What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®?
You’re likely wondering if you need a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®. Perhaps you’ve already hired an attorney, and you’ve quickly realized there are many moving parts when it comes to creating a financial settlement. Or, perhaps you’re wrapping up your divorce process and are wondering how to plan for the future now that you have a new set of expenses.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® is expertly trained in setting you up for financial success by recommending a settlement that works best for you. They’re professionals that help you plan your financial future based on your unique set of circumstances.
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® vs Financial Advisor
You may already have a financial advisor you trust. Your traditional financial advisor will be able to make recommendations on your investment portfolio, retirement accounts, and keep you in loop when it comes to market trends and opportunities.
However, making financial decisions during a divorce is crucial; it can have lasting impacts, and is governed by different rules depending on where you are and the specifics of your divorce. In order to make the best choice for your financial future, you need an expert. To determine if your current financial advisor can help, ask them the following questions:
-
- • Do you hold the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® credential?
-
- • How many divorce cases have you worked through in the past?
-
- • Do you have specific software used for divorce cases that can take into account the different rules and exceptions available for a divorcing couple?
- • Do you have mediation training or are you trained in collaborative divorce?
Your financial advisor may be great at what they do, but the intricacies dividing your wealth during divorce may be outside of their expertise.
Can my attorney provide the financial expertise I need?
In some cases, yes. It really depends on the complexity of your divorce. We further discuss who can benefit from a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® in this article. Are you or your spouse a business owner? Are there substantial debts, pensions, or assets that need to be sorted out?
If your marriage’s assets and liabilities are not simple, it’s time to seek expert help. If you’re not sure if you need additional help from a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, ask your attorney the following questions:
-
- • Do you exclusively handle family law cases?
-
- • Have you worked on other cases with similar finances?
-
- • Do you recommend just splitting everything down the middle or are you open to more creative settlement solutions?
-
- • What is your experience with finance and tax?
- • Will you be able to provide projections as to what different settlement options will mean for my financial future?
You may find you have reached the limits of your attorney’s financial expertise as it pertains to divorce. If this is the case, seek someone who can effectively advocate for you by reviewing your financial situation and recommending an optimal outcome – based on their financial background and years of divorce experience.
Call us at 877-471-4654 to learn more about how a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® can work with you and/or your attorney in order to create the best possible outcome from your divorce.