Divorce Money Matters

 Lisa C. Decker works with clients who are contemplating, or are in the process of divorce, and have not yet finalized their settlement. Clients who are seeking answers, clarity and direction in all matters of their divorce financial issues. Typically  clients have assets and/or income over $100,000 with questions and concerns regarding the equitable distribution of those assets.   

• “Will I be able to afford to stay in the house?  I’m not sure that I can handle the mortgage on my own, but I don’t want to give up the home I have raised my children in. Can I stay here? If not, what other options do I have?”

• “Am I really getting my fair share? Things appear to be 50/50 by the looks of them, but something tells me there are things that have not been considered. Are some assets better to have than others? How do I know that I will be financially secure after my divorce?”

• “What about retirement? My spouse has a 401k for retirement, I have nothing. Am I entitled to any of it? I haven’t worked outside the home. Will I still be able to collect Social Security?”

• “What steps can I take now to avoid being saddled with my ex’s debt?  Can creditors come after me if the divorce decree states that my ex is responsible for paying off a debt and he defaults?”

• How can I protect the payments I am entitled to if something should happen to my ex-spouse? What if my ex should become disabled or passes away? Is there a way to make sure that I still receive the money that I have been promised in our divorce settlement?

• You are open to solutions you may not even have considered. In the analysis and solution finding process you recognize that there is more than one way to do things — that sometimes the best way to come to a resolution is to combine a number of solutions to get the most advantageous outcome for your unique situation.

• You realize that you need a team approach to your divorce to bring you the best end result – the most equitable settlement possible. Your team should be made of up an attorney who specializes in divorce; a CDFA™ - a financial advisor who has special training in divorce matters; and possibly a family therapist to help you with the emotional aspects of this life-changing time.

• You understand that you only get one shot to get this process right and that mistakes made in a divorce settlement are likely to be lived with for a lifetime.   You understand the importance of having a specialist for each of your needs – legal, financial, and therapeutic in the divorce process.  You want a CDFA™ financial professional who is specially trained and knowledgeable about all the unique financial aspects of divorce, so that you can get a settlement that is equitable, understandable, and done right.

• You are willing to follow through promptly with requested financial documentation. Presenting the full package as requested, all together instead of in bits and pieces, and in a timely manner, will allow me to do the most thorough analysis possible in the most cost efficient manner for you. Of course, I want you to get started when you are ready with what you have, but with the understanding that the more information I have to work with up front, the less revisions I will have to make in the process, and that will save you money in the big picture. After all, my goal is to help you put more money in your pocket!

• You are not too close to the end of the divorce process.  Many people contact me too far into the process when it is too late for an analysis to be done.  To do a thorough analysis for you and have time to properly work on your case, I suggest that you contact me as early as possible in the divorce process.
  

• You are forthright and honest with the information provided. I hold myself to the highest standards of integrity and want to work with those who value the same. Finding out about hidden assets later could cost you to lose your relationship with your attorney.  In addition, judges do not take this matter lightly and you could end up losing the full value of the asset in the end. It is best to be upfront with everything from the start.

• You desire to get your best settlement possible and then move on with your life. You want to make this part of the divorce process as painless as it can possibly be so that you can attend to taking care of yourself and other pressing matters that move you forward for the next chapter of your life.

• You want to work with a caring financial advisor who truly listens to your needs and who will give you straight answers and direction. During the divorce process you want someone to be your calm in the center of the storm who will guide you with direction and clarity so that you can make decisions based on facts, not emotion. And you want a financial team member who will be both competent and compassionate.