Divorce doesn't have to be a battlefield where only the strongest survive. Yet many people approach it with exactly this mindset, fueled by persistent myths about what the family court system can and will do for them.

In this candid conversation, we three divorce experts cut through the misconceptions that lead so many people toward an unnecessarily destructive and expensive processes. We tackle the painful truth that fault attribution has virtually no impact in our no-fault divorce system, despite many clients' desperate need to have their "day in court" to tell their story of marital anguish.

We explore the sobering reality of judicial discretion—how judges are human beings with unconscious biases who must make decisions based on limited information presented in court. When you hand your most important family decisions to a stranger in a black robe, you're gambling with outcomes that affect you and your children for years to come.

The financial toll of adversarial divorce receives special attention as we contrast the initial retainer promises with the eventual six-figure realities many litigants face. The most damaging myth we address might be the belief that hiring an aggressive "gladiator" attorney will somehow produce better results, when experience shows they just make it take longer.

Through real examples and decades of professional wisdom, we make the case for mediation and collaborative divorce as processes that not only cost less financially but also preserve the relationships that matter—especially when children are involved. While no divorce process is entirely painless or inexpensive, understanding these realities can help you make choices that support your long-term well-being rather than satisfying short-term desires for vindication.

Ready to approach your divorce with clear eyes and realistic expectations? Listen now to arm yourself with the truth about what really works in family transitions.

The Three Wisemen of Divorce are divorce experts Mark C. Hill, CFP®, CDFA®, Financial Divorce Consultant; Peter Roussos, MA, MFT, CST, psychotherapist; and Shawn Weber, CLS-F*, Family Law Mediator and Divorce Attorney.