What Is a Divorce Coach?
There is no single universal definition of a divorce coach — the role looks different depending on who is offering it and what background they bring. At Best Law Firm, here is what it means.
A divorce coach is someone who helps you navigate the divorce process by giving you real legal information, answering your questions honestly, and listening to your concerns without judgment. My coaching comes from a legal perspective — I am a licensed Arizona family law attorney with nearly twenty years of experience, not a psychologist or a social worker. But that legal perspective does not come at the expense of empathy, compassion, or understanding. I have been through my own divorce. I know what it feels like to be where you are — financially, emotionally, and legally.
How a coaching session actually works
I begin by listening. Before anything else I need to understand the full picture — the history, the facts, the relationships, the concerns. I gather what I need to understand both the big picture and the details before offering any guidance.
From there you ask your questions. I clarify what is really being asked — because often the question someone asks on the surface is not quite the question underneath it — and then I help you understand the answer and the other issues that may follow from it.
One of my first priorities in any coaching session is to help you manage the anxiety that comes with not knowing what happens next. Anxiety is a powerful force. It narrows thinking, accelerates decisions that should not be rushed, and makes an already difficult situation feel impossible. What I have found over thousands of coaching sessions is that knowledge is the most effective antidote to that anxiety. When you understand what is actually happening — what the process looks like, what the law says, what your options are — the fear begins to loosen its grip. You can think more clearly. You can see your situation more objectively. You can begin to make decisions from a place of understanding rather than panic. Getting you to that place is one of the most important things I do.
What coaching looks like at different stages
What someone needs from a divorce coach changes depending on where they are in the process.
Someone calling for the first time usually wants to understand the basics — how divorce is filed in Arizona, what the process looks like from beginning to end, what the timeline is, and what to expect. I can walk through all of that in a single session.
Someone who has been working with me for several sessions might need help with something much more specific — drafting a pretrial statement, understanding a disclosure statement, or preparing for a hearing. I can help with that too.
And sometimes what someone needs most is simply to be heard. If you are facing abuse or a domestic violence situation, if you are frightened, if you are not sure what is safe to do next — I listen first. No judgment. No rushing you toward a decision you are not ready to make. Just listening, and then honest thoughtful guidance that has withstood the test of time.
What comes after coaching
A single conversation can be enormously clarifying. You may call for a one-hour consult and leave knowing exactly what you need to do next — whether that is handling something yourself, returning for another coaching session, or retaining an attorney. Some people need one conversation. Others need ongoing coaching as their case develops. And some people start with coaching and later decide to retain Best Law Firm for full representation when their situation requires it. All of those are valid paths. I help you figure out which one is right for you.
The bottom line
I meet you where you are. There is no rush. There are no big decisions until you are ready to make them.
When you are ready to talk, a $100 consult gives you up to one hour with me — your situation heard, your questions answered, and a clear Game Plan for what comes next.
Get A Game Plan
We provide specific legal advice on your matter so you can move forward, lessen anxiety and have peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is divorce coaching the same as therapy?
No. Divorce coaching at Best Law Firm comes from a legal perspective, not a psychological one. I am a licensed Arizona family law attorney, not a therapist or counselor. I can help you understand your legal situation, your options, and your decisions. I bring empathy and a trauma-informed approach to every session — but the guidance I provide is grounded in law and experience, not psychology. If you need therapeutic support, I can help you understand that distinction and find the right resource.
How many coaching sessions will I need?
It depends entirely on your situation and what you need. Some people come for one session, get the clarity they need, and do not return. Others work with me over months as their case develops — preparing for hearings, understanding documents, thinking through decisions at each stage. Coaching is completely flexible. You book sessions when you need them. There is no minimum commitment and no retainer.
Can a divorce coach help me prepare for court?
Yes. I can help you understand what to expect at your court date, how to present yourself, what the judge will be looking for, and how to think through the issues in advance. I cannot appear in court for you or file a notice of appearance in a coaching relationship — but the preparation we do together can make a significant difference in how you show up and how clearly you can communicate your situation.
What if I am in a domestic violence situation — can a divorce coach help?
Yes — and this is an area where I bring particular depth. Best Law Firm certified Dr. Jill Messing as the first domestic violence expert recognized by Maricopa County Court in 2011. Dr. Messing is a nationally recognized authority on domestic violence and a professor at Arizona State University. That commitment to understanding the trauma dimension of domestic violence informs everything I bring to a coaching session involving these circumstances. If you are in an unsafe situation the first priority is your safety and your children’s safety. I can help you understand your legal options and what the law allows you to do.
How is coaching billed?
Coaching is billed at $450 per hour with a one hour minimum. There is no retainer required. Every engagement begins with a written fee agreement so you understand exactly what you are paying for before any session begins. You start with a $100 legal consultation — that is where everyone at Best Law Firm begins regardless of what level of service they ultimately need.
Is divorce coaching confidential?
Yes. Attorney-client confidentiality applies to all communications with Best Law Firm attorneys including coaching sessions. What you share with me stays between us.
Book a $100 consult at bestlawaz.com/talk-to-tali or call (480) 219-2433.
We have helped thousands of clients successfully navigate their family law matter.
Schedule your consultation and meet with our team to create a customized game plan and move forward confidently.
2,000+
Families Helped
1,500+
Trials & Settlements
18+
Years In Business
100+
Years of Combined Experience
Family Law Success Stories
Best Law Firm has helped thousands of families during the past 18 years. We help families through negotiation, settlements, mediations and court litigation when necessary. The goal is to resolve issues with the least amount of money and stress and only use court litigation as a last resort. Every family we meet is important to us so we would like to share just a few of our success stories with you.
We represented an unmarried father and were able to reunite him with his 4 year old son after the mother secretly moved him to Florida.
We represented a mother and were able to require the father to undergo therapy before he could have any parenting time with his three daughters who he had been physically and emotionally abusing. We had a certified domestic violence expert testify in the case.
We represented an unmarried mother and were able to reunite her with her 2 year old daughter after the father took the child in secret without permission or a court order.
We represented a husband who had a large estate and the wife wanted assets greater than their prenuptial agreement allowed.
We represented a wife in a long term marriage to obtain the spousal maintenance that she was due.
We represented the husband whose wife violated their divorce decree's spousal maintenance agreement by living with her boyfriend.
We represented an unmarried mother and were able to obtain a large child support order from the father who was a professional athlete and it was upheld on appeal. (Murphy)
We represented an unmarried father and were able to fight abuse allegations filed against him and get a court order for 50-50 parenting time for his 2 children.
We represented an unmarried father and were able to defend him against false allegations and obtain a court order where he was named primary custodial parent of his 3 year old son.
We represented a mother who lived in Italy whose teenager was unlawfully kept in Arizona after summer visitation by the Father. It was ordered for the child to return to his mom in Italy.
We represented a father whose 2 children were taken to Kansas after their divorce was filed in Arizona and the court ordered them to be returned.
We represented a father who lived in Texas and fought for primary custody of his daughter who lived in Arizona. The daughter was able to move to Texas because of the mother's abuse and neglect.
We represented a Canadian mother whose husband attempted to get a divorce in Arizona where he could keep the kids. Mother had no long term visa and would have lost her children. Tali Collins was a "friend of the court" and was heard at a Canadian hearing on the same matter that had been filed in BC.
We were the mediators for a mother who wanted to keep the community house (and equity) and the father who wanted to keep his community retirement. We were able to craft an agreement where she received more spousal maintenance up front which the husband agreed to pay to keep the community retirement he had earned.
We represented two ER doctors and mediated their parenting agreement which was drafted to help each doctor have the maximum time with their son.
We represented a father who was a doctor and obtained sole custody of his two daughters after the mother had a worsening mental illness.
We represented a father whose former wife attempted to enforce an out of state child support arrears calculation that was incorrect. We also won the case on appeal. (Glover)
We represented a mother and successfully protected against potential kidnapping by the father to a non Hague country, the UAE. The parenting time order put in safety measures and supervisors to protect the daughters.
We represented a father from Japan to obtain a parenting time order for his young son.
We represented a father to severe the rights of the mother with their two daughters after the mother was imprisoned for criminal abuse against them.
We represented a father and were able to negotiate a parenting plan with joint legal decision making and a 50-50 parenting plan for his son.
We represented a divorced couple against the grandmother who wanted visitation time with their daughter against the parents' wishes.
We represented a married couple and negotiated visitation with a former mother in law, grandmother to their son/step son.
We represented grandparents and negotiated parenting time with a previously estranged father of their grandson.
What Our Clients Say
Our experienced team at Best Law Firm has helped thousands of clients. See what some of them have to say about working with us.
J.S
Divorce Mediation“Ms. Best resolved my spousal maintenance issue with my husband and his attorney in two hours. She accomplished what the lawyers could not do in 9 months of litigation. I am very grateful for her help.”
B.W.
Divorce With Children“We hired this law firm to represent our son in trying to get joint custody. They did a fabulous job keeping us informed as to their plan each week. I have to say I do not think my son would be enjoying his daughter right now with his 50/50 custody if it was not for this law firm.”
T.N.
Custody And Father's Rights“You are the Best, before I retained counsel, I was not able to see my children and did not know what rights a father had in Arizona. I now have joint legal and physical custody. Thank you for all that you have done for my family.”
R.C.
Divorce Mediation“Thank You! Thank you! Thank You! Thank you for getting my son what he deserves! Thank you for finally ending this 9 year chaos…I slept like a little baby last night! You are all GREAT!”
MM
Family LawI’ve used Best Law Firm twice now. Excellent communication skills, rapid responses, and they know EXACTLY what they are doing. They look out for you.like one of their own and do everything they can to keep your case cost effective. Highly recommend!
J.G.
Family Law“The service provided at ‘Best’ was beyond exceptional. The staff at ‘Best’ were professional, going above and beyond their normal duties to help me. I would sincerely recommend ‘Best’ for anyone looking for help with their families legal matters.”
B.H.
Family Law“I have worked with Best Law Firm on two issues in the past 12 months. Their service is exceptional and the quality of their attorneys is second to none! So, their name (Best) is truly appropriate! I would recommend their legal services to anyone!”
C.J.
Divorce With ChildrenThank you for the excellence in your craft and communication each and every step of the way, for the care, for helping me to be brave and strong in holding someone accountable for their wrongdoings, for helping my sons and me to receive the best possible scenario out of the worst situation of my life.
TM
Family Law“Alan was very professional and quick, he had our paperwork done the same day. When I called him to follow up I was able to speak with him then. Highly recommend Alan, he’s very easy to talk to, he’s very knowledgeable, and he means business.”
Schedule Your Consultation
We can conduct your consultation by phone, zoom or in person. Call us today at (480) 219-2433 or fill out the form below.
Contact Information
Scottsdale, Arizona 85253
