Every person coping with divorce must resolve personal, legal, and financial issues. Lifestyle can drop substantially (some studies suggest as much as 70%) in the first three years after a divorce. Some people do not recover from such financial devastation. When divorce approaches, be proactive versus reactive. Planning protects you during and after a divorce by giving you an understanding of the full financial impact on the family. Planning allows you to maximize your long-term financial security.

            When it comes to the financial details involving taxes, capital gains, valuing pension plans, employee benefits, life insurance, and family businesses, divorce attorneys can quickly find themselves out of their element. They are skilled and trained in the law, but should not be expected to provide financial advice, especially long-term financial solutions. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) has specialized training in all financial matters dealing with divorce. I can work with your mediator, attorney, forensic accountant, personal counselor and other professionals to help you get the best advice possible.  Read the Top Five Reasons for Hiring a CDFA™ During the Divorce Process for more information.

            When contemplating a divorce, you have several available methods to make it happen.  See the Divorce Methods Chart to learn the pros and cons of each.  Whether you choose to use an attorney or go it alone (pro se), I give careful consideration to how your income, expenses, assets, liabilities, cash flow, retirement, and net worth are all affected by the way the marital estate is divided. I show you graphically how each proposed settlement will affect your financial future, and I will compare the outcomes of each proposal in terms that are easy to understand. This process helps you make informed decisions.

Disclaimer: Please note I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice. I always recommend that you retain a family law attorney to at least review any agreement you make before filing it with the court. A family law attorney is especially helpful if children are involved, one spouse earns much more than the other, or marital assets exist.