Divorce – Money Is Emotional

Divorce By Design (Ep. 89)

By Christine Luken | July 1, 2026

On this episode of the Money is Emotional podcast, host Christine Luken sits down with Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Author, Melissa Murphy Pavone, author of Divorce by Design, to discuss how people can navigate divorce with greater clarity, intention, and financial confidence.

Melissa shares how her mother’s difficult divorce inspired her career in divorce financial planning after witnessing the long-term consequences of emotional financial decisions. She explains that divorce is not just a legal process but one of the largest financial transactions most people will ever experience, making it essential to have both emotional and financial support throughout the journey.

Christine and Melissa discuss:

What drew Melissa to specialize in divorce financial planning?
The difference between “Divorce by Default” and “Divorce by Design”
The biggest financial mistakes people make during the divorce process.
How working with a team like financial professional, attorneys and mediators can lead to better outcomes.
Helping clients shift from survival mode into actually planning and feeling hopeful about their financial future.

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Connect with Melissa Murphy Pavone:

About my guest

Melissa Murphy Pavone is a highly respected financial expert specializing in collaborative divorce.

As both a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), Melissa offers a unique blend of expertise that empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions during one of life’s most challenging transitions.

Her passion for collaborative divorce stems from her commitment to helping couples navigate divorce in a constructive, non-adversarial way. Melissa works closely with family law attorneys, mediators, and mental health professionals to provide a holistic approach to divorce that focuses on fairness and long-term financial security for all parties involved.

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Triumphing Over Financial Abuse With Allison Dagney (Ep. 19)

By Money-Is-Emotional | July 26, 2023

Have you ever felt like you had no control over your finances?

Financial abuse is a common form of domestic violence that can leave people feeling helpless and trapped.

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken invites Allison Dagney, author of “When Tears Leave Scars”, to discuss the warning signs of financial abuse and how to overcome its effects.

Allison also shares her journey of transforming her relationship with money after her divorce, which was initially filled with fear and anxiety due to the conditioning and programming from her previous marriage.

Allison discusses:

How to recognize emotional and financial abuse
Her personal story experiencing financial and emotional abuse and what she would tell her past self
How she escaped the relationship and discreetly saved up resources to live on her own
Her recovery journey–the strategies she is using to regain confidence, control, and peace of mind
And more

Resources:

Connect with Christine:

Connect with Allison Dagney:

About Allison Dagney:

As a young adult, Allison met a man who she believed was the love of her life. They got married quickly and brought three kids into the world. But something was wrong. She was miserable. And she blamed herself for all the problems in their marriage. What she didn’t know was that she was being emotionally abused by who she believed was a narcissist. Allison decided it was time to break free and step into the person she was always meant to be — confident and free to live the life she’d always imagined.

Allison escaped, and she turned her personal story of transformation into a memoir. And now she coaches women all over the world to help them stop thinking of the painful past, experience peace, and start enjoying life like never before.

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4 Divorce Mistakes to Avoid (Ep. 12)

By Money-Is-Emotional | April 12, 2023

Love on the rocks? Don’t let your finances sink with your heart! We all know splitting up is tough, but it doesn’t have to be a total financial disaster.

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken talks about the top four money mistakes she sees people make during a divorce and how to avoid them. She explains how each of these emotional landmines can cause some real financial damage and what we can do to steer clear of them.

In this episode:

Get the inside scoop on why some people use money as a weapon during divorce and the emotions fueling this behavior
Discover how taking productive action can help you stay in control of your future finances
Learn the value of having a pro on your “money team” to guide you through financial matters during divorce
Plus, so much more! You don’t want to miss this jam-packed episode

Resources:

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Is My Spouse Hiding Money From Me? (Ep. 5)

By Money-Is-Emotional | December 28, 2022

37% of people keep at least one financial secret from their romantic partner. If your relationship is on the rocks or divorce has already been mentioned, you should be on high alert.

In this episode, Financial Dignity® Coach, Christine Luken talks about the many red flags with hiding money from a spouse. She details why spouses might hide money from one another, the signs to look out for, and where the money or income might be hidden with a couple of personal stories from herself and her co-host, Aric Johnson.

Christine discusses:

Why spouses might hide money from each other
The common and not-so-common signs a spouse might be hiding money
Surprising places spouses can hide income
Where spouses hide assets and cash, and where to look
…and so much more!

Resources:

Connect with Christine:

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