Send a text In this roundtable episode, Julie is joined by three fellow family law attorneys (Cara Sawyer, Katie Fow, and PJ McGinnis) to explain what custody mediation looks like in real life, especially in Chester & Montgomery Counties, including required steps before court, what “legal custody” actually means, and why mediation is often about making incremental progress rather than solving everything at once. The conversation also addresses common pressure points that derail resolution...
Jan 12
41 min
Send a text In the final chapter of our mock custody trial series, Julie steps fully into the role of judge and walks listeners through how custody decisions are actually made. Drawing from real-world family law practice, this episode breaks down the factors judges are required to consider, what “equal” really means in custody cases, and why outcomes often feel emotionally devastating even when they’re legally balanced. The conversation also zooms out to explore a bigger truth about family co...
Jan 7
15 min
Send a text Holloway v. Holloway (Part Two): Testimony, Cross-Examination & What Judges Really Weigh In Part Two of the fictional custody case Holloway v. Holloway, we move past the setup and into the heart of a Pennsylvania custody trial: live testimony. This episode walks listeners through abbreviated, but realistic, direct and cross-examinations of both parents, a workplace witness, and the often-overlooked impact of third-party caregivers. Mom takes the stand first, describing routine...
Dec 15, 2025
17 min
Send a text In Part One of our three-part Judge Julie series, Emily introduces a completely fictional—but highly realistic—Pennsylvania custody case: Holloway v. Holloway. A long-term stay-at-home mom, a traveling dad, two school-aged kids with very different needs—and a dispute over whether 50/50 custody is truly in their best interests. Julie hears the facts for the very first time and shares her raw, real-time legal analysis—no ruling yet, just the issues that will shape everything to come...
Dec 8, 2025
26 min
Send a text This week, we were invited by local Realtor Bela Vora as a guest on her podcast to discuss real estate transactions during divorce: when you should move out, how to negotiate repairs that need to be done, the best timing for appraisals, and how property settlement agreements tie into the process. Check out more of Bela's content on her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@phillysuburbsrealtor And check out her website to learn more about her and her real estate services:...
Oct 28, 2025
26 min
Send a text Thinking about representing yourself in family court? In this candid conversation, we break down what “pro se” really means—and why even seasoned attorneys won’t do it. We cover when mediation helps (and its limits), the critical protections people miss in DIY agreements (like securing alimony with life insurance), and the evidentiary traps that derail cases—hello, hearsay and inadmissible police reports. You’ll hear how judges expect self-represented parties to follow the same ru...
Sep 25, 2025
28 min
Send a text In this episode, we break down the do’s and don’ts of PFAs in Pennsylvania—what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how a temporary order can impact your custody case down the line. A practical guide with real-world examples and lessons learned the hard way. Disclaimer: If you are in immediate danger, please always call 911 right away. Show Notes: Learn more about Julie Potts, Esq on her website https://juliepottsesq.com Follow Julie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie Foll...
Sep 17, 2025
26 min
Send a text Today, we're tackling one of the most common — and most misunderstood — custody questions: When can kids decide where they want to live? Julie breaks down how Pennsylvania law actually works (hint: kids don't get the final say), why putting children in the middle is damaging, and how judges weigh a child's preference alongside 16 other custody factors. Plus, we talk about parenting teens in custody situations, appeals when you don't like a court's decision, and why bei...
May 8, 2025
23 min
Send a text May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health is a very common subject brought up in court for both divorce and custody cases...so let's talk about it! In this episode, Julie Potts, a seasoned family law attorney from Chester County, PA, and co-host Emily discuss how mental health is (and isn't) treated in family court, why transparency with your lawyer is critical, and how addressing mental health issues can actually strengthen your case. Plus, they offer real-world adv...
May 1, 2025
24 min
Send a text In this episode, we're diving into the LawyerJulie TikTok post that stirred up quite the conversation: my take on why women should never be full-time stay-at-home moms—at least not without a backup plan. Watch the video here: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawyerjulie/video/7466149689814011178 We break down the financial and personal risks of stepping out of the workforce, the long-term implications of giving up a career, and why independence is key (even if you never need it...
Mar 3, 2025
13 min
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