About this episode

The episode discusses the reasons clients leave good attorneys, emphasizing communication, financial clarity, and the role of AI in divorce.

In this episode of We Chat Divorce, Karen Chellew and Catherine Shanahan sit down with Chicago family law attorney Jessica Marshall for a candid conversation about what really protects you during divorce — and where people often put themselves at risk without realizing it. Jessica shares an attorney’s perspective on why clients sometimes leave good lawyers, how poor communication can derail trust, and why financial preparation can completely change the attorney-client relationship. Together, Karen, Catherine, and Jessica explore what happens when clients walk into divorce without understanding their documents, assets, compensation, or long-term financial consequences — and why attorneys are not always the right professionals to explain the full financial picture. The conversation also dives into the growing use of AI in divorce. Jessica explains the risks of relying on AI-generated legal documents, inaccurate case law, unsupported conclusions, and AI-driven “diagnoses” around narcissism or coercive control. While AI can be a useful tool for education and question-building, this episode makes one thing clear: it should never replace professional legal or financial guidance. You’ll…

People in this episode

Hosts: Karen Chellew, Catherine Shanahan

Guest: Jessica Marshall

Topics covered

• divorce
• legal communication
• financial clarity
• AI in law
• attorney-client relationship
• client retention

Keywords

• divorce
• attorney
• communication
• financial preparation
• AI
• legal documents
• trust
• client relationship

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: My Divorce Solution

Places: Chicago

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• 201. Is This Gaslighting? How to Recognize, Document, and Protect Yourself in High-Conflict Divorce · June 24, 2026 · 31 min
• 200 Episodes Later: What Ten Years Taught Us About Money & Marriage · June 17, 2026 · 23 min

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