Divorce is a complex and difficult process that can involve many legal and financial considerations. One such consideration is the division of retirement assets, which can be especially complicated if one or both spouses have contributed to a retirement plan during their marriage.
Nancy Hetrick AWMA, CDF Founder and CEO at Smarter Divorce Solutions joins the Divorce Literacy Podcast to discuss how divorcing spouses can save money when they objectively look at the various ways of transferring assets, providing equitable distribution of income so both spouses can move forward after divorce.
Nancy Hetrick AWMA, CDF Founder and CEO at Smarter Divorce Solutions will help us reframe the conversation of finances surrounding divorce especially if your spouse used to drive all financial decisions, keeping you in the dark until now.
Gerard Zielinski, CDFA® provides insights into QDRO, Qualified Domestic Relations Order and details on how a spouse has the right to receive a predefined portion of a qualified ERISA sponsored retirement plan after divorce.
Gerard Zielinski, CDFA® provides insights into QDRO, Qualified Domestic Relations Order and details on how it must comply with the requirements set forth under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
This QDRO stuff is complicated. Be sure you have an expert that can guide you through it and make sure you don’t get taken advantage of.
QDRO's and Divorce: Just when you think your divorce is winding down and you’ve reached a settlement agreement with your spouse, your attorney or mediator says, “Now you will need a QDRO and that’s going to be an additional cost.” “WHAT? Are you kidding?" What the...
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Meet Olivia Herrick, she is our client concierge. With diverse background roles in the financial data and travel sectors, Olivia brings great energy, motivation and organization our team.
It is her own unique walk of life that makes Olivia such a special addition to the team. Her life experience includes a divorce of her own. Know that she gets the intricacies and will help see you through the rough patches by providing a calm presence and a reassuring smile.
Being a recent resident to Arizona, Olivia enjoys visiting historical sites, taking local tours, museums, visiting new restaurants and exploring the surrounding communities.
Olivia enjoys paranormal and true crime shows, plus comedy series. She takes great pleasure in planning parties for her friends and family, creating fun themes and games for her young nieces and nephews’ birthday parties. She enjoys bargain shopping and traveling the globe with her family.
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.
Kristine’s multi-disciplinary approach to practice is influenced by her legal education received from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (JD ’08), and Masters in Social work at Arizona State University (ASU) (MSW ’93). Having practiced family law since 2011, she has worked as a faculty associate or in legal education since 2008 and was a child welfare social worker and therapist for fifteen (15) years prior to law school. Kristine has consulted with Maricopa County Juvenile Court in professionalizing child welfare dispute resolution. She is formerly the statewide Director of Training for what is now the Child Welfare Training Institute at the Arizona Department of Child Safety and the Director of Adoptions for Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK).
Kristine is currently a Faculty Associate at the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law at Arizona State University, teaching courses and leading training workshops in mediation and conflict resolution.
Kristine’s best days in the profession are being witness to the transformative process of those that start in despair and go on to create joyful futures.
Monica Donaldson Stewart is the managing attorney for the law firm of Donaldson Stewart PC, where she practices in all aspects of family law, including collaborative divorce and family law mediation. She also serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the Maricopa County Superior Court, conducting nearly 100 settlement conferences in family law matters since 2007.
Monica received her B.S. degree (summa cum laude, 1993) and her J.D. degree (1997) from Arizona State University. During law school, Monica participated in a semester-long mediation training clinic and in 2009, she completed her first collaborative training with the Collaborative Divorce Institute. Since that time she has trained extensively in both mediation and collaborative divorce practice. Monica believes that divorcing couples and their children benefit when they are given, have the opportunity to reach settlements without the court’s intervention and that mediation and the collaborative divorce process offer that opportunity. Monica’s philosophy is that “litigating to win” is not the only way to divorce.
Monica is a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Phoenix (CPP), currently serving on the Executive Board, as well as the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). She served as the president of the East Valley Bar Association (EVBA) in 2008 and 2009 and served as the Treasurer of that organization from 2010 through 2019. She currently serves as EVBA Secretary. Monica also served on the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization from 2009 to 2020 and served as the Secretary of the Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators (MCAFM) from 2018-2020. In 2013, Monica was selected as a Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star” and in 2019 and 2020, she was selected as a Southwest Super Lawyer. She is also a participating attorney and contributing author for Best Legal Choices, a directory of Collaborative professionals and resources.
Mr. Davis’ experienced legal judgment provides his clients with the knowledge they need to make important decisions confidently, even in the most complicated matters. For this reason, clients throughout the region regularly seek his assistance in resolving high-conflict marital disputes and sophisticated business controversies. Mr. Davis’ years of significant experience in family law provide him with the deft touch necessary to resolve property divisions and child custody disputes creatively and promptly, always with an eye to the best interests of the child.
Mr. Davis received his B.A. degree from Tufts University in 1989 and his J.D. degree from Emory University in 1992. Mr. Davis has been licensed to practice law in all Arizona state and Federal courts since 1992 and has appeared in other courts and tribunals across the country on a pro hac vice basis.
In 2018, Mr. Davis completed Advanced Training with the Collaborative Divorce Institute and has since joined Collaborative Professionals of Phoenix (CPP) and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP).
Education:
Barbara has been a full-time agent since 2005 and is a 28+ year resident of Scottsdale. This extensive experience and knowledge of the community serve as an asset to buyers and sellers of residential real estate in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Barbara has a MBA from Clark University and has specialized in marketing and consumer behavior. Understanding how and why buyers buy will help you get the best deal possible on the purchase or sale of your home.
Barbara is a member of the Keller Williams Luxury Division and is the tour chair for the Scottsdale Luxury Home Tour. Barbara is also member of the Divorce Real Estate Institute and a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert
Other designations that Barbara holds include:
The loss of her friend filled Michelle with sadness and a feeling that there were many things inherently unfair in the world. She felt that she needed to do something about it.
As a result of this commitment, Michelle became a leader within her community at a young age, focusing her efforts on volunteer work and being a champion for those in her life who didn’t feel that they had a voice to make things better.
This passion for helping others continued through high school and again when she pursued her Bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
When she moved to Phoenix, Arizona she continued to be filled by a burning desire to empower people to change their circumstances. As a result, she began working in a Phoenix-area domestic violence shelter, working with women in desperate situations to help them achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Over her time at the shelter, Michelle ascended to become the shelter’s director and assumed a role as a broader advocate, working to build community awareness programs around domestic violence.
It was during this time that Michelle recognized that the power to change things was found within the system of justice itself, which resulted in her attending Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University where she earned her law degree.
Michelle met the love of her life, Ron Ogborne, in 1999 and they were married 5 years later in 2004. In 2017, they welcomed their son to the family and their lives have been a whirlwind ever since!
He possesses a strong understanding of employment and HR issues, including compensation, the labor market, career planning, job search strategies, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Brad is also the Chief Career Strategist of Taft Career Group, a career management consulting firm that supports individuals in planning and implementing effective job search campaigns.
Prior to founding Taft Vocational Experts LLC and Taft Career Group, Brad worked with firms such as Korn/Ferry International, Lee Hecht Harrison, Right Management Consultants, and Spherion. He has provided recruitment and talent management services for companies in a large number of service and manufacturing industries, and he has provided career consulting to individuals in all functions and all levels of organizations.
Brad holds certifications in the human resources and career consulting fields: Career Management Fellow (CMF), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Senior Certified Professional – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). He also is a Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC).
He is the co-author of two books: Boom or Bust!: New Career Strategies in a New America, a career management guide for mature workers, and Return of the Boomers, a leader’s guide to managing the mature workforce. He has written numerous articles and delivered keynote speeches and workshops on employment, workforce, and career issues.
Brad received a B.A. in Communications and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.
The Gale Team at NOVA® Home Loans is a full-service loan origination service, committed to providing innovative mortgage solutions and real estate strategies. In his role as team leader, Greg stresses the importance of integrity, a positive attitude, patience, creativity, and respect for all things. This team defines communication as one of the single most important elements in a successful loan transaction. They are committed to returning calls promptly, providing regular status updates, and being available as needed throughout the process. Greg and his team really listen to client’s needs and then seek the best possible solutions, more often than not exceeding their client’s expectations. The team’s priority is to provide exceptional and memorable service.
Greg Gale is a national coach with 2 different coaching companies. The CORE Training is a national training company for lenders and Realtors. Greg coaches weekly and travels the country training lenders and realtors on specific tactics to build and maintain a relationship-based business. Greg also works with Cardone Enterprises and coaches the sales tactics of Grant Cardone to salespeople across the country. Both companies are results driven with high levels of accountability.
On a personal note, Greg is absolutely passionate about helping other people. He is a regular contributor to the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen Foundation. Greg is a member of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers and the Arizona Association of Mortgage Brokers. He is licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Florida, and Texas.
Karen’s background is in education and counseling. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling and was a teacher and school counselor before becoming a therapist in private practice working with children, adolescents, and families.
After going through her own unexpected divorce after a long-term marriage, she realized that there was so much about the divorce process she did not know.
She became passionate about helping individuals have a better divorce experience and shifted from therapy to divorce coaching, co-parenting coaching, and mediation.
Karen is a Certified Divorce Coach®, a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist (CoPS,) and Divorce Mediator and has been practicing in both Texas and Arizona for the past seven years.
She is trained in the Collaborative Process and is also a Licensed Provider for New Ways for Families Pre-Mediation Coaching Program.
Robin Anderson is our executive assistant and program manager, she keeps the working parts in order. With over twenty years of administrative experience, Robin anticipates needs before they even become needs. After twelve years in the television industry, she has proven herself to be indispensable in the ways of marketing and event planning. Along these lines, she is our resident graphic designer.
Among all the hats she wears around the office, Robin will be the first smiling face you see at our front desk. Her positivity and passion for community speak volumes. She is an avid volunteer, specifically at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Food Bank to name a couple.
It is her own unique walk of life that makes Robin such a special addition to the team. Her life experience includes a divorce of her own. Know that she gets the intricacies and will help see you through the rough patches. If you ask her, she just might sing you a tune.
Robin has been singing since she was five years old and competed in junior high and high school. Outside the office, she can be found refurbishing vintage furniture or of course at karaoke. She has two grown kids (fur-babies) and they STILL live at home. Rox and Pepper are certain to be serenaded daily.
Robin Anderson is our executive assistant and program manager, she keeps the working parts in order. With over twenty years of administrative experience, Robin anticipates needs before they even become needs. After twelve years in the television industry, she has proven herself to be indispensable in the ways of marketing and event planning. Along these lines, she is our resident graphic designer.
Among all the hats she wears around the office, Robin will be the first smiling face you see at our front desk. Her positivity and passion for community speak volumes. She is an avid volunteer, specifically at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital and St. Mary’s Food Bank to name a couple.
It is her own unique walk of life that makes Robin such a special addition to the team. Her life experience includes a divorce of her own. Know that she gets the intricacies and will help see you through the rough patches. If you ask her, she just might sing you a tune.
Robin has been singing since she was five years old and competed in junior high and high school. Outside the office, she can be found refurbishing vintage furniture or of course at karaoke. She has two grown kids (fur-babies) and they STILL live at home. Rox and Pepper are certain to be serenaded daily.
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.
Darcy is the Executive Assistant and Client Relationship Manager for our Indianapolis office location. Darcy ensures the office runs smoothly. She spends time caring for clients by scheduling appointments, maintaining client records, assisting with client applications, estate settlements, onboarding new clients and much, much more. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of finance, having formally worked in Escrow.
Darcy resides in Anderson with her son and her dog, Lucy. In her free time, she enjoys walking Lucy and spending time with friends and family, travel, and small home improvement projects.
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.
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.
Aaron is a 2020 graduate of Indiana University, Kelley School of Business where he Majored in Finance and received his Bachelor of Science in Business while maintaining his Dean of Faculties Scholar Award. Aaron has successfully passed the Securities Industry Essential (SIE) Exam, Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 Exams. He interned throughout college for a Financial Advisor before coming to work with us.
Aaron resides in Indianapolis with his two dogs, Tink and Tito. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, camping, sports, spending time with his family, friends and his childhood sweetheart, Ashley.
Gregg is divorced and has a passion for helping others dealing with divorce to find stability and happiness again. Gregg resides in Indianapolis with his two children. Though he is often quite busy, in his free time he enjoys spending time with his two children, family, and friends, fishing, boating, traveling, and reading. Additionally, he is involved with organizations in his community such as Damar Autism Services.
Gregg has been a financial advisor since 1996 and a trained Financial Professional in Collaborative Law, a member of the Central Indiana Association of Collaborative Professionals, a member of the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts, the Association of Divorce Collaborative Professionals, and the Financial Planning Association. Gregg recently has been a guest speaker on Bloomberg Live and local, Indianapolis area radio shows.
Gregg graduated from Indiana State University in 1996 and 1997 with bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Political Science respectively. From 1992-2006 Gregg served as Captain in the U.S. Army, serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has earned his Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Certified Financial Planner®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, and Certified Long-Term Care® licenses.
Phil graduated from Butler University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. While in college, he was the captain of the Butler football team. After graduation, Phil became licensed as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Certified Financial Planner®, and Certified Long-Term Care® advisor. He has 14 years of experience in finance. No matter the financial situation, Phil considers it an honor to be an advisor as he helps clients sustainably and responsibly invest for the future. He focuses on divorce financial planning, executive compensation and benefit strategies, and tax planning strategies.
Phil and his wife reside in Fishers with their three young children. At this stage in life he has little free time, but when he does get a moment to relax, he loves spending time with his family and friends or watching sports.
FREE Guide! 5 Ways to Prepare Your Client for the Divorce Process: A Guide for Therapists and Counselors