Fighting the Financial Fears of Divorce with Catherine Shanahan and Karen Chellew on The Divorce and Beyond Podcast #363

Few things are scarier than finances and divorce. In this special Halloween episode, Susan welcomes back financial experts Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan of My Divorce Solution! Together they offer tips and insights for overcoming your spookiest financial fears during divorce. This episode dives into where financial fears come from, and how to overcome them and shares cautionary tales with powerful takeaways. You'll learn how taking control of your finances can help you conquer fear and uncertainty, and why it's essential to create a clear financial portrait to help you make important and difficult decisions. Featured Topics: The most common financial fears like the fear of letting go (of information, assets, or the financial life you were used to) Your financial portrait is the centerpiece—knowing the full picture is crucial Why a team approach to divorce leads to a quicker, smoother, more cost-effective process with less conflict The power of advocating for yourself and recognizing how your financial choices shape your future Golden nuggets: “Turn your fear into focus. That focus becomes on the knowledge that the financial portrait gives to you. That's invaluable and is a life-changing confidence builder.” “ Getting your financial portrait done ahead of time helps you understand what kind of attorney or what kind of mediator you will hire in the first place.” **************************************** About this week's special guests: Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan Karen Chellew, Legal Liaison: For over 30 years, Karen has worked in the legal field as a paralegal and business manager. During her career, she served as an affiliated member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and President Elect of the ALA (Association of Legal Administrators). Karen now serves clients and the professional team in her role as legal liaison. She is also a certified QDRO Administrator, Founder and President of Sisters U Foundation, and an Auditor of East Rockhill Township. As the mom of three children and two granddaughters, Karen is extremely passionate about helping women in all that she does. Catherine Shanahan, CDFA: After 30 years in the financial industry, having raised five children and endured her own experience with divorce, Catherine became a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) and trained mediator. A Professional Daily Money Manager (PDMM), Catherine is also a member of the Bucks County Collaborative Law Group, American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM) the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, and the Association of Divorce Financial Planners (ADFP). My Divorce Solution: https://mydivorcesolution.com/ We Chat Divorce Podcast: https://mydivorcesolution.com/we-chat-divorce-podcast/ My Divorce Solution on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydivorcesolution My Divorce Solution on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mydivorcesolution/ **************************************** THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: TURNS OUT PODCASTIntroducing Turns Out..., my brand-new podcast launching in the new year. This show is all about life’s unexpected twists and turns—those aha moments that change everything. From career pivots to personal revelations, we’ll explore the stories that prove life is full of surprises. Make sure to visit turnsoutpodcast.com and keep an eye out for our launch drop! You won’t want to miss these inspiring stories, and you might even hear some familiar voices. Stay tuned, and remember, Turns Out... life has so much more in store than we ever imagined! ========= PARACHUTE HOME Going through a divorce is tough, and self-care can easily get overlooked. Something that helped me was creating a cozy space to relax. I found Parachute Home—bedding and home goods that bring real comfort. Imagine ending your day wrapped in the softest sheets or a warm blanket. If you're looking to add a bit of peace to your home, visit divorcebeyond.com/parachute. When you shop through my link, it supports the podcas