Frequently Asked Questions
"A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
What does a certified divorce financial planner do?Provides specialized financial planning services within the context of divorce laws specific to your state Assists you with the gathering, organizing and preparing of documentation of income, expenses, assets and liabilities. Provides you with on-going financial education, guidance and analysis throughout the divorce process Provides you with projections for the long-term impact of financial decisions
When should I involve a certified divorce financial planner?
As early as possible. You need our experience and expert advocacy to help you identify your goals, priorities and needs from the very outset.
What can I expect from working with a certified divorce financial planner?
A comprehensive settlement analysis for your long-term benefit. Ultimately, the certified divorce financial planner aims to educate you, ensures you make well-informed decisions, gives you peace of mind that your settlement is practical, and increases your satisfaction by reducing stress.
Why would I use the services of a certified divorce financial planner?To quantify long-term consequences of various settlement scenarios To walk you through the pros and cons of each financial decision To answer questions that you do not feel comfortable discussing in attorney conferences relating to financial issues outside of the marital litigation To offer time to teach you the ABCs of handling your money and assets
How can I afford these services?
In a divorce each party experiences a significant shift in their financial situation. Without assistance, the changes that occur can be a tipping point relative to your financial well being. Understanding the impact of financial decisions in both the short and long-term as they pertain to your lifestyle is knowledge you are entitled to and which is priceless. Our hourly fees are typically much less than your attorney's and we are sensitive to being cost efficient throughout the divorce process.
What if I already have a financial advisor?
While this advisor may know you and have your trust, they probably do not have the interdisciplinary knowledge of divorce laws and finance, the training to utilize divorce planning software specific to state child support guidelines and tax laws, nor the experience for projecting realistic scenarios for support and asset division. Lastly, if your financial advisor worked with you as part of a couple, this advisor may have a conflict of interest if they continue to serve you both during and after divorce.
How would my attorney work with you as a divorce financial planner?
Attorneys are accustomed to collaborating frequently with experts. The work we do depends on the size of their firm, complexity of the case and the work that they can confidently complete. We are objective financial experts who uphold your interests as our first and only priority. We do not practice law, yet share a critical understanding of practical standards and state divorce laws. We aim to be effective in managing your costs. We supplement the attorney's efforts with our expertise in all areas of personal, business and tax finance and will never contradict or undermine the attorney's authority.
