FAQ

  • What does a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) do?

    A CDFA® models the money side of your divorce so you can compare options with real numbers.

    Details: We organize your finances, build budgets, project cash flow, model taxes, analyze “who keeps what,” coordinate retirement splits (including QDROs), and test how choices affect life after divorce. We support mediation and work with your attorney. We do not give legal advice.

  • When should I hire a CDFA®—before, during, or after the divorce?

    As early as possible; we add value before, during, and after.

    Details:
    Before: get organized, understand choices, prepare negotiation ranges.
    During: compare offers side-by-side with tax and cash-flow impact.
    After: complete transfers, set a new budget, and rebuild a long-term holistic financial plan.

  • How is a CDFA® different from an attorney or a mediator?

    Attorneys handle law; mediators guide agreement; CDFAs handle the numbers.

    Details: We build financial models your legal team uses to craft and evaluate settlements. We complement—not replace—legal professionals.

  • Do you only handle divorce cases, or do you also offer comprehensive financial planning and investment management?

    We’re a fee-only, fiduciary Registered Investment Advisor that specializes in divorce and provides holistic, comprehensive financial planning and investment management for individuals and families—even if divorce isn’t part of your situation.

    Details: We help clients before, during, and after divorce with clear financial analysis (CDFA® support and financial-neutral services for mediation). We also deliver full-scope financial planning—cash flow, retirement, investments, taxes, insurance, college funding, and estate coordination—so you get one coordinated plan for every stage of life.

  • Do you provide ongoing, holistic financial advice after the divorce?

    Yes. We offer comprehensive planning and investment management once the divorce is complete.

    Details: We help with cash-flow planning, retirement planning, investment management, tax planning (including Roth conversions and tax-efficient withdrawals), insurance reviews, college funding, charitable giving, and coordination with your attorney and CPA for estate and tax documents. The goal is a single, coordinated plan for your new life.

  • Can I hire you for comprehensive financial planning even if I’m not getting divorced?

    Yes. We also serve clients who simply want holistic financial advice.

    Details: While we specialize in divorce, we regularly help individuals and families with full-scope planning and investment management, delivered as a fee-only fiduciary.

  • How do we split retirement accounts?

    401(k)s/pensions usually need a QDRO; IRAs usually use a divorce-related transfer.

    Details: We model taxes and cash flow, coordinate with your attorney and the plan/custodian, and help avoid transfer mistakes.

  • What is a QDRO in plain English?

    A QDRO is a court order that tells a retirement plan how to divide benefits between spouses.

    Details: Your attorney or a QDRO specialist prepares it. We make sure the numbers and tax effects make sense before it’s drafted and filed.

  • How do alimony and child support affect taxes?

    For most agreements made after 2018, alimony isn’t deductible to the payer and isn’t taxable to the recipient; child support is neither deductible nor taxable.

    Details: We focus on after-tax cash flow so you know what you can afford. (Older agreements or state rules can differ—your attorney/tax pro will confirm.)

  • I’m the lower-earning spouse. How do I know if a proposal is sustainable?

    We build a post-divorce budget and long-term plan, then stress-test it.

    Details: We test taxes, inflation, and market swings so you can see what’s affordable before you say yes.

  • Do you work as a neutral for both spouses?

    Yes. As a financial neutral, we create shared numbers both sides can trust.

    Details: In mediation, we provide budgets, tax estimates, and side-by-side proposals to reduce conflict and speed agreement. We can also work one-on-one if you prefer your own advisor.

  • Can you help if we’re already in mediation or litigation?

    Yes, at any stage.

    Details: We produce clear, court-ready analysis, exhibits, and comparisons your legal team can use. Most cases still settle; strong numbers help.

  • What happens after the divorce is final?

    Follow-through matters; we guide the whole checklist.

    Details: File QDROs and complete transfers, retitle accounts and beneficiaries, close joint credit, open solo banking, update your budget, and implement your investment and tax plan for the next chapter.

  • Where do you serve clients?

    White Plains, Scarsdale, and Westchester County; across New York; virtual in most states.

    Details: Services are subject to advisory registration rules.

  • What’s the best next step?

    Book a Free Divorce Financial Assessment or a Free Comprehensive Planning Consultation.

    Details: We’ll discuss your situation, outline options, and recommend a plan to move forward with confidence.

  • Compliance note

    We provide financial analysis and investment advice. We do not provide legal advice.