Women Winning Divorce: A Lawyer’s Guidance On Navigating An Unhappy Marriage & Protecting Your Financial Assets With Heather B. Quick, Esq.

What if building a successful blended family has less to do with creating instant connection, and more to do with giving everyone the time, space, and support they need to adjust?
Remarriage can feel like an exciting new beginning after divorce, but blending two families brings challenges that love alone may not prepare you for. From different parenting styles and relationships with ex-spouses to stepchildren struggling with loyalty, loss, and change, creating a healthy stepfamily takes patience, communication, and realistic expectations.
In this episode of Women Winning Divorce, Heather Quick sits down with licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and stepfamily coach Alex Harrison to unpack what decades of research reveal about successful blended families. Alex shares why stepfamilies can take years to find their rhythm, why forcing an instant bond with stepchildren can backfire, and how couples can protect their marriage while navigating parenting differences and complex family dynamics.
You’ll discover:
Why healthy blended families often take two to seven years to truly find their groove and why that timeline can actually bring relief.
How stepmoms and stepparents can build stronger relationships with stepchildren without forcing closeness, over-parenting, or taking on too much discipline too soon.
The communication, parenting, and boundary-setting skills that can help couples navigate ex-spouses, different parenting styles, sibling relationships, and conflict without damaging their new marriage.

Press play to learn how patience, realistic expectations, and stronger relationship skills can help you create a blended family that grows into lasting trust, connection, and resilience.
Alex Harrison's Links
Website https://www.alexharrisoncounseling.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexharrisonlcsw/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexharrison
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheAlexHarrison

Interested in working with us? Fill out this form here to get started.
Not quite ready? Interact with us on socials! OR get all of your questions answered by taking our online course: Divorce 101!
Divorce 101 Online Course- https://heather-quick.mykajabi.com/divorce-101
Linktree- https://linktr.ee/FloridaWomensLawGroup
Florida Women’s Law Group Website- https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/
Women Winning Divorce Podcast www.womenwinningdivorce.com

Women Winning Divorce is supported by Florida Women’s Law Group.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for legal services. The information provided on this podcast is not intended to be legal advice. You should not rely on what you hear on this podcast as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, please contact a lawyer. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely those of the individuals and do not represent the views or opinions of the firms or organizations with which they are affiliated or the views or opinions of this podcast’s advertisers. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Any editing, reproduction, or redistribution of this podcast for commercial use or monetary gain without the expressed, written consent of the podcast’s creator is prohibited.
Thank you for listening, please leave us a review and share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Send your questions, comments, and feedback to marketing@4womenlaw.com

What happens when divorced parents fundamentally disagree about their child’s religious upbringing and neither parent is willing to compromise?
Religion can be an intensely personal issue, but when parents share responsibility for raising a child after divorce, disagreements over faith can become much more than a difference of opinion. They can raise difficult questions about parental rights, co-parenting, a child’s emotional well-being, and how far a family court can go when deciding what is in a child’s best interests.
In this episode of Women Winning Divorce, Heather Quick discusses a Maine custody dispute that could potentially reach the United States Supreme Court. The mother argues that restrictions involving taking her daughter to church violate her constitutional rights, while Maine’s highest court concluded that the custody decision was based on the child’s best interests rather than hostility toward her religion.
Listen to the episode to learn:
How courts may approach religious decision-making when divorced or separated parents cannot reach an agreement.
Why a parent’s ability to co-parent and support their child’s relationship with the other parent can become critical in custody decisions.
Why addressing disagreements about religion, education, healthcare, and other major parenting decisions early can help keep conflict from escalating into a larger legal battle.

Play this episode to understand how religious freedom, parental rights, co-parenting, and your child’s best interests can collide in a custody case and what this developing case could mean for divorced parents.
Article Link: https://www.newsweek.com/emily-bickford-supreme-court-church-custody-battle-12397201
If you're navigating divorce and need more guidance, don't miss the deeper conversation in #166 Navigating Divorce Through A Religious Lens
Interested in working with us? Fill out this form here to get started.
Not quite ready? Interact with us on socials! OR get all of your questions answered by taking our online course: Divorce 101!
Divorce 101 Online Course- https://heather-quick.mykajabi.com/divorce-101
Linktree- https://linktr.ee/FloridaWomensLawGroup
Florida Women’s Law Group Website- https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/

Women Winning Divorce is supported by Florida Women’s Law Group.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for legal services. The information provided on this podcast is not intended to be legal advice. You should not rely on what you hear on this podcast as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, please contact a lawyer. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely those of the individuals and do not represent the views or opinions of the firms or organizations with which they are affiliated or the views or opinions of this podcast’s advertisers. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Any editing, reproduction, or redistribution of this podcast for commercial use or monetary gain without the expressed, written consent of the podcast’s creator is prohibited.
Thank you for listening, please leave us a review and share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Send your questions, comments, and feedback to marketing@4womenlaw.com.

How do you know whether your relationship is truly healthy, or whether you’ve slowly learned to accept behaviors that leave you feeling controlled, isolated, or unsafe?
In this episode of Women Winning Divorce, Heather Quick sits down with Crystal Sorrow, CEO of Peaceful Paths, to unpack the difference between healthy love, unhealthy relationship patterns, and abuse. Crystal explains how emotional abuse and coercive control can develop gradually, often through behaviors that initially appear to be love, concern, or protection.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to recognize the qualities of a healthy relationship, including mutual respect, shared decision-making, trust, and the freedom to be yourself.
How emotional abuse, coercive control, isolation, financial abuse, and digital monitoring can develop and why trusting your instincts matters when something feels wrong.
How to begin safety planning, rebuild trust in yourself, and connect with confidential resources even if you aren’t ready to leave your relationship.

If you’ve been questioning whether something in your relationship is healthy—or you want to better support someone you care about—play this episode to learn the warning signs, understand your options, and discover resources that can help you take your next step safely and on your own timeline.
Peaceful Paths
Visit https://www.peacefulpaths.org/ for information and support. Peaceful Paths serves Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties in Florida and offers services beyond emergency shelter, including advocacy, support groups, referrals, and other survivor resources.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Visit https://www.thehotline.org/ for national domestic violence information and resources. Crystal notes that the website also provides educational articles and information for people who may simply have questions about their relationships.
Hubbard House
For listeners in the Jacksonville, Florida area, Crystal mentions Hubbard House as a provider of domestic violence services.
Local Domestic Violence Centers
Crystal encourages listeners outside these service areas to connect with their local domestic violence center. These organizations can provide information, support, referrals, safety planning, and someone to talk with, even if you are not ready to leave your relationship.
If you are concerned that your phone or computer may be monitored, Crystal recommends considering a safer way to access support, such as using a public device or asking a trusted healthcare provider’s office to help you make the call.
Interested in working with us? Fill out this form here to get started.
Not quite ready? Interact with us on socials! OR get all of your questions answered by taking our online course: Divorce 101!
Divorce 101 Online Course- https://heather-quick.mykajabi.com/divorce-101
Linktree- https://linktr.ee/FloridaWomensLawGroup
Florida Women’s Law Group Website- https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/
Women Winning Divorce Podcast www.womenwinningdivorce.com

Women Winning Divorce is supported by Florida Women’s Law Group.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for legal services. The information provided on this podcast is not intended to be legal advice. You should not rely on what you hear on this podcast as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, please contact a lawyer. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely those of the individuals and do not represent the views or opinions of the firms or organizations with which they are affiliated or the views or opinions of this podcast’s advertisers. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Any editing, reproduction, or redistribution of this podcast for commercial use or monetary gain without the expressed, written consent of the podcast’s creator is prohibited.
Thank you for listening, please leave us a review and share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Send your questions, comments, and feedback to marketing@4womenlaw.com

What happens when your spouse refuses to turn over financial information, even after a judge orders them to do it?
Financial disclosure can be one of the most important parts of a divorce or child support case, especially if you weren’t the person managing the finances during your marriage. When income, assets, or other financial information is withheld, it can leave you wondering whether you’ll ever get the complete picture you need to protect yourself.
In this episode of Women Winning Divorce, Heather Quick discusses the reported arrest of former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin in connection with an ongoing child support dispute. She explains how the case illustrates an important lesson for anyone navigating divorce: court orders are not suggestions, and repeatedly refusing to comply can have serious consequences.
Listen to the episode to learn:
Why complete financial disclosure matters when courts are determining child support and other financial issues.
What contempt means and the potential consequences when someone repeatedly refuses to follow a court order.
How staying organized, documenting what is happening, meeting deadlines, and working closely with your attorney can help protect you when your spouse refuses to cooperate.

Play this episode to understand what can happen when financial information is withheld in divorce and what you can do to stay informed and protect your financial interests when your spouse refuses to cooperate.
Article Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/04/us/politics/kentucky-governor-arrested-matt-bevin.html
If you're navigating divorce and need more guidance, don't miss the deeper conversation in #182 How Effective Communication With Your Attorney Helps You Navigate Divorce Court With Confidence
Interested in working with us? Fill out this form here to get started.
Not quite ready? Interact with us on socials! OR get all of your questions answered by taking our online course: Divorce 101!
Divorce 101 Online Course- https://heather-quick.mykajabi.com/divorce-101
Linktree- https://linktr.ee/FloridaWomensLawGroup
Florida Women’s Law Group Website- https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/

Women Winning Divorce is supported by Florida Women’s Law Group.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for legal services. The information provided on this podcast is not intended to be legal advice. You should not rely on what you hear on this podcast as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, please contact a lawyer. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely those of the individuals and do not represent the views or opinions of the firms or organizations with which they are affiliated or the views or opinions of this podcast’s advertisers. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Any editing, reproduction, or redistribution of this podcast for commercial use or monetary gain without the expressed, written consent of the podcast’s creator is prohibited.
Thank you for listening, please leave us a review and share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Send your questions, comments, and feedback to marketing@4womenlaw.com.

Are you making divorce decisions from a place of clarity, or reacting from fear, overwhelm, and uncertainty?
Divorce can make even the simplest choices feel impossible. When you’re navigating changes to your finances, parenting, home, identity, and future all at once, emotional overwhelm can leave you second-guessing yourself or feeling completely stuck. In this episode of Women Winning Divorce, Heather Quick talks with life and divorce coach Hope Lutz Firsel about why emotional clarity is essential for making thoughtful decisions and rebuilding trust in yourself during divorce.
You’ll discover:
How to recognize fear, anger, sadness, and other intense emotions without allowing them to drive major divorce decisions.
Practical ways to create emotional clarity, regulate overwhelm, and reconnect with the confident part of yourself.
How divorce coaching can complement your legal, financial, and therapeutic support so you can make decisions based on the future you want—not just what you’re feeling today.

Play this episode to learn how to quiet the emotional noise, trust yourself again, and make divorce decisions with greater clarity and confidence.
Hope's Links:
Hope's Phone Number 773-848-9349
Website https://hopefirsel.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hopefirsel/?hl=en

Interested in working with us? Fill out this form here to get started.
Not quite ready? Interact with us on socials! OR get all of your questions answered by taking our online course: Divorce 101!
Divorce 101 Online Course- https://heather-quick.mykajabi.com/divorce-101
Linktree- https://linktr.ee/FloridaWomensLawGroup
Florida Women’s Law Group Website- https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/
Women Winning Divorce Podcast www.womenwinningdivorce.com

Women Winning Divorce is supported by Florida Women’s Law Group.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for legal services. The information provided on this podcast is not intended to be legal advice. You should not rely on what you hear on this podcast as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, please contact a lawyer. The views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely those of the individuals and do not represent the views or opinions of the firms or organizations with which they are affiliated or the views or opinions of this podcast’s advertisers. This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Any editing, reproduction, or redistribution of this podcast for commercial use or monetary gain without the expressed, written consent of the podcast’s creator is prohibited.
Thank you for listening, please leave us a review and share the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Send your questions, comments, and feedback to marketing@4womenlaw.com