Chandie Yawn-Nelson: Joey Lawrence’s Ex-Wife and Successful Co-Parent

Chandie Yawn-Nelson is best known for her marriage to actor Joey Lawrence, but her life is much more than being a celebrity’s spouse. She has built a successful career in human resources, earned advanced degrees, and raised two daughters while keeping her family life private. Even after her divorce, Chandie and Joey continue to work together as co-parents, showing how families can stay strong and supportive despite challenges.

Chandie Yawn-Nelson Bio/Wiki

Personal InformationDetails
Full NameChandie Yawn-Nelson
Age48 (born 1976)
EducationBachelor’s Auburn University, Master’s Troy University
CareerHuman Resources (InterCall/West Corporation, ADP)
ChildrenCharleston “Charli” Lawrence (2006), Liberty Grace Lawrence (2010)
Marriage Duration2005-2022 (15 years)
Current StatusDivorced, co-parenting, working in HR

Early Life and Educational Foundation

Chandie Yawn-Nelson was born in 1976 and made education a priority from an early age. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, building a strong foundation in business studies. Her academic journey continued at Troy University, where she completed her Master’s degree focusing on human resources.

These educational choices shaped her professional identity long before she became connected to celebrity culture. Her commitment to business and human resources education showed early signs of the independence she would maintain throughout her marriage. This educational foundation would prove vital when she later returned to the workforce as a single mother.

The Disney World Romance: A Teenage Love Story

Chandie Yawn-Nelson: The Disney World Romance: A Teenage Love Story
Joey Lawrence and Chandie Yawn-Nelson at Entertainment Weekly event (left) and Children’s Hospital LA gala (right). Image credit: Getty images, (modified by author)

According to Us Weekly Joey revealed that Chandie and I first met in 1993. They later reconnected and got married in 2005 at Disney World. Their wedding was private, and the couple focused on building a family together.

Professional Career and Independence

Chandie Yawn-Nelson built a solid corporate career, working for InterCall (later known as West Corporation) for a decade. Her role in the company showcased her business and human resources expertise gained through her university education. Her LinkedIn profile reflects her commitment to the business HR field and corporate success.

Colleagues recognized her as a top performer during her time at the company. Her corporate background in human resources gave her valuable experience in managing people and complex situations. This professional foundation would later help her navigate the challenges of being married to a public figure.

Chandie’s career path shows how a person can build success in business even while connected to a public figure. Her story reminds us that many people with ties to celebrities keep their own careers and goals separate from the spotlight.

Reconnection and Marriage (2004-2005)

When Joey Lawrence’s first wife Michelle Vella marriage ended in 2004, fate brought the former teenage sweethearts back together. After several years apart, Chandie and Joey Lawrence reunited and quickly decided to marry. Their relationship progressed steadily, leading to their wedding in 2005.

The couple’s engagement was private and informal, reflecting their long-standing connection rather than a public spectacle. Their focus remained on building a family together.

In 2005, they fulfilled Joey’s teenage prediction by getting married at the Disney wedding chapel where they had first jokingly talked about marriage. The 2005 Disney World wedding brought their romance full circle.

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Family Life and Motherhood

Chandie became a mother for the first time in 2006 when she and Joey welcomed their daughter, Charleston “Charli.” Four years later, in 2010, their second daughter, Liberty Grace, was born after a difficult pregnancy. According to People, Joey revealed that Liberty arrived early and needed medical care in the hospital before she could go home.

Even with Joey’s Hollywood career, Chandie and Joey worked hard to keep family life as normal as possible. They chose to keep their daughters away from the spotlight, focusing instead on giving them privacy, stability, and a loving home. This choice shows Chandie’s commitment to raising her children in a grounded way, even while connected to a public figure.

By keeping her daughters out of the spotlight, Chandie shows how parents can give their children privacy and a normal childhood, even when one parent is well known.

Marriage Challenges and Financial Crisis

In 2017, court records showed that Joey and Chandie Lawrence filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (Trellis). The case was finalized in 2018 and E! Online reports noted that they were dealing with different financial pressures, including loans, taxes, and other household expenses. While the process helped them reorganize, it also placed extra stress on their marriage.

Divorce and Legal Proceedings (2020-2022)

In July 2020, Us Weekly reported that Joey Lawrence filed for divorce from Chandie, citing irreconcilable differences divorce after 15 years of marriage. The timing coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding extra stress to an already difficult situation. The divorce finalized February 2022 with a private divorce settlement that covered spousal support and child support arrangements.

Both parents agreed to joint legal custody of Charleston and Liberty. The private settlement agreement kept most details out of public view, protecting their daughters’ privacy. Joey later explained they had “grown apart” and realized “growing old together was not going to be in each other’s best interests.”

Co-Parenting Approach

Chandie Yawn-Nelson: Co-Parenting Approach
Chandie Yawn-Nelson and family at March of Dimes luncheon, Beverly Hills, 2010. Image source: People, (modified by author)

After their divorce in 2022, According to People reports Chandie and Joey Lawrence shared joint legal custody of their two daughters, Charleston and Liberty. Both parents work together on major decisions regarding school, activities, and medical care. They maintain communication to prioritize their daughters’ wellbeing.

Her co-parenting with Joey Lawrence is an example of how parents can stay respectful and work together for their children even after a divorce. This shows that family support does not have to end when a marriage ends.

Professional Life Post-Divorce

After taking time to focus on raising daughters out of spotlight, Chandie returned to her corporate career in 2019. She joined ADP Human Resources, bringing her decades of experience to a new company. Her return to the workforce demonstrated her commitment to professional independence even as a single mother.

Her corporate career woman background served her well during the transition to single parenthood. Chandie’s decision to rebuild her career while co-parenting shows her determination to maintain her own identity beyond her celebrity ex-wife status.

Current Status and Future Focus

As of 2025, Charleston and Liberty are both doing well and continue to stay out of the public spotlight. Their parents have emphasized giving them privacy and a supportive environment while they grow up.

Chandie maintains her private Instagram account and avoids public appearances, keeping her focus on family and career. Her dedication to privacy maintenance in celebrity family continues to protect her daughters from unwanted attention. The low public profile she maintains allows her to focus on what matters most – her children’s happiness and success.

Legacy and Impact

Chandie’s story is one of balance and resilience. She built her own career in human resources, supported her family through difficult times, and later returned to the workforce after her divorce. Her ability to restart her professional life while raising two daughters shows both strength and independence.

She and Joey have also built a respectful co-parenting relationship, proving that families can remain supportive even after divorce. Chandie’s choices highlight the importance of privacy, dignity, and putting children first. Her story highlights that independence and strength are not just about public success but also about making steady choices for family and career during hard times.

Key Achievements

  • Maintained privacy for family during public marriage
  • Built independent corporate career in human resources
  • Developed exemplary co-parenting relationship post-divorce
  • Raised two accomplished daughters despite celebrity spotlight pressures

Notable Life Events

  • Met Joey Lawrence at Disney World as teenagers (1993)
  • Married at Disney World wedding chapel (2005)
  • Navigated financial crisis and bankruptcy (2017-2018)
  • Handled premature birth complications with daughter Liberty
  • Completed amicable divorce maintaining family relationships (2022)

Conclusion

Chandie Yawn-Nelson’s life reflects resilience, independence, and dedication to family. Her marriage to Joey Lawrence may have ended, but their shared commitment to raising Charleston and Liberty has remained steady. Away from the spotlight, she has continued her career in human resources while keeping her daughters’ lives private.

As of 2025, Chandie remains focused on her family and professional growth, maintaining a low public profile and prioritizing what matters most—her children’s wellbeing and her own independence.

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FAQ‘s About Chandie Yawn-Nelson

Q: How did Chandie Yawn-Nelson and Joey Lawrence meet? 

They met at Disney World in 1993 as teenagers at an ice cream parlor in a yacht club resort, where Chandie was wearing a yellow poncho waiting for her friend.

Q: How many children do Chandie and Joey Lawrence have together?

They have two daughters – Charleston “Charli” Lawrence (born 2006) and Liberty Grace Lawrence (born 2010).

Q: Where did Chandie Yawn-Nelson go to college?

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and her Master’s degree from Troy University, both focusing on business and human resources.

Q: When did Chandie and Joey Lawrence divorce?

Joey filed for divorce in July 2020, and it was finalized in February 2022 after 15 years of marriage.

Q: What companies has Chandie worked for?

She worked for InterCall (later West Corporation) for 10 years and joined ADP Human Resources in 2019.

Q: How do Chandie and Joey handle co-parenting?

They maintain joint legal custody, require mutual agreement on major decisions, and both parents prioritize their daughters’ wellbeing above personal conflicts.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and sources believed to be reliable. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not claim to represent the complete details of Chandie Yawn-Nelson’s personal life.

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