The Billion Dollar Divorce Playbook: Lessons from the Dream Team You Can Use Too, Part 1 on Divorce & Beyond #390
Episode Description
Susan Guthrie welcomes three powerhouse professionals to Divorce & Beyond for a very special two-part series that pulls back the curtain on ultra high net worth divorces and reveals strategies that can help anyone navigating divorce.
Together, Michelle Smith, Beth McCormack, and Jenny Stevens make up what Susan calls the Billion Dollar Dream Team. Between them, they bring decades of experience guiding clients through some of the most complex, high-stakes divorces in the country. From untangling billion-dollar assets to protecting children’s well-being to helping clients stay grounded in the storm, this team delivers legal, financial, and emotional strategies that can benefit anyone facing divorce, no matter your net worth.
This conversation highlights not only the extraordinary circumstances of billion-dollar cases but also the universal truths: divorce is emotionally scrambling, requires strong communication, and benefits enormously from a cohesive team approach.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode- The unique legal complexities of managing billion-dollar assets, foundations, and family offices.
- The importance of asking the right financial questions without escalating conflict
- How privacy, reputation management, and creative solutions play a critical role in high-stakes cases
This is just part one. Next week, Michelle, Beth, and Jenny return to translate the billion-dollar lessons into practical, actionable strategies for your own divorce journey, whether you’re just beginning, in the thick of it, or finding your new Beyond.
Get Michelle's FREE divorce financial resource downloads mentioned in the episodes.
Meet the Billion Dollar Dream Team
Michelle Smith
Michelle Smith is one of the nation’s most sought-after divorce financial specialists, holding the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® designation. She is the founder of Wife2CFO, a platform created to empower women to understand and manage their wealth with confidence. Michelle is also the co-author of Divorce & Your Finances and a regular contributor to national financial media. With more than three decades of experience advising ultra high net worth families, she brings unmatched expertise in investment strategy, wealth transfer, and philanthropic planning — and a unique ability to simplify even the most complex financial landscapes.
Contact Michelle: https://savantwealth.com
Beth F. McCormack
Beth McCormack is a highly respected family law attorney, known for her skill in handling the most complex and sensitive divorce and parenting matters. Based in Chicago, Beth’s practice includes guiding her clients whether they are litigating, mediating or collaborative law, all with compassion and empathy.
She has been consistently recognized as a Best Lawyer, Super Lawyer, and Leading Lawyer, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers. In addition to her thriving practice, Beth mentors the next generation of family law professionals. She is especially known for her advocacy on behalf of children and her ability to navigate high-profile, high-net worth divorces with discretion and care.
Contact Beth: https://beermannlaw.com
Jenny Stevens
Jenny Stevens is a counselor, divorce coach, and adolescent coach who has built her career around helping people navigate life’s toughest transitions. With a master’s degree in professional counseling and extensive mediation training, Jenny brings both clinical expertise and a no-nonsense, approachable style to her coaching. She has lived through her own share of profound life changes — from loss to illness to divorce — and uses that experience to guide clients with empathy, honesty, and practical strategies. Jenny helps individuals and families regulate emotions, build resilience, and create the foundations for a life they love. Her work emphasizes emotional regulation, self-care, and values-based co-parenting, making her an invaluable support for anyone facing the upheaval of divorce.
Contact Jenny: https://jennystevenscoach.com
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SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, has been nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country for more than 30 years. Susan is the Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here: https://susaneguthrie.com
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.