WESTSIDE FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 9 A Northwest start-up is dedicated to empowering people though the difficult process of divorce It’s hard to anticipate all that divorce en- this before they come to us,” Hill said. tails. Enormous attorneys’ fees, the months- Two of DSNW’s most recent cases includ- long waiting game, the unexpected judg- ed families from West Seattle.“One where ment from friends or family, the financial the couple approached us together and re- changes and the parenting plans that need mained amicable throughout the process. to be set in place. These were some of the We worked with both parents to decide realities Leah Hill faced when she left her what was best for their family, as their fam- marriage of 17 years in late 2016. And the ily changed. In another case, we worked mother of three faced them largely without with one spouse to approach the process access to support or accurate information. in a more logical and cost-effective way. That change in her life motivated Even if it’s not someone’s first divorce, the Leah Hill to establish Divorce Strategies process is complex and draining enough to Northwest. necessitate extra help.” Another added bo- “Divorce can be a very lonely process,” nus for working with DSNW—we come to said Hill, founder of the two-year-old start- you!” Hill said. Lumilux productions The pros at Divorce Strategies Northwest are, from left: Lissy Des Voigne, COO/divorce coach, Leah Hill, CEO/parenting coach up “You’re going through this very trau- Hill made it clear that the startup is by and Stephanie Guarin, EVP/finance coach. matic, emotional situation, and you are lit- no means a surrogate for a qualified and erally negotiating for your future life.” knowledgeable attorney, which continues After her own long, traumatic, and ex- to be an essential piece to the process of and communicate confidentially with the people to use their friends as friends, and pensive experience going through a di- divorce. three women in order to ask questions, ac- to work with us as a divorce resource man- vorce, Hill, a trained victims’ advocate and “Most people start by thinking, “I need cess information, think about post-divorce agement, which puts less stress on friend- certified parenting coach, was familiar to start calling law firms,’” Hill said. “An at- needs, understand the process, and create ships.” with the difficult barriers littering the di- torney will often start by asking you for a a strategy, before ever seeking an attorney. They also give recommendations about vorce process, and the places where there large sum of money—$10,000—just to start “We charge our clients a custom flat fee social media (avoid it), how to communi- weren’t adequate support systems. So, she to start your account. In many cases, peo- for all of our services, which ends up paying cate with a spouse throughout the process started Divorce Strategies Northwest to fill ple don’t have access to that kind of money for itself: Attorneys tell us that the clients of separation and divorce, and how to nav- those gaps and help people avoid similar without alerting their spouse.” we send them are more organized, calmer, igate those first holidays apart. barriers, wasteful spending and unhelpful This step proves to be one of many road- and have more realistic expectations about At the end of the day, Hill said, infor- situations. blocks for people seeking a divorce, espe- the divorce,” she said. “In fact, attorneys mation is power — and Divorce Strategies “Divorce is fear of the unknown, so in- cially if they are in an unhealthy or unsafe have started to send clients to us because it Northwest provides an accessible route to formation is power,” Hill said. “People stay relationship. helps streamline the entire process.” the necessary information to survive a di- in bad relationships with misnomers and “I had no way to get any information The “we” of Divorce Strategies Northwest vorce. a lack of understanding of the truth,” Hill without alerting my spouse that I was in- is Hill and her two business partners, “We show them that life on the other side said. “We help our clients understand what terested in exiting the marriage,” Hill said Stephanie Guarin and Lissy Des Voigne; of divorce doesn’t have to have a traumatic co-parenting and their finances would look of her own decision to seek a divorce.. “The the three have collective experience in cor- ending. We teach them that divorce can be like should they choose legal separation or entire process seemed so inefficient to me. porate event management, finance, tax law, a new beginning,” Hill said. “They need to divorce. This empowers you to decide what I had so many questions and no safe place divorce coaching, domestic violence train- be assured that it will be ok, their kids will is best for your future.” to get accurate information.” ing and money management. survive, and they won’t be destitute at the Westside families were helped That’s where Divorce Strategies “A lot of our clients say to us, ‘You saved end. They need to have confidence about “Many people have never experienced Northwest steps in: Clients are able to meet my friendships,’” Hill said. “We encourage their future.” Keeping track: Where area sports stars meet their future

By Tim Clinton She scored 18 points and hauled down Foster High School graduate Jaylen 32 appearances last summer. SPORTS EDITOR nine rebounds in the Ducks’ season opener Fayson made the NWAAC Western Region Thomas Jefferson graduate Jeff Brigham BWANA SCORES IN PRESEASON against Northeastern. all defensive team as a 6-6 freshman for- returns as a right-handed starter for the Ballard graduate Handwalla Bwana ward at Highline College. Miami Marlins. scored the winning goal for the Seattle NATE PRYOR LANDS ON FIRST TEAM Fayson helped the Thunderbirds of Des Brigham went 3-2, 4.46 last year. Sounders of in a 3-2 Moines to a 15-13 record going into a West Seattle graduate Morgan preseason victory over Loyola Marymount. West Seattle graduate Nate Pryor was league tournament cancelled by the virus. McCullough is a shortstop in the minor Bwana also recorded an assist in the pre- named to the East Region first team for league camp for the Los Angeles Angels of season but started off the regular season the junior college NWAAC as a sophomore DAVIS PLAYS AT PACIFIC LUTHERAN Anaheim. out with a hamstring injury. guard at Northern Idaho. Ballard graduate Adrianna Davis just fin- The one time University of ished her junior season as a 5-4 guard for BOLAM COACHING IN WHITEFISH recruit averaged 18.9 points per game along the Pacific Lutheran University women’s WSOBITUARY Former Mount Rainier High School with 5.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds for a team team. JANET R. SMITH coach and 1979 Thomas Jefferson graduate that finished with a 27-1 record. Davis delivered an average of 1.6 points 10/10/1934 TO 3/10/2020 Bob Bolam is now coaching high school Pryor also came through with 62 total while totalling 22 assists and 14 steals. Janet began her life’s adventure in Powell, girls basketball in Whitefish, Mont. steals. WY. She married her sweetheart Denman Bolam led the Lady Bulldogs to a playoff KILIFI BACK WITH SEAWOLVES Smith after she graduated from the Univer- appearance this year. MCDANIELS SIZED UP FOR DRAFT Tyee graduate Olive Kilifi was back for sity of Wyoming in 1956. Janet taught and He was the coach at Mount Rainier when Federal Way graduate Jaden McDaniels another season with the Seattle Seawolves substituted in public schools for 42 years. future and Perth, Australia is being sized up for the NBA draft after when the virus suspended their Major The summer months were spent in Yel- professional player Brittany McPhee was a his freshman season at the University of League Rugby season. lowstone National Park while Denny was a member of the team. Washington. Kilifi is a third year player for the third Summer Seasonal Ranger. After she retired McDaniels, who stands at 6-10, averaged year team from Tukwila that bagged the from the Highline School District they GIOMI, DUCKS STOPPED BY VIRUS 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 first two League titles. travelled the world. Janet volunteered for West Seattle graduate Lydia Giomi and blocks and 0.8 steals for the Huskies. many organizations. Janet is predeceased the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks were TRIO IN SPRING TRAINING CAMPS by her parents, Elven & Eleanore (Long- ready to plunge into the NCAA women’s MOHAMED AT EASTERN WASHINGTON Three area players were in spring ley) Royer. She is survived by her hus- basketball tournament as one of the favor- West Seattle graduate Abdul Mohamed training camps when the virus halted their band of 63-1/2 years Denman Smith, son ites when it was cancelled by the corona averaged 2.4 points and 1.2 rebounds preseason. Kurt (Peggy) and daughter Kathryn and virus. as a 6-8 freshman forward for Eastern Chief Sealth graduate Keone Kela is granddaughter Kelsey Smith, brother Rob- Giomi averaged 3.3 points per game as a Washington University. back as a right-handed reliever with the ert Royer, together with many nieces and redshirt junior forward for the Ducks along Pittsburgh Pirates after posting a 2-0 re- nephews. A service will be held at a date to with 2.3 rebounds. FAYSON MAKES DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM cord with a 2.12 earned run average over be determined.