Join us on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. EST, for a Divorce & Finances webinar with Michelle Cooper, Partner at XML Financial Group and Director of XML-W: Women, Wealth and Wellness, a Division of XML Financial Group and Erin Kopelman. Erin is the Principal Attorney at Lerch, Early, & Brewer with a focus on divorce and family law. This webinar will focus on the dilemmas that often surround divorce including: 

• What happens in divorce when parties don't agree?  
• What happens if we've been living off of money from my spouse's family?
• Should I help my child financially if they are going through a divorce?
•  What strategies are there to move a case forward?
• What is the court process?
• What are the strategies regarding prenups? What are strategies for postnups?
• How to protect inherited or gifted property?
• How to help friends or family going through a divorce?
• Q & A session to address your questions. 
  
  General Statement: Family laws are different in every state and very case is unique. We cannot give specific advice related to your situation without knowing all the facts involved. 

About Erin Kopelman:

Erin Kopelman is a divorce attorney who handles cases involving domestic relations and family law, including divorce, custody, child support, property settlement, alimony, post-judgment issues, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Erin is a fierce advocate for those she represents in negotiations and in the courtroom. She is straightforward and communicative, making sure her clients have the information to make the best  decisions for themselves and their children. The daughter of two Naval officers, Erin brings a high  level of precision and discipline to all her matters. Erin often represents people with substantial assets or income who have issues related to business valuations, trust interests, or non-marital property. She works with many high-level executives at large companies, independent entrepreneurs, and professionals like attorneys in downtown law firms, as well as their spouses, all of whom value her discretion and her understanding of complex compensation and ownership issues. Erin also handles cases involving support for adult disabled children and domestic violence.

Erin also practices collaborative law and serves as a mediator. The collaborative process allows divorcing couples to work together with their attorneys to create mutually beneficial divorce settlement agreements without going to court. While not appropriate for all couples, in most cases the collaborative process can be transformative and can avoid the escalation of hostility and overwhelming cost inherent in going to court. As a third-party neutral in mediation, Erin assists divorcing couples in reaching negotiated resolutions without messy litigation. In addition, Erin has a certificate in arbitration from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Prior to joining Lerch Early, she practiced law at a boutique divorce and family law firm in Montgomery County. Erin is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, is listed in Maryland Super Lawyers, and in DC Super Lawyers. The Daily Record named her one of Maryland’s “Leading Women,” and Bethesda Magazine readers gave her the “Family Law Practitioner of the Year” award and she was a “Top Vote 
Getter” in Bethesda Magazine’s inaugural Top Attorneys list. Active in the Family Law section of  the county bar association, she has received both the “Section Chair of the Year” and “Bar Leader” awards.

Erin loves to exercise, plus the peace and beauty of being out on the water while kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding is an added bonus. When she can’t be on the water, Erin enjoys walking in her neighborhood or on the treadmill.

About Michelle Cooper JD, MBA:

Prior to joining the XML team, she worked for Merrill Lynch and U.S. Trust (both entities are now owned by Bank of America) as a Director, helping high-net-worth clients design and update their estate plans. She also had the responsibility of educating over 650 financial advisors on estate planning and trust services. Before starting her career at Merrill Lynch in 1996, she worked as an attorney specializing in tax and estate planning for the law firms of Ralph R. Polachek & Associates and Joseph, Gajarsa, McDermott & Reiner, P.C.

Michelle recently wrote a book called I’ve Still Got Me – A Widow’s Journey to Love, Happiness & Financial Independence. In this book, Michelle shares her personal story of resilience after the sudden loss of her husband to suicide. By sharing her journey and the life lessons learned along the way, she works to empower women to become more active and involved with their finances and estate plan so they can live more healthy and secure lives. Michelle has been featured on several local and national media outlets and was recently named one of JWI’s 2019 Women to Watch.

Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science in business from Miami University. She then attained her Juris Doctor and Master of Business from Capital University, with honors. She is admitted to the bars of the State of Maryland and Washington, DC. Michelle is a proud board member of So What Else, a grassroots charity helping at-risk youth with after-school and summer programs. She is also a member of Women Who Care and supporter of JWI, KEEN and BREM. She is married to Paul Cooper and they have five incredible children together. She enjoys yoga, traveling, a good bottle of wine, and helping women thrive!