Before we get started with the more substantive episodes in the podcast, I wanted to flag a concept that is really important for you to keep in mind as you listen to subsequent episodes.

Today, we're in Episode 1. I wanted to start off by just saying a few words about my thinking and my motivation in creating this podcast, and within that, I also wanted to speak to why in the heck I’m calling it a field guide. So hopefully, both my thinking and my choice of title will become clear to you in a moment.

Today, we are in Episode 2, and we’re going to talk a bit about negotiation. I wanted to start out the podcast by asking and then answering the question of: What is negotiation, and why you should care about it, quite frankly? If you’re not already interested in negotiation, why, just by virtue of going through a divorce, should you become interested in it?

Today we’re in Episode 3, and we’re going to be talking about the different ways that you can negotiate in a divorce. 

Today, we are in Episode 4, and we're going to be talking about mediation, which is one of my favorite subjects. What I want to cover is a basic overview of what mediation is, to talk a little bit about who is involved in a mediation process. Who talks to whom throughout the course of the mediation? Where would a mediation take place? Where would your negotiation sessions take place? What happens when you do come to an agreement? What does the drafting process look like? What’s the level of attorney involvement in a mediation process? How likely are you to be spending time in court? If you choose to go through a divorce mediation process, what are some of the pros and cons of the process? And, what kinds of cases is mediation ideal for?

Today, we are in Episode 5, and we’re going to be talking about a divorce process called collaborative law, which has, over the last couple of decades, really gained a lot of popularity

Today, we are in Episode 6 and we are going to be talking about a divorce negotiation process called settlement negotiation.

Today, we’re in Episode 7, and we are working our way through the different types of divorce processes that you can opt for when you’re going through a divorce. We’re going to be talking about a process called litigation today. I think, for many people, litigation may be what their default idea of what a divorce looks like. So, let’s talk a little bit about what litigation is.

Today, we’re in Episode 8, and we are talking about arbitration. As we’ve done for all the other processes, I’m going to talk you through a couple of basic elements or questions about arbitration. I’m going to try to give you a general overview of what it is, of who’s involved in the process, of who talks to whom in an arbitration process, of where things would take place, what happens when you agree on terms, and what happens in arbitration when you don’t agree on terms, what the level of lawyer involvement is, and the likelihood of spending time in court, and then, finally, what are some of the pros and cons of the arbitration process, and what kinds of cases is it right for.

Today we’re in Episode 10, and we are going to be talking about the process of hiring a professional to help you in your divorce.

Today, we are in Episode 11, and we're going to be talking about what to expect in an initial consultation or meeting at the very outset of your divorce process.

Today, we’re in Episode 12, and we are going to be talking about gathering and sharing financial information in your divorce.

Today, we are in Episode 13, and we are going to be talking about kids and custody in a divorce. At the outset, I wanted to give a very, very basic overview of what custody is and say a few words, before diving in, in a bit more detail, into the different subtopics that can come up under custody in a divorce.

Today, we are in Episode 14 and we are going to be talking about financial support payments in the context of divorce. Specifically, we’re going to be talking about child support and about spousal support, which sometimes is referred to as “alimony” or “spousal maintenance,” and I’ll use those terms interchangeably.

Today, we are in Episode 15 and we are going to be talking about the division of assets and debts in a divorce.