Navigating the

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Waters of Divorce

Capabilities to address a variety of needs

Divorce often sets in motion a recalibration of your financial and personal life. Together, we can address each of the complexities at hand – from comprehensive financial planning to insurance – to be sure each piece reflects your long-term needs and goals.

Settlement protection and expense planning

Receiving a cash settlement can often trigger the temptation to spend on a post-divorce vacation, home upgrade or a new car. Once we know the income you can expect, I can work with you to craft a tailored financial plan, including a detailed budget that accounts for both the expected and unexpected. By being able to accurately gauge your wealth as it relates to your lifestyle and long-term goals, you can better ensure your own comfort and financial independence down the road.

Income planning

Income is an important component of your comprehensive financial strategy, and as such, I work closely with my clients to account for the income they should expect following their divorce, including alimony and other potential forms, such as Social Security and annuity benefits. I can also review your income for tax implications and connect you with the appropriate CPA to assist with tax planning.

Investment management

Your investment portfolio should be tailored to your specific financial needs and goals for the future. The allocations that made sense for your spouse may not be the same for you. I assist my clients in transferring their accounts following divorce, and then work with you to make necessary adjustments and ensure your investments are aligned with your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term needs.

Insurance considerations

Health Insurance*

Insurance can be complicated in nature, and I often assist my clients in exploring their options for policies and carriers. I get questions such as: How do I apply for COBRA? Who can help me shop for insurance? How do my premiums get paid? I’m happy to answer these questions and guide you in the right direction.

Life insurance

I can assist clients with policy ownership changes or the purchase of new insurance to cover your alimony income. I will also work with you to review your beneficiaries and current policies to make sure they meet your investment needs. As my clients age, I often provide support in researching solutions for the addition of long-term care to their coverage.

Disability income insurance

If your settlement agreement includes a policy, I can provide additional clarity and follow up on proof of coverage.

Estate plans

Estate plans are often easily overlooked post-divorce. Addressing your financial goals beyond your life is important when children and perhaps grandchildren are involved. Estate planning includes but is not limited to wills, trusts, titling of property and tax planning. I make it a point to discuss with my clients their estate planning wishes and introduce them to an estate planning professional if they do not already have one.

*Services are not provided by Raymond James.

Now is the right time to support your financial future.

The sooner we can ensure your financial needs are supported, the better.

The earlier I can partner with you as you undergo the divorce process, the more I can help ensure that the decisions being made truly reflect your financial needs and best interests. Together, we can clarify your options and consider their long-term effects, so you can more easily decide what is most important to you as well as what you’re willing to compromise. Making financial decisions under duress without a trusted financial advisor can cost thousands of dollars in the long run. I seek to be a source of both guidance and confidence for my clients in an effort to support their goals as well as preserve their wealth and time.

Whether you’re in the midst of the divorce process or already past it, it is never too soon or too late to make sure your financial situation, and the decisions made around it, truly reflect your needs and goals.

It is my privilege to be a knowledgeable resource for my clients as they make these important financial decisions – before, during and following this chapter in their lives.

Collaborative Divorce

Collaborative divorce is a method of alternative dispute resolution in family law. It can best be described as a method of practicing law in which the lawyers, financial professionals, and mental health professionals for both sides (parties) agree to assist the clients to resolve conflicts by employing cooperative techniques rather than adversarial strategies and litigation. All of the people involved commit themselves to achieving a negotiated outcome. It is agreed that no litigation will be commenced during the negotiations.

The parties and their lawyers enter into a “Participation Agreement” where it is agreed that if a settlement is not reached, the lawyers will withdraw from the process and not participate in the ensuing litigation. It is understood by all involved that the lawyers’ retainers are limited to settlement negotiations.

The most important element of collaborative divorce is that the lawyers commit to manage the conflict, emotional issues and relationship issues creatively.

The parties and their advisors engage in group meetings. These meetings allow the parties to explore their issues using their own words and feelings.

Josh is certified in Collaborative Divorce and can act as a financial neutral in a Collaborative Case. He works very closely with attorneys and mental health professionals trained in this area to help client's who want to pursue this method. Please contact Josh if you are interested in Collaborative divorce and want to learn more.

CDFA^® - Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^®

Getting your affairs in order during a divorce is made easier with the help of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^® (CDFA^™). This certification emphasizes the analyst’s ability to aid you in financial decisions and work with you and your attorney toward a settlement that fully addresses your long-term needs. By utilizing proprietary software and specialized knowledge, CDFA^® professionals can help determine the short- and long-term financial impact of a settlement. They are able to create, analyze and forecast various scenarios to outline a fair settlement that will help protect your interests and potentially keep costs low and reduce the time it takes to work through a divorce.

Why should you work with a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst^®? When working with a CDFA^® professional, it means you are working with an advisor who understands the financial complexities you will experience during a divorce and will empower you to make educated decisions through the process which, in turn, can help save you time and money down the road. They can not only help you with decisions that need to be made for the short term, but also help forecast the long-term effects of the divorce settlement, including details of tax liabilities and benefits. Don’t forget, CDFA^® professionals are financial representatives too. With the training, knowledge and experience as a financial advisor, they can help you make the most of the divorce settlement by reassessing your investments and financial plan to ensure it’s aligned with your short- and long-term goals.