Short answer? It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Slightly longer answer: a lot of people going through divorce actually need both — just at different moments, or in different ratios depending on where they are in the process.

Here’s how I think about it.

What a divorce attorney does

An attorney represents you legally. They file the documents, show up in court for you, negotiate with the other side, and advocate for your interests inside the legal process. If your case is headed to trial, if your spouse hired the kind of attorney who treats every email like a battle scene, or if your kids’ safety is on the line — that’s a moment for legal representation. Coaching alone isn’t going to cut it, and I’ll be the first to tell you so.

What a divorce coach does

A divorce coach helps you understand what you’re facing, what your options actually are, and what decisions you need to make — without the cost of full legal representation. A good coach brings real legal knowledge to the table, plus a clear-eyed understanding of how messy and emotional this process can get. They help you prep for what’s coming, ask the questions you should be asking, and make informed decisions about your own life.

Where I fit

I’m both. I’m an experienced family law attorney with nearly twenty years of practice in Arizona, and I’m a divorce coach who co-wrote the book on it — literally. The Divorce Coach Handbook, now in its 2026 edition, was written by me and my mother and founding partner Cynthia L. Best, drawing on our combined decades of helping Arizona families through divorce.

What makes my coaching different is that I bring a trauma-informed practice to every session. Divorce isn’t just a legal process — it’s one of the most destabilizing things a person can live through. Understanding the trauma dimension of what clients are dealing with shapes how I listen, how I explain options, and how I help people make decisions when they’re running on three hours of sleep and a lot of stress.

That trauma-informed approach isn’t a buzzword tacked onto a website. It’s central to how this firm operates. 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. To be recognized as an expert in court, a professional has to meet a rigorous standard set by the judge — their credentials, methodology, and knowledge have to be formally accepted before they can testify. We did that work. That tells you how seriously this firm takes the intersection of domestic violence, trauma, and family law. That depth of understanding shows up in every coaching session.

Questions I can help you answer

Are you prepping for a court date and have no idea what to expect? I can walk you through it. Want to understand how child support is calculated in Arizona? I can explain the formula — it’s less mysterious than people think. Wondering what judges are actually doing with parenting time schedules right now? I know. Need to understand what a settlement offer really means before you sign? I’ll review it with you. In a situation involving domestic violence or an unsafe home environment and you don’t know what the law allows you to do? I understand that intersection at a level very few attorneys in Arizona can match.

How to decide

If your situation is fairly straightforward and both of you are cooperating like adults — coaching and mediation may be all you need. If your situation involves significant assets, kids’ safety, domestic violence, or an opposing party who’s difficult (or represented by someone who is) — you’re probably going to need full legal representation at some point, and coaching helps you recognize when that moment has arrived.

The best first step is a conversation with me. I’ll spend up to one hour with you — listen to your situation, and give you an honest Game Plan: what you’re facing, what your options are, and what level of help you actually need. No retainer. No commitment. Just clarity.

You might call for one consult and walk away with everything you need. You might come back for ongoing coaching as your case develops. Or you might decide at some point that it’s time to retain Best Law Firm for full representation. All of those are perfectly valid. My job is helping you figure out which one is right for you.

At the end of the day, only you can decide whether you need an attorney, a coach, or both. I’m here to help you figure that out.

Questions and Answers

What is the difference between a divorce coach and a divorce attorney?

A divorce attorney represents you legally — filing documents, appearing in court, negotiating on your behalf, and advocating for your interests throughout the legal process. A divorce coach helps you understand your situation, your options, and your decisions without full legal representation. The coach doesn’t appear in court or file a notice of appearance. At Best Law Firm, Tali Best Collins is both — a licensed Arizona family law attorney and a certified divorce coach — so she can help you figure out which level of service your situation actually calls for.

Can I switch from coaching to full legal representation if my case gets more complicated?

Yes. A lot of clients start with a consultation or coaching sessions and later bring on Best Law Firm for full representation when their case calls for it. Each stage of service is its own engagement with its own fee agreement. You’re never locked into one level of service. You decide what you need, when you need it.

Is divorce coaching less expensive than hiring an attorney?

Yes. Coaching runs $50 per hour with no retainer required. Full legal representation requires a ,500 advance fee and is billed in six-minute increments throughout the case. For clients who need guidance at specific moments rather than continuous representation, coaching delivers a lot of value at a fraction of the cost.

What happens at the consultation?

You get up to one hour with Tali personally. She listens to your situation, sizes up the issues involved, explains what Arizona law actually says about your circumstances, and gives you a Game Plan — a clear road map of what’s next, what your realistic options are, and what decisions need to be made. Every person who contacts Best Law Firm starts here. No exceptions.

Do I need a divorce coach if I already have an attorney?

If you already have an attorney, Best Law Firm will schedule a consultation first to check for conflicts and get the full picture before any further engagement. Depending on the circumstances, a consultation may still make sense even when you’re already represented — to help you understand your situation more clearly or prep for a specific moment in your case.

How do I know if my situation needs a trial attorney?

If your case involves significant assets that need protecting, children whose safety is at risk, domestic violence, a spouse who is hiding documents or assets, or opposing counsel who is aggressive and refuses to negotiate — you likely need full legal representation. A consultation will tell you honestly which category your situation falls into and what your realistic options are.