Grown Girl Divorce Podcast

A divorce is a financial change and can significantly impact your future ability to purchase a home, open a credit card, or qualify for financial aid for your college student. In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, explains the following six things to do to protect your credit during divorce:

1. Why pulling your credit report is the first step to protecting your credit during divorce;

2. How creating a financial spreadsheet can not only help further your divorce negotiations but can help increase your credit score;

3. What credit alerts are used for and why you should set them up;

4. Why identifying and investigating unknown accounts on your credit report can save you a lot of money as well as exposing fraudulent behavior by your Ex;

5. The importance of reviewing (and removing) authorized users from your accounts and working with your attorney to make a plan for securing your accounts; and

6. How working with a financial advisor as part of your divorce support team can make a difference during the divorce and after.

Take control of your finances and future by making sure to protect your credit during divorce. The Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce. Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

Only Janet Jackson can "control" everything even though we often try! In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, shares the things you can control in your divorce including:

(a) Who you hire;

(b) Your actions and behavior;

(c) Your relationship with your children;

(d) How you show up for yourself in the divorce; and more.

In this episode, Kimberly also shares those things that you cannot control during the divorce process including:

(a) Your Ex;

(b) The Court and legal process;

(c) Your Ex's relationship with your children; and more.

Divorce is a process like no other and it is often really hard to release control over things when everything seems so out of control. The Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce. Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

The harsh reality is divorce is a negotiation. It is about give and take. From holiday parenting time to therapist selection, every aspect of parenting matters are subject to negotiation in a divorce so it's important to know the best way to negotiate to increase your chances of getting what you want (and saving time and money along the way). In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, shares her experience as a seasoned trial attorney and mediator to help you negotiate parenting matters whether you are preparing for trial or mediation. In this episode, Kimberly shares:

1. The importance of listing your concerns before you do anything else;

2. Using your "concerns list" to prepare several options for consideration and exploring why each option is either "workable" or "not workable;"

3. Why being prepared is the best foundation for negotiating parenting matters;

4. Recognizing and accepting that changes are happening in your family and that it will be okay; and

5. How timing can make or break a parenting negotiation.

No matter where you are in your divorce, this episode will help you navigate negotiating the parenting matters that you will face throughout the divorce process and into your post-divorce co-parenting relationship. The Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce. Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

We have all heard "to err is human, to forgive, is divine" and during a divorce this is especially true. You will make mistakes during your divorce but it's important to forgive yourself, learn from them, and do better. In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, discusses the six mistakes to avoid before filing for a divorce:

1. Threatening divorce;

2. Not researching your State and local laws;

3. Deciding to self-represent without first talking to a lawyer;

4. Agreeing to terms without fully understanding what you are agreeing to;

5. Relying on oral agreements; and

6. Not having a financial plan.

Even if your divorce has already started, this episode can help you navigate the process by showing you how to avoid or correcting the mistakes that you may have already made. Get ready with your pen and paper because you will want to have these tips handy with you when you are meeting with your lawyer, in mediation, or directly negotiating with your Ex.

The Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce. Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

This is not a sponsored or affiliate podcast.

Are you struggling to communicate with your co-parent? Or, are you constantly at odds about changes in the parenting schedule? In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., discusses the co-parenting apps and programs that she has referred to her mediation and litigation clients over the years and has witnessed the improvement in their co-parenting relationships.

Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce.Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

Co-parenting can be challenging at times even in amicable co-parent relationships. Yet, is a different challenge and experience when navigating co-parenting with a narcissist. In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq. explains:

- The importance of setting and maintaining boundaries;

- Knowing what you can (and cannot) control in co-parenting relationships;

- Navigating the drama, manipulation, and other frustrating behaviors when co-parenting with a narcissist;

- Recognizing when to get help; and more.

Understanding how to Co-Parent with a narcissist can make your, and your children's, lives much better.

The Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce. Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

Getting divorced is expensive and not everyone can afford to hire a lawyer. In this episode, Grown Girl Divorce podcast host, Kimberly A. Cook, explains things you can do if you can't afford, or at least think you can't afford, to work with a lawyer during your divorce including:

1. The free and low cost legal resources you should access;

2. Understanding and navigating the self-representation process (i.e., proceeding as a Pro Se litigant);

3. Ways to get legal advice on a budget;

4. Low cost options to resolve your divorce and parenting matters;

5. Discussing the truth about your spouse paying your legal fees, and more.

If you are concerned about being able to afford working with a lawyer, then this is the episode you don't want to miss!

Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce.Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

Thank you for listening to the Grown Girl Divorce Podcast. Our mission is to educate and empower listeners just like you through divorce and family matters. We hope the information shared on the podcast gives you information and inspiration to move forward in a direction that works best for you! One of the ways we hope to inspire is through our "Girl, I've Been There Too Series," which profiles Black women and women of color who have been through a divorce and are sharing their experience with our village. If you haven't already, then please be sure to check out these personal story episodes because they will make you laugh, cry, holler out, and more! But, we want to share even more stories to encourage, motivate, inspire, and let listeners know that they are not alone!

We are looking to profile:

- Individuals who identify as women or non-binary;

- Individuals who identify as Black or person of color;

- Individuals who are divorced (i.e., Judgment entered) or who has finalized a custody / parenting matter (i.e., child not of a marital relationship);

- Individuals who called off an Engagement

If you are interested in sharing your story, then please email [email protected] with subject line "Girl, I've Been There Too Potential Guest."

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your story. Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce.Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes, right? Well, let's make sure you are prepared! In this episode, Grown Girl Divorce podcast host, Kimberly A. Cook, guides you through the four things you must know about preparing taxes during divorce so you don't waste time, lose money, or end up receiving a notice from the IRS!

In this episode, Kimberly explains:

1. The importance of working with the right professionals,

2. The tax considerations you need to know when negotiating parenting time, child support, alimony, real estate, retirement accounts, and college savings,

3. How to organize your documents and information in preparation for filing your taxes including the most important part of the organization process during divorce, and

4. Understanding your filing status options and protecting yourself from your spouse's bad filings!

Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce.Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.

You've heard about "mediation" but you don't REALLY know what it is, right? Or, you aren't sure if mediation is right for you? We got you! In this episode, our host, Kimberly A. Cook, gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about mediation including:

1. Defining divorce mediation

2. The benefits of mediation;

3. The Mediator's role;

4. Initiating mediation;

5. What to look for in a Mediator;

6. Mediation session topics;

7. Challenges, myths, and misconceptions about mediation; and more!

If you are considering mediation, or not sure if mediation is a good fit for you, then this is the episode to listen to!

Grown Girl Divorce podcast is a space of relatability for Black women considering and going through a divorce. These are girlfriend conversations to educate and empower you through the process. Our host, Kimberly A. Cook, Esq., is a highly acclaimed divorce attorney and mediator breaking down divorce misinformation, dismantling stereotypes on Black families, and shining the light on the importance of diverse representation in family law. Grown Girl Divorce podcast guests are primarily women of color providing expert information or personal stories as a way to give voice to and support Black women going through divorce.

Be sure to check out our website, www.growngirldivorce.com, for resources, information, free downloads, and more. We believe sharing is caring so please share our resources and information with your girlfriends, colleagues, and family, because you never know who needs the support.