Divorce Planning: Guiding you through divorce with wisdom, care, and confidence.
Divorce is hard. Navigating the financial side shouldn't make it harder.
Our mission is simple - to bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind to individuals going through divorce. We help clients move from uncertainty to stability by providing thoughtful, empathetic, and expert financial guidance during one of life's most difficult transitions. While every situation is different, my approach is grounded in universal principles: wisdom, fairness, integrity, and care. We meet our clients where they are and walk alongside them to ensure the process is not only equitable, but leaves them positioned for what's next.
Divorce may be a chapter, but it doesn't have to define the whole story. Together, we will write a new one - built on solid ground.
What’s a CDFA® and How Can They Help?
Going through a divorce can feel overwhelming—especially when it comes to the financial side of things. That’s where a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) comes in. A CDFA® is a financial expert who helps you (and your attorney) understand how the decisions you make today will affect your financial future. They’re part of your divorce support team, offering guidance on things like dividing property, understanding taxes, navigating retirement accounts, and deciding whether keeping the house is realistic. They also help you gather the right financial information, prepare the required documents, and start building a plan for your next chapter—budgeting, retirement goals, and all.
Why should I work with a CDFA® while going through a divorce?
Divorce isn’t just the end of a relationship—it’s the start of a whole new financial life. And let’s be honest: trying to make major financial decisions while navigating emotional stress can be really tough. That’s why having a CDFA® by your side early on can make all the difference. They’re there to take the guesswork out of things and give you a clear picture of what your financial future could look like with different settlement options.
Most people don’t have a deep understanding of things like tax implications, how to properly split retirement accounts, or what happens to the cost basis of certain assets after they’re divided. A CDFA® breaks all that down in a way that’s easy to understand, so you can make decisions with confidence—not confusion. They’ll help you identify what’s truly fair, spot potential financial pitfalls before they become problems, and ensure you’re not agreeing to something that could hurt you long-term just to “get it over with.”
Their role isn’t just about numbers—it’s about empowering you. A CDFA® helps you feel in control during a process that can often feel chaotic. Whether you’re trying to figure out if you can afford to stay in your home, wondering how much you’ll need for retirement now, or just trying to wrap your head around your new budget, they’ll help you sort through it all with clarity and care. It’s about making sure you’re set up not just to survive after divorce—but to thrive.
What are the different approaches to settlement in which a CDFA® can support me?
No matter how you’re approaching your divorce—whether it’s a traditional route, mediation, or a collaborative divorce—a CDFA® can offer support. At Covenant Financial Partners, our CDFA® professionals also have special training in collaborative divorce, which means they can act as a neutral third party, working with both sides to find a fair financial solution. No matter the method, a CDFA® brings calm, clarity, and confidence to the financial decisions you’re facing.
Mediation
Collaborative
Mediation is a cooperative approach where both spouses work with a neutral third party—a mediator—to find a fair and workable settlement together. It’s often less expensive than going to court and can lead to better long-term results, since people are more likely to stick to agreements they’ve helped create rather than ones imposed by a judge.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) plays an important role in this process by offering clear, impartial financial guidance. They help break down complex topics like dividing assets, splitting retirement accounts, and determining child or spousal support. With their insight, you can better understand the long-term financial impact of each option—helping you reach an agreement that’s not only fair, but financially sustainable.
Traditional
In a typical divorce, each spouse hires their own attorney, and the issues are resolved through various methods, such as exchanging settlement letters between the lawyers, having direct meetings between the attorneys, or holding four-way meetings with both spouses and their attorneys present.
Whether it's a lawyer-managed divorce or a pro se divorce (where one or both parties represent themselves), a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) can provide valuable, impartial financial analysis. They help clients understand the financial implications of asset division, including tax effects, ensuring their clients can make informed decisions that are beneficial both in the short and long term.
Collaborative divorce is a team-based approach where the couple works together—with the help of professionals in law, finance, and mental health—to reach a fair settlement without going to court.
In this process, both spouses have their own attorneys, but everyone involved agrees to handle the situation respectfully, honestly, and cooperatively. One of the key rules is that no one can threaten or pursue court action—if that happens, the collaborative process ends, and the entire team, including the lawyers, must step away from the case.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) often serves as a financial neutral on this team. Their role is to help both sides understand the long-term impact of financial decisions, such as how to fairly divide assets or plan for retirement. The goal is to find balanced, practical solutions that support both parties moving forward—without the stress and cost of litigation.
Arbitration
In arbitration, a neutral arbitrator makes the final decisions regarding the settlement. This option is ideal for couples who are unable to reach an agreement on their own but want to avoid the high costs and public nature of going to court.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) plays a key role in this process by providing essential financial data and analysis. They help the arbitrator understand the financial details of asset division, support payments, and other financial matters, ensuring that the final settlement is fair and balanced for both parties.
After the divorce is finalized, how can Covenant Financial Partners support my financial future?
It’s important to avoid any conflict of interest when offering both financial planning and CDFA® services to the same client during a divorce. However, once the divorce is finalized, we can easily transition into a new role as your financial planner and holistic financial planning expert. Many clients prefer to continue working with the same planner after their divorce, as this professional is already familiar with their financial needs and circumstances. Given the changes and disruptions that come with divorce, maintaining a trusted relationship with someone who understands their situation can provide valuable stability during this time.