What is a CDFA®?

A CDFA® is a financial professional skilled at analyzing data and providing expertise on the financial issues of divorce. The role of the CDFA® is to assist the client and his or her attorney (or mediator) to understand how the decisions he or she makes today will impact the client’s financial future. A CDFA® can take on many roles in the divorce process, and we offer services to help you navigate no matter where you are in the process.

Financial Expertise and Strategy

Data Collection and Analysis

Expert Presenter and Litigation Support

Financial Expertise & Strategy

CDFA®s provide the client with data analysis that shows the financial effect of any given settlement. They become part of the divorce team and provide support on financial issues such as:

Understand the short-term and long-term effects of dividing property

Determine if the client can afford the marital home

Make a strategy for retirement assets

Evaluate child support and spousal support

Help clients identify their future financial goals

Data Collection and Analysis

Much of a CDFA®‘s role is to collect the client’s financial data and perform analysis. CDFA®s can help manage a client’s expectations of their financial future by presenting different scenarios and talking through the client’s budget and expenses. CDFA®s are trained to:

Collect and organize financial documents

Recognize the tax consequences of different settlement proposals

Prepare the financial affidavit

Analyze spouses financial documents to ensure they are being truthful

Value pensions and retirement plans

Testimony & Litigation Support

Most divorce cases never go to trial. When they do, CDFA®s can testify as an expert witness. CDFA®s play an important role in assisting attorneys with reports for the court. CDFA®s are trained to:

Prepare reports and exhibits to be used in court

Testify in court as an expert witness

Meet with attorney to guide them through financial strategies

Give client and attorney recommendations on better settlement options

What services are offered by attorneys, mediators, and Supportive Divorce Solutions, Inc.?

Every divorce professional has different training, education, and areas of expertise. Use this chart when choosing your divorce team members so you can understand what each professional can do for you.

Attorney Mediator CDFA®
Legal advice Yes
Confidential & private Yes Yes Yes
Assisted settlement negotiation Yes Yes Yes
Plan for children's expenses & college Yes Yes Yes
Calculate spousal & child support Yes Yes Yes
Valuation of pensions & retirement accounts Yes
Project short-term & long-term effects of settlement Yes
Discuss how future taxes & penalties can be avoided Yes
Identify & evaluate insurance needs Yes
Help clients identify their future financial goals Yes
Create a post-divorce budget that fits your lifestyle Yes

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