Divorce Strategy Advisor

You didn't see this coming. Or maybe you did, but you're still not ready.

Your spouse wants out. Your kids are asking questions. Your finances are entangled. Your calendar is a mess. Every decision feels high-stakes, and everyone has advice, but no one is giving you a clear plan.

Therapists want you to process your feelings. Lawyers want you to prepare for war. Friends mean well but don't understand the mechanics. You need someone who's seen this 500+ times and can tell you: "Here's what actually matters. Here's what's a distraction. Here are your options for next moves."

That's what I do.

This is NOT therapy. I'm not here to process your emotions or help you grieve. (Therapists do that, and you might need one)

This is NOT legal advice. I can't represent you in court or draft your separation agreement. (Lawyers do that and you might need one. I'll tell you when.)

This IS strategic decision support. I help you:

• Understand what you're actually negotiating (assets, debt, custody, support)

• Know what's fair vs. what's fantasy

• Design a co-parenting plan that doesn't implode in 6 months

• Communicate with your spouse without losing your mind

• Avoid the mistakes people make in the first 90 days (they're expensive)

• Decide when you need a lawyer, mediator, or therapist, and when you don't

• Build a roadmap from "this is chaos" to "I know what I'm doing"

What makes this different: I treat divorce as a design problem, not an emotional crisis. You're not broken. Your system is. Let's rebuild it.

MS, MBA, CCF, JDR, GDC

I'm AJ Maddeny. I've guided 500+ people through divorce over 6+ years as a mediator, conflict strategist, and decision scientist. I've worked with federal employees navigating TSP/pension splits, dual-income professionals dividing complex assets, parents designing co-parenting plans that actually work, and executives managing high-stakes separations discretely.

I'm the author of Divorce Emergency Protocol and Spousing: How Love Survives Marriage. I hold advanced degrees in Conflict Analysis, Decision Science, and Business Strategy. I've mediated DC Police complaints for 6+ years. I know how systems break — and how to rebuild them.

I don't do therapy. I don't practice law. I work with you to think strategically.

AJ Maddeny

We're a good fit if:

• You're past the initial shock and ready to start planning a strategy

• You want actionable guidance, not hand-holding

• You're seeking insights and knowledge to avoid real-world divorce pitfalls

• You're navigating a high-stakes or complex divorce (federal benefits, business ownership, high assets, difficult co-parenting dynamics)

• You're comfortable with online video meeting over Zoom

We're NOT a good fit if:

• You're looking for someone to fight for you (lawyer are best)

• You need emotional support and validation (therapist are perfect)

• You want me to tell you what you want to hear (I will tell you what you need to hear)

• You're not ready to do the work (homework, frameworks, hard conversations)

I felt that all parties concerned trusted that AJ at Aether was truly invested in a positive outcome for our entire family. I'm grateful we were referred to Aether for guidance during this impactful event.

AJ is a truly genuine, knowledgeable and patient person. He provided calm to a stressful situation, kept us on track and delivered! It was a pleasure to know Adam despite the circumstances

AJ was very patient throughout the process. Kept both parties focused on the importance of accomplishing a settlement agreement that was fair.

M.A.

J.B.

N.B.

Clients Said