Finding Meaning in and after Divorce

How we help when your world is turned upside down.

Our role is not just as an analyst, but as an anchor to keep our clients grounded and to give them the true analytical number of their worlds.  We acknowledge the emotional toll that our clients feel and yet provide them with a complete analytical breakdown and assessment of their situation in such a way that we are empathetic to what they are going through.

Taking Control of Your Financial Future

Many women ask us, "Am I going to be OK?"-
“Of all the benefits we provide, the one our clients are most thankful for is the support they receive during this difficult process peace of mind they have a team to help them and with their best interest in mind.” 

As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) Mary also works alongside clients who seek a financial advocate throughout and after their divorce process. Mary provides individualized support to help the client and their attorney navigate the intrinsic details of financial planning and analysis as it specifically relates to divorce.  Along the way we create a financial and investment plan for these divorcees based on their new found "why, and what is important now" that they will take them forward into their new regained life.

Over the last 29 years Mary has developed a niche and passion in advising women when the unthinkable thing happens and these amazing ladies find themselves "suddenly single" due to a death or divorce. After three decades of working with many different situations of newly single women, Mary has developed a passion for helping them put the financial pieces back together so these ladies can regain some form of normality in their lives when they do not believe it is even possible. She will walk alongside them in their time of despair and make the multitude of financial challenges understandable, manageable and achievable.

Mary has redefined investing and planning for women, by women.

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Question:   How do I know if I/my client need to use a CDFA™?

A. If you have any of the following questions, a CDFA™ can help provide answers and reduce uncertainty:

  • I’ve never managed the family finances before. What should I do first? 
  • How can I be sure my settlement is fair both in the short run and the long run?
  • Will I have enough after the divorce to pay my bills?
  • How can we structure a settlement to save taxes?
  • What should we do about the house?
  • My spouse owns a small business. How does this affect me?
  • Do I get 50% of my spouse’s pension, or do we each just keep our own retirement accounts?
  • Who has to pay the debts?
  • What are my options for health insurance? 

                                            

    Partnering with Other Divorce Professional's
    Mary J. Howard, CIMA®, CRPC®, CDFA™, is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® with almost 30 years of financial consulting experience. Mary and her team are specifically trained to think outside the box and uses a creative approach to finding equitable solutions for each case.  We bring a higher degree of specialized knowledge and streamlines the divorce process.

    We work extensively with clients, attorneys and mediators in a collaborative effort to proved clarity on all the financial issues surrounding divorce.      We act as the support infrastructure to your attorney who serves as your quarterback on your divorce team.  Our goal is to help you avoid any financial pitfalls and laying a foundation for financial stability after the divorce is finalized.  This empowerment will positively affect women and their children post-divorce.

    Many of our divorce clients are referred to us by their loved ones, attorneys, therapists and counselors.


    Post-Divorce Financial Planning:  Focus on What’s Next.
    After a divorce is final, significant assets are often put in the hands of a spouse who is not experienced in dealing with money. We help your client learn fiscal responsibility so they can have financial stability in the future. We also help your client with:

    *Investment, Income Tax & Estate planning
    *Healthcare Planning - We ensure your client has explored all their coverage options & costs.
    *Insurance Planning - determine current and future coverage needs or alternative solutions to protect maintenance, child support, and retirement benefits in case

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    Curriculum Vitae Divorce Resume

    Do I Really Need to Hire a CDFA? 


    Good Reads:

    Divorce Think Financially Not Emotionally 
    By: Jeffrey A. Landers, CDFA

    High- Conflict Divorce for Women 
    By:  Debra Doak

    Divorce After 50 
    By: Attorney Janice Green



    Print Off Resources:
    IDFA My Priorities Worksheet                               Getting Organized Worksheet

    Divorce To Do List                                                        Charting Assets

    Household Inventory Worksheet                        Expense & Budget Worksheet

    IDFA Sample Financial Affidavit                         Evaluating Separation Agreement Checklist

        Social Security Options for Spouses Widows Ex-Spouses


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