Why Working with a CDFA® Matters in Divorce for Wealthy Women
If you’re a woman going through divorce with significant assets at stake, working with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) can be a game-changer.
You’ve worked hard to build your wealth whether through a thriving career, a successful business, a meaningful inheritance, or years of smart investing. Or perhaps you supported a high-earning spouse by managing the household, raising children, and putting your own ambitions on hold. Regardless of how your wealth was built or who earned it, divorce can put it all at risk. That’s why working with a CDFA® can be one of the most strategic decisions you make.
A CDFA® is More Than a Financial Advisor
You and your spouse may already work with a financial advisor. During the divorce process, one of you will need to find a new advisor to avoid conflicts of interest. This is where you can benefit from independent advice from a CDFA®. This designation requires highly specialized knowledge and a distinct skill set that can be especially important if you have significant wealth at stake.
Where a traditional advisor may focus on investing and long-term planning, a CDFA® is trained to assess the financial intricacies of divorce from tax consequences and asset division to support planning and post-divorce cash flow.
A CDFA® helps you:
- Understand the true value of each asset in your settlement
- Model various settlement scenarios over time
- Anticipate tax consequences of different financial decisions
- Project post-divorce budgets and lifestyle sustainability
- Coordinate with your attorney to strengthen your legal case with financial clarity
Your Attorney Builds the Legal Case. Your CDFA® Builds the Financial One.
If you already have a top-tier divorce attorney—great. That’s essential.
While your attorney is there to negotiate the legal aspects of your divorce, your CDFA® ensures the numbers behind those negotiations are clear, accurate, and aligned with your goals.
Whether you’re deciding how to divide restricted stock units, real estate, or business interests, your CDFA® is your financial advocate who helps ground every decision in data, not emotion.
Divorce Is a Financial Deal You’ll Live With Forever
Once your settlement is final, many decisions are permanent. There are no do-overs. If you have accumulated meaningful wealth, even small missteps can be incredibly costly over time.
Keeping the wrong asset, misunderstanding tax obligations, or underestimating your future needs could jeopardize the lifestyle and security you’ve worked so hard to build.
Working with a CDFA® helps you avoid those costly mistakes.
Common Questions About Working with a CDFA®
Especially for Women with Significant Wealth
What exactly does a CDFA® do during divorce?
A CDFA® models financial outcomes, assesses asset tradeoffs, and brings a long-term lens to your settlement. Their role is to help you understand what each option really means for your future.
How is a CDFA® works different from what my attorney does?
Attorneys handle legal negotiations. A CDFA® handles the financial strategy behind those decisions. Together, they help you get a settlement that’s both fair and financially sound.
Can a CDFA® help me decide whether to keep the house?
Absolutely. Your CDFA® will run cash flow and tax projections so you can decide whether keeping the home fits your financial plan or if other options are smarter.
How does a CDFA® typically charge?
Many work on a flat-fee or hourly basis. At Divorce Advisory, we’re transparent about costs from day one so there are no surprises. We will provide an estimated range of costs for your financial planning, depending on the scope of the issues.
Will I still need a financial advisor after the divorce?
Yes; ideally one who understands your post-divorce plan. At Divorce Advisory, we offer both divorce-focused and ongoing wealth advisory and investment management services through The Advisory Group to support your full financial journey.
Ready to Feel More in Control?
At Divorce Advisory, we combine extensive financial expertise with compassionate, high-touch support for women facing divorce who have significant assets at stake. With both a CDFA® and CFP® professionals on our team, we help you make clear, confident, and informed decisions every step of the way.
Let’s talk about how we can support you.
Schedule a call today.
Looking for a place to start?
Download our free guidebook and checklist to help you get organized and informed before making big financial decisions.
