Recently, I’ve read a number of posts written by divorce coaches eager to describe their services. Their reflections made me realize the importance of distinguishing Consilium Consultants from divorce coaches.

Divorce coaches listen and share experiences; Consilium Consultants deliver guidance

So what exactly is it that Consilium Consultants do?

• As seasoned attorneys, they explain the legal landscape and help individuals establish and set realistic priorities and goals before, during and after divorce, and
• they conduct a pre-divorce financial review, create a roadmap for the future, and provide emotional support and expansive resources.

Because Consilium Consultants understand the complexity of divorce, individuals gain confidence and the emotional bandwidth they need to make clear and considered decisions throughout the process. And further, Consilium Consultants help people create a roadmap not only through the divorce, but for the many years when the divorce case itself is in the rearview mirror.

Divorce coaching is a field without regulation or specific credentialing requirements, resulting in a great range of training and skills among coaches, and unclear limits on that role. Consilium Consultants are regulated and accountable, as all are highly seasoned attorneys licensed in the states where they practice law. Consilium Consultants are trained and certified by Consilium Institute’s co-founders, Atty. Heidi Webb, and Judge Julie Field (ret.). Accordingly, Consilium Consultants are accountable to the standards of their state’s licensure Board and to Consilium Institute’s principles and ethics.

Although divorce coaches can offer a compassionate ear and their own personal experiences, a Consilium Consultant is a unique and specialized role only filled by a seasoned attorney, someone who has practiced family law for many years and so has the experience, independence, and insights to guide clients to the right attorney and other supportive professionals for the situation, and the expertise to guide the client’s attorneys and other allied professionals to take an expansive view. The Consultant does not act as the attorney in court but understands and keeps the perspective of the individual – and family’s — long-term needs.

A Consilium Consultant distills the relevant facts of an individual’s situation in the context of the law. They work directly with the individual to help them to set their goals and priorities in ways that realistically get divorcing individuals to their desired destinations. They have a deep understanding of relevant legal issues. Consultants create a detailed Consilium Synopsis – a proprietary tool that specifies the narrative arc of someone’s marriage and its dissolution. That document guides the client, and the client’s lawyer, to better long-term solutions.

The Consultant uses their wisdom, experience, and Consilium Mastery Training to contextualize relevant  research and information in light of the law. Consultants recommend vetted attorneys and other professionals for an individual. Consultants expertly prepare them for their interviews with attorneys. Once the client has hired their divorce attorney, the Consultant can continue to work collaboratively with both client and attorney on goals and strategy. Consultants maintain attorney/client privilege, just as the attorney who represents the client in court.

 Some of the key distinctions that set Consilium Consultants apart are:

• being keenly aware of the legal goals and strategies of the attorney, but maintaining enough distance to envision alternative pathways;
• being cognizant of their clients’ legal and personal goals;
• crafting realistic visions of both the legal aspects of a client’s divorce and their personal paths of growth;
• maintaining adequate distance to see potential barriers and obstacles;
• working in tandem with attorneys and allied professionals (especially vetted financial advisors and mental health therapists) to help people attain the legal, financial, familial, and emotional outcomes they want to achieve, and seamlessly integrate their individual visions of growth.

If you’re a seasoned family law attorney who would like to become a certified Consilium Consultant, reach out to learn more at: founders@consiliuminstitute.com, or through Calendly to arrange a zoom conversation with Heidi and Julie.