In Episode 16 of the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast, “Navigating Divorce Across Cultures,” host Cary Jacobson sat down with Diana Romanov, a San Francisco-based family law attorney and mediator licensed in both California and Germany, to talk about a reality many divorcing couples don’t anticipate: divorce doesn’t always fit neatly inside one legal system, one culture, or one country.
Diana is a Certified Family Law Specialist and the founder of Romanov Law, a boutique practice serving clients across language and borders — she’s fluent in English, Russian, and German. Before moving into family law, she worked as a prosecutor in the Office of the District Attorney at the Regional Superior Court of Berlin, an experience that continues to inform how she approaches high-stakes, emotionally charged cases. Her perspective is also shaped by something more personal: her own divorce, which she has spoken about openly as a turning point in how she practices law.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx63PAufs4U
The Hidden Complexity of Cross-Border Divorce
One of the central themes of the episode is how easily cross-border and multicultural divorces can go sideways simply because the parties don’t anticipate the blind spots: differing legal traditions, language barriers, and assumptions about how marriage, parenting, or finances “should” work. Cary and Diana discussed how these cultural expectations — around everything from gender roles in parenting to attitudes toward money — can quietly escalate conflict long before a case ever reaches a courtroom.
Custody, Relocation, and Protecting Children Across Borders
International custody disputes raise the stakes considerably, especially when relocation is on the table. Diana walked through what parents need to understand before a dispute becomes high-conflict, emphasizing early, practical steps that protect both children and parents’ legal standing — well before things reach a crisis point.
Why Mediation Often Works Better Across Cultures
As a mediator as well as a litigator, Diana shared why mediation can be a particularly strong fit for multicultural families: it allows room for cultural nuance and personalization that a traditional courtroom process often can’t accommodate. Cary and Diana also discussed which types of international cases tend to be best suited for mediation versus a more traditional legal approach.
Personal Experience, Professional Empathy
Perhaps the most resonant part of the conversation was Diana’s reflection on her own divorce and how it reshaped the way she shows up for clients. That lived experience, paired with her legal training across two countries, gives her a distinct ability to meet clients where they are — not just legally, but emotionally.
Her Advice for Anyone Feeling Overwhelmed
For listeners facing a divorce that spans countries or legal systems and feeling completely overwhelmed, Diana’s advice centers on taking one clear first step rather than trying to solve everything at once — a theme that runs throughout the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast’s approach to family law.
Diana’s work is a powerful reminder that divorce is never just a legal transaction — it’s deeply human, cultural, and personal. If you’re navigating a divorce with international or multicultural elements, it’s critical to work with professionals who understand both the law and the lived realities behind it.
You can learn more about Diana Romanov and her practice at romanovlaw.com.
Listen to the full episode of Episode 16: Navigating Divorce Across Cultures on the Drama-Free Divorce Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts. If you’re facing a divorce — cross-border or otherwise — and want guidance grounded in clarity and dignity, reach out to Jacobson Family Law to schedule a consultation.