Make Smart Decisions

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) is a professional with at least a Bachelor’s degree and three years of on-the-job experience. They are trained to address the special financial issues that arise during a divorce.

For example, an experienced CDFA™ can:

1. Collect and evaluate financial data: Which assets are marital? Which are non-marital (separate)?
2. Work with the client to complete an accurate and comprehensive financial affidavit.
3. Help clients understand the short-term and long-term financial impact of property and debt division, alimony, and child support.
4. Provide insight and assistance regarding valuation and division of complicated assets including pensions, retirement accounts, real estate, business interests.
5. Supply attorney support by developing expert testimony and reports to be used in Court or mediation to help the Court or arbitrator or mediator, and the parties and opposing counsel, understand the financial and tax implications of different divorce resolutions or settlements.
6. Work with the client to transition from a dual-income household to a single-income arrangement, and develop a post-divorce budget based upon their new financial reality.

Mr. Schireman holds the CDFA™ designation and has more than twenty-five years of experience as a divorce lawyer, mediator and arbitrator. He has the knowledge and experience to ensure that his clients have the information and support they need to make informed decisions which can safeguard their financial futures.

There can be significant value in hiring a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) for a divorce case, especially when there are complex financial issues involved.

Here are some reasons why a CDFA™ will be beneficial:

1. Expertise in Financial Analysis: They can provide a detailed analysis of both short-term and long-term financial implications of various settlement options.
2. Asset and Debt Division: A CDFA™ can offer insight into how to equitably divide assets and debts, including the tax implications of different strategies.
3. Retirement Assets: Understanding how to divide retirement assets can be complex, especially when considering tax consequences and future growth. A CDFA™ has the expertise to address these concerns.
4. Tax Implications: Divorce can have numerous tax implications, from asset transfers to alimony. A CDFA™ can help you understand and plan for these tax consequences.
5. Cost-Efficient: While there are costs associated with hiring a CDFA, the insights and strategies they provide can often result in a more favorable financial outcome, potentially saving clients money in the long run.
6. Budgeting: Transitioning from a dual-income household to a single-income one or adjusting to new financial circumstances can be challenging. A CDFA™ can help clients create post-divorce budgets to ensure they’re financially stable.
7. Forensic Accounting: In some cases, one spouse might be hiding assets or underreporting income. A CDFA™, especially one with experience in asset tracing or forensic accounting, can help uncover these hidden assets.
8. Support for Legal Team: While a CDFA™ is not a substitute for an attorney, they can complement the legal team by providing critical financial analyses that can strengthen a client’s case.
9. Emotional Ease: Divorce is emotionally taxing. Having a very experienced professional who has objectively analyzed hundreds of cases and can explain the financial aspects can reduce the emotional burden. An experienced CDFA™ can help clients make more informed and less emotionally-driven decisions.

1. Comprehensive Financial Analysis: CDFA™s can provide detailed projections showing the financial effects of different divorce settlement options, both immediate and long term.
2. Asset Division Expertise: CDFA™s understand the nuances of dividing various types of assets, from real estate to retirement accounts, ensuring that clients receive equitable distributions that take into account tax implications and future growth.
3. Tax Knowledge: They are well-versed in tax implications related to divorce, which can influence decisions on asset division, spousal support, and more.
4. Budgeting Assistance: Post-divorce financial realities often differ significantly from marital financial situations. CDFA™s can help clients develop realistic budgets for their new circumstances.
5. Retirement Planning: Divorce can heavily impact retirement plans. A CDFA™ can guide clients on how to adjust their retirement strategies based on the outcome of the divorce.
6. Child Support and Alimony Calculations: CDFA™s can help in analyzing the need, amount, and duration of alimony and child support, taking into account various financial factors.
7. Financial Education: Not all clients are familiar with their marital finances. A CDFA™ can educate them on their current financial situation, helping them make informed decisions during the divorce.
8. Neutral Third Party: A CDFA™ offers an objective perspective, which can be very valuable in mediations or collaborative divorces, helping both parties understand the financial realities and implications of their decisions.
9. Protection Against Costly Mistakes: Financial mistakes in divorce settlements can have lasting repercussions. A CDFA™’s expertise can help clients avoid pitfalls and make more informed decisions.
10. Holistic Perspective: While attorneys focus on legal issues, CDFA™s take a holistic approach to finances, ensuring that clients consider all financial aspects, from immediate cash flow to future needs.
11. Support for the Legal Team: By handling the financial complexities, a CDFA can complement the work of divorce attorneys, allowing the legal team to focus on legal issues while being informed of the financial ramifications.
12. Peace of Mind: Divorce is emotionally and mentally taxing. Knowing that a professional is handling the financial details can offer clients peace of mind during a challenging time.