Frequently Asked Questions
Divorce is complicated. Especially the financial parts. You’re not alone in having questions. Here are answers to some common questions.
If your question isn’t covered below, please reach out.
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A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) is the financial expert on your divorce team.
I analyze the financial side of divorce, so you can see what different choices could mean for your life now and in the future.
Financial settlements involve a series of decisions, some obvious and others less so. Which assets should you keep, and which could you trade? What would those assets be worth after taxes? What financial risks might be present in a settlement you’ve received or one you’re proposing?
You’ll get financial analysis you can use in negotiations, including options for dividing your assets and a clear understanding of what those assets would be worth to you after taxes.
But the numbers are only part of it. The paperwork, unfamiliar demands, and pressure to make big decisions can be overwhelming. I help you understand what’s being asked of you and break the work into manageable steps. If financial questions have stalled your divorce, I can also help you work through them and communicate with your spouse to get the process moving again.
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Your attorney handles the legal side of your divorce. I provide financial analysis to help you develop a settlement strategy and compare your options, so you can understand what each would be worth over time and how well it could support your financial needs and goals.
During my own separation, I expected my attorney to help me navigate those financial gray areas. Even with a wealth management background, I struggled to get the guidance I needed.
I give you the financial guidance I wish I’d had, so you can understand what’s at stake and negotiate with confidence.
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I’m an advisor, so I can tell you what most of us aren’t trained to do. Financial advisors manage wealth going forward: portfolios, retirement, planning. Divorce is a live negotiation. Offers and counteroffers, each one changing the math: the house traded against the retirement accounts, support terms shifting the whole picture. A CDFA® runs the numbers at every turn, so you never respond to a proposal without knowing what it’s actually worth.
There’s also a structural issue: if your advisor has been working with both of you, they can’t advocate for just you. I can. -
You can reach out while you’re considering separation or at any point during divorce. But getting financial guidance early helps you make informed decisions throughout the process.
You may need help understanding what separating would mean financially, getting stalled negotiations moving, or assessing whether a proposed settlement leaves money on the table.
You may also be concerned that your spouse hasn’t disclosed all their assets. Bringing me in early gives us more time to review financial records, trace assets, and identify gaps before you agree to a settlement.
Wherever you are, I’ll help you work through the financial questions and determine your next steps.
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Yes. You don’t need to hire me for the entire process. I can help you evaluate a specific question, such as whether keeping the house makes financial sense or how different ways of dividing assets compare after taxes.
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No. I work with high-achieving people navigating divorce, often with significant or complex assets. You don’t need to have ADHD to work with me.
For clients who do, I understand how a request for financial documents can turn into hours of chasing passwords, or how an unanswered email from your attorney can become harder to face each day. I have ADHD myself, and I experienced those frustrations during my own separation.
That experience directly informs how I work with clients today.
We’ll set clear priorities and work through financial tasks in smaller, manageable steps. You’ll have support without judgment or the expectation that you should already have everything organized.
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Both.
When we work together one-on-one, I serve as your financial advocate, helping you understand your options and make decisions with your own needs and future in mind.
With training in collaborative divorce and mediation, I also work with couples as a neutral financial professional. I help both spouses understand their financial picture, compare settlement options, and see what different choices could mean for each of them.
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Complex assets can include equity compensation such as stock options and RSUs, executive compensation arrangements such as deferred compensation, pensions, investment and real estate portfolios, and business ownership in any form: a company you founded, a professional practice, a partnership stake, or a family business. Understanding what these assets are worth, how they’re taxed, and how they could be divided takes more analysis than splitting a bank balance.
My background in wealth management and experience owning businesses help me understand both the numbers and the practical implications of dividing these assets, so you can weigh your settlement options.
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Yes. I analyze financial records and trace assets to help uncover money or property that may not have been disclosed. If you’re concerned that something is missing from the financial picture, I can help you investigate before you agree to a settlement.
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No. You don’t need to have everything gathered or figured out before our first conversation. We’ll talk about where you are in the divorce process, what questions you have, and how I can help. If we work together, I’ll guide you through gathering and organizing the financial information we need.
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No. I’m based in California and work with divorce financial planning clients across the United States.
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I start with a retainer and bill hourly against it. Every divorce is different, so this allows me to tailor the work to your situation and the support you need. You don’t have to fit into a predetermined package.
Let’s start with a conversation.
We’ll discuss where you are, what’s on your mind, and how I can help.