World No.1 Divorce Lawyer: This Is A Sign You’ll Divorce In 10 Years! - The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett Recap

Podcast: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett

Published: 2026-02-12

Duration: 2 hr 5 min

Guests: James Sexton

Summary

James Sexton, a renowned divorce lawyer, delves into the complexities of modern relationships, highlighting the rise of prenups, the impact of AI on intimacy, and common pitfalls that lead to divorce. He offers practical advice to strengthen relationships and prevent them from deteriorating.

What Happened

James Sexton, America's leading divorce lawyer, shares his insights on why relationships fail and how to avoid the pitfalls that lead to divorce. He emphasizes the importance of regular communication, proposing a weekly ritual where couples share three things they love about each other and three areas for improvement. This practice, according to Sexton, can help maintain relationship health and prevent minor issues from snowballing into larger problems.

Sexton discusses the 'yours, mine, ours' framework for prenups, advocating for them as a tool for establishing clear financial guidelines rather than as a sign of distrust. He suggests that prenups can make marriages stronger by setting expectations and reducing the potential for financial disputes.

The conversation explores how AI and social media are altering human intimacy, with Sexton warning that these technologies can generate infidelity and weaken relationship bonds. He believes society is at an uncomfortable moment, yearning for real connection but lacking the tools to achieve it.

Sexton highlights the 'seven-year spike,' a critical point in marriage where assets often become community property. He notes that some couples strategically divorce before this milestone to avoid the automatic division of assets.

Reflecting on societal trends, Sexton observes a rising divorce rate post-pandemic, coupled with later marriages and increased selectivity among younger generations. He attributes the trend of 'gray divorces' to older women gaining financial independence through careers and retirement savings.

He also touches on the importance of authenticity in relationships, arguing that being true to oneself is the most attractive trait in love. Sexton believes that many people are afraid of intimacy due to fears of being unworthy of love.

Finally, Sexton shares true divorce stories that illustrate the emotional and financial toll of ending a marriage. He advises listeners not to give up on love, even if past experiences have been painful, as romantic connections are among life's most fulfilling experiences.

Key Insights

• That some couples actually plan their divorce to dodge the 'seven-year spike'. It's a clever move to avoid automatic asset division, proving that sometimes love isn't just blind - it's strategic.
• Using a prenup not as a harbinger of doom, but as a blueprint for marital bliss. By defining 'yours, mine, ours,' couples sidestep future financial feuds and strengthen their bond with clear expectations.
• AI and social media might be making it easier to cheat than to chat. While tech connects us to the world, it's also straining our closest relationships, leaving us craving the intimacy we're inadvertently undermining.
• Post-pandemic, divorce rates spiked, and older women are leading the 'gray divorce' trend. Their newfound financial independence challenges the old narrative that marriage is a necessity, proving independence can be the ultimate aphrodisiac.