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 |