Scared You’ll Lose Everything in Divorce? The Fearless Money Moves Every Mom Needs
Divorce is one of the most stressful life transitions any woman can face. It impacts your family, your future, and — in ways most women underestimate — your finances.
Research shows that a woman’s standard of living often drops by 40% after divorce. But it doesn’t have to. With the right preparation and guidance, you can protect yourself financially and rebuild with confidence.
That’s why I sat down with Leanne Ozaine, certified divorce financial analyst, behavioral finance expert, and founder of fearlessdivorce.com
After working with thousands of entrepreneurs (including time with Dave Ramsey’s Entree Leadership Program), Leanne now helps women take control of their money during divorce — and beyond.
Here are some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation.
Watch the episode here:
Listen to the episode here: not done
🚫 Mistake #1: Relying Only on Attorneys for Money Questions
Most women assume their attorney will handle everything — legal AND financial. But here’s the truth: attorneys aren’t financial planners.
Attorneys manage paperwork, custody agreements, and legal negotiations. But when it comes to questions like:
❓“How much will I need to live on after divorce?”
❓“Should I fight for the house, or will cash serve me better?”
❓“How do I rebuild my financial stability?”
…you need a certified divorce financial analyst. This expert helps you prepare strategies, gather documents, and plan for life after divorce.
⚡ The Two Stages of Divorce: Deciding vs. Dropped
Leanne explains there are two ways most women enter divorce:
The Deciding Stage → You’ve been thinking about it (often for years), weighing your options, running numbers, and feeling afraid. This is the ideal time to prepare.
The Dropped Stage → Divorce gets thrust upon you (infidelity, a spouse leaving, or suddenly being served papers). This stage is more reactive — but you can still protect yourself.
👉 Pro Tip from Leanne: Even in the “deciding” stage, start gathering documents like tax returns and retirement account statements. These small actions now can prevent massive stress later.
💔 The Financial Side of Divorce: What Women Don’t Hear Enough
1️⃣ Two-thirds of divorce is about money. You’re dividing assets, debt, and responsibilities for children.
2️⃣ The average divorce costs $15K–$30K per person in legal fees — and most women say their attorney wasn’t worth the cost.
3️⃣ Women often enter divorce without knowing their monthly survival number (how much you truly need to cover your lifestyle).
This lack of preparation leads to costly mistakes — like clinging to the family home even when it’s a financial burden.
💪 Rewriting Your Money Story Post-Divorce
One of the most powerful shifts divorce can bring is a new relationship with money.
Too many women carry what Leanne calls a “math wound” from childhood — being told they’re “bad at math” or “not good with money.” But here’s the truth: women are often better with money than men.
Post-divorce is your chance to:
✔️Rebuild financial confidence
✔️Make decisions based on your values, not “us”
✔️Create a fresh start for you and your kids
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why attorneys aren’t financial planners (and who you really need on your team)
✅ How to prepare financially if you’re contemplating divorce — before you even file
✅ Why women often lose 40% of their standard of living after divorce — and how to protect yourself
✅ Smart money strategies that help you rebuild with clarity and confidence
✅ The #1 thing women ask for during divorce: “Am I going to be okay?” — and how to ensure the answer is YES
“Two-thirds of a divorce is about money. Yet most women only hire attorneys. Attorneys can’t give you financial strategy — but a divorce financial analyst can.” - Leanne Ozaine
🎯 Your Action Step This Week:
👉 If you’re in the deciding stage, start gathering key documents like tax returns and 401(k) statements.
👉 If you’re already navigating divorce, download Leanne’s Fearless Divorce Workbook at fearlessdivorce.com
💼 Ready to Lead with Confidence & Clarity?
🚀 Take my FREE Leadership Style Quiz to identify your strengths and career growth path
📲 Join the Career Growth for Working Moms Facebook Group for exclusive career tips and support
💌 Become an Insider and receive weekly career tips, time saving tools & strengths based leadership tips
🎧 And if this post hit home, share it with a mama friend and leave a quick review on the pod. You never know who’s waiting to feel seen.
