Meet a Mom: Sharon Count, Founder of the Center for Divorce Resolution

Introducing to the Chicago North Shore Moms community, Glenview mom of four grown children, and founder of the Center for Divorce Resolution, Sharon Count!

Sharon understands firsthand the damage and tumult a family can experience during a divorce case. She experienced an excruciatingly long divorce process; so long, in fact, that Sharon’s case endured the death of one judge, the dementia of another, and countless therapy sessions, including hospitalization of all four of her children. After all of that, her case was resolved with the help of a divorce mediator in the matter of 24 hours. When all was final, Sharon picked up the pieces of her shattered life, and chose to look forward. She explains, “I fell in love with the process, immediately enrolled in mediation training at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, and have since mediated over 500 divorces in the past 10 years.”

Get to know more about Sharon and the Center for Divorce Resolution. Welcome Sharon!

 

 

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Hi Sharon. Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?


I am originally from Canada and have lived in Glenview since 1996. My parents brought us to the United States for opportunities in their fields of study. Glenview became home due to the career of my former husband.

 

Tell us about your grown up kids!

I have four children. My two sons are now 33 and 31, and my two daughters are 28 and 26. With their educations and interests, my sons have built careers as a paralegal and an engineer, while my daughters specialize in film and television production and veterinary medicine. The diversity of educational opportunities in Glenview gave them the ability to focus on their passions.

 

Sharon and family.

 

What are one or two fun or interesting things to know about you?


I am a trained classical clarinetist, and I also love felting. If you’re interested in felting, this is where I started using their kits: https://bearcreekfelting.com.

 

 

Any local favs we can find you at?

I enjoy spending time at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and dining at Wildfire.

 

Any good reads or TV shows you have binged lately?


A great read is Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and a TV show I enjoyed is The Gilded Age on HBO MAX.

 

Your mantra?


My mantra is “Keep it Simple.”

 

Love that – simple advice that speaks volumes about the complexity of what we’re about to get into! Please introduce your business, Center for Divorce Resolution.


The Center for Divorce Resolution is a full-service divorce mediation firm. We help our clients prepare for their divorce from start to finish, including parenting agreements, financial settlement agreements, spousal maintenance and child support calculations, filing with the court as self-represented parties, and preparing for their meeting with the judge.

 

 

What is divorce resolution and why is it different from traditional divorce attorneys and mediation?


Divorce resolution empowers clients to take control of their own divorce process. Unlike litigation, our approach focuses on reducing cost, time, and stress, while improving co-parenting communication. On average, our clients complete their divorce in three months at a cost of $5000 or less.

 

If one chooses divorce resolution, do you still need an attorney?


We always recommend that clients consult with divorce attorneys on a limited scope basis if needed, as well as with their accountants regarding tax implications.

 

Why choose resolution? What are the benefits?


The benefits include shorter timelines, significantly lower costs, reduced anxiety, and improved communication between co-parents.

 

If one does not need to be an attorney to lead divorce mediation, what accreditations are necessary?


At our center, clients work with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), a certified divorce mediators serving as a third party neutral.

 

Sharon, the impetus behind why you got into this line of work is incredibly personal. What happened?


I went through a 10.5-year litigated divorce that included two trials and an appellate court appeal. During that time, all four of my children struggled with anxiety, depression, and self-harm, and they were each hospitalized at one point or another. I suffered both financially and emotionally. We had one judge pass away and another diagnosed with early onset dementia. The contentious process was fueled by a desire to practice law rather than to help families. In the end, our case was resolved in just one day of caucused mediation. I fell in love with the process, immediately enrolled in mediation training at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies, and have since mediated over 500 divorces in the past 10 years.

 

Sharon with now love of her life.

Do you collaborate with other professionals at the Center for Divorce Resolution?


Yes, I work closely with Sheryl Seef, parenting coach; Hope Firsel, divorce coach; Gisela Brandt, Home Mortgage Services; Vittoria Logli, Jolie Friedman, and Paula Gagerman, real estate professionals; and Tom Schurer, residential appraiser.

 

Is there anything else you would like us to know about yourself or the Center for Divorce Resolution?


I believe the public should have better access to their court system. Divorce should not be overwhelming or unattainable. Our mission at the Center for Divorce Resolution is to make the process easier, more affordable, and less stressful for families.

 

What are your contact details?


Sharon Count
[email protected]

847-903-6970
2 Northfield Plaza, Suite 202, Northfield, IL 60093

 

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