Divorce Financial Analysis Services
What Is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®)?
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) is a financial professional who specializes in the financial and tax issues that arise during divorce.
While attorneys are experts in the legal aspects of divorce, they are not financial specialists. A CDFA focuses on analyzing the financial details that determine whether a proposed settlement will actually work for your life after divorce.
As a CDFA, my goal is to help you answer three critical financial questions. Without the answers to these questions, it is nearly impossible to make informed decisions or confidently advocate for yourself during the divorce process.
When people have better information, they make better decisions. My role is to ensure you have the financial clarity you need so you are not left feeling like you are flying blind.
How Can a CDFA® Help Me?
The best way to move through the divorce process is to be fully informed so you can make decisions with clarity and confidence before signing any agreement.
1. Where Are You Financially Today?
The first step in any divorce is understanding your financial position today.
This means properly identifying all marital assets and liabilities and understanding both spouses’ income. Reviewing financial documents such as tax returns, pay stubs, retirement statements, brokerage accounts, and living expenses, including debt, provides the foundation for evaluating any settlement proposal.
After all, if you do not clearly understand what exists in the marital estate, it becomes very difficult to negotiate for your fair share.
2. What Will Your Financial Life Look Like After the Divorce?
Once the current financial picture is clear, the next step is understanding what life will look like the day after the divorce is finalized.
A CDFA can model different settlement proposals and show how each option affects your:
- Income
- Expenses
- Retirement accounts
- Investment assets
- Long-term financial stability
These financial projections help you understand whether a proposed agreement will actually support your future.
3. Will You Be Financially Secure in the Long Run?
Ironically, the question most people ask first is: “Am I going to be okay?”
The only way to answer that question is by first understanding your current financial picture and what your financial life will look like after the divorce.
Once those two pieces are clear, a CDFA can prepare long-term financial projections that look 5, 10, or even 15 years into the future. These projections help determine whether the proposed settlement will support your financial needs over time.
If the numbers do not work, it is far better to know this before signing the agreement, so you can advocate for a settlement that truly supports your future.
Why Work With a CDFA During Divorce?
Clients come to me because they want a clearer understanding of their financial situation before making major decisions.
Sometimes one spouse has significantly more financial knowledge than the other. Other times, clients simply want an independent professional who can analyze the numbers and help them understand their options.
Working with a CDFA can help you:
- Understand the true value of marital assets
- Evaluate the financial impact of different settlement proposals
- Identify potential tax consequences
- Prepare realistic financial projections for life after divorce
- Make informed decisions before signing a final agreement
Divorce is one of the most significant financial events in a person’s life. Having clear financial analysis allows you to move forward with greater confidence and make decisions that support your long-term stability.
