Thinking About Divorce in the New Year? What You Should Consider First | Good Morning Texas

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Thinking About Divorce in the New Year? What You Should Consider First, Advice From A Dallas Divorce Attorney

 

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As the new year begins, many people take stock of their lives—and for some, that reflection leads to difficult questions about their marriage. In this Good Morning Texas interview, Erin Hunter sits down with Dallas divorce attorney Jennifer Hargrave, board-certified family law attorney and managing partner of Hargrave Family Law, to discuss how to know when divorce may be the right next step.

Jennifer explains why the start of a new year often brings clarity around relationships, outlines the key questions people should ask themselves before taking legal action, and emphasizes the importance of safety, respect, and long-term vision—especially for parents. She also introduces discernment counseling, a valuable option for couples who need clarity before deciding whether to stay married or move forward with divorce.

Known for approaching divorce differently, Jennifer reframes divorce as a transition and problem-solving process, rather than just a legal battle. She shares how intentional planning, transparency, and collaborative strategies can help families avoid unnecessary conflict—particularly when children are involved.

This interview is a must-watch for anyone in North Texas who is contemplating divorce, exploring alternatives like counseling, or looking for a Dallas divorce lawyer who prioritizes clarity, strategy, and long-term well-being.

WFAA – Good Morning Texas
Host: Erin Hunter
Guest: Jennifer Hargrave, Dallas Divorce Attorney

Erin Hunter:
Our next guest firmly believes that the new year is an opportunity to take stock of how your current life is serving you—from your hobbies, to your friendships, and even your marriage. Jennifer Hargrave is a board-certified family law attorney and the owner and managing partner of Hargrave Family Law, a Dallas-area law firm that believes in doing divorce a little bit differently.

Erin Hunter:
Good morning to you.

Jennifer Hargrave:
Good morning. I’m so glad to be here—excited to be here.

Erin Hunter:
So many of us focus on resolutions and fresh starts this time of year. What would you say to someone who is wondering if divorce might be in their future in 2026?

Jennifer Hargrave:
This is a time of year when a lot of people do deep self-reflection. You’re looking at what you want to carry forward into the new year, and sometimes that includes recognizing that a relationship just isn’t working—for a variety of reasons. That realization can be really scary, because it signals that a major life change may be coming.

Erin Hunter:
It is scary. So how do people know when to take the next step—or whether it’s time to take action at all?

Jennifer Hargrave:
The most important thing is to start by asking yourself some honest questions and really paying attention to how you feel. I always start with: Do you feel safe in your relationship? Do you feel respected? Are you excited about the future with this person—or are you not? And if you have children, another critical question is whether this relationship is setting the example you want for them.

Erin Hunter:
That’s powerful. Let me ask you this—when people come to you as a divorce attorney, do you usually recommend counseling first?

Jennifer Hargrave:
That’s a great question. Counseling can be incredibly important, and marriage counseling is especially helpful in the earlier stages of conflict. Often, by the time someone comes to my office, traditional marriage counseling may be a little late. But there’s something called discernment counseling, which I think more people should know about. It helps couples gain clarity about whether the marriage can work, whether both partners are willing to do the work, or whether it’s time to move forward separately.

Jennifer Hargrave:
We refer many families to therapy when it’s appropriate, and honestly, some of the best feedback I’ve received has been from people who later thanked me for connecting them with a great discernment counselor.

Erin Hunter:
Good on you for still encouraging therapy—even while practicing divorce law. Now, you mentioned earlier that Hargrave Family Law approaches divorce differently. What does that look like?

Jennifer Hargrave:
We start with the belief that divorce is a period of transition. It’s a problem to be solved, and if you’re open to it, it can also be a period of incredible transformation. The difference is approaching divorce with intention. Many people enter the process without thinking about the kind of divorce they want or what they want their life to look like afterward.

Jennifer Hargrave:
Divorce is inherently an adversarial legal process, and without intention, it can easily become contentious. We help people find solutions that keep them out of that space—especially when children are involved, because you’ll still be co-parenting long after the divorce is final. Our goal is to help everyone start on a level playing field, with clarity about what’s on the table, so they can move forward productively.

Erin Hunter:
That makes a lot of sense. Where can people learn more about you, discernment counseling, or the divorce process in general?

Jennifer Hargrave:
Our website, hargravefamilylaw.com/, is a great place to start—it’s full of resources. We also have a YouTube channel and podcast where I interview therapists, financial professionals, and other experts to help people understand what to expect throughout the divorce process.

Erin Hunter:
Thank you so much for being here. I really appreciate your positive, thoughtful approach—it gives people helpful guidance before they reach that final breaking point.

To reach out for a complimentary case evaluation, call 214-960-2424 or visit hargravefamilylaw.com/. We’ll be right back.

Interested In More interviews like these check out: Good Morning Texas | wfaa.com

Compassionate Dallas Divorce Attorney Jennifer Stanton Hargrave

Collaborative Dallas Divorce Attorney, Jennifer Hargrave

Dallas Divorce Resources

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Don’t Face This Alone – We’re Here to Help

Hargrave Family Law – Compassionate Dallas Divorce Lawyers

Hargrave Family Law was founded by Dallas divorce lawyer Jennifer Hargrave with a strong mission in mind. Using non-adversarial techniques, our firm advocates for you during this challenging life transition in a way that helps you protect what matters most. Reach out to our team of compassionate Dallas divorce lawyers at Hargrave Family Law for the support you need to navigate divorce and other family law matters. We offer a complimentary case evaluation to start your journey with us. Together, we will work towards safeguarding the happiness and well-being of your family, allowing you to write your next chapter with hope.

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Jennifer Hargrave

Owner & Managing Partner

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Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, J.D. is the founder of Hargrave Family Law, a Dallas-based boutique family law firm that is rooted in empathy, excellence, and empowerment. Jennifer is a seasoned, well-respected Dallas divorce attorney whose career is marked by her commitment to helping families navigate the often painful and complex journey of divorce with dignity and clarity. She has made it her mission to build a robust team of professionals who share this passion and who excel in helping clients build new futures filled with hope and promise.

Collaborative divorce
Business owner divorce
Divorce with complex financial questions
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Meet Collaborative Dallas Divorce Attorney, Jennifer Hargrave

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Hear From Hargrave Family Law Clients

Testimonials

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L.P.

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I felt fully supported throughout the entire process, and their guidance was
invaluable.

David B.

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I always felt heard and cared for by this team of professionals. 10 out of 10 would
recommend to anyone dealing with a family-law issue!

Ashleigh S.

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Hargrave Family Law was a blessing during a personally difficult time, helping us
navigate complicated aspects of divorce when assets and minor children were
involved.

Jordan T.

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Everyone there was very supportive and our family is in a better place now. Their team
even continues to check in after your case closes, which shows how much they truly
care.

Michelle A.

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Hargrave Law’s team not only provided outstanding legal expertise for my family but
also showed genuine care and compassion throughout the entire process. They took
the time to listen and understand our family’s unique situation and always made sure we
felt supported and informed.

Justin Y.

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What could have been a chaotic and emotional process was made manageable thanks
to their steady guidance. We are beyond grateful for the outcome in the case and highly
recommend this firm to anyone needing a skilled and compassionate Dallas divorce
attorney.

Jeremy Y.

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The staff here was always responsive, clear in their communication, and truly made a
difficult process much easier for everyone involved. If you’re looking for a top-notch
Dallas divorce attorney, this is the firm you want on your side.

Sharon T.

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Their understanding and professionalism throughout the process were truly remarkable,
and I am forever grateful for their role in helping me find my way to the other side.
If you're looking for a legal team that truly cares about their clients and will stand by your
side with compassion and expertise, I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law. I will
always be thankful for the support and strength they gave me.

Mike L.

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The Hargrave team made me feel heard, were compassionate and thoughtful. Most
importantly, I was comfortable trusting their advice.

Kam B.

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You cannot go wrong with Hargrave Family Law. They bring humanity along with
expertise in very difficult situations.

Christy H.

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Going through a divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, but the
paralegals and attorneys at this firm made the entire process so much less stressful.

Ava H.

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From the first consultation, I felt heard, supported, and truly understood. The entire
team brings a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and strategic expertise
to family law, which made a difficult process feel manageable and even empowering.

Liz R.

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They were able to take my case with a very quick turn around. They were personable,
caring, thorough and have been amazing all around. If I ever needed anything else, I
would go to them first.

Soo C.

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Divorce a very difficult and emotional decision for anyone to make, but finding the right
legal support was probably the most important decision I made other than taking that
step forward to end my marriage. Finding that legal support can be challenging – asking
around discretely for recommendations, meeting with them and then choosing someone
can be overwhelming. What I found with Jennifer Hargrave and the Hargrave Family
was a team with my best interests at heart. Thank you Jennifer for helping me become
the best, empowered me! My family and I thank you.

Allison B.

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Divorce is very scary, as I’m sure most legal matters probably are, but when you are
going through the process and still having to deal with the other person involved, it can
be a daunting experience. Hargrave Family Law recognizes that going through divorce
is extremely stressful and they are ready to help guide you through it. If you are looking
for an attorney who not only has the qualifications, but also actually listens and cares
about you as an individual, then I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law.

Daine C.

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They were very patient with me and fought hard to get me what I wanted. I look back
now and I’m so grateful.

Kim G.

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They helped me prepare, ease my fears, and provided such clarity and confidence
through the challenges along the way. I am now on the other side and can say I would
have never had such a smooth experience and have the life I have today without this
incredible team!

Erin B.

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My children and family dynamic were always the top priority. Every detail was
communicated to me and thoroughly explained. Jennifer and her staff were always
available to listen to my concerns and address them.

Amy B.

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They approached my situation with innovative solutions, which ultimately led to a
resolution where all parties emerged victorious. This outcome was unprecedented, and
the sense of satisfaction it brought me was beyond measure.

Angela M.

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“Jennifer was a beacon of hope for my family member at a time when her options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed impossible. Her calm and empathetic demeanor offered emotional succor not just to my relative, but to her wider family circle. And though it may seem trivial, she has such a great sense of humor. Sometimes you need that to get through a difficult situation. I will always feel grateful for the way she so professionally managed to obtain the end result we were all hoping for. I can truly recommend her without hesitation. And if you have a loved one needing counsel, realize there is hope. Contact Jennifer Hargrave. She will fight for you to the end.”