The Challenge

Lisa, a successful marketing executive, recently finalized her divorce after 25 years of marriage.
She received a fair settlement, including part of her ex-husband’s retirement accounts, equity from the family home, and some investments.

But despite having these assets, Lisa felt uncertain and anxious:

• Would her settlement be enough to support her lifestyle long-term?

• How should she invest and manage her money in her new circumstances?

• What was the best way to minimize taxes and avoid costly mistakes?

• How could she create a plan that accounted for her career, her kids, and her future goals?

Lisa’s main concern was that she didn’t know what she didn’t know. She had handled day-to-day budgeting during the marriage but had never managed the entire financial picture on her own.

The Approach

Lisa turned to us because she wanted more than just investment advice — she needed a partner who could help her navigate every aspect of her post-divorce financial life.

Our first step was to listen to her story and understand her priorities: stability, independence, and a sense of control over her future.
From there, we built a holistic plan that addressed:

• How to structure her settlement assets for both short-term needs and long-term growth

• Tax strategies to keep more of her settlement working for her

• A clear cash flow plan to cover current expenses while building future wealth

• A review of her estate plan and beneficiary designations to reflect her new life

• Education on investment principles so she could make informed decisions with confidence

The Results

Lisa’s new plan gave her far more than just a portfolio update — it gave her peace of mind and a clear path forward.

• Tax-smart investment strategy tailored to her new circumstances

• Lower investment costs through more efficient fund selection

• Better asset allocation to match her risk comfort and long-term goals

• An estate and legacy plan that aligned with her values and priorities

• An easy-to-use personal finance dashboard to track her progress and stay organized

Today, Lisa feels empowered. She has the confidence of knowing her settlement is working for her, her taxes are minimized, and her money supports the life she wants to create.

She’s focused on her career, her family, and building a meaningful new chapter — secure in the knowledge that her financial future is in good hands.

Note: This case study is hypothetical and does not involve an actual FMD Wealth Advisors client. No portion of the content should be construed as a guarantee of future results or satisfaction.