Tracy Achen

Tracy Achen is the founder of WomansDivorce.com and a Certified Divorce Transition Coach who has written about divorce topics for more than 20 years.

As a divorced mother, Tracy knows how divorce can impact a woman's life. After struggling through her own divorce and the resulting aftermath, she made it her personal goal to help other divorcing women learn what to expect during their divorce and understand how to protect their rights. 

She created the WomansDivorce.com website in 2001 to provide a unique community for all women affected by divorce to come together; a place where they can find help and support during every stage of their separation or divorce. Because she understands that divorce is more than just a legal process, the site provides emotional support as well as legal information.

Tracy Achen graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and is a Certified Divorce Transition Coach. She is also a legal researcher who frequently writes on all topics related to divorce. Tracy has been quoted in the Ex-Pose Newsletter, and has published several articles both on the WomansDivorce.com website as well as for DivorceMag.com and B Magazine. 

With an emphasis on divorce in the United States, Tracy’s articles aim to help you: 

• Manage all the legal aspects of divorce, 
• Learn how to deal with your children’s adjustment to the divorce, 
• Understand the wide range of emotions that go along with the end of a marriage, and  
• Find inspiration for starting over and getting back on your feet financially. 

Tracy Achen is the author of Divorce 101: A Woman's Guide. This is a hands-on book that will give you a clear understanding of your options when it comes to protecting yourself when you separate, how to prepare for a divorce, understanding the legal process, and working through financial matters, custody arrangements, parenting plans and visitation, plus much, much more.

She has also written the following books which complement and are available as bonuses with Divorce 101: A Woman's Guide:

• The Ultimate Self-Help Divorce Kit: This resource will give you access to all the tools, divorce laws, and services in your state. 
  
• The Smart Woman's Guide to Divorce: Straight answers to your most pressing questions.
• Surviving The Nightmare of Divorce: Holding it together when everything is falling apart.

You can read more about Tracy Achen on LinkedIn

Articles by Tracy Achen

Separation

Why Dating During Divorce Is Unwise - Even though the two of you are no longer together, hooking up with someone new is not a good idea.

Preparing for a Separation - What you need to think about.

What is a Legal Separation - Understanding the implications when you legally separate from your spouse.

How To File For A Legal Separation - Tips and forms

Divorce Articles

Reasons For Divorce - Divorced women will usually tell you there was more than one issue that caused the breakup of their marriage. Find out what they are.

Preparing For A Divorce - You can avoid a lot of headaches down the road by getting prepared before even starting the divorce.

Divorce Considerations - Don't go into a divorce blind.

Mediation - Resolving disputes without going to court. 

Using Mediation in Divorce - Learn who are the best candidates for a mediated divorce and how the process works.

Divorce Lawyers - Getting legal representation is important. Here is how to find a lawyer you'll be comfortable with.

The Bifurcated Divorce - The advantages of dividing a divorce case.

Financial Considerations - The financial impact of divorce.

Divorce Mortgage Decisions - Find out your options are if you and your husband are both listed on the mortgage. 

Should You Refinance Before Divorce – Find out if it’s a possibility in your situation and what you need to consider before proceeding 

Divorce Papers - Making sure you have the required documents to address everything properly.

Do It Yourself Divorce - What to consider before taking it on.

Divorcing An Abusive Husband - Suggestions before you leave.

Head of Household Tax Filing Status - who gets to claim this filing status after a separation or divorce? 

Dependent Tax Deductions - Find out who gets to claim the children when filing taxes.

Credit and Debt Issues:

Student Loans and Divorce - If you or your spouse have student loan debt, here are the 5 factors that will impact how the debt will be divided in divorce. 

Credit - Having good credit is especially important after you get divorced. Find out how to protect it.

How Divorce Affects Credit Ratings and the impact on you post-divorce finances.

Protecting Your Credit During Divorce - Strategic steps you can take to help protect your credit rating during your divorce.

Rebuilding Your Credit After Divorce - Learn what you can do to raise your score so your divorce doesn't continue to haunt you.

Debt and Divorce - Even though debts are divided in a divorce, creditors can still hold both spouses liable.

Dividing Debts in Divorce - Discover how different states address debt liability and what you can do to protect yourself when dividing debts.

Divorce and Credit Card Debt - Alternative for paying of the lingering debts. 

Children and Divorce:

Parenting Plan Basics - Detailing how the important aspects of your children's lives will be handled after divorce can help avoid a lot of conflicts. Find out what needs to be included.

Child Custody and Visitation - Understanding the various child custody arrangements and visitation schedules.

Preparing for Child Custody Battles - If you're facing a custody battle, the key is to prove that you are the better parent. Find out how you can prove your case. 

Reasons to Change the Visitation Schedule include your child’s changing needs, one parent relocating, and a parent creating an unstable environment for your child. Find out the rest here.

Preparing Your Children for Divorce - The importance of providing stability for your children and adapting as a single parent.

Children's Questions about Divorce - Dealing with their emotions and answering the inevitable questions that will come up.

Getting Child Support - Learn how to get a child support order, as well as how support is calculated, collected, and enforced.

Dealing with Children and Parent Separation - Are you non-custodial parent dealing with the blues over missing your kids and wondering if you'll ever adapt? Here are some tips to help you cope. 

Divorce Emotions and Starting Over:

What to do with Your Wedding Ring after Divorce - If you're struggling with what to do with your ring, here are 7 options to consider.

Managing Stress - Tips to help reduce the tension and find the calm you need.

Dealing With the Anger - Helpful tips which will allow you to start releasing the anger and resentment so you can begin healing

Rebuilding Self Esteem - Put the past in perspective and learn how to start loving yourself again.

Depression from Divorce - Coping strategies to get you through.

Healing the Wounds of Divorce - inspiration for letting go 

Financial Survival:

Personal Budgeting - Making adjustments to control your income and expenses.

Free Budget Worksheets - The first step in getting your budget under control is to find out where all your money goes.

Financial Survival after Divorce -Developing the right financial mindset.

9 Different Ways to Search For Jobs - Finding jobs that compliment your strengths.

Doing Home Repairs Yourself - It's a good idea to know how to handle basic household repairs.

Simple Ways to Save Money - Here are some easy and practical ways to stretch your paycheck a little further.

Using Coupons - To save money at the grocery store.

Affordable Gift Ideas - Here are a lot of ideas to help you save money when it comes to gift-giving.

Household Moving Checklist - Tips and advice on making moving day as hassle-free as possible.

Money Saving Tips - Grocery shopping is challenging when your budget is stretched to the limits. These ideas can help.

Finding Love Again:

Finding Mr. Right - Finding a good man the second time around.

Dating Tips - What to consider when you re-enter the dating scene.