Finally, the worst is over, and you’ve made it through. The emotions, the fatigue, the fear, the anxiety! All of it, and you survived! Then it hits you, now you have to manage your finances on your own and they look VERY different than they did when you were married....
Some folks let debt keep them in marriage, thinking there is no way to separate the union without making things exponentially worse. While this may sometimes be the case, there are many creative ways to address debt with a positive outcome when facing a divorce.
So, you’re thinking about divorce. If you are on this website, and reading this article, then you are on the right path. Relax, take a deep breath, and think about these 4 simple things that will help you prepare financially for a divorce.
According to a 2013 Gallup poll, only one in three Americans prepare a detailed household budget.
Even if you haven’t decided yet, there are a few things you should do to put yourself in a better place should you land on the side of divorce.
Even if you feel like you are clear headed, there are a few common money mistakes to look out for when getting divorced.
As we get firmly settled into this new Millennium, one trend has firmly settled in with us: Baby Boomers divorcing at double the rate from the late 20th Century.
Divorce is never easy and often has financial complexities that require an expert to evaluate. Some of the most confusing assets are the various components of executive compensation.
Having a budget helps you to keep your priorities and values in check. During a divorce, it’s sometimes easy to be confused on who you are and what’s important to you.
We’re dedicated to providing divorce advice, co-parenting ideas, mediation strategies, and financial expertise for before, during and after divorce.
Only 10 sessions available each month, schedule today!
David S. Cantor, CPA/ABV, CFL, CDFA®, is the founder of Cantor Forensic Accounting, PLLC and has been practicing in the area of Family Law accounting since 1990. David is the ONLY CPA/ABV, CFL, CDFA® in the state of Arizona who devotes 100% of his practice to family law accounting.
David began his accounting career in 1984 after graduating from Marshall University (Go Herd!!) with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree. He worked for local firms in Ojai, CA and Beverly Hills, CA as a staff accountant preparing income tax returns as well as financial statements for small to mid-size clients.
In 1990, David joined Gursey, Schneider & Co. in Los Angeles, CA working exclusively in Family Law accounting and became a partner in 1998. In 2004, David retired from Gursey, Schneider & Co., but soon returned to Family Law accounting opening up Cantor Forensic Accounting, PLLC in 2011.
David has worked on close to one thousand Family Law cases, ranging from small businesses to entertainers, professional athletes and executives with international companies. His experience covers all aspects of Family Law issues including: income determination, business valuations, separate property tracings, reimbursement claims and community waste issues. David has testified in Court as an Expert Witness over 100 times.
Nancy founded Smarter Divorce Solutions in 2011 after going through her own less-than-optimal divorce. She has been a financial advisor and planner since 1999. She provides full-service financial planning and investment management with Smarter Financial Solutions in addition to her role as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst at Smarter Divorce Solutions. In 2016, Nancy founded the Divorce Financial Planner Training Center to offer continuing education to CDFA® holders everywhere.
Nancy is a Master Analyst in Financial Forensics, (MAFF™), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®), an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS), a Chartered Mutual Fund Counselor (CMFC) and is trained in both mediation and Collaborative Divorce. Nancy is an Advanced Practitioner Member of the Association of Professional Family Mediators, was on the board of directors with the Collaborative Professionals of Phoenix, 2017 to 2020, was the Finance Director for the National Association of Women Business Owners, 2014 and 2015, the 2015 NAWBO Business Owner of the Year, the 2014 Finalist in the BBB Business Ethics Awards, and was on the 2014 National Board of Advisors for the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts.
She is the author of Divorce Is Not For Dummies, How To Cover Your Assets and Divorce Financial Planning: Building a Successful Niche Practice, and co-authored The Stress-Free Divorce, Volume 2. Nancy has published articles in Huffington Post, DivorcedMoms.com, was the featured advisor in Morningstar Magazine.
In her free time she enjoys hiking, riding motorcycles, and spending time with her 4 children and 4 grandchildren.
Kristen Hilty is a CDFA® and Investment Advisor Representative with over 20 years of financial services experience. After experiencing her own personal experience with a painful divorce process, as well as watching her own family members and friends go through even worse situations and come out the other side financially devastated. Kristen vowed to spend her time helping individuals and spouses have a better experience in such a difficult and exhausting time. It is her mission to improve the lives of others during divorce by being compassionate and mindful of all family members involved while ensuring a sound financial future for her clients.
In her spare time, Kristen enjoys boating, playing tennis, and spending quality time with her daughter.
Gerard is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and mediator who has spent the last 15 years providing individuals, couples, and family law attorneys with financial tools, resources, and expertise incident to divorce. Gerard specializes in the valuation and division of retirement benefits including Military Retired Pay and the Federal Service Retirement Systems. With over 5000 Qualified Domestic Relations Orders drafted, Gerard is a retirement plan expert with key competencies in plan terms, division options, valuation, taxes, survivorship issues and benefit election options. Whether he is working in the role of retirement plan expert, neutral financial specialist or as an advocate for one party, Gerard prides himself on helping his clients achieve their short and long-term financial goals by giving them the power to make well informed financial decisions before, during and after divorce.
Gerard is a Graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Finance). Along with receiving his CDFA® designation in 2013, he became a certified domestic relations mediator through the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute in 2014. Gerard is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals as well as the Divorce Financial Planning Training Center.
When Gerard is not outdoors with his beautiful wife and 4 children or coaching youth sports, he is focused on bringing awareness to his profession and the impact a Divorce Financial Specialist can have.
Olive has two primary roles, security and morale. She makes sure that we know when anyone enters the office when she runs to greet them and see if they’re up for some snuggles! As a mini Bernedoodle, she’s no-shed and 95% hypoallergenic making her the perfect office companion. Her eagerness to please will melt even the coldest hearts. She’s a highly valued team member and our clients are lucky to be greeted by this loving little fur-person.
FREE Guide! 5 Ways to Prepare Your Client for the Divorce Process: A Guide for Therapists and Counselors
