This fictional profile gives insight to the role that a Financial Advisor plays as a neutral in the Collaborative Divorce process. The Collaborative Divorce process is an alternative process to a traditional courtroom divorce. The process involves the divorcing parties, their legal representatives, a Mental Health Professional and a Financial Professional. The Mental Health and Financial Professionals are neutrals in the process – neither specifically associated with either of … [Read more...]
Five Self-Care Tips for Clients During a Divorce
Divorce is often described as one of the most stressful events of any person’s life, right up there with the death of a loved one. And it is the “death” of a relationship which was initially intended to last a lifetime. Even for the spouse who has decided the relationship should be over, divorce can be extremely stressful. So, how can the stress and emotional damage be decreased? 1. Acceptance As soon as you know the relationship is over, whether … [Read more...]
Informed Decision-Making & Control of the Future-Part 2
It’s time! Now what and how? I didn’t anticipate what you might call brain fog around the division of my marital estate. I’d worked in personal finance since 1998 and knew my financial world as well as possible. The peace-of-mind I received from having guidance from a clear-headed, unemotional, mentally available, experienced team is the best gift I’ve probably ever given myself. Divorce is likely an event with which you do not have much or any hands-on experience. This process is one that … [Read more...]
Pre-Divorce Financial Checklist
It’s no secret that a divorce can be tough. There are emotional, financial and legal issues to consider. Before you decide to move forward with your divorce, it’s important to go through a pre-divorce financial checklist. Doing this will make it easier when the time comes to separate your assets and know what you need. So, what do you really need to do to start on your financial checklist? The first thing is to get in touch with an attorney. You should find an attorney that you are … [Read more...]
Facing the Holidays During a Covid-Era Divorce
As the “longest year ever” starts to draw to a close, we turn to thoughts of the holidays. The Halloween inflatables have come down, the candy has been eaten (except for that secret stash in the pantry!), and plans are being made for Thanksgiving and beyond. But how to plan and how to celebrate in this year of COVID-19? Extended families are separated by masks and geography. Many of us have experienced unspeakable loss since March, and all of us have dealt with fear, … [Read more...]
Planning for the Holidays During a Divorce
If this is your first holiday season since your separation, then now is the time to start thinking about what the holidays are going to look like this year. One thing is for sure, they are going to look a lot different than all of the years past. Here’s a few tips to help everyone get through this stressful season that is compounded this year now that Mom & Dad live in two different places. 1) Plan Ahead and Plan Soon. As I write this, Halloween is just around … [Read more...]
Informed Decision-Making & Control of the Future Part 1:
Is it time for us to divorce or do we both have one more genuine attempt left in our emotional and / or financial bank? This and so many other questions are best answered when we have a clear head and are able to make sound decisions. So, how is that possible when we’re contemplating divorce while our world is caving in on us? Collaborative divorce professionals focus on your hope for your family’s future. The intent is to develop a mutually beneficial outcome that is driven by interests or … [Read more...]
HOLIDAY SEASON 2020 – COVID STYLE
Can you believe it? The Holidays are upon us. I do not know where the year went. I guess COVID messed with my internal clock or something because although I cannot wait for the "New Normal" to return to the "Old Normal," COVID will impact how we celebrate this Holiday Season. Before I go any further, I cannot stress the importance of complying with your court order! No one should willfully violate a court order. "Willful disobedience." As it can expose a party to contempt and sanctions. It is … [Read more...]
Advantages of the Collaborative Divorce Team
Having a team is an amazing benefit of the Collaborative Divorce process. Both parties have access to a group of professionals who can help you learn how to advocate for yourself. That is a skill that you need to take with you post-divorce, which is extremely beneficial. Maybe you haven't advocated for yourself before or have not always felt comfortable challenging opinions and decisions in the past. Maybe you haven’t advocated for your children and just accepted what the other parent had … [Read more...]
Two Common Misconceptions About Divorce
As a divorce lawyer, I am often surprised by the questions I hear from my clients reflecting common misconceptions about divorce that they’ve picked up from friends, relatives and the media. The most common misconception is that “there is no such thing as a friendly divorce.” In my over 40 years in practice I have been involved in scores of divorces during which the couples have worked out the details of their divorce settlements with a minimum of unpleasantness and bad behavior. … [Read more...]
