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Published on:

22nd Aug 2023

What's Keeping You up at Night with your Divorce?

Today I am joined by Leah Hadley, the Founder and CEO of Great Lakes Divorce Financial Solutions. Leah is on the show to talk about financial preparation before, during, and after a divorce. She provides some incredible tips on how to set yourself up so you are knowledgeable about your finances as well as planning for the next steps. Leah provides a full list of items in this episode for you to collect throughout the divorce to be successful. Tune in today so you can be prepared! 

In this episode:

[2:04] What led Leah to help people through finances and divorce? [7:52] What things should people prepare before a divorce? [11:04] Is there ever a negative implication for running your credit report? [12:10] How to get the education to be knowledgeable during the divorce process. [16:03] What questions do you need to ask yourself when splitting up assets to ensure that you have financial security? [20:13] What to look at and how to set yourself up for success post divorce. 

Key Takeaways: 

Divorce provides you with an opportunity to determine your own values. Many times we negotiate our values or lose sight of them while in a marriage, so this is a time to reclaim your life. Many people find themselves in a way after divorce that is truly beautiful. Understanding the current financial situation is essential when going into a divorce. Being aware of what the budget is, what your fixed expenses are, and where there is financial liquidity will lead to coming out on the other side in a better situation. Things will likely shift post divorce as far as expenses and the luxuries that you are able to have. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as you may end up realizing that you feel better in a different home or with a different vehicle. Less financial stress leads to a more peaceful life and home. 

Quotes: 

“If you're stressed, you're financially strapped to try to stay in this home, that just creates a lot more angst around the whole financial situation, and it just gets worse. It doesn't get easier, it compounds if you’re already in a tight financial situation.” - Leah Hadley 

“When you get to reclaim your life in this next chapter, you get to decide what am I going to prioritize, what are my values?” - Leah Hadley

Guest Bio: 

As the Founder/CEO of Great Lakes Divorce Financial Solutions and Great Lakes Investment Management, Leah strives to help clients secure their financial independence through a strategic financial planning process. 

Leah is a sought-after speaker on overcoming financial setbacks, avoiding financial mistakes in divorce, and overcoming financial abuse. She has contributed to numerous books and online publications and is the author of When It's Just Not Working: A Practical Divorce Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms. She earned her BA from Bryn Mawr College and holds an MA from Ursuline College. In addition to being an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Leah is a trained mediator with 100+ hours of training in conflict resolution. 

Above all, Leah truly enjoys helping her clients succeed and reach their most cherished goals. Actively involved in her local community, she is a longtime member of the Rotary, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and the PTA. Leah enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her three children and four dogs in her spare time.

Resources: 

Great Lakes Divorce Financial Solutions

Watch Her Thrive Facebook Group

Lesa Koski Website

Lesa’s Online Courses

To receive real-time alerts that your child is safe and to receive $50 off your Soberlink device, visit https://www.soberlink.com/partners/different  

The Onward app was made for divorced parents to help track, share, and split their children's expenses. Download The Onward App today for iOS or Android!

Mentioned in this episode:

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About the Podcast

Doing Divorce Different with Lesa Koski
Divorce, co-parenting & midlife comebacks for women over 40
Divorce, co-parenting, menopause, marriage, and starting over after 40—this podcast is your guide to a healthier, faith-filled life transition.

Hosted by family law attorney, mediator, and life coach Lesa Koski, each episode is designed to take the fear out of major life change and guide you toward peace—whether you’re facing separation, navigating a divorce, working to strengthen your relationship, or rebuilding your life in midlife.

You’ll get heart-centered legal clarity, emotional support, and practical tools to help you heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.

Topics include:

Peaceful divorce strategies and mediation support

Co-parenting help and parenting plans that actually work

Prenups, postnups, and how to protect what matters most

Emotional healing, mindset shifts, and confidence after a hard season

Menopause, health changes, and how midlife affects mood, marriage, and motivation

Wellness basics that make a real difference: rest, nutrition, movement, strength, and community

This is more than a show about endings—it’s about becoming the woman who rises stronger, steadier, and clearer on the other side.

About the Host:
Lesa has spent over 25 years helping families through mediation and family law, always focused on protecting what matters most—your kids and your peace of mind. She’s also a breast cancer survivor, wellness advocate, cowgirl at heart, and follower of Jesus who believes your hardest season can become your greatest comeback.

If you’re craving practical guidance, soul-level encouragement, and real conversations about rebuilding life after 40, you’re in the right place.

Website: https://www.lesakoski.com/

About your host

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Lesa Koski