Divorce Financial Consultant
Talking about your concerns is how we begin the process. Going through all financial information to see what can affect you and your family comes next. Then determining the differences between getting what you want, what you need, and what is most equitable is how you will base your decisions. Together, we break it all down and I show you what impact every decision you could make will have on your future. My goal in this role is to empower you with information so you can make decisions to move through and conclude your divorce with the best possible financial outcome. I work with you alone as your advocate or with you and your spouse as a financial neutral to weigh the pros and cons of each possibility and work together towards resolution.
Divorce Financial Analyst
I gather all information about your separate and joint assets and liabilities then do a deep dive into your financial details. We review residential and commercial real estate, passive income investments, separate property, retirement, employment benefits, among others to understand the whole picture. Then I play out different scenarios and the impact of each with you. You can learn as much or as little as you’d like. But I hope you want to know all of it. Depending on the method of the divorce you choose, I may work with you, you and your spouse, both of your attorneys, and a mediator or facilitator together as a team to reach the most fair and equitable outcome for you and your family.
Divorce Financial Mediation
In any type of divorce, there are times when you cannot agree when dividing financial assets or spousal support. Once we all understand exactly what is at stake, I serve as a financial mediator to help you both come to the necessary compromises that are as close to fair and equitable to each of you. It is possible that one may have to compromise more than the other. But I work with you both to get as close as possible to an equitable outcome with which you can both agree. Then we resume the collaborative or mediation process with the rest of the team and continue with the divorce process.
Divorce Empowerment Group
If you are not sure about separating or getting divorced, if you are in the midst of it, or even if you have the decree in hand are welcome as we come together monthly as the Empowerment Group. We gather virtually on the second Tuesday of every month to share our stories and challenges, ask questions, and learn about and from each other’s experiences during the trials and tribulations of this part of life. Your situation is yours alone, but you’d be surprised how much you have in common with others. We meet knowing that what we all share is in confidence and we respect each other’s experiences without judgement.
A certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA®) is someone who is trained based on national standards and certified for knowledge of all financial aspects of divorce. With this education, I can serve as either a Financial Neutral when I work with you and your spouse together or when I work only for you as a Financial Advocate. I gather and analyze your financial data to determine the potential scenarios for asset division, spousal support, child custody, among others. Then I show you and your attorney how your decisions for your divorce settlement will impact your financial future. My goal is to empower you with information so you can decide how your outcome is fair and equitable to all parties involved. Let’s talk more about how I can help.
There are two steps we take to begin this process together. First, you let me know if you want me to work with you alone, as your financial advocate, or with you and your spouse, as a financial neutral. We can discuss this from both points of view if you’re not sure. Then I’ll ask you (and your spouse, separately) what most concerns you. Once you decide you want to proceed, we identify and gather all your financial information. I need to know all about your financial life, past, present, and future, to best help you in this process. We have meetings and team meetings (depending on how you’re getting divorced) to answer your questions and keep you the process moving. My goal is to ensure you have the information to empower you to make the best financial decisions in your divorce.
Yes. I would be able serve as your advocate and determine the possible outcomes, work with the divorce team to help get all parties to buy in, and come to an agreement that would become part of your divorce decree. As a Financial Neutral, it is important to note there is no attorney-client privilege since I am not an attorney. Let’s talk about how this might work best for you.
There are five (5) different ways to get divorced:
Pro Se (by yourselves)
Mediation
Collaborative Divorce
Arbitration
Litigation or Trial
Let’s talk about these in detail and figure out which way will work best for you.
How DO you know what you don’t know? I start with every piece of financial information you can access. And I will probably ask for more, explaining why as we go. I need to understand your whole financial picture. Then I make sure you understand it, too. I make sure to answer all of your questions – and even ask and answer some you may not know to ask – and to make sure you understand those answers. I provide you with all the information that covers all bases for you. I make sure you understand how each possible outcome can affect you long-term after your divorce is finalized. It is so important to me that you know and understand all of the financial aspects of of your divorce. You are the one who has to make the best decision now for your future well-being. Let’s set up a time to talk.
Trust is fundamental to our working together. You trust me: that I will do my best work for you and that I will be kind, respect you, and empathize with your experience. I trust you: that you will provide me with all the financial information you have and will find what else I may request. While the numbers are important, I will not lose sight of you and your (ex) spouse not only as the source of the data I analyze, but as the human beings who are going through divorce. While both are very important, people always mean so much more to me than the numbers.
There are many aspects to consider when deciding how to get divorced. Do you both still get along? Are you confident you could co-parent easily? Maybe you could mediate your divorce. What about a collaborative divorce instead? The factors of your life are unique to you. The way that worked for your friends may not work for you. Let’s talk about all the possibilities and what exactly they mean, then determine which one best suits you and how to proceed.
I can refer to you the different resources you may need in your divorce, including family law attorneys, mediators, collaborative attorneys, litigating attorneys, child therapists, family therapists, and individual adult therapist, among others. Wherever you are located, I can give you names for you to interview and hire if you choose.
I can also help you find a therapist for you, your child(ren), a business valuator, a property appraiser, a CPA- whatever you need to help you.
I work directly for you. I am a sole proprietor. I am not employed by or compensated by any family attorney, mediator, financial advisor, or divorce coach. Just as there is an agreement that you and your spouse sign with the mediator, family attorney, or collaborative attorney, there is an agreement (letter of engagement) for you and your spouse to sign to work with me. My invoices go directly to and are paid by you.
For full transparency, while I do have deep experience as a financial advisor, I do not seek to manage your financial portfolio post-divorce for additional compensation. What other questions do you have about this?
It depends. Because I am not your attorney, there is no attorney-client privilege. As your Financial Neutral, I will be fully transparent to all parties regarding all my communications. I will not be tipping the scale to one side or another.
If you hire me individually as your Financial Advocate, I will share only the content of our conversations that are related to the process of divorce with the members of the mediating or collaborative team. Please review the Terms & Conditions below and, in case you have other questions, please let me know.
Remember, you have to agree to the content before you sign your divorce agreement. If you work with a mediator or with a collaborative divorce team, the whole team, myself included, is there to ensure that you understand and believe your settlement is fair and equitable; that these solutions will work for all involved. That is the very nature of the process.
I am based in the Greater Boston area and serve clients throughout Massachusetts. We meet both in-person and online.
Divorce is very hard to do alone. I listen carefully and thoughtfully during our conversations to understand your situation and all its details. I guide you to ensure you reach a fair and reasonable financial settlement through a supportive, educational, and thorough process that leaves you financially empowered and confident.
Divorce is very hard to do alone. I listen carefully and thoughtfully during our conversations to understand your situation and all its details. I guide you to ensure you reach a fair and reasonable financial settlement through a supportive, educational, and thorough process that leaves you financially empowered and confident.
