By Ryan Hecht, Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director
Krista Kaufmann, Owner / Master Negotiator, CDFA, LLP, at Do Divorce Well has worked with families in transition her entire career. Today, her practice of 12 years offers guidance, clarity, and consultancy for people before, during and after divorce (or separation). She is the only LLP, CDFA mediator in the state of Colorado.
“I have always been a natural problem solver with a pragmatic sensibility and empathic nature. This makes me good at what I do, which is helping people walk a difficult path with clarity and cogency,” said Krista. “I am a firm believer that with willing people, the right process and competent professionals, something as difficult and daunting as divorce, can be done well. That is why Do Divorce Well, was born.”
We are spotlighting you during a busy time, I imagine. Isn’t January the breakup month?
Krista: Was this by design? (laughs) Yes, January has long been coined as Divorce Month. The idea that couples push to end their marriages in the days following a New Year has validity in my practice. I would say, this is the month that couples seriously start to examine divorce options. Some couples delay acting on a decision they already made until after the holidays, after all the family has left, after the kids return to school and the whirlwind of stress and celebration wears off. For many of my clients, one last holiday season for their children in the family home is a key consideration to wait until January.
In my practice, another deliberate consideration is the family financial picture. Holiday spending, expensive travel, end-of-year bonuses, tax planning, job seeking, kids back at college, the housing market, lending options and a full year of historical data can guide a divorce financial discussion wisely.
For some, it’s as simple as looking for a fresh start in a new year. This is the time when people seek change and attempt to make good on resolutions, which may include ending a marriage.
How did you get started doing this work?
Krista: I started my career in Wisconsin’s division of youth and family services after I landed a position I never thought I would get an interview for, let alone be offered. That boosted my confidence as a young person starting on a professional path. I wanted to work with teenagers and parents to keep families out of the system. I grew more ambitious and moved to Colorado, managing a similar mission-focused organization. Then, after a few more moves, I was offered a position at a prestigious Denver family law firm. That was the door that eventually led to me opening my own practice and building a model aligned with my vision and values.
What brought you to Arvada?
Krista: I hung my shingle in private practice in 2013. I’ve been in family law in Colorado for 22 years. Arvada is the community where I live, work, and play. I have friends, colleagues and families I serve and support in work and life here. I always wanted an office in the Davis Block in the heart of historic Olde Town Arvada. When an office opened there in 2017, I jumped on the opportunity and settled right in. Watching Arvada grow while engaging in problem-solving and change-making in my own community is a process and evolution true to my roots.
How big is your team?
Krista: Currently, there are 4 of us. My senior paralegal just passed the Licensed Legal Paraprofessional bar exam and was sworn in to the practice of law. She will begin taking her own cases in the upcoming months.
What advice would you give a new entrepreneur in the Arvada area?
Krista: The key to building a successful business is relationship and recognition. Not receiving recognition, but giving it. People want to be seen and supported in their new endeavor, however big or small. Show up, network, give thanks, ask for guidance, reciprocate, leverage the knowledge and support of those you admire and view as successful. Be authentic, professional and generous in your interactions with others. You never know if the person you are talking with or sitting next to will be your next customer, client or golden goose – the one who could change the trajectory of your business in one interaction.
What have you found most valuable to being a member of the Greater Arvada Chamber?
Krista: The relationships with other members are invaluable to my life and my company. To be able to place myself, family, friends and clients in the trusted hands of other Greater Arvada Chamber members is so worthy. Whether it’s a Realtor, an esthetician, a plumber or place to get a good beer or craft old fashioned, the Chamber continues to cultivate a first class membership. At a time when community can feel fleeting or hard to come by, the Greater Arvada Chamber is a place worth looking for yourself and your business.
What notable changes have occurred in this industry since you started?
Krista: I could write a book on this question. Here is a quick answer. The divorce landscape is harder and more expensive to navigate than I have ever seen. Keeping people in conflict is lucrative, and not hard to do sometimes in the divorce space. The Courts are overwhelmed, the system is overloaded, population growth, economic gaps and lack of access to justice is deeply problematic in Metro Denver. People are more individualistic and conflict over community is a trending tone. Those of us in this space see it and clients experience it. Some family law practices now run like personal injury big box firms with robust marketing, catchy-feel good names, a lot of lawyers, staff and turnover; and a pledge to be different. Some of them are, and they deliver on the promise to divorce people with dignity and less dollars. Some of them are not; and the solo or small firms devoted to families, affordability and sustainable outcomes instead of the revolving door of conflict are getting harder to find. Fun fact: did you know that divorce in the United States is estimated to be a $50 Billion industry?
What are some misconceptions about your work?
Krista: One: That you “have to” have lawyers. You don’t. Legal advice is certainly prudent. But you have self determination and with the right help, you can be informed, supported in finding equitable resolution and stay in control of your process and outcomes. Yes, litigation with dueling lawyers will always be available and for many people, there is no alternative if there are safety concerns or gamesmanship. But you don’t have to hire two lawyers to battle if you choose a better path and learn to separate facts from the feelings.
Two: That divorce has to be sad or bad or a scorched earth proposition. For many, leaving an unhealthy, dysfunctional or devolving relationship is not sad, it’s the opposite – though perhaps not easy. For others, recognizing that you’ve grown apart and are capable amicable separation can feel supportive and liberating. Prioritizing your own happiness or ending the fights in front of children does not have to be dramatic or harmful if you both choose to do divorce well.
What have you learned about the people in this community you serve?
Krista: My clients, many of whom are Arvada residents, though I work all over the state are good people going through hard things. I see clients in restaurants, at community events, in the grocery store – everywhere. I never acknowledge a client unless they acknowledge me first out of respect and privacy. But I cannot tell you how many clients I have run into months or years after we worked together and they say thank you. One of the few silver linings in this work is seeing people when they emerge from what I call the divorce fog. To see them thriving, successfully co-parenting and engineering the next chapter reminds why I love my work. People often say, I don’t know how you can do this work every day. My response is that I feel the same way about my dental hygienist.
Do Divorce Well
5606 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. Suite 202
720.515.8502
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