Protecting Your Future Self: Preparing for separation or divorce

Separation or divorce can produce more stress than any other life event, with the exception, perhaps, of the death of a family member. Feelings of uncertainty, fear and anxiety abound and the process can feel completely overwhelming. From a financial, legal and psychological point of view, there are few other life events that can cause such upheaval. 

Each individual case of separation or divorce is unique, of course, and there can be a cacophony of conflicting advice out there – often from well-meaning but ill-informed friends.

With that in mind, we invite you to join us for a two-part podcast series where we sit down with three Irish industry experts – across the fields of family law, financial advice and psychology – to glean the essential, impartial advice you need to move forward.

No scaremongering or sensationalist rhetoric, just the sound practical advice you need to better understand the process and navigate your way through it. For anyone in a relationship, ending a marriage or just curious about the process of separation or divorce in Ireland, this might be just what you’ve been looking for.

Episode One

In the first episode, IMAGE editor-in-chief Lizzie Gore-Grimes sits down with three industry experts across the fields of family law, financial advice and psychology to address the issues and concerns that anyone currently in the preliminary phase of considering separation or divorce might be facing.

Together with her guests Paula Cullinane, Family Law Solicitor with O’Donnell Murray Solicitors, Eamon Dwyer, Senior Financial Planning Consultant at Invesco, and Michelle Dolan, Psychologist and Senior Wellness Client Manager at Irish Life Health, Lizzie discusses the below topics:

• How much does a divorce in Ireland cost, and how long does it take?
• What is an Affidavit of Means and how to go about compiling one?
• Should you move out of the family home or stay put?
• What does the term financial planning actually mean and why we should all be more involved in our money management?
• When we refer to a couple’s finances – what do we mean?
• How are pensions handled in a divorce situation?
• How to remove emotion when we talk about money.
• How to protect your financial wellbeing post-separation.
• How to get unstuck from feelings of blame and guilt.
• Separation is a form of grief – we discuss the specific stages.
• Coping strategies.
• How and when to tell the children.

Listen to episode one now

Episode Two

In the second episode, IMAGE editor-in-chief Lizzie Gore-Grimes sits down with three industry experts across the fields of family law, financial advice and psychology to address questions and concerns experienced by those in the throes of the process or indeed in the aftermath.

Together with her guests Paula Cullinane, Family Law Solicitor with O’Donnell Murray Solicitors, Eamon Dwyer, Senior Financial Planning Consultant at Invesco and Siobhan Murray, Psychotherapist, Author and Consultant with Irish Life Health, Lizzie discusses the below topics:

• Does every divorce road lead to court? What are the available options?
• Spousal support and child maintenance… how are they calculated?
• What are the rights around relocation? (E.g. If one partner wishes to relocate with the children)
• How do we manage joint assets after divorce? (E.g. family holiday home)
• How to map out a new financial future as a single parent.
• Parental alienation – how to manage its devastating consequences.
• As a divorced couple, can we continue to celebrate birthdays and Christmas together?
• Burnout after divorce…
• Online (and other) resources to support children and adult mental health post-separation.

Listen to episode two now

Meet the speakers

Paula Cullinane, Solicitor and Partner

Paula Cullinane is a partner in O’Donnell Murray Solicitors where she specialises in family law and litigation. Paula is also an Associate Faculty Member of the Law Society of Ireland, a member of the Irish Women Lawyers Association sub-committee for Climate Justice and is currently on the National Maternity Hospital’s Research Ethics Committee.

Eamon Dwyer, Certified Financial Planner

Eamon Dwyer is a certified financial planner with Invesco and advises business owners and professionals as they prepare for retirement.  He was previously the Managing Director of City Life, a financial planning firm that merged with Invesco in 2019. A husband and father of two girls, he runs two marathons every year and is the founder of the Wildfire Guitar Club in Cork.

Michelle Dolan, Senior Client Wellbeing Manager

Michelle Dolan is Senior Client Wellbeing Manager for Irish Life Health and a registered psychologist. Her background is in adult mental health, counselling psychology and clinical management of EAP organisations. Michelle specialises in designing and leading wellbeing and resilience programmes for corporate clients.

Siobhan Murray, Psychotherapist, Author and Consultant 

Siobhan Murray is a qualified psychotherapist, coach and family mediator. She specialises in working with couples to create a positive experience in co-parenting and family separation.

Protecting Your Future Self: Preparing for separation or divorce is an IMAGE Media podcast produced in association with Invesco, O’Donnell Murray Solicitors and Irish Life. Listen on IMAGE.ie and wherever you get your podcasts.