Announcing

DIVORCE UNIVERSITY™

The Law, Your Finances, Your Family

April 25, 2010
9am - 4:15pm

Evanston Hospital
Frank Auditorium
2650 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, Illinois

The Lilac Tree is proud to present Divorce University™, a one day program designed to educate you on the legal, financial and emotional aspects of divorce. During the day you will interact with a judge, lawyers, mediators, collaborative attorneys, financial planners, therapists for children and adults and more, all of whom specialize in family law and divorce. And you will hear from divorced women who’ve moved on to independent new lives.

You’ll come away understanding your options, that you are not alone and how important it is to take an active role in shaping your future.

Program

MORNING SESSION

9:00am - 9:30am
REGISTRATION, COFFEE & BAGELS
Gather Handouts and Information

9:30am - 11:30am
MORNING PANEL: KNOW THE LAW
Insights From a Judge, a Lawyer and a Mediator

The Honorable William S. Boyd, Judge, Domestic Relations Division, Circuit Court of Cook County
Susan Lampert, JD, Family Law Attorney
The Honorable Karen G. Shields, JD, Mediator

Learn what you need to know about the legal process, divorce and the respective roles and responsibilities of the professionals involved. Understand the court process, your legal rights, when mediation is appropriate, what collaborative law is, what to expect from your lawyer and what is expected of you.

Q & A with a Judge, a Lawyer and a Mediator
Pose general questions to the legal panel as time allows.

11:30am - 12:15pm
LUNCH BREAK, MEET DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS & SPONSORS

12:15pm - 12:45pm
WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY DIVORCE
Former Lilac Tree clients Patty Best and Stephanie Majca relate their experiences as they moved through the divorce process toward independent lives.

AFTERNOON SESSION

1:00pm - 2:25pm
FINANCIAL PANELS (choose one):

KNOW YOUR FINANCES: THE BASICS
Cathy Belmonte Newman, CDFA, MBA, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Rhonda de Freitas, JD, Family Law Attorney and Mediator

Preparation and knowledge is the key to successful financial organization in divorce. Understand what you need to know to prepare for and begin the divorce process by learning the first steps; financial terms, which documents to gather, your options and an introduction to the financial disclosure statement. Time will be given for Q & A.

KNOW YOUR FINANCES: BEYOND THE BASICS
Nancy Liebman, CDFA, CLU, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Karen Quandt, JD, Family Law Attorney
George Kaiser, Senior Mortgage Consultant

Financial decisions made in the divorce process shape your financial well-being for years to come. Hear an enlightening synopsis of what you need to know to make informed final decisions; evaluate short and long term settlement and maintenance options, child support expenses, insurance, tax implications and where your demands should focus. Time will be given for Q & A.

2:25pm - 2:45pm
BREAK, MEET DIVORCE PROFESSIONALS & SPONSORS
Family law attorneys, mediators and collaborative attorneys, financial advisors, therapists and former clients will be available to answer questions throughout the day.

2:45pm - 3:45pm
AFTERNOON DISCUSSIONS (choose one):

SURVIVAL KIT: TOOLS FOR PARENTS HELPING CHILDREN
Arlene Messner-Peters, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Consider steps you can take to help your children adjust to a restructured family. Understand the impact of this process on your children and ways to help them through divorce.

THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER OF DIVORCE
Mary Shein, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Talk about the emotional challenges faced during divorce. Learn how to take care of yourself through the ups and downs of divorce and how to find the needed support.

SHOULD I STAY OR LEAVE?: A DIFFICULT DECISION
Sandra Rosenberg, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

A discussion for women who are contemplating divorce and have not made a decision to go forward. Gain fresh insights that can help you come to your own best decision.

3:45pm - 4:15pm
A NURTURING MOMENT: AFTERNOON TEA
Take a few minutes for yourself before returning to life’s hassles. Sip tea. Talk with speakers and others in attendance. Meet a variety of professionals. Gather information. Enjoy a gift drawing

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Seating is limited so payment of $125 by Wednesday, April 21 is recommended. If space remains, you may pay $140 at the door. Cash, check or credit/debit card is accepted. No refunds will be issued after the event.

Fee includes resource book, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and tea.

REGISTER NOW
Contact us for more information
Map

Partial Scholarships are available by calling The Lilac Tree at 847.328.0313.

A Special Thank You...
The Lilac Tree: Resources for Divorcing Women is supported in part by a generous grant from The Margaret and Richard Merrell Foundation and the Portes Family.