A Becoming Divorce™
A Becoming Divorce™ is a holistic approach to divorce that allows you to reorganize, restructure, and redefine your family with dignity and grace. Collateral damage is unavoidable in a courtroom divorce. Claire can help you resolve the legal and financial issues that must be resolved as part of any divorce, but she can help you do it in a more Becoming way. She has also curated a community of professionals prepared to address any other concerns, questions or needs you have throughout the process and beyond. We offer support in the following areas:
Legal
Claire focuses on family law matters with vast experience in mediation, collaborative law, as well as complex litigation. She is an unwavering advocate for the best interests of children and committed to helping families navigate the highly emotional nature of any divorce with greater ease. In 2019, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly named Claire to its annual “Leaders in the Law” list, honoring the state’s most influential legal professionals. Claire was also selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 for Family Law.
Financial
Claire has extensive experience analyzing a wide range of income and asset division scenarios and is committed to helping her clients achieve financial resolutions that provide them with peace of mind as they move forward into the next phase of their life. If additional resources are needed based on your specific financial circumstances, Claire has built relationships with some of the best financial experts in Charlotte and throughout the U.S. who can provide business valuations, tax calculations, pension valuations, asset tracing, future financial projections, and other financial services.
Physical Health & Emotional Well-Being
Claire brings a unique balance of advocacy and empathy to each case. As a child of divorced parents, Claire has a personal knowledge of the effect of divorce on children and places the well-being of her clients and their children at the forefront of every case. The stress and grief that accompanies divorce is real which is why taking care of yourself during your divorce is so important. Claire understands that some clients may need additional support during this time and has curated a community of the best coaches, therapists and other wellness experts dedicated to supporting you through the divorce process and beyond.
Be Empowered,
Even in Divorce.
Schedule Your Consultation.
Claire’s Curated Community of Experts
Financial Services
Sarah Charles
FORVIS Private Client
A veteran of the financial services industry with more than 20 years’ experience, Sarah provides financial clarity and peace of mind to turn her clients’ dreams into reality.
Sarah is passionate about working with women going through life transitions and educating them so that they can feel empowered and confident stepping into the role of primary financial decision-maker.
From Clueless to Clued In: How I Changed My Money Story is Sarah's honest and vulnerable post about how divorce realigned her financial life and career.
María Iglesias Martínez
María is the founder of Ever After Wealth™, and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. Her passion is supporting women going through a divorce bringing clarity at a confusing time, providing financial education and resources, and being a support system when they must make difficult financial decisions that will significantly impact their future.
Due to the experience she gained through her own divorce, and during the eighteen years working exclusively with clients going through a divorce in the legal and financial field, she cherishes the trust her clients place on her every day.
Her mission is for each and every woman going through a divorce or considering separation to know they are not alone, that it is okay to ask for help. To believe in their hearts that they will rise from this dark cloud and become all they can be.
Nesha Pai
Nesha founded Pai CPA, PLLC in 2011, born out of a passion for client service and creating customized accounting solutions for small business owners and start-ups. She is also a speaker, podcast host, and author who has been lucky enough to see that hard work and lots of hope can build a beautiful life.
Her inspirational book "Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles" addresses adversity as a first-generation Indian woman in the south.
Nesha shares her inspirational story in her post The Strength Inside: Thriving After Divorce, encouraging us to build the life of our dreams on our own terms.
Jennifer Winstel
Bank of America
Jennifer Winstel is a Managing Director and Private Client Advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jennifer works closely with senior executives and other individuals with complex wealth management needs, helping them streamline the intersection of their personal and professional wealth. She draws on more than 30 years of experience in investing and private banking, allowing her to discern possible efficiencies and remedy gaps in the management and stewardship of significant wealth.
Emotional Well-Being
Sonya Barnes
An international luxury life and style strategist, Sonya is dedicated to helping women create intentional, extraordinary lives full of enrichment, meaningful purpose, and of course, “eye-catching” luxurious, personal style. Her belief is that we can lead "Extraordinary Lives, Extraordinary Style!"
Sonya's empowering post on radical self-love is an inspirational read, especially for those spending any holiday alone (i.e. Valentine's Day): For The Love Of Me!
Mollie Gee
Mollie, the owner of The Nest Counseling, is a Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She specializes in working with women and moms in her private practice in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Don't miss Mollie's powerful blog post Staying in the Headlights. In it, she guides us to recognize our fear and shares the importance of focusing on what's right in front of us to reduce anxiety and reclaim our power.
Dr. Mary Howerton
With 25 prior years of experience in business management and people development, Dr. Howerton has operated a management consulting firm since 2004. She is experienced in the areas of professional leadership development, organizational culture development, and executive coaching for professionals and business leaders.
Mary’s approach promotes the psychology of optimism. She works with clients to clarify the kind of behavior, self-awareness, and motivation that leads to optimal performance in their professional and personal lives.
Holly Hughes
Holly is an intuitive healer, award-winning author, and public speaker. She infuses her unique personal style, intuitive gifts, and personal healing stories to guide clients through a step-by-step process to help them claim their voice, passions, and self-worth.
Her book REAL, NOT PERFECT How To Become Your Happy, Authentic Self will help you to stop hiding behind people's expectations and discover the version of you, you want to be.
Learn how to regain your power and dignity in her blog post: Using Self-Care To Tap Into Your Healing Energy.
Jodi Hummer
A Professional Certified Coach under the International Coach Federation, Jodi has extended her genuine care to over 500 clients going through difficult times. She has helped them find the beauty of their new life, their new beginning. She seeks to help her clients understand where the possibilities exist in their situation and then support them through the process of turning those into reality. During divorce, Jodi reminds us to allow the beauty of our future to give us strength.
Find more compassionate guidance in her blog post: Reimagining Divorce
Jennifer Hurvitz
Jennifer has made a career out of pretty disastrous circumstances...her own divorce. She’s a Certified Divorce Specialist (CDSTM), public speaker, best- selling author, and host of the Doing Relationships Right Podcast.
Through her popular blog, The Truth Hurvitz, and weekly podcast, Jennifer helps people understand what a happy divorce can look like and how to dip their toes back into the dating world.
Terrie Reeves
Founder of Empower Health America, Terrie is a master coach with 25 years of experience facilitating change. Her goal is for you to have a positive experience, to gain a broader perspective of what impacts your life, become more aware of what is important to you, and ultimately empowered to take mindful action. Terrie's post on resiliency is a must read!
Learn the 8 things resilient people have in common and how you can strengthen your life in these areas: Resiliency: How To Make It Your New Superpower During Divorce.
DeAnne Wingate
After an accomplished advertising career in Boston, Chicago and NYC, DeAnne blazed a new path to doing work that fulfilled her soul. Her mission is to help women find their calling and provide the personal and business strategies they need to ignite the life of their dreams!
Find out how DeAnne sets intentions and creates strategies in this blog post: How To Choose Intentions And Create Strategies That Empower You In The New Year!
Physical Health & Wellness
JoBrent Austin-Diehl
A native North Carolinian and graduate of East Carolina University (Go Pirates!). JoBrent started her career as an environmental lobbyist before finding her true passion as a Medical Spa Entrepreneur. In 2016 she co-founded Infinity MedSpa & Wellness, Charlotte's premier MedSpa located in the heart of SouthPark. JoBrent created Infinity by assembling an elite team of aesthetics experts combined with groundbreaking, non-invasive technology & medical-grade skincare to create this anti-aging powerhouse. Her goal is to help each Infinity client look & feel their absolute best, at every age.
Don't miss JoBrent's blog post: How To Take Care Of Yourself During Divorce: 5 Helpful Ways To Fuel Confidence Through Self-Care.
Liz Hilliard
Followers around the world have changed the way they look and feel with Liz Hilliard, owner and creator of Hilliard Studio Method®. Using her unique, proven and unparalleled Method, Liz helps women at any age and any stage of life sculpt strong, healthy, beautiful bodies and minds.
Liz’s first book, Be Powerful: Find Your Strength at Any Age is not only the story of how she created her signature Method, but also how she found the strength to overcome one of her most challenging life events, and inspires others to find their authentic and most powerful selves.
In her blog post Discover Your Power, Liz shares how to use divorce to step into your best life!
Lee Kennelly
Lee Kennelly is Hilliard Studio Method® certified and Director of Training. Her innovative and creative approach to designing classes that are motivating, constantly evolving and taking into account all levels of fitness is why HSM is so beloved by the Charlotte community and beyond.
Lee learned early on that teaching is not telling someone what to do, but about guiding her to find her strengths and encouraging her through her challenges. The workout is fun, results-oriented and creates a strong body from the inside out. For Lee, a healthy body image is a priceless gift.
Realtors + Mortgage Brokers
Erin Finnen
A refreshing pop of color in a black-and-white mortgage world, Erin Finnen of Lending by Design (LBD) at American Security mortgage is a rarity in the business. “Modern Mortgage,” “out-of-the-box lending,” and “loan concierge” are just a few terms used to describe Erin’s approach. Backed by a group of the smartest, most confident women in the industry, Erin’s team offers an elite, boutique-style lending experience to clients.
Erin is committed to making every relationship the best it can be by simplifying the process and ensuring each client is satisfied with the result. Her mission is to treat people right and provide the best client experience possible.
Jennifer Jackson
Jennifer joined Allen Tate in 2003 with a bang, receiving the "Most Likely to Succeed" award from her Winner's Edge training classmates. Since then, Jennifer has taken the residential and commercial real estate industry by storm.
As an active member of the Commercial and Residential Board of Realtors, Jennifer has consistently finished in the top 5% of the Allen Tate Company. Her direct and professional acumen deliver the exceptional results required by her prominent clients.
Nadia Meredith
Nadia provides the experience and understanding her clients need to find the home that exceeds their expectations. Her personable service combined with accumulated market knowledge ensures her clients have an enjoyable experience buying or selling in the dynamic Charlotte market.
Nadia’s goal is to help her clients confidently decide what home is the best match for them. As a Realtor, her first priority is to make her clients happy. She listens to her clients’ wants and needs to achieve the best outcome in every transaction and strives to ensure that the home buying or selling process is fun, easy and stress-free.
Nadia shares in her post Selling Your Home During Divorce the crucial things to consider as you go down this highly emotional path.
Interior Design + Home Organization
Brooke Maples
Designer, artist, and bohemian spirit, Brooke’s transcendental approach to design is founded on the premise that her clients’ homes ride the tides of their lives. She believes self-reflection plays a pivotal role in creating a home that is a revelation of their authentic personality.
Brooke has worked extensively in the Northeast, Southeast and the West Coast. She has also shown art in Berlin and New York as well as designed five New York Times reviewed restaurants.
As Brooke moved through her studies in art history and environmental design, she was inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Phillip Johnson, Willem de Kooning and John Singer Sargent. It is both architects and artists that continue to influence her aesthetic. The body, movement, energy and translating human emotion through design is a constant goal in her work.
Discover how to create your new space in Brooke's insightful post Redesigning Your Home After Divorce.
Stephanie Welborne
Stephanie provides full-service custom design including new construction, renovations, project management, finish selections and furnishings. Her expertise spans from concept to completion of both residential and commercial projects throughout the Southeast.
Stephanie‘s design aesthetic is transitional and clean emphasizing architectural elements and beautiful finishes. Her passion is creating spaces that are both alluring and timeless that most importantly reflect the unique personality of her client. Her client list is a broad-spectrum from CEOs to professional athletes.
Stephanie is an Allied Member ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). With 25 years of experience she has a meticulous eye for detail, keen project management skills, and long-standing relationships with world renowned manufacturers, custom craftsmen, and quality contractors.
She reveals the top 3 reasons to work with an interior designer during your divorce in her eye-opening post, Conscious Uncoupling and the Marital Home.
Laurie Martin
Laurie is the owner and team leader of Simplicity Organizers. She is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and has been organizing professionally for 15 years.
She has worked on the Hoarder’s TV show, has appeared numerous times on the Charlotte Today Show, was one of Charlotte’s Top 40 under 40 Business owners, and was a Wipe Out Waste Award recipient.
Organizing is a process that profoundly changes the way we live our lives and impacts the way we spend our time. Laurie's blog post Finding Peace By Decluttering Your Home During Divorce uncovers the power of letting go to restore harmony and light within your home and your life.
Fashion + Personal Stylists
Whitley Adkins
Charlotte's Premier Fashion + Wardrobe Stylist, Style Editor for Southpark Magazine, Fashion Contributor & Founder of Fashion Foward (supporting Charlotte's retail sector), Whitley is driven to help others look & feel their best!
Check out Whitley's fabulous posts on divorce style (as mentioned in the Wall Street Journal): How to Dress for Mediation & Court
Kristin Heinrich
Kristin Heinrich’s bi-coastal clientele runs the gamut from Forbes Top 50 highest paid athletes, hedge funders, media production companies, Fortune 1000 executives to women and men needing assistance with a special event or packing for a trip.
Lifestyle
Courtney Kovacs
Courtney created CoKo Concierge in 2017 because she learned firsthand that while women can certainly do anything, they absolutely can’t do everything - especially during difficult times like divorce.
Courtney takes care of the day-to-day errands so you can have time to concentrate on what’s really important in your life. From shopping for groceries and planning family vacations to taking your vehicle for an oil change or waiting for the annoyingly late cable man, CoKo Concierge can do it all.
Check out Courtney's post here and learn how to make your life easier when going through divorce in 3 simple steps!
Chef Tillie
Chef Tillie fuses her Pacific Northwest roots with fresh, gorgeous ingredients indicative to whatever area she visits and her French culinary background. She creates gorgeous, elegant dishes for her highly sought after dinner parties and clients.
Her personal chef services are not only a convenient and smart way to eat very well, but are a huge convenience to families on the go as well as busy professionals who do not have the time to cook or eat healthy.
Chef Tillie loves what she does, is passionate about food, and has the insatiable appetite to inspire others while doing it all!
Professional Investigations
Jan Barefoot
Jan Barefoot established the Barefoot ProfessionalInvestigations legacy 35 years ago. A Charlotte native, Jan combined the experience she gained with one of the largest family law firms along with her King’s Business College degree to found Charlotte's premier private detective agency.
Jan’s team of licensed investigators have achieved the reputation as one of the most ethical investigative firms in the Southeast.
Working with a private investigator can be highly emotional - whether clients need evidence surrounding adultery or for child custody cases. Jan's compassionate and experienced approach gives you confidence in knowing she'll do everything she can to compile the rock solid evidence you need to win your case.