Divorce Financial Planning – EP Wealth Advisors can help

Why is Divorce Financial Planning Important?

Going through a divorce can make you feel anxious, afraid and often overwhelmed. You may be wondering:

                  • Where do I start?

                  • What do I need to know?

                  • How can I protect myself and my children financially?

                  • Who can help me?

At EP Wealth advisors we have a team of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts**, or CDFA®s, who can help you answer all of those questions and more.

Whether you are planning to use mediation, collaborative law or litigation, we have the experience to help you make the best first steps,

What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®?

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, or CDFA®, is a professional who is specially trained in divorce-related aspects of financial planning including the cash flow analysis to evaluate asset division, tax assessment of settlements, determination of community and separate property.

Qualifications for the CDFA® designation include three years of financial planning or legal experience, a bachelor’s degree and successful completion of course work and a comprehensive examination administered by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA™).

It is important to note that CDFA® professionals, unless they are also licensed to practice law, cannot provide legal advice.

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The Divorce Financial Planning Process - How EP Wealth Can Help

Gathering financial information for disclosures
  • We help you sort through all of the pieces of your financial life, even if you weren’t the spouse who handled the finances. You will learn along the way as we educate you and evaluate what you have and ultimately what you want in a settlement.  
  • We work with you and your attorney or mediator to complete financial disclosures, review tax returns and other financial documents and review financial information provided by your spouse.

Click here for a link to our free checklist for the List of Documents for Divorce Financial Analysis!

Settlement Negotiations – with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® on your side
  • As the process unfolds, we work with you and the other professionals on your team. Even in a community property state like California, there are many creative ways to divide assets and liabilities so that you end up with the “half” that will provide you with the best financial future.
  • If you are presented with a proposal from your spouse, we provide a detailed analysis of what that proposal means to you from an asset and cash flow point of view, both now and in the future. This allows you to make the best, and most informed, decision during any negotiation.
After the Settlement Agreement - Creating a solid plan of action for your future

The divorce planning process continues after a divorce becomes final. We help you move forward with next steps such as:

  • Creating a new budget and implementing an appropriate financial plan and investment strategy
  • Making sure QDROs (if appropriate) are completed and assets are transferred
  • Meeting with a CPA to discuss tax planning
  • Meeting with an estate planning attorney to create a new will or trust
  • Closing joint accounts and retitling assets
  • Protecting or establishing a strong credit history
  • Reevaluating insurance needs
  • Helping you track expected future streams of income
  • Setting goals and focusing on making plans for your future

For more information, click here download our free Divorce Process Checklist

How to start the Divorce Financial Planning Process with EP Wealth Advisors

We start with an initial complimentary consultation and if we both choose to work together, our divorce planning services are available at an hourly rate. If you are already an EP Wealth Management client with assets under management, speak to your advisor for more information about this client service.

At EP Wealth Advisors, we understand the emotions that can surround the financial decisions in a divorce. We act as your advocate, with a voice of reason and compassion, to help you make the best choices for your future.

Contact us now to learn more. We are here for you.

 

  • The Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (“CDFA®”) that are employed by EP Wealth Advisors, LLC are not practicing attorney, accountant, tax professional, or legal expert. All assessments and subsequent recommendations limited and are performed exclusively under the guise of financial planning. An attorney must be retained in order to professional and accurately assess legal options and/or to provide counsel. We also recommend consulting a CPA, accountant, or tax professional.

  • Hiring or working with a CDFA® does not guarantee or ensure that a client or prospective client will experience encouraging or favorable results.

  • Information presented is general in nature and should not be viewed as a comprehensive analysis of the topics discussed. It is intended to serve as a tool containing general information that should assist you in the development of subsequent discussions. Content does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, tax, or legal advice nor is it intended to supplement professional individualized advice by the appropriate professional(s).

  • The decision to work with a CDFA® professional will differ amongst clients and depend on individual circumstances of each respective client. There is no guarantee or warrantee that the services offered by EP Wealth Advisors, LLC and/or a CDFA® will satisfy your divorce service needs. Services offered by other professionals may align more to your specific needs.

  • EP Wealth Advisors, LLC. is registered as an investment advisor with the SEC and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor does it indicate that the advisor has attained a particular level of skill or ability

 

 

 

 
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