Raleigh Divorce Workshop Celebrates Four Years of Helping Men and Women
RALEIGH, N.C. — A workshop aimed at answering questions about divorce celebrates its four-year anniversary this month.
The workshop, called Second Saturday Wake County, is a three-hour event taking place on the second Saturday of each month. During each session, volunteers speak about the three main aspects of divorce: the legal process, financial hurdles, and the emotional upheaval. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™, a family law attorney, and a therapist each speak and then answer questions. Participants gain a greater understanding of the confusing divorce process in a way that can often save them tens of thousands of dollars and may help them avoid going to court.
Bob Watral, CFP, CFDA organized a local version of the national Second Saturday workshops after watching a friend suffer through divorce. (Read more about his inspiration for starting the workshop: https://www.secondsaturdaywakecounty.com/divorce-workshop/about-us/.)
“The devastation of it was shocking — emotionally and financially,” he said. “And as a financial adviser, I keep meeting with people, mainly women, who could suffer financially for decades after their marriage ends. Women still make less money, may stay home for a period to care for children or parents, and live longer than men. This workshop is a chance for them to learn not only about the legal steps of a divorce, but how to move forward afterward.”
Since 2014, the not-for-profit workshop has helped hundreds of people, including many men.
“The process of legally separating is confusing,” Watral said. “The main comment I hear from people is, ‘I wish I’d heard about this workshop sooner.’”
Many participants are reluctant to share their names; some are visiting the workshop to “stick their toe in the water” and learn about divorce before speaking to their spouses. One attendee, Jessica C., commented that the workshop is worth at least twice the cost.
“The workshop gave me the tools and resources to help with my decision,” she said. “This was a great workshop!”
In four years of leading divorce seminars, Watral said the main thing that surprises him is the amount of debt many couples carry. That debt often causes problems as couples split, leaving both in a less stable position. He’s also learned that every couple’s dynamics are different.
“While most people have many of the same questions, each couple’s approach to divorce and their story remains different,” he said. “I love making such a difference for people at a terrible time in their lives.”
WIFE.org co-founders and KPBS Local Heroes Candace Bahr and Ginita Wall founded “Second Saturday Divorce Workshops” through their non-profit nearly 30 years ago. With the guidance of trained professionals, Second Saturday workshops are presented by agreement with the Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE.org), the oldest and most trusted non-profit devoted to female financial literacy.
“Second Saturday provides a great opportunity for women to acquire non-biased, straightforward information and options to help them focus on what they need to do legally and financially through difficult times, and hopefully save a whole lot of time, grief and money,” Bahr said.
Workshop Information
What: Facts and information from a lawyer, a therapist and a financial professional about divorce
When: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month
Where: Office building, 3600 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27612
Cost: $30 online, $40 at the door
Register: http://secondsaturdaywakecounty.com
More Info: Call or email workshop@secondsaturdaywakecounty.com | 919-539-5468
About Second Saturday
Second Saturday was founded in 1988 by the nonprofit The Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE). Second Saturday has helped thousands of individuals navigate the divorce process and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships and programs to help women become financially independent. WIFE is now working to grow Second Saturdays across the country. Locally, Bob Watral started a Second Saturday event in 2014 after hearing about a troubling divorce story. Learn more at wife.org or at secondsaturdaywakecounty.com.
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