CDRE Michael Klein: Neutrality, Court Orders & Solving High-Conflict Divorce Real Estate

What does it take to sell real property in high-conflict divorce—and keep cases out of motion purgatory?

In this CDRE Spotlight, Laurel Starks interviews Hoboken, New Jersey CDRE Michael Klein, a court‑appointed neutral in divorce and probate who has served 1,530+ clients and closed $1.2B+ since 2003. The only Liberty Board of Realtors member to earn Platinum every year since 2005, Michael is known with attorneys and judges for strict neutrality, professionalism, and solutions-first process. He’s a featured CLE speaker (including the NJ State Bar Family Law Symposium) and an Ilumni Speakers Bureau (ISB) educator.

Michael shares how attorney relationships became a business engine (from small lunch‑and‑learns to sponsoring bar associations), why hard cases are the best showcase for expertise, and the order language that prevents endless motions. He breaks down right‑of‑first‑refusal chaos, the danger of blanket “as‑is” orders, and why “equity = price minus mortgage” is often wrong. If you work anywhere near divorce real estate, this is a masterclass in getting cases to the finish line.

0:00 Intro
1:44 What was your business like before you became a CDRE?
5:20 How has your business evolved after becoming a CDRE?
8:00 What percentage of your business now is divorced?
12:00 What advice would you give to a realtor who's looking to get into the divorce niche?
13:40 What advice would you give to divorcing homeowners?
17:20 What family law attorneys and judges need to know?
20:45 What are some things that you think should be in order?
22:05 What everybody needs to know?
23:40 Outro

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Important Links 🔗
Interested in Becoming a CERTIFIED Divorce Real Estate Expert▶️ https://www.getdivorcecertified.com/
ilumni Institute ▶️ https://www.ilumniinstitute.com/
Want To Work With Me? ▶️ https://www.starksrealtygroup.com/

About Me 💌
My name is Laurel Starks and I am not your average real estate agent, I only work with divorce listings! I am a certified divorce real estate expert with many years of experience helping families through this complex process. This channel is aimed to help other real estate agents learn about divorce real estate listings, divorcees navigate the divorce process, and more!