Get Educated

Expand your knowledge base ... plan your future ... my classes and financial planning services put you in the driver's seat.

Don't overlook these resources.

divorcemag.com
help for generation "ex"

National Network on
Family Law Policy
Nonprofit advocates for
child custody issues
and policies.

WIFE.org
Dedicated to providing financial education for women.

Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement
Reports and organizations that help women deal with divorce and widowhood.

Financial Divorce
Association, Inc.
Specializing in the
financial issues of
dividing marital assets.
 

Q: How can I be sure that I will be financially secure after my divorce?

A: I believe the key is Pre-Divorce Planning. For many women, the divorce settlement will be the single most important financial decision they make for the rest of their lives.

I became a divorce financial analyst because I got tired of telling women who sought my financial planning advice after their divorce that I could do little or nothing to help them. All their big issues had already been determined in their settlement, and they had often unwittingly agreed to settlements that seemed fair at the time but failed to look at the long-term effects and left them with too little money.

Career and Home Considerations
Often women defer career opportunities for any number of reasons, including staying home with children while husbands careers continue to advance. Divorce also necessitates a realistic look at the marital residence; even if you can legally remain in it, can you afford to?

Looking Forward
Very few family attorneys have training in financial planning, but divorce involves some very complicated issues like pensions, retirement assets, assets with high versus low tax consequences and the issue of future earning potential. When I create a pre-divorce financial plan, I consider the future 15-30 years from now and where both people will end up. It's an eye-opening exercise.

Prime Indicators for Divorce Planning
Do any of these apply to you?

• You were married a long time
• One spouse earned 75 percent or more of the family income
• You owned a family business

If so, you are even more likely to benefit from using a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.

Q. Who should claim the dependent child exemption?

A. It depends. Often the exemption is given to the high-income earner or traded off each year without regard to the economic benefit to the family.

Sharon Lockhart, CDFA™ FAIR Financial Group 4200 Somerset, Suite 120 Prairie Village, KS 66208 913-649-5300 or 888-649-5300 Fax: 913-649-5302 email me

Q. Does a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst replace an attorney?

A. No, couples still need lawyers to dissolve their marriage contract. Rather than address your legal situation, a divorce financial analyst will assist you with finances.