Akiona Law Podcast: Recent Episodes

Ululani Akiona, Esq.

Join us as founding attorney Lani Akiona interviews industry experts on everything you need to know about Family Law and Divorce in Seattle Washington. Akiona Law: Caring for You in Your Time of Crisis.https://www.akionalaw.com/**The information in this podcast is general information only and should not, in any respect, be relied on as specific legal advice.

View Details

In the final installment of our four-part series on parenting plans, Akiona Law Podcast host Ululani "Lani" Akiona and co-parenting coach and host of “Welcome to the Other Side” podcast, Meg Gluckman explore crucial aspects like child safety, effective communication strategies between parents and children, and maintaining open dialogue about family values. Lani and Meg provide practical advice for managing school and medical appointments, introducing new partners, and customizing plans to fit your family's unique traditions.

Update 8/19/2025: Since the recording of that podcast, Washington courts have released a new parenting plan form.

Specifically, the section we referred to as "Section 14. Other" in the podcast is now designated as “Section 10. Other” in the court’s new parenting plan form.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, host Ululani "Lani" Akiona is joined once again by Meg Gluckman, divorce and co-parenting coach and host of "Welcome to the Other Side" podcast. In this third episode of the parenting plan series, Lani and Meg dive deep into dispute resolution within your parenting plan. They'll explore both informal and formal conflict resolution methods you can specify to navigate disagreements. Tune in as they break down key approaches like mediation, arbitration, and counseling, providing valuable insights on how to foster effective co-parenting.

Update 8/19/2025: Since the recording of that podcast, Washington courts have released a new parenting plan form.

Specifically, the section we referred to as "Section 14. Other" in the podcast is now designated as “Section 10. Other” in the court’s new parenting plan form.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani "Lani" Akiona continues part 2 of a 4 part series on parenting plans with Meg Gluckman, divorce and co-parenting coach and host of "Welcome to the Other Side" podcast. In this second episode, Lani and Meg break down decision making, they discuss the fundamental difference between joint decision-making and sole decision-making and how it applies to two of the most significant decision making area: education and health care.

Update 8/19/2025: Since the recording of that podcast, Washington courts have released a new parenting plan form.

Specifically, the section we referred to as "Section 14. Other" in the podcast is now designated as “Section 10. Other” in the court’s new parenting plan form.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, join Ululani “Lani” Akiona, as she kicks off a 4-part series on parenting plans with Meg Gluckman, divorce and co-parenting coach and host of “Welcome to the Other Side” podcast. In this first episode, we break down residential schedules: what influences them, how they're built, and how to create stability for your children.

Update 8/19/2025: Since the recording of that podcast, Washington courts have released a new parenting plan form.

Specifically, the section we referred to as "Section 14. Other" in the podcast is now designated as “Section 10. Other” in the court’s new parenting plan form.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani "Lani" Akiona welcomes Meg Gluckman, a seasoned divorce and co-parenting coach and host of the "Welcome to the Other Side" podcast. Meg shares invaluable insights on how coaching can equip you with the tools to communicate effectively, manage stress, and clearly identify your needs and wants as you move forward. Learn how coaching can transform your co-parenting dynamic.

View Details

In this episode, of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Jennifer Lee, AWMA, AIF, founding partner of Modern Wealth and author of "Squeeze the Juice: Live with Purpose, then Leave a Legacy." Jennifer's book is an anecdotal, approachable, and thought-provoking guide to tackling life and financial preparedness with ease. Jennifer and Lani discuss the benefits of using a financial advisor when facing life’s upsets such as divorce. It's about understanding what you're entitled to, what your resources can do for you, and what your life is going to look like. You can purchase Jennifer’s book here. https://squeezethejuicebook.com/ .Click here to schedule a no cost, no obligation call with Jennifer. https://calendly.com/Jennifermodernwealth/20min?back=1&month=2025-01

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Jacinta Gallant, Canadian collaborative lawyer, mediator, and educator. We discuss insight meditation and how it offers a powerful alternative to traditional negotiation or litigation. Insight mediation is focused on managing the defensiveness that gets in the way of productive dialogue, so that people can understand and articulate their needs and concerns, clear up communication challenges and collaborate to discover possibilities that will help them make a healthy shift in their relationships.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with Parenting Coordinator, Caroline Plummer. Caroline is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and serves on the board of the Washington Chapter of the AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts). She has a specialty in parent coaching, where she focuses on increasing the parent-child bond, improving child's self-esteem and decreasing behavioral issues using therapeutic methods, such as, Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Alternatives for Families-CBT (AF-CBT), or Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Caroline is an expert in “resist and refuse” child dynamics or in cases involving “parent child contact problems” (PCCP). Lani and Caroline discuss how to set these cases up for success and create healing for the rejected parent and child.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks to collaborative divorce attorney and mediator, Gwen Mathewson. Gwen is a past president of King County Collaborative Law and member of Collaborative Professionals of Washington. She is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and she recently completed a yearlong leadership academy with them. Lani and Gwen discuss Collaborative Divorce, a process built on compromise and creativity to help you heal and move forward. They explore the power of compromise, emotional relief, and healing for the future.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Ululani “Lani” Akiona speaks with lawyer, book author, certified financial planner, certified divorce financial analyst, and certified QDRO specialist Marques Lang of Pacific Northwest QDRO, LLC. Lani and Marques cut through the legal jargon of a QDRO (qualified domestic relation order), explaining what it is, the type of retirement accounts or pension it applies to, why you may need one in your divorce, and the importance of bringing a QDRO person into your divorce before your final orders are entered.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with collaborative divorce attorney Leigh Noffsinger. In 2022 Leigh launched a training curriculum -- complete with comprehensive templates, checklists, and client handouts -- to support collaborative divorce cases from start to finish. She is passionate about making collaborative divorce as efficient as possible by scaling the process to meet each family’s unique needs. Leigh previously served as the president of the Collaborative Professionals of Washington and has been involved in various collaborative organizations and practice groups over the last 14 years. This episode dives into collaborative law, a powerful alternative to traditional ligation, offering a high-powered toolbox for navigating divorce.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with certified divorce financial analyst, former president of King County Collaborative Law, attorney Kristyna Larch. We untangle the threads of two major mediation styles: shuttle and facilitative. We also explored the diverse team that can support a successful mediation journey.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law podcast, Lani speaks with family mediator, co-parenting specialist and Certified Legal Specialist in Family Law, attorney Elisa Kisselburg. We delve into the world of conflict resolution in family law matters such as divorce, separation and unmarried parents(aka paternity matters), exploring the two main pathways: litigation and mediation. What are the key difference between these approaches? When is one preferable to the other? And how can you determine which path is right for your needs and the needs of you and and/or your family?

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with nationally recognized mediator/family law layer, Susan Guthrie. She is the co-founder of the Mosten Guthrie Academy with mediation legend, Forrest " Woody" Mosten. Susan's goal is to find and forge new pathways and take out the coercive nature of litigation. The idea of bypassing the court system and finding an amicable resolution is that a mediated agreement is much more durable for families.

View Details

In this episode, Lani speaks with Caroline Pak, Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Divorce and Transitions Coach, who helps people going through divorce navigate the financial and emotional challenges of the process.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with mental health counselor, author, and domestic violence survivor, Kate Mageau about how she used her own experience with domestic violence to help others.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with mental health counselor, author, and domestic violence survivor, Kate Mageau about how she used her own experience with domestic violence to help others.

View Details

In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with Certified Divorce Lending Professional ("CDLP") and former tax attorney, Mihaella Bayla about how involving a CDLP during the divorce process helps divorcing homeowners make informed decisions and avoid costly pitfalls regarding their mortgage financing options during and after divorce.

View Details

Co-parenting is hard in any circumstance, and co-parenting with someone who chooses to pursue conflict over resolution may seem downright impossible. In this episode of the Akiona Law Podcast, Lani speaks with Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter of the High Conflict Institute about how to use BIFF (brief, informative, friendly, firm) in communications with a high-conflict co-parent.

View Details

How my parent’s divorce influenced my career path into Collaborative Divorce.

View Details

Consultant, writer, and mentor Karen S. Bonnell returns to the Akiona Law Podcast! Karen discusses her three Coaching Buckets for parents and dives into her most recent book, which she co-wrote with Patricia Papernow, Ph.D.: The Stepfamily Handbook: From Dating, to Getting Serious, to Forming a "Blended Family."  

View Details

In this week's episode, Ululani Akiona meets with Roy Martin, Family Law Attorney in Bellingham, Washington.
For more visit us at: www.akionalaw.com/podcast

View Details

In this week's episode, Ululani Akiona meets with Roy Martin, Family Law Attorney in Bellingham, Washington.
For more visit us at: www.akionalaw.com/podcast

View Details

In today’s episode, I talk with former Marine and divorced father, Eddie Dzialo. We discuss how putting your child first can lay the groundwork for being a successful co-parent.

View Details

Estate Planning attorney, Kanoa Ostrem, discusses the importance of managing your estate. He outlines why you should know where your assets are going, whether they will pass through probate, and who will be in charge of carrying out your wishes.

View Details

In today’s episode, I talked to family law attorney, Jules Butler about addiction and how it can affect your divorce proceedings.

View Details

In today’s episode, I welcome back family law attorney, Nathan Cliber. He shares how his parents’ divorce when he was a teenager impacts the way he approaches divorce & family law and his clients. 

View Details

Discover why you need to create a child-centered parenting plan. The established co-parenting coach and author Karen Bonnell sat with us to explain why this is essential for you, your former spouse, and your children.
Learn more at https://akionalaw.com.

View Details

How to create structures or legal structures in terms of polyamorous couples, especially when there’s children involved.

Learn more at www.akionalaw.com

View Details

Helping polyamorous families or more than two people in a committed relationship navigate divorce and family law issues.

Learn more at www.akionalaw.com

View Details

Helping polyamorous families or more than two people in a committed relationship navigate divorce and family law issues.

Learn more at www.akionalaw.com

View Details

**In today's episode, I talk with a former client about what he would have done differently in his family law case knowing what he knows now.

Learn more at www.akionalaw.com**

View Details

In today’s episode I talked to family law attorney, Elise Buie, about the role of the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) and why someone would need one. Or, why a court appoints a Guardian ad Litem in a family law or divorce case.

Learn more at: https://akionalaw.com

View Details

In today’s episode I continue my conversation with family law attorney, Elise Buie. We discuss the role of the parenting coordinator and what the difference is between the parenting coordinator and a Guardian ad Litem.

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com

View Details

**In today’s episode I continue my conversation with immigration lawyer, Brandon Gillin and the Affidavit of Support. We discuss how divorce does not terminate the US citizen’s Affidavit of Support obligation.

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com**

View Details

**In today’s episode I talked to immigration lawyer, Brandon Gillin.  We discuss the Affidavit of Support, form I-864 which in most cases is required when seeking lawful permanent residency, a green card.

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com/**

View Details

In today’s episode I talked to Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT), Jeanne Barrans, about what a LLLT is and what they do. We also discussed how these professionals can help in a family law or divorce case and how that differs with what attorneys and paralegals can do.

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com/

View Details

In today’s episode I continue my conversation with Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT), Jeanne Barrans. We focus on the LLLT program and what it is.

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com/

View Details

Lani sits down with Attorney Kati Peterson to discuss the factors of awarding spousal maintenance. 

Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com/

View Details

Lani continues her conversation with Attorney Kati Peterson on spousal maintenance. In this episode, Lani and Kati focus on remedies in the event your spouse isn't paying spousal maintenance.
Learn more at https://www.akionalaw.com/