What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst?

Dealing with a divorce is a stress beyond compare for many people. When you add to that the emotional stress of complicated financial issues that arise during this time, it is crucial to enlist professional help to assure your money questions are addressed during the divorce. One person who can take a weight off your shoulders is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA).

Consider that nearly one million couples will divorce annually in the United States, and during that time, they will be faced with some of the most important financial decisions of their lives; this could be especially true for women who have not been involved in the family finances up until this point. Your divorce attorney will handle the legal aspects of the divorce, but you may find you will reap a great reward from working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

What does a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst do?

A CDFA is an experienced financial professional who helps people navigate money issues before, during, and after divorce. When you work with a CDFA, this person can serve as a neutral between the spouses. Remember, though, a CDFA is not meant to take the place of a divorce attorney.

Here are items a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst Can help you with:

1. Division of assets
2. Analysis and negotiation of the divorce settlement
3. Marital property
4. Housing
5. Spousal support
6. Joint and separate debts
7. Tax implications of the divorce
8. Implications to retirement accounts and healthcare coverage
9. Planning your financial life moving past the divorce

Who should work with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst?

If you and your spouse have assets of any significant value – a house, retirement accounts, etc. – the financial ramifications of a divorce can be complicated. When you add to the mix that divorce is such an emotional time, you need to work with someone experienced with navigating the financial maze of divorce. Any money missteps you take during this emotional time could lead to far-reaching consequences as you navigate your newly single life.

Working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst will remove some of the decision-making burden from your shoulders. Your Certified Divorce Financial Analyst will provide “financial education and support” during the divorce proceedings. This financial professional can help you:

1. Examine your lifestyle and its true cost
2. Explain the nature of various marital assets
3. Inform you of potential tax consequences based on settlement options

Smoothing the financial aspects of your divorce will help you move toward the future with greater clarity, purpose, and confidence.

Are you looking for ways to save money on your divorce? Read our blog post on 10 ways to save money on your divorce.

Related post: Why You Need to Work with a Divorce Financial Advisor