Making Divorce Kinder: My Interview with Hello Divorce Founder Erin Levine

It’s no secret that January is often dubbed “divorce month”—the time of year when the holidays settle and many people start seriously thinking about how to navigate the divorce process.

If you are feeling those storm clouds gathering, or if you are already in the thick of it and worried about mounting cost and chaos, this conversation is for you.

I recently sat down with Erin Levine, the founder and CEO of Hello Divorce, to talk about why the traditional legal system is set up to fail families and how we can do it better. Erin Levine is a certified family law specialist who actually left the traditional courtroom to build a calmer, more humane path forward.

We cover everything from AI tools that demystify local laws to how to handle a spouse who hires a “bulldog” attorney.

🎧 Listen Now: Be sure to jump to 19:58 to hear what Erin Levine says about the three transformative steps you can take today to keep your separation on a collaborative track—even if you’re scared.

Find us on your favorite podcast app and YouTube too.

Why the Traditional Divorce Process Fuels Conflict

One of the first things Erin and I discussed was her journey from being a practicing divorce lawyer to a legal innovator. She built a successful Levine Family Law Group in the Bay Area, but three things kept her up at night: cost, conflict, and the feeling that lawyers were “bullying” the process.

As Erin pointed out, the legal system treats a restructuring family like a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit. The documents literally say “X versus Y,” setting the tone that you are being sued.

“The system sets people up to fight,” Erin told me. “The only way to really resolve conflict in most states and counties is to battle it out in court.” Sounds a bit like war, not peace!

This adversarial approach is the exact opposite of what mental health professionals recommend for a healthy next chapter. It forces parents into a “winner takes all” mindset, which is incredibly damaging when you are trying to co-parent.

How Hello Divorce Uses AI to Reduce Stress

I was particularly excited to talk to Erin because, like BestInterest, she launched Hello Divorce is using modern technology to help lower the temperature of conflict.

Erin explained that as a divorce attorney, divorce is often an “opaque” process to a client. People get scared because they don’t know the rules, and fear leads to irrational decisions. To combat this, launched a tool called Hallie—an AI agent trained on the laws of every state and, crucially, the specific nuances of local counties.

“We trained Hallie on over 300,000 Q&As that customers had asked our lawyers,” Erin shared. This allows users to get instant answers to frequently asked questions without paying a lawyer hundreds of dollars an hour.

Whether you need a checklist for your financial disclosures or just need to know if you can e-sign a document in San Francisco, tech tools like this provide the information you need to make calm decisions.

Mediation and Options for Every Couple

A common fear I hear is, “My ex is a narcissist; they will never agree to an online divorce or mediation.”

I asked Erin if Hello Divorce’s site is only for the amicably uncoupled. Her answer was reassuring. She noted that the vast majority of people who come to them are not in agreement yet. They use it to understand their options—whether that is DIY divorce, mediation, or getting legal help for specific issues.

Even if one parent has hired a “shark” attorney, you don’t necessarily have to escalate. Erin suggests swallowing your ego and appealing to your soon-to-be-ex’s practical side:

“We can take that path… or you can keep your lawyer, but we can try to resolve this in mediation with a super experienced, neutral, amazing mediator… Let’s see if we can try that first.”

Practical Steps to Navigate the Divorce Process

For those of you feeling overwhelmed, Erin offered three concrete steps to take right now:

1. Identify your biggest stressor: Is it child custody? Child support? Who gets the house? Book a single session with a mediator or CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst) just to address that one specific fear.
2. Educate yourself on strategy: Learn what divorce actually looks like in your state. Is it a community property state? What is the timeline to finalize your divorce?
3. Set communication ground rules: Use tools like BestInterest or Hello Divorce to structure how you talk. Agreeing to only discuss kid-related topics when the children aren’t present can be a game-changer.

The Future of Family Law from an Attorney

Erin Levine is a true entrepreneur and disruptor in the legal industry. Her access to justice work has been recognized by the legal industry and beyond—from the American Bar Association to Forbes and TechCrunch. She was even named a purely digital innovator by the Women Founders Network.

It is clear that the future of family law is shifting away from the courtroom and toward wellness and solution-oriented models. Whether it’s through an online platform that helps you file uncontested divorce paperwork affordably, or an app like BestInterest that helps you filter toxic messages, technology is helping us gain a fresh start without the financial ruin of a traditional law firm.

As Erin beautifully put it during our lightning round: “Peace starts when parents stop trying to blame their ex for everything that isn’t going their way.”

Divorce is hard, but as Erin Levine reminded us, “You can do hard things.”

Resources and Articles by Erin Levine

If you are looking for more legal services, a settlement agreement template, or just want to read articles by Erin on how to navigate this transition, check out the resources below.

• Visit: Hello Divorce
• Offer: Use code BESTINTEREST for 10% off all plans.
• Read: Erin’s divorce planning guide on prenuptial agreements, visitation, and divorce in California and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hello Divorce and the Process

What if my divorce isn’t simple? Can I still use an online platform?

Yes. A common misconception is that online divorce is only for a couple with zero assets or arguments. Erin explained that Hello Divorce’s tools are designed to help you navigate everything from a divorce settlement to child support and visitation schedules. Even if you have complicated assets or need legal help to facilitate an agreement, you can often manage 95% of the process on the platform and only bring in a mediator or attorney for the sticky parts.

What is the difference between “no-fault” and “fault-based” divorce?

We discussed this in the episode, as some states are debating changes to these laws. A “no-fault” divorce means you can file for divorce without proving your spouse did something wrong (like abuse or adultery). Erin highlighted that divorce in no-fault states is generally safer for women and allows families to move on faster. In contrast, “fault-based” or “covenant marriage” requirements can trap people in inefficient and conflict-heavy legal battles just to exit a marriage.

Can I use Hello Divorce if my partner has already hired a lawyer?

Absolutely. Erin noted that even if your ex has retained a lawyer from a traditional law firm, you don’t have to match their aggression. You can use Hello Divorce to generate your forms, finalize your divorce paperwork, and organize your financial disclosures. In fact, many users find that once they present a fair uncontested proposal, the other spouse is relieved to avoid a drawn-out courtroom fight.

Is Erin Levine still a practicing attorney?

Erin is the founder of the Levine Family Law Group, a respected firm in the Bay Area. While she now focuses on her role as CEO of Hello Divorce, her background as a divorce attorney ensures that the legal tech and tools they build are grounded in actual family law. She understands exactly how the courtroomworks—and why staying out of it is usually the best choice for your mental health.