SL_MyDivorceSolution_0119 . qxp_Layout 1 1 / 15 / 19 10 : 34 AM Page 2 family . Having a world where you can be in the same room [ with a former spouse ] after the divorce is better for everyone . ” Using their professional backgrounds and personal experiences as a roadmap , Chellew and Shanahan devised a comprehensive process , assisted by a sophisticated technology platform , built to inform and empower clients through all stages of a divorce . Their goal : to help clients move as seamlessly as possible through this major life transition and start a new chapter on firm footing . Each of the company’s founders has a unique skill set , and one fully complements the other . Chellew , a former paralegal , is the firm’s legal liaison and QDRO ( qualified domestic relations order ) administrator . Also , she can help clients find the “ right ” attorney for them , among other members of the divorce team , such as financial planners , as well as other service providers such as Realtors and therapists . Shanahan , meanwhile , is a Chellew and Shanahan have devised a comprehensive process , assisted by a sophisticated technology Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ( CDFA ) , a platform , built to inform and empower clients through all stages of a divorce . trained mediator , and daily money manager . Her extensive experience in the financial industry has given her the knowledge to help Chellew vorce proceedings as amicable as possible . The and Shanahan realize that people at clients plan for a secure post - divorce future , firm’s principals encourage negotiated financial the beginning of the divorce process don’t financially speaking . settlements whenever possible . Chellew sug - know where to turn for information . As a “ We still need attorneys , and we still need gests doing so can help to reduce hostility and result , they have created an online course the court system , but it’s a question of how keep divorcing spouses out of the courtroom , available through the My Divorce Solution much time , energy , and money people are thereby increasing the possibility of civil inter - website . The “ divorce prep course , ” as spending there , ” Shanahan says . “ We see our - actions after the proverbial dust has settled . Shanahan calls it , includes an assortment of selves as adding value to the process by helping guidelines , terms , and worksheets that indi - “ Essentially , we give people a playbook of people plan ahead and avoid some of the viduals can work through in the comfort of what they can expect , ” she adds . “ It’s a issues they’re likely not going to anticipate . ” their own home . source of comfort , reassurance , and refer - ence , because there are so many things to for - No matter where a client may be on the The Path Forward get and the learning curve is fairly steep . My divorce timeline — either just starting to ques - job is to help clients stay engaged when tion whether an unhappy marriage is sal - After a one - hour consultation designed to help things become gray , and to collect and organ - vageable , or months after the divorce clients gain a clearer understanding of the path ize all the documents they’re going to need . decree — My Divorce Solution offers a con - forward , Chellew and Shanahan start a propri - As a legal liaison , I can help them find an at - tinuum of resources through relationships etary three - phase process . The first phase in - torney and offer a clear way to communicate with allied professionals . In fact , the firm cludes a pre - divorce plan that includes a so they can be effective with their time and was recently approved to provide CEUs ( con - financial analysis utilizing proprietary software , their attorney’s time . tinuing education units ) for mental health and outlines a proposed divorce strategy from ” professionals . This year , the firm will be beginning to end . In the second phase , the firm hosting its maps out the divorce process , customized to first full - day workshop to help Making a Difference each individual , which includes all of the pro - therapists gain a clearer understanding of Chellew and Shanahan started My Divorce fessionals on a client’s divorce team , with ac - the emotional turmoil individuals experience Solution in part because they wanted to help cess to supplemental resources for guidance when going through a divorce . others avoid some of the pitfalls they once and support . In the third and final phase , My Di - faced while in the midst of their respective “ We both love marriage , and we never vorce Solution works with clients to develop experiences with divorce . Chellew recalls how come at this from a negative space , ” says post - divorce financial goals so they can move lost and Shanahan . “ In some cases , people come to unmoored she felt , despite the fact forward with clarity and confidence . us and find out they’re still in love , in which that she was working for a highly respected “ A big part of what we do is providing the case we set them up with a marriage counselor . law firm at the time . financial portrait which includes a portrait of But when a marriage just is not able to last , “ I remember being scared , not knowing their assets and potential support calculations , we want our clients to have a chance at a what to do , thinking : Surely , my attorney will so people can get a realistic idea of their options happier life . We advise them to go through tell me exactly what to do , ” she says . “ I didn’t for the future , ” says Shanahan . their attorney throughout , but we’re adding a know how to get the financial documents I “ They’ll begin lot of value to the process . It’s a very different needed , and that’s the biggest [ legal ] expense : to understand things such as the difference be - ? way to move forward . ” collecting documentation from the other side . tween personal property and marital property , Theoretically , I had everything available to me and they’ll also get an understanding of what a because of where I worked , but I had no idea potential support number might look like . After MY DIVORCE SOLUTION of how to go out and get it . I just woke up that , some people will say , ‘ OK , I can do this on D 1705 Langhorne - Newtown Road , Suite 6 every day putting one foot in front of the other . my own , ’ and others will say , ‘ I didn’t realize Langhorne , Pa . | ( 215 ) 468 - 8347 What we’re doing here can make a big differ - this is the price I had to pay . ’ Either way , the goal ence , so other people don’t feel as scared and is to give them a clearer understanding . ” 42 New Orleans , Suite 1D unsure as I did . ” Although sometimes litigation is necessary , Hilton Head Island , S.C . | ( 843 ) 929 - 0399 Having gone through it themselves , both My Divorce Solution’s process aims to keep di - MyDivorceSolution.com