PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — My Divorce Solution (MDS), founded by Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan based on their own divorce experiences, today announced the availability of the “Divorce Clarity Guide.” The complimentary resource draws from the deep expertise of MDS based on its guidance in thousands of clients. Known for its exceptional financial analysis and verified document-based analysis, MDS’ team of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA) and legal liaisons helps clients identify what moves the needle, so negotiations start from verified numbers rather than estimates or ”to be determined” vagaries.
The practical, no-pressure 12-page guide helps anyone going through divorce understand the financial reality behind the decision. Designed in three sections, the guide covers 10 mistakes that cost the most, including the assets most often overlooked, 10 insights gleaned from patterns repeated across thousands of families, and 10 steps toward financial clarity. The last section provides an easy-to-follow framework for identifying what can generate real progress before the next steps are taken.
Catherine Shanahan, Co-founder of MDS, said, “Divorce can be like a Category 5 hurricane: the emotional pressure can result in short-term thinking. The anger and disappointment – as well as uncertainty about the future – are overwhelming, and often the trauma of uncoupling a family can feel hopeless. Putting a solid financial analysis infrastructure in place quickly can defuse many of the emotions and focus the parties on reasonable outcomes. This level of financial clarity also saves attorneys’ time and fees.”
Approximately 630,000 to 680,000 divorces are recorded annually in reporting states (non-reporting states include California, driving this number up further.) Researchers estimate the divorce rate for first marriages is between 40 and 50 percent, with second marriages failing at an even higher rate. Every divorce has unique characteristics as it involves not only the divorcing couple but children, extended families, and even family-owned businesses.
Shanahan continued, “Financial stress is a proven contributor to marital breakdowns. That’s why having a clear understanding of the family financial picture, using our MDS Financial Portrait, is foundational. True financial clarity starts with identifying the ramifications of the marital assets and differentiating them between today’s market value and the long-term value of assets.”
Karen Chellew, Co-founder of MDS, added, “Our goal is to reduce the stress and friction inherent to divorce through better financial clarity and thoughtful preparation of documentation, insurance policies, property deeds and other relevant information. It’s the primary reason we created this guide, which draws extensively from our 10 years of experience helping individuals understand their financial options and the impact of each decision.”
My Divorce Solution’s “Divorce Clarity Guide” can be downloaded here.
About the MDS Financial Portrait™
At the center of the MDS process is the MDS Financial Portrait™ — a proprietary, online preparation platform that includes CDFA-level financial analysis and legal liaison services, verified asset and debt inventories, lifestyle and budget analysis, drafting of state-specific financial disclosures, multiple settlement division scenarios, and support calculations. The resulting Portrait gives clients and their legal teams a clear, attorney-ready financial roadmap before negotiations begin.
MDS services are available in all 50 U.S. states, through a secure online platform supported by a team of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFAs) and Legal Liaisons.
Individuals can access the free Divorce Financial Assessment and all additional resources at mydivorcesolution.com.
About My Divorce Solution
My Divorce Solution (MDS) is a divorce financial preparation company founded in 2016 by Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan. Through its proprietary MDS Financial Portrait™, MDS helps individuals and couples across all 50 states gain a verified, organized understanding of their finances before making settlement decisions. MDS works alongside attorneys, mediators, and other divorce professionals — not in place of them — to reduce conflict, lower legal costs, and help clients make informed decisions grounded in facts, not pressure.
Note to editors: MDS Financial Portrait is a trademarks of My Divorce Solution. Other trademarks and registered trademarks referenced herein remain the property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Jamie Roman jamie@ck11.net
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