What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^®?

A CDFA^® is a person with a financial planning, accounting or legal background who completes an intensive training program to become skilled in the financial issues of divorce. The CDFA^® analyzes and provides expertise to assist the client and their attorney to understand how the financial decisions they make today will impact their financial future.

What does a CDFA^® do to help clients and their attorneys?

The CDFA^® becomes part of the divorce team, providing litigation support for the lawyer and client, or becomes a member of a Collaborative Law team. In either event, the CDFA^® will be responsible for:

Identifying the short-term and long-term effects of dividing property.
Integrating tax issues.
Analyzing pension and retirement plan issues.
Determining if the client can afford the matrimonial home – and if not,
what might be an affordable alternative.
Evaluating the client’s insurance needs.
Bringing an innovative and creative approach to settling cases.

The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^®also:

Provides the client and lawyer with data that shows the financial effect of any given divorce settlement.
Appears as an expert witness if the case should go to court, or in mediation or arbitration proceedings.
Is familiar with tax issues that apply to divorce.
Has background knowledge of the legal issues in divorce.
Is trained to interview clients so as to:
- Collect financial and expense data.
- Help client’s identify their future financial goals.
- Develop a budget.
- Set retirement objectives.
- Identify what kind of life style they want.
- Determine the costs of their children’s education.

A CDFA^® helps their client or attorney stay focused on the case so that the CDFA^® can manage the financial details of the divorce arrangement.