'Start Over Smart' Expo Offers Expert Advice For Life During, After Divorce

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City's first-ever divorce expo called "Start Over Smart'' is being held this weekend at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria reports

Co-founder Nicole Baras Feuer calls the event "one-stop shopping" to learn how to divorce with the best possible outcome.

"We have topics that will cover everything from children to career to financial advice," said Baras Feuer, a professional divorce mediator who a year ago, ended her marriage to her high school sweetheart.

"It was a definitely a difficult divorce process for me and my ex, but we've come through it really well and our kids are doing great," she said.

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"I was really devoted to helping both my daughter and my son-in-law to do the right thing with their children and they have," said Baras Feuer's mother Francine Baras, a family therapist who helped her daughter organize the event.

Various exhibits will help people sort through recommended divorce attorneys, therapists and financial planners. There will be free makeovers and dating advice, personal shoppers, hairstylists and matchmakers.

An evening "mixer'' will allow divorcees to socialize and perhaps meet someone new.

Baras Feuer says the purpose is to help people get their lives back on track with as little pain as possible.

"It's such a stressful situation and stress clouds people's judgement and decision-making," she said.

Her mother says they are hoping to show people who there really is a life after divorce.

"I think this expo will make people less anxious about their choices and the options for their lives," said Baras. "I think we're here to give people the knowledge to get through their divorce and move forward with their lives."

Divorce expos have been held in other cities, but this is billed as the first for New York.

For more information, visit startoversmartny.com.

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