What really works (and what doesn’t)
when conflict and finances collide.
This isn’t about winning the divorce.
It’s about making decisions you won’t regret later.
A guide for the messy middle.
What Most People Assume About Divorce and Get Wrong.
Couples enter separation believing the decisions will be manageable.
Then emotions shows up.
Conversations go in circles.
Agreements made in good faith unravel later.
Financial choices that seemed “fair” quietly undermine the future you’re trying to build.
You’re not failing.
You’re navigating a system that was never designed to guide people through change with the benefit of time to grieve, feel heard and make informed decisions all at once.
The Real Problem is Not Divorce.
It’s about untangling years of shared decisions—money, home, roles, expectations—without blowing up your future.
Couples get stuck fighting for the house without understanding the long-term tradeoffs, agreeing to terms just to keep the peace and paying for it later, delaying decisions because every option feels risky, or trying to be “reasonable” while conflict slowly escalates.
The Divorcing Homeowner's Guidebook is your strategic guide to navigating the most critical financial decisions of your divorce. You don’t have to decide everything today. You just need to start with the right questions. This guidebook helps you slow the noise down. You’ll see the real financial consequences behind common divorce decisions, reduce unnecessary conflict, and choose paths that align with the life you’re building next. Instead of reacting under pressure or trying to “keep the peace” at your own expense, you’ll gain needed information to move you forward without burning bridges or creating problems you didn’t intend.
Common Divorce Mistakes That Can Cost You The Home
Vague language in a divorce settlement
Many people don’t realize the impact of their settlement until after it’s signed—when fixing it becomes expensive, stressful, or impossible.
The Income Trap
The wrong support setup can make your income unusable for a mortgage. Seemingly innocent choices, like maintaining a joint checking account, can render that support income unusable for financing.
The Equity Buy-Out Surprise
Your spouse wants to buy you out, or vice-versa. You both agree on a value from a recent appraisal. The problem? A lender's appraisal can be vastly different, and if the financing isn't properly planned for beforehand, the deal can fall apart, forcing a sale or worse, more litigation.
Stuck in decision fatigue
Divorce without a plan leads to overwhelm, uncertainty,
and stalled decision-making when informed decision making is needed most.
The "My Name is Still on the Loan" Myth
Divorce without a plan leads to overwhelm, uncertainty, and stalled decision-making when clarity is needed most.
The "Lump Sum" Problem
Receiving a large cash payout seems like a secure option, but without a documented income stream, you may not be able to qualify for the financing you need.
What complicates divorce isn’t the desire to separate…
It’s the collision of unresolved conflict, emotional stress, and high-stakes financial decisions happening all at once.
I understand and I help people through this every day.
Divorce doesn’t fall apart in courtrooms or spreadsheets.
It falls apart in the space where grief, fear, money, and conflict collide—often around the home.
That’s where I work.
A Different Kind of Divorce Support
I’m Manya Williams, an Alternative Dispute Resolution Divorce Coach through the American Bar Association, and a Certified Divorce Mortgage Planner. For years, I’ve helped clients navigate one of the hardest questions in divorce: what to do with the house—when emotions are high and clarity feels out of reach.
This work requires more than legal advice or financial projections. It requires understanding how people make decisions under stress.
Attorneys are trained to advocate positions.
Financial planners often step in once emotions have settled.
I work in the messy middle—before decisions are locked in.
I help you slow the process down, navigate conflict, and understand the financial consequences of your choices before you sign anything. Especially when everything feels urgent and uncertain.
As the guide by your side, my work isn’t about taking sides or fueling battles. It’s about reducing unnecessary conflict, preserving what matters, and helping you move forward with clarity and stability.
Not sure where to begin?
Your divorce plan is only as strong as your strategy. Makes sense, right? If you don’t start with financial clarity and a smart strategy, every decision after gets harder.
Let’s prevent that.
Notes from the blog
