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.

Not sure where to start?

Every article here is written for a particular moment. Start with the stage that matches where you are, and you will find the handful of pieces that actually apply to you.

Browsing by topic instead? Every category is listed in the sidebar, from QDROs and the family home to co-parenting and life after divorce.

Which Retirement Accounts Should You Keep in a Divorce? certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce going through 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 Qualif...

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Divorce and Your Mortgage: What You Need to Know Before You Refinance certified divorce financial analyst debt dividing assets in a divorce house in a divorce preparing for divorce property division in divorce

Editor's note: The mortgage lending guidance in this post reflects the expertise of a Certified Divorce Lending Specialist and covers principles that hold true regardless of market conditions. Specific figures such as interest rates and home values shift over time. Always confirm current qualificati...

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How to Divide Assets in a Divorce: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce going through divorce house in a divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Are you worried about splitting assets in a divorce?

Worrying over financial decisions is normal on an average day, but when going through a divorce, it can be paralyzing. Unfortunately, the fear around these issues is completely warranted. You only have one chance to get it right, and your divorce ...

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Dividing Pensions in a Divorce: Shared vs. Separate Interest dividing assets in a divorce going through divorce pension in divorce property division in divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce

Dividing pensions in a divorce can be confusing. For starters, some clients that I see are often confused (even after negotiating their divorce settlement) regarding what type of retirement account(s) they have. In this blog, I am referring specifically to defined benefit plans. Defined benefit plan...

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Divorce Mediation: The Complete Checklist of Documents, Financial Prep, and What to Expect asset division certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce divorce financial planning divorce mediation mediation ohio divorce ohio divorce mediation preparing for divorce property division in divorce

Bring three years of tax returns, recent pay stubs, and current statements for every bank, investment, retirement, and loan account, plus mortgage statements, insurance and annuity policies, Social Security estimates, and profit and loss statements for any business. Organise them in one place before...

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What is considered separate property in a divorce? dividing assets in a divorce going through divorce inheritance in a divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce separate property

It's common for clients to enter my office with misconceptions regarding separate property in a divorce and how assets should be divided. This confusion often arises from reading online articles without verifying the source. Remember, laws regarding separate property during a divorce can differ grea...

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Who Gets the House in a Divorce? Key Factors to Know. certified divorce financial analyst collaborative divorce dividing assets in a divorce going through divorce house in a divorce mediation ohio divorce preparing for divorce property division in divorce separate property

"Who gets the house?" is one of the first questions that comes up when couples start talking about divorce. In my more than 20 years as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I have heard it thousands of times, and the honest answer is always the same: it depends.

The family home is not like other a...

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What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst? certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce ohio divorce preparing for divorce property division in divorce retirement accounts in divorce

Dealing with a divorce is stressful enough. Add complicated financial decisions to the mix and it can feel completely overwhelming.

That is where a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst comes in.

If you have been wondering what a CDFA actually does, whether you need one, and how they are different fro...

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What Is a QDRO? A Divorce Financial Guide to Understanding and Obtaining a Qualified Domestic Relations Order certified divorce financial analyst going through divorce property division in divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce

By the time someone asks me about a QDRO, they are usually already overwhelmed.

They are trying to understand attorneys, financial disclosures, settlement options, retirement accounts, taxes, and all kinds of paperwork they never expected to be dealing with.

So when the term QDRO comes up, the respo...

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How Is a Pension Valued in a Divorce? certified divorce financial analyst dividing assets in a divorce going through divorce pension in divorce property division in divorce qdro retirement accounts in divorce

Are you losing thousands of dollars due to the financial fears that arise during the process of dissolution or divorce? The cost of the divorce itself is undeniably one of the biggest concerns clients express. There is no question about it. The duration and expenses involved in divorce proceedings u...

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