Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic: death and disaster! Kidding. Kind of.

In this episode, I sat down with Leah Hadley (who has so many professional credits after her name, that I’ll just let you scroll down to see all of them. Trust me. She’s qualified.) to tackle the post-divorce brain bender that is estate planning and insurance. 

If you’ve ever wanted to scream into the void because you don’t know what kind of health insurance to get or who should get your vintage Corelle dishes when you die, this episode is for you.

Because as Leah and I discussed, doing nothing is still doing something. But is it really what you WANT to do?

Key Takeaways: 

• Insurance isn’t evil. It’s protection.
• Health insurance gets complicated after divorce.
• Life insurance = love letter from the grave.
• Auto, renter’s, and umbrella insurance matter.
• Estate planning isn’t about death. It’s about love.
• Update beneficiaries, stat.
• Power of attorney & healthcare directives = urgent.
• Considering marriage again? Get a prenup.

Related Resources:

• Feel like a hot mess after divorce? This FREE 5-Day Workshop will teach you a mind-shift tool to help you learn a powerful way to manage your thoughts and emotions in order to navigate adult decisions with clarity and peace.
• Flying Higher (https://joinflyinghigher.com) is my live mentorship program for Christian women pursuing increased confidence in their relationships, emotional management, decision making, and self-development. Join us for live classes, coaching, Bible study, and book studies every month. Plus access to a huge library of education and coaching resources. Only $59/month. 
• Get free classes through Leah’s Instagram account.

Article: Estate Planning and Insurance After Divorce

Here’s a fun fact: after my divorce, I was so mentally and emotionally fried that the idea of “estate planning” and “insurance” felt like someone asking me to do calculus. Blindfolded. While being chased by a bear.

And yet, these are the exact areas that can make or break your future, your finances, and your kids’ lives if (heaven forbid) anything goes sideways.

So in this episode of the Divorced Christian Woman Podcast, I brought in the big guns: Leah Hadley, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, Accredited Financial Counselor®, and founder of Intentional Divorce Solutions. Basically, Leah is like the fairy godmother of financial planning after divorce, but instead of sparkles and pumpkins, she brings spreadsheets and hard truths.

So let’s talk about the scary stuff: insurance, estate planning, and adulting like the boss you’re becoming.

Why Does Insurance Feel Like a Scam, and Is It Actually Worth It?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever looked at an insurance premium and thought, “Why am I paying this much for something I hope I never use?” 

Leah says this is one of the top mindset hurdles for women after divorce. We see insurance as “one more bill,” not as protection. But reframing it is powerful: Insurance is an investment in your peace of mind. It’s about protecting your future, your kids, and everything you’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

I learned this firsthand after a nasty car accident that involved surgery, a totaled car, and a reminder that life can flip upside down in a hot second. Thank God I had proper insurance coverage. If I hadn’t? I’d probably still be paying off that accident in my 90s.

What Types of Insurance Do You Actually Need?

Leah and I walked through a whole list of coverage options, and girl, it’s more than just health insurance.

Health Insurance:

Leah dropped a bombshell: Your health insurance might end the day of your divorce. (Yep, even if you paid the full premium for the month.) She’s seen women blindsided by this exact scenario: getting surgery post-divorce, thinking they were covered, and ending up with five figures of medical debt.

Her advice? Start planning early. Talk to a health insurance broker who isn’t tied to one provider. They can help you explore COBRA, Marketplace options, short-term coverage, and more. Bonus tip: if you have kids, check which policy actually gives them the best coverage, not just whatever your ex is using to fulfill his legal duty.

Life Insurance:

If you’re the breadwinner, or you have kids depending on you, you need this. Period. Leah explained how life insurance can help ensure your children are supported through college and beyond if anything happens to you.

Also, if you’re getting spousal or child support? Leah says make sure your ex has life insurance naming YOU (or a trust) as the beneficiary. And yes, double-check it annually to make sure it hasn’t lapsed.

Car Insurance:

After divorce, car insurance can get messy, especially if you both were on one policy. Leah reminded us that even a minor misstep here can leave you without coverage. And if your ex is petty? He might remove you from the policy before you’re ready. (Ask me how many times I’ve heard that one.)

Pro tip: some policies let you “stack” benefits across multiple vehicles, and Leah recommends working with a reliable broker or looping in your financial advisor to help evaluate quotes.

Umbrella Insurance:

Ever been sued? Hopefully not. But if you’re alive and breathing, you could be. Umbrella insurance is that extra layer of protection for when things go really wrong, like someone tripping on your front steps or your teen rear-ending someone into next Tuesday.

It’s dirt cheap for what it covers. Leah and I both agree: get it. Just do.

Disability Insurance:

I’ll admit it. I haven’t wanted to shell out for this one. But Leah gave me a loving shove by reminding me she’s seen two kinds of women:

1. The ones who had disability insurance and were fine after an accident.
2. The ones who didn’t and lost everything.

Even short-term disability (especially for maternity leave, if you’re in childbearing years) can make a big difference. Expensive? Yes. Worth considering? Also yes.

Do You Really Need an Estate Plan if You’re Not Rich?

YES. And Leah agrees. She shared a powerful story about her mom, who passed away recently. Her mom had everything in order: trust, beneficiaries, directives. The funeral director literally told Leah, “Your mother gave you a gift most parents never give their kids.”

I mean, if that doesn’t make you want to call a lawyer right now, I don’t know what will.

What’s the Difference Between a Will and a Trust?

Leah broke it down like this:

• A will is good, but it usually has to go through probate (court). That process is long, expensive, and public.
• A trust gives you more control, privacy, and protection, especially if you have minor kids and don’t want your ex managing their inheritance (which, hello, you probably don’t).

She also reminded us that not everyone needs a trust. A great attorney (not a pushy one-size-fits-all seller) will help you make that call based on your unique situation.

Did You Update Your Beneficiaries After the Divorce?

If not, Leah says your ex might still inherit your retirement funds. Let that sink in.

Update your life insurance, investment accounts, bank accounts, and anything else with a beneficiary attached. And if your kids are minors? Be careful listing them directly. Leah warned us that doing so could hand control of that money to your ex by default. No thanks.

Instead, a trust or properly structured legal document can ensure your wishes are followed.

Who’s Your Medical Power of Attorney Now?

If it’s still your ex… yikes.

Your power of attorney and healthcare directives should be updated ASAP after divorce. Leah reassured us that these documents are often state-specific and can sometimes be done online (check your state laws). But don’t wait. If you’re incapacitated, someone has to make decisions for you. And it sure as heck shouldn’t be the man who ghosted you on your birthday.

Thinking of Remarrying? Let’s Talk Prenups.

Leah gave a masterclass here: A prenup isn’t about “planning for divorce.” It’s about values. Clarity. Protection. If you’re walking into a second marriage with kids, assets, or a small empire of emotional healing, you want a prenup.

It’s not just smart. It’s loving. For everyone involved.

Final Words of Wisdom

I know this stuff feels overwhelming. But as Leah and I both kept saying: you don’t have to do it all at once. You just have to start. When the dust settles after divorce, and you’ve got at least some brain cells firing again, it’s time to rebuild. Wisely. Intentionally. With help from women like Leah who know their stuff and genuinely care.

So be brave. Be wise. Be a grown-up, even if you’d rather binge Netflix and pretend you’re still 27.

And for the love of chocolate, go check your beneficiaries today.

Come work with me and hundreds of other divorced Christian women in Flying Higher. 

XOXO,

Natalie