September 24, 2026

The Ultimate Guide to Divorce (For You & The People You Love)

You wouldn't believe the amount of times Mel has asked to do an episode on divorce And finally….here it is: The ULTIMATE guide on how to handle divorce - for you and the people you love. Whether you’ve been through a divorce, are thinking about one, are going through one now, have a loved one you need to support, or are the child of divorced parents, this episode is a resource. World renowned divorce lawyer James Sexton is back to break down divorce from every imaginable angle, and give takeaways that you can implement today regardless of where you are in what he calls divorce’s “six stages”. James will tell you the five situations where he believes divorce may be necessary, how to tell your spouse the marriage is over, and the 48 hour plan you should have in place before you do. You’ll also learn how to protect yourself financially, how to choose the right attorney, and how to stop the need for “revenge” from costing you money. James also addresses “staying together for the kids,” explains how a divorce ends a marriage and not a family, and why your decision on whether to have a divorce or not affects your kids even more than you know. You’ll learn: -The 6 stages of divorce and what to do during each one -Who you should — and should not — talk to when you’re considering divorce -What financial documents and information you need to protect yourself -The biggest mistake people make once they’re in the middle of a divorce -Why trying to “win” your divorce can destroy your future -How to set goals for your post-divorce life before emotions take over -Why you should get a therapist before you get a dating app -How to rebuild your identity and your life after divorce -The best way to support someone you love who is going through a divorce James says “The grief isn't evidence that the marriage failed, it means it mattered.” If you are dealing with divorce yourself, this episode will help you understand where you are and what may be next. If someone you love is going through a divorce, you will learn how to show up in a way that is meaningful. Either way, the more informed you are, the better you can navigate it. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, you’ll love hearing James Sexon’s first appearance on The Mel Robbins Podcast: The Most Eye-Opening Conversation on Marriage & Love You Will Ever Hear (From #1 Divorce Lawyer) Connect with Mel: Order Mel’s product, Pure Genius Protein Get Mel’s newsletter, packed with tools, coaching, and inspiration. Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer

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About this Show

The Mel Robbins Podcast

You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how. The Mel Robbins Podcast is the #1 podcast on the globe for a reason: Mel’s simple, research-backed advice has changed millions of people’s lives, and in every episode, she’s giving you all her hard-fought secrets, science-backed tools, and deeply personal stories, so you can change yours too. If you’re a new listener, you’re in the right place. Every episode will empower you to create a better life and help you take a step toward the life you want. Want more? Follow along at @melrobbins Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of The Mel Robbins Podcast ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.