The Role of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) in Navigating Your Divorce Finances

11 May The Role of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) in Navigating Your Divorce Finances

Divorce is an emotionally taxing event, but it can also be financially debilitating if not managed carefully. That’s where a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) comes into play. A CDFA specializes in the financial issues surrounding divorce and provides strategic advice to protect your financial interests. Working with a CDFA during your divorce process can make a significant difference in your short-term and long-term financial situation.

The Expertise of a CDFA

CDFAs are professionals who focus exclusively on the financial aspects of divorce. They undergo specialized training and certification to acquire skills that enable them to analyze and provide recommendations related to your personal finances. Here’s why their expertise is critical:

• Comprehensive financial assessment: CDFAs look beyond the immediate division of assets and liabilities, considering long-term effects of settlements.
• Tax implications: They understand the tax consequences of different divorce settlements and strive to minimize your future tax liabilities.
• Retirement planning: CDFAs navigate the complexities of dividing retirement accounts and pensions, ensuring compliance with legal requirements while protecting your retirement future.

How a CDFA Can Help You

Engaging a CDFA during your divorce process can provide clarity and confidence in your financial decisions. Here are several ways they can assist:

• Asset valuation and division: CDFAs provide accurate valuations of both tangible and intangible assets, ensuring fair distribution.
• Developing a realistic post-divorce budget: They help you understand your new financial reality and create a budget that reflects your updated income and expenses.
• Negotiation support: With their financial acumen, CDFAs assist in negotiations, ensuring that settlements are financially advantageous.

Why a CDFA is Essential for Your Divorce Team

Here’s a quick bullet list summarizing why a CDFA is an indispensable member of your divorce team:

• Expert financial planning: Ensures all financial aspects of the divorce are considered and planned.
• Reduction of emotional stress: By handling the financial details, a CDFA allows you to focus on emotional recovery.
• Avoid costly mistakes: Helps prevent common financial errors made in divorce settlements.
• Secure your financial future: Provides strategies to improve your financial stability post-divorce.

Local Divorce Financial Expert: Michele Laws, CDFA, CVA, MAFF

Michele M. Laws, the dedicated force behind Divorce Dollars & Sense, brings not only her professional credentials as a CDFA, CVA, and MAFF but also personal experience from her own challenging divorce. Her divorce, marked by complexities such as undisclosed out-of-state businesses, hidden assets, and “forgotten” accounts, dragged on for six years.

Despite the discovery of these issues, the financial oversight during her proceedings led to her receiving only 18% of the marital assets. This personal ordeal, fraught with legal and financial missteps, propelled her to establish Divorce Dollars. Michele’s passion now lies in preventing others from facing similar setbacks by ensuring comprehensive financial evaluations are completed well before reaching trial.

Expert Divorce Financial Help for Long Term Financial Success

Divorce doesn’t just end with the signing of documents; its implications can last a lifetime. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst provides essential support that helps you navigate these waters with more certainty and less stress. If you’re facing a divorce in St. Louis MO, Metro East Missouri, or Swansea Illinois, consider adding a CDFA to your team to safeguard your financial interests.

Are you ready to secure your financial future? Schedule a free consultation with Michele Laws or download the free resource “Costly Divorce Mistakes” to begin your journey towards a stable and secure post-divorce financial life. Click here to get your free copy of this important resource as you’re going through the divorce process.