Services
As you are going through the divorce process, I am able to advise you and your attorney on the long-term financial impact and consequences of proposed divorce settlements. It is often the case that a settlement may seem fair today, but is not at all equitable in the long run. I help you understand why that may be the case and offer alternatives.
I am able to help you answer critical questions, during critical times, like:
- Will I be able to pay my bills?
- How much will I have for retirement?
- How do I understand these accounts?
- What is this pension worth?
- What is the right amount of child support and alimony?
- What is the value of my contribution to the marriage?
- How do I preserve my current standard of living?
- What tax issues should I be concerned with?
- How can I be sure this remains fair in the long run?
I will analyze all financial documents, yours and your spouse’s, for potential financial abuses like:
- Evidence of hidden assets
- Over withholding
- Salary/bonus deferrals
- Frequent movement of funds among accounts
- Undisclosed income tax credits or carry-forwards
In addition, some of the issues that will be addressed in a complete analysis are:
- Reconciliation of payroll statements
- Review of income tax returns
- Assistance in developing a budget
- Impact of inflation in future years
- Valuation of pensions
- Review of business assets
- Separately owned assets
- Evaluation of current investments
- Future appreciation of assets by classification
- Needs assessment of insurances
- Division of marital property
- Disposition of marital home
- Division of debt
- Possible impact of residence in other states
- Special tax considerations
- Alimony
- Buyout calculations for property and/or alimony
- Child support
- Projected Cash Flow for each of the next 20 years or more
- Projected Net Worth for each of the next 20 years or more
A complete report of your Financial Analysis will be prepared and presented to you and your attorney. I am always available for follow-up questions. Revisions may also be requested as negotiations progress and new settlement alternatives need to be analyzed for long term outcomes.
Keep in mind that while your marriage may be over, you and your spouse have a financial partnership as well. My focus is on helping you to arrive at a settlement that is equitable, in the long term, as if the financial partnership had continued based upon your current joint assets.
Services are usually provided directly for one of the divorcing parties, in cooperation with their attorney. It is also possible for an attorney or mediator to contract with me as a financial consultant on a case. As a CDFA and CFDP, I am qualified to appear as an expert court witness if required.
Although services are provided for one of the parties, the results are useful to both spouses. My analysis follows an established objective methodology by which I simply "let the numbers talk." Your report will illustrate the future effects of a proposed settlement, upon the financial well-being of both husband and wife, and allow you to determine if that is truly the desired result, or intent, of what is being proposed.
As a first step, I can provide you with an initial one hour consultation at no charge, with no obligation. The time we spend together will help me to understand as much as possible about your situation, answer any questions you may have concerning my services, and enable us to decide if you would benefit from my assistance. Divorce financial analysis services are provided on an hourly basis, requiring an initial retainer. Click on "Fees" at the left for more information.
© 2008 Financial Advantage, Inc. Educational purposes only. No financial, legal or tax advice provided.