Financial Clarity. Mediation Support. Peace of Mind.
Divorce is a legal event, yes—but at its core, it’s a financial turning point. Whether you're filing, negotiating, or already in the courtroom, the financial choices you make today will shape your future.
I’m Melissa Gragg, a divorce financial mediator and business valuation expert serving Missouri and Illinois. I help individuals, couples, and attorneys organize complex financial information, mediate settlements, and prepare court-ready valuations—so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
You deserve a settlement that reflects your reality—not your fears.
Work with us to cultivate your divorce mediation strategy, create a settlement offer or negotiate your divorce in mediation.
We offer mediation services to couples who want to work together and may have a complex financial case.
Let’s discuss your situation today and see how we can work together.
Welcome to DivorceSaintLouis.com
Divorce isn’t just a legal event—it’s a financial, emotional, and strategic journey.
At Divorce Saint Louis, we help you take control of the negotiation process from the very beginning. Whether you're considering divorce, preparing for mediation, or navigating a high-conflict situation, our goal is to give you clarity, confidence, and leverage—before you ever step into a courtroom.
We specialize in settlement offer strategy, working with women and couples to uncover the real financial picture, document key issues, and Anchor the Deal from a position of truth and preparation. Traditional divorce advice tells you to wait. We say: prepare early, move smart, and settle with purpose.
Led by Melissa Gragg, nationally recognized financial mediator and business valuation expert, our approach integrates:
Property division, business valuation & income analysis
Settlement offer coaching and mediation prep
Strategy for high-conflict and toxic divorces
Holistic team referrals—from parenting experts to mortgage advisors
If you're feeling overwhelmed, in the dark, or unsure where to start—you're not alone, and you're not powerless. We walk with you through the financial maze of divorce and help you create an offer that protects your future.
Start here by downloading “A Guide to Empowered Divorce” - filled with checklists and samples of what to bring to your attorney or mediation session—because when you're prepared, you're powerful.
📍 Over 20 years ago we started serving Missouri and Illinois families with integrity, clarity, and strategy. Now we work with couples around the country including New York, California, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Texas, Iowa, Nebraska and more.
DOWNLOAD Guide Now!
DOWNLOAD Guide Now!
Negotiation Strategy - Divorce Settlement Offers
We go beyond the basics to unpack why making the first offer can actually be on of many “Power Moves in Divorce”, despite what traditional negotiation advice says. Using real-world analogies (like the diamond pen!) and examples from high-conflict divorces, Melissa explains what it means to “Anchor the Deal” and how your financial preparation, documentation, and timing can shift the balance of power in your favor.
Corporate Valuation & Divorce Mediation Services
Most people enter divorce without a financial roadmap. I give you one. Start with “A Guide to Empowered Divorce” to give you an idea of what to expect in divorce mediation and divorce litigation or court.
Here’s how I help:
Divorce Mediation: Sit down (virtually or in person) with a neutral third party to resolve financial issues, without going to court.
Business Valuation: Whether you own a small business or a multimillion-dollar company, I’ll determine its true value for equitable distribution.
Financial Analysis: I provide detailed reports on income, expenses, lifestyle, and future cash flow—used in calculating support and dividing assets.
Asset Tracing: I uncover the source of assets to identify what’s marital and what’s separate—including gifts, inheritance, or premarital funds.
Expert Witness Testimony: If your case goes to trial, I deliver expert reports and courtroom testimony that judges and attorneys can trust.
Deposition Prep & Document Review: I coach you through what to expect in high-conflict litigation and organize the financial facts.
Who Needs Guidance?
Women preparing for a financially complex divorce
Couples choosing mediation over litigation
Attorneys needing neutral valuations or expert analysis
Business owners seeking to protect or divide assets fairly
Individuals representing themselves and needing support to stay empowered
You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be prepared. I’ll help you get there.
Purchase for $17 & Take Power Back
Purchase for $17 & Take Power Back
♟️ Power Moves in Divorce
Tactical Tools for Women Who Refuse to Be Silenced
Power Moves in Divorce is your strategic playbook for navigating divorce like a queen on the chessboard—not a pawn. This guide is for women ready to protect what matters most: their voice, their finances, and their future.
Inside, you'll discover:
🛡️ High-impact negotiation strategies to level the playing field
💣 Tactical responses for narcissistic behavior, gaslighting, and financial control
📈 Ways to build leverage even if you're not the one who holds the money
🧩 Smart moves for mediation, litigation, and everything in between
✍️ Prompts and power scripts to help you respond—not react
This guide isn’t about fighting—it’s about outsmarting, outmaneuvering, and staying emotionally steady in moments that count most.
Are you READY?
Steps to Get Started?
Check out the videos below…
Step 1: Schedule a Free Strategy Call
We’ll discuss your situation, goals, and whether valuation or mediation is the best next step.
Step 2: Gather and Organize Your Financials
I’ll provide tools, checklists, and guided support to gather your income, business, and asset documents.
Step 3: Choose Your Path
Whether you need a business valuation, mediation session, or full financial analysis, we build a custom plan that moves your case forward.
You Save Money—By Knowing the System
Hiring every expert individually is expensive. The Circle connects you to specialists who teach you what questions to ask and what documents to prepare before paying for one-on-one advice.
Plus, The Divorce Allies will help you:
Build your own settlement offer (with templates and strategy)
Avoid legal rabbit holes by being proactive, not reactive
Know when to stand your ground and when to trade the rook for a checkmate
You’ll leave each session with more clarity—and fewer billable hours ahead.
♟️ What Makes This Different? TheDivorceAllies.com
You’re not being told what to do.
You’re being taught how to lead yourself through the storm.
This is the only Circle where you’re seen, supported, and strengthened through your divorce and beyond.
DIY Divorce & Mediation Preparation FAQs
What should I do if I feel powerless during my divorce?
Start with a mental shift. Focus on one small, tangible step - such as downloading your financial disclosure forms or drafting a position statement. Gaining clarity on your numbers will instantly give you more control.
Can I negotiate my divorce without hiring a lawyer?
Yes, but it requires preparation and commitment. You may still need an attorney to review paperwork or finalize filings, but you can save thousands by handling much of the fact-gathering and proposal drafting yourself.
Why should I make the first settlement offer?
Making the first offer allows you to anchor the deal in your favor. Presenting your proposal before mediation gives the other side time to review it and forces them to respond to your terms rather than the other way around.
Where should I start if I feel completely lost?
Begin with your finances:
Pull your state’s financial disclosure forms
Gather bank, credit card, mortgage, and loan statements
Retrieve your credit report to spot unknown accounts
What is a divorce position statement, and why do I need one?
It’s your roadmap for mediation. It outlines your priorities, supporting evidence, and key facts. It keeps your team aligned and helps the mediator quickly understand your case.
How do I stay firm in mediation?
Know your bottom line but keep it to yourself. Be ready to say “no” twice before agreeing to any concessions. This strategy often prompts the other side to meet your terms rather than push further.
How do I protect myself from financial manipulation during divorce?
Be persistent in requesting documents. If access is blocked, go directly to the source (e.g., your accountant for tax returns). The more resistance you encounter, the more likely you’re on the right track - keep pushing for transparency.
What’s the best way to prepare for mediation if my attorney isn’t guiding me?
Prepare yourself. Draft your position statement, create your settlement spreadsheet, and gather exhibits. Don’t rely solely on your team to lead - they may be focused on legal filings, not negotiation strategy.
How can money trauma affect divorce negotiations?
Past experiences with money - scarcity, control, or shame - can make it harder to ask for what you deserve. Recognize and challenge these patterns so you can negotiate from a place of worthiness and confidence.
The Divorce Vault™
Six Months. Unfiltered Truth. Tactical Preparation.
This isn’t a support group. It’s your strategy room.
The Divorce Vault is a six-month collection of live circle sessions, expert insights, and tactical training designed for women in the thick of divorce—especially when things get messy, uncooperative, or downright chaotic.
Inside the Vault, you’ll learn:
💣 How to Anchor the Deal - make the first offer with confidence and strategy before mediation even begins.
How to Spot Financial Manipulation - and what to do about hidden money, stonewalling, and weaponized confusion.
What to Do When Your Team Isn’t Helping - including how to work around attorneys or mediators who don’t have your back.
How to Use ChatGPT to Build Your Case - draft your position statement, timeline, exhibits, and top issues with the help of AI.
♟ How to Identify Patterns of Chaos - and pivot with clarity instead of panic.
These are not dramatized stories or vague advice.
These are battle-tested tactics pulled straight from real negotiations, mediation prep sessions, and financial strategy meetings.
If you’re ready to stop playing defense and start negotiating from power, The Divorce Vault is your next move.