The Intentional Divorce Library

Divorce comes with more financial questions than anyone expects. This is where you'll find real answers on asset division, budgeting, retirement, and the mistakes that quietly cost women the most, written by a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst who has helped clients navigate exactly what you're facing now.

No fluff, no fear tactics. Just the information you need to make clear-eyed decisions and protect the life you're building next.

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The Most Common Financial Mistakes in Divorce (And How to Avoid Them) certified divorce financial analyst debt dividing assets in a divorce financial planning house in a divorce preparing for divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce taxes

After more than 20 years of working with divorcing clients as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I have seen a lot. I have sat across the table from women who were sharp, capable, and completely blindsided by the financial consequences of decisions they made during their divorce. Not because the...

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Can I Afford to Get Divorced? What Women Need to Know Before Making a Decision alimony/spousal support asset division certified divorce financial analyst divorce financial planning financial planning house in a divorce ohio divorce preparing for divorce retirement accounts in divorce

One of the most common questions I hear from women sitting across from me is some version of: "Can I actually afford to do this?"

They are not asking because they want to stay in a painful marriage. They are asking because they are terrified of the financial unknown. They have heard horror stories....

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Why Financial Fear After Divorce Is Normal and How a CDFA Can Help You Move Forward certified divorce financial analyst financial coaching property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

If you're going through divorce and feeling terrified about money, you're not alone. Financial fear during divorce is one of the most common concerns I hear from clients, and it's completely normal.

Even women with strong financial backgrounds, successful careers, or years of managing household fin...

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What’s the Difference Between a CDFA and a Traditional Financial Advisor? alimony/spousal support certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce financial planning house in a divorce life after divorce preparing for divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce taxes

Divorce is one of the most financially significant events of your life. Every decision from how you divide retirement accounts to whether you keep the house can shape your financial security for decades. One of the most common questions I hear from women going through this transition is: “Do I need ...

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Divorce After 50: Protecting Your Retirement in a Gray Divorce alimony/spousal support asset division certified divorce financial analyst divorce after 50 financial planning gray divorce life after divorce ohio divorce pension in divorce preparing for divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Divorce at any age is hard. But when you are over 50, the financial stakes are different.

You do not have 20 years to rebuild. The decisions you make about your retirement accounts, your home, your Social Security, and your settlement are decisions you will live with for the rest of your life. Th

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Post-Divorce Financial Planning: Why Revisiting Your Investments Matters certified divorce financial analyst financial planning life after divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Navigating the divorce process can often feel like a turbulent, confusing, and uncertain storm. Amid the whirlwind of emotions, it's easy to overlook a critical lifeline that can guide you towards calmer waters - financial stability. Financial stability, specifically taking control of your investmen...

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After Divorce Checklist: The Essential Steps to Take Once Your Divorce Is Final budgeting certified divorce financial analyst financial planning health insurance life after divorce life insurance ohio divorce preparing for divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce taxes

Your divorce is final. You made it through.

Now comes the part nobody warned you about — the long list of practical things that need to happen before your new life actually starts. Accounts to close. Documents to update. Insurance to sort out. A budget that reflects your real life now, not the one ...

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A Collaborative Approach Doesn't Have to Mean a Collaborative Divorce certified divorce financial analyst collaborative divorce retirement accounts in divorce

I find it fascinating how many professionals prefer to work in isolation when we all have much to learn from each other. In addition, we can better support our clients when we work together. In the divorce world, I'm sure that some of it stems from the more common approaches to divorce used historic...

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Considerations When Trying to Keep Your Pension in a Divorce dividing assets in a divorce pension in divorce property division in divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce

It may or may not come as a surprise to you that a pension is frequently the largest asset negotiated in a divorce. With that said, it's not a foregone conclusion that you'll have to give up a portion of your pension as part of your divorce settlement. I'm surprised by the number of cases I see in w...

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What You Need to Know About a ROTH IRA in a Divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Divorce itself is an emotionally charged, troubling process. Add major financial decisions to the mix, and divorce can be a recipe for disaster. Litigants are forced to make life-altering financial decisions during a time of emotional turmoil. Anyone walking through a divorce knows this can feel l...

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How to Protect TSP in Divorce: Clearing Up Misconceptions About Thrift Savings Plans certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Let's start with the basics. When it comes to retirement accounts, there is a wide array of options available - from the popular IRAs, ROTH IRAs, and 401(K)s, to numerous other lesser-known plans. With so many choices, it can be overwhelming for individuals who are not dealing with them on a daily...

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What Happens to Retirement Accounts in Divorce? certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce pension in divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Dividing assets during a divorce is rarely straightforward—especially when it comes to retirement accounts. From pensions and 401(k)s to IRAs and Roth accounts, each type of retirement asset comes with its own set of rules, tax implications, and liquidity concerns. Add in considerations like Quali...

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