation

Proper preparation is key to successful mediation. Gather financial documents, define your priorities, and keep an open mind for compromise. Consulting an attorney can provide ...

What are the Pros and Cons of Changing your name after a Divorce?

Changing your name after divorce can be empowering, offering a fresh start and symbolic detachment. However, it comes with administrative hassles, costs, and potential impacts ...

Mediation Requirements in Colorado

In Colorado, mediation is often required in divorce cases, especially for child custody disputes. Courts aim to resolve issues outside of court through affordable services ...

What Is a Divorce Mediator and Should I Hire One?

Thinking about divorce but dreading the courtroom drama? A divorce mediator might be the solution you need. Unlike a judge, a mediator helps couples negotiate ...

How to Interview a Mediator for Your Divorce

Navigating the complexities of divorce can be overwhelming, but finding the right mediator can make all the difference. In our guide, we explore essential questions ...

10 Helpful Tips for Tough Conversations

Having tough conversations during times of change, such as separation and divorce, is essential for building trust and resolving conflict. To navigate these discussions, prepare ...

How to Find a Therapist

Navigating the journey of finding the right therapist can be overwhelming, especially during tough times like divorce. Onward offers a step-by-step guide to simplify the ...

How Do I Know if a Therapist is a Good Fit?

Choosing the right therapist is essential during challenging times like divorce. It's not only about qualifications but also about feeling supported. Our guide highlights key ...

Preparing for Divorce: Recommended Reads

Divorce is a deeply personal journey that brings emotional and internal transformations. The books in this section are dedicated to helping you navigate this path ...

Divorce Financial Disclosures: Requirements and Consequences for Non-Compliance in Colorado

In a Colorado divorce, both spouses must provide comprehensive financial disclosures, including a Sworn Financial Statement and supporting documents, to ensure fair asset division and ...

Filing a motion to Compel

Filing a motion to compel in Colorado involves several steps to ensure that the court properly addresses a party’s non-compliance with disclosure requirements or other ...

Addressing Initial Reactions to Your Divorce

11 Helpful Phrases for Addressing Your Friends’ Initial Reactions to News of Your Divorce Whether you feel distraught or empowered by your divorce, relaying the ...

Interviewing Family Law Attorneys

When consulting with a family law attorney for your divorce it’s crucial to ask questions that will help you understand the process, protect your interests, ...

Understanding Family Law Attorneys: Choosing the Right Fit

Family law attorneys can exhibit a range of personality traits and negotiation styles that can influence the approach they take in handling divorce cases. Understanding ...

Guide: Sharing Your Decision With Your Spouse

Navigating the conversation about divorce can be challenging. It’s essential to approach this discussion with care, ensuring both partners feel safe and respected. Our guide ...

Post-Nuptial Agreements 101

A post-nuptial agreement is a legal contract that a married couple creates after they are already married. It outlines how their assets, debts, and other ...

Guide: Preparing for Divorce

Preparing for a divorce can be one of the most challenging times in your life, filled with complex emotions and tough decisions. Our guide offers ...

The 8 Best Books on Finding Yourself

From forming powerful habits to understanding ourselves better these books, curated by our wellness expert, help you get to the heart of the matter.

Getting to the HEART of the matter

Understanding your relationship and where it's going off the rails is important. These reads and listens can help you find some peace and maybe even ...

Making the move. Like, THE move.

Sometimes getting started is the hardest part of the process. Dr. Anders Beier highlights some of his favorite books on the topic. The first step ...

2 books, 1 difficult decision. This is required reading for divorce.

As you are considering divorce, these two books truly help you understand the complexities and also set you up for an efficient and hopefully amicable ...

Looking inside: A contemplative view of divorce.

Deciding if you should stay or go is sometimes both the easiest and most impossible decision you can imagine. These two books take a contemplative ...

Disclaimer: Information found on Onward.Life, and in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or tax advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional.