In this episode of Law Torn, Samara and Philippa are joined by their first guest, Kristin Cunliffe, to discuss the role emotions play in financial decision-making during family litigation.

Kristin is a financial planner, financial coach and educator with over 25 years’ experience supporting individuals through divorce and bereavement. She explains how financial coaching differs from traditional financial advice, focusing on a client’s relationship with money rather than budgeting or financial management.

The episode explores why clients may struggle to settle disputes, even when they understand the legal and financial risks of litigation. Samara and Philippa reflect on the challenges of advising clients where emotions, grief or a sense of injustice influence strategic decisions, particularly in disputes arising from relationship breakdown or loss.

Kristin also discusses how early experiences with money, financial personality types and unresolved emotional responses can affect behaviour during legal proceedings. The conversation considers how financial coaching can complement legal advice by helping clients separate emotional responses from the practical realities of litigation, engage more constructively with settlement discussions, and begin to plan for life beyond the dispute.

This episode provides insight into the emotional and financial dynamics that often sit beneath family litigation, and the value of additional support alongside the legal process.

Stay tuned — new episodes will be released on the last Monday of each month.

For questions or feedback, please contact us at lawtorn@collyerbristow.com.