What is a CDFA®?
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, CDFA® is certified through The Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts www.institutedfa.com and specializes in the financial issues surrounding divorce. The role of the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst includes acting as an advocate for one client, a financial neutral for both divorcing parties or a financial partner with your mediator or divorce lawyer when choosing mediation or collaborative divorce. A CDFA® uses his or her knowledge of tax law, asset distribution, and short-and long-term financial planning to achieve an equitable settlement.
A CDFA® is one who specializes in the financial issues surrounding divorce.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst professional provides the client, attorney and/or mediator (if the client chooses to work with an attorney or a mediator) data analysis that depicts the financial effect of any given settlement which is presented in easy to understand reports, graphs and charts. A CDFA® becomes an integral part of the divorce team and provides support on many important items that impact the immediate and future lifestyle of the client:
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Bring an innovative and creative approach to settling financial cases
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Providing data showing the immediate and future financial effect of any given divorce settlement
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Analyze, from a financial perspective, spousal and/or child support both for the payee and the payor, options as to how the payout might be structured for the greatest benefit for the family and the financial ramifications to both parties.
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Understanding the short-term and long-term effects of dividing property.
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Identify/uncover assets and liabilities (such as homes, cars, boats, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, trusts, retirement plans, annuities, stock options, employee stock option plans, restricted stock units, businesses).
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What constitutes separate versus marital property
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Determining if the client can afford the marital home now, in 5 years, 10 years or 20 years
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Detail debts that are owed (such as mortgages, loans, credit cards).
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Analyzing and valuing pensions and retirement plans
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Recognizing the tax consequences of different settlement proposes
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Review property to understand its cost basis, tax implications, and value, as well as how to divide it.
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Social Security elections and payouts due to the divorce. Post-Divorce Transition Assistance
