Where to Find the Best Divorce Resources for Women

These divorce resources and tools can help you find affordable options and reliable services to achieve the best outcome in your divorce. You'll be able to find lawyers and skilled mediators who focus on divorce and family law in your area, parenting education to help minimize the effects of divorce on your children, online divorce services, and more. 

By WomansDivorce 

1. Legal Assistance

Getting divorced means you'll probably need legal help to some extent or another. Here are some of the top resources to help you get started:

State Divorce Laws and Resources

Divorce laws vary by state, so it's important to review the relevant divorce laws for your state before you make any important decisions. There is also information to help you access child support guidelines, calculators, divorce forms, and other divorce resources such as support groups and domestic violence information.

Divorce Lawyers and Law Firms

Martindale.com is one of the oldest and most established directories of attorneys and law firms in the United States. You can search for local attorneys to find out more about their credentials and experience, what practice areas they specialize in, and how big the firm is. You can also read through peer and client reviews, get contact information, and more. If you haven't selected an attorney to handle you case yet, it's worth checking out before you make a choice. 

Once you have narrowed down the field of divorce attorneys, you can use these questions to ask during your initial lawyer consultation to find the best person to represent you.

Mediation and Mediators

Here is a free divorce mediation checklist to help you get prepared for the mediation process. You can find out what documents you need to gather, the importance of creating an inventory of the marital estate, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to prepare emotionally for the mediation process.

You can locate a mediator in your area, whether it's in the United States or world-wide at Mediate.com. They include a description of the mediator's services, location and contact information, as well as a link to their website. They also offer a variety of articles on the different aspects of mediation, with a section specifically for divorce and family law issues. This is a great place to start if you are considering mediation in your divorce.

DIY Divorce Resources for Women

Before you get started, find out if do it yourself divorce is a wise idea in your situation. For example, it's generally not a good idea to do your own divorce if there are issues of domestic violence or if there is a huge net worth for the marital estate. If your divorce will be fairly simple and both you and your spouse can come to an agreement on everything, you can consider doing an uncontested divorce using an online service or paperwork from your local courthouse.

This uncontested divorce service can help you complete your own uncontested divorce petition and supporting documents easily. By using the intuitive question and answer format, the online software covers all the relevant issues and is able to personalize you paperwork to your unique circumstances. Once completed, you'll be able to print the documents for you and your spouse as well as the instructions for filing your paperwork. This is the one of the easiest ways to do your own divorce. 

Christian Divorce Services

Even Christian marriages can fail. When reconciliation is not possible, Christian Divorce Services provides legal alternatives consistent with 1Cor 6: 1-8. Instead of dealing with the hassle and cost of having to go to court, Christian Divorce Services can help structure a settlement agreement through their arbitration and mediation services. They can help you work through custody issues and develop a parenting plan that works for everyone involved. They will also assist in helping you work out a separation agreement so your assets and debts will be divided in a fair and reasonable fashion. Christian Divorce Services has locations in every state and will direct you to a local office.

2. Financial Planning Tools

Financial issues are one of the most stressful parts of divorce. Don’t wait to get clarity on your finances. You need to get a grasp of where you are now and where you want to be. To help you get started, you can use these free budget worksheets to track your money. This will be important information to have during your divorce to help establish the amount of child support or alimony that might be awarded in your case.

Along the same lines, you need to be aware of the marital financial situation, including all assets, debts, and expenses. Doing so allows you to advocate for yourself to get a fair divorce settlement. Find out more about preparing for a divorce financially and the steps you can take to protect your financial future.

3. Parenting Support

If you’re a mom, divorce can be even more complicated. But you’re not alone. Here are some divorce resources for moms to help you out:

Parent Education Classes

Many courts require parents to take a co-parenting class for divorce. These classes serve to educate parents about how divorce affects children and what they can do to ease the trauma. Parents can also learn how to communicate more effectively with the other parent and how to keep their children out of the middle of their disagreements.

One of the top classes is the "Children In Between" online program offered by The Center for Divorce Education. The Center for Divorce Education is a non-profit organization with various programs and courses to help parents minimize the impact of their marital problems on their children. You can find out more information by clicking the link above.

Parenting Plan Resources

If you have minor children at home, you'll likely need to submit a parenting plan to the court that outlines how all the details of your children's lives will be handled. This article on parenting plan basics goes into detail about what should be included in your parenting plan, as well as offering extra information on specific topics.

Co-Parenting Apps

Co-parenting apps provide a seamless platform to manage shared parenting responsibilities while minimizing conflict. Imagine having instant access to features like shared calendars, expense tracking, and messaging systems, all organized in one place. No more guessing who’s picking up the kids from soccer practice or who’s responsible for upcoming school expenses.

Most apps offer communication channels that encourage neutral exchanges, which reduces the chances of misunderstandings. Some apps to consider include:

  • OurFamilyWizard 
  • Custody X Change  
  • Talking Parents 
  • 2Houses 
  • Cozi

4. Emotional Support Resources

Divorce can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. But don’t try to go through the process alone. There are countless supportive communities and professionals available to help:

  • Therapy & Counseling: Find a therapist who specializes in divorce recovery and counseling. Online platforms like BetterHelp can connect you quickly to the support you need.  

  • Support Groups: It helps to talk with others who have been in your shoes. It's a good idea to considered joining a local or virtual groups like DivorceCare or Facebook communities for divorced women. You can find lots of options on our divorce groups for support and recovery page. 

  • Books: Try titles like Runaway Husbands by Vikki Stark or Rebuilding When: Your Relationship Ends by Bruce Fisher. You can find these and more on our page about the best divorce books for women.

Final Thoughts

Most people aren't prepared for divorce and it can be a tough journey to navigate. With the right resources, support, and mindset, you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

In addition to the divorce resources for women listed above, you can read more about the divorce process and getting help working through everything below: