What is a CDFA® (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst)?
They are trained to provide financial advice and guidance to clients pre-during and post divorce and can help them make informed decisions about how to divide their assets and liabilities.
What does a CDFA® actually do?
Divorce attorneys handle the legal process. A CDFA® handles the financial one — and those two are very different. Keith Powell, CDFA® and CFP®, works alongside your attorney to ensure every financial decision in your settlement is built on accurate analysis, not assumptions.
Understand Financial Implications
In a divorce, there are many financial considerations to investigate, such as property division, spousal support, child support, and tax implications. A CDFA® can help you understand the financial implications of these decisions and provide guidance on how to make the best choices for your situation.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
One of the key benefits of working with a CDFA® is that they can help you avoid costly mistakes. Divorce can be a complex and emotional process, and it’s easy to make decisions that may have long-term financial consequences. A CDFA® can help you make informed decisions that consider your current financial situation, as well as your future financial goals.
Saves Time and Money
Another benefit of working with a CDFA® is that they can help you save time and money. By providing you with expert financial advice, a CDFA® can help you avoid costly mistakes and streamline the divorce process. This can help you save time and money and ensure that you can move on with your life as quickly and smoothly as possible. Their role goes beyond just crunching numbers; they offer a strategic approach to dividing marital assets, which is of particular importance for long-term financial health.
Keith Powell, owner of Austin Divorce Planners, explains how a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst can help you navigate the complexities of financial decisions during a divorce, while also saving you time and money, with the goal to protect your future.
If you are going through a divorce, we highly recommend working with a CDFA® as one can make a significant difference in the divorce process. Their expertise helps ensure that financial agreements are equitable and that you are positioned well for the next chapter of your life. Particularly in Texas, with its unique property division laws, having a CDFA®’s guidance can help protect your interests and set a course toward a secure financial future.
Why Hire a Divorce Financial Analyst in Austin, TX?
Keith Powell, CFP® CDFA®, explains a not uncommon scenario, where having a divorce financial analyst in place would have saved a lot of money and heartache.
Austin Divorce Planners offers an exclusive initial consultation with our seasoned financial experts for only $100
Asset analysis & valuation
Marital vs. separate property, home equity, retirement accounts, pensions, stock options — everything inventoried and valued accurately.
Settlement scenario modeling
Texas community property
Tax & support calculations
CDFA® vs. Divorce Attorney — what’s the difference?
| Category | Divorce Attorney | CDFA® Austin Divorce Planners |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Legal representation | Financial clarity & planning |
| Main Focus | Legal rights & court process | Assets, taxes, future outcomes |
| Legal Advice | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Court Representation | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Legal Filings & Court | ✓ Yes | ✗ Not their role |
| Financial Asset Analysis | ✗ Limited | ✓ Primary focus |
| Long-Term Settlement Modeling | ✗ Rarely | ✓ Core service |
| Pension & QDRO Calculations | ✗ Not typical | ✓ Specialist skill |
| Tax Impact Analysis | ✗ Not their role | ✓ Built into planning |
| Post-Divorce Planning | ✗ Not typical | ✓ Budgeting & cash flow |
| Cost | Higher hourly fees | More cost-efficient |
| Best For | Legal disputes & filings | Avoiding costly financial mistakes |
A Divorce Attorney protects your legal rights.
Austin Divorce Planners protects your financial future.
How the CDFA Process Works
Initial consultation ($100)
60-minute session to understand your situation, identify assets, and outline the financial picture of your divorce.
Financial Inventory
Keith gathers and organizes all marital assets, debts, retirement accounts, property, and income sources.
Attorney Collaboration
Keith works directly with your attorney — or as a neutral party in collaborative divorces — to support fair, informed negotiation.
Post-Divorce Planning
Once the settlement is finalized, Keith helps you build a financial plan for your next chapter — budgeting, investments, retirement.
CDFA® Specialized Knowledge and Analysis
CDFA®’s bring a deep understanding of the law, tax implications, and financial planning related to divorce. They utilize specialized software to analyze proposals for dividing assets and project the long-term effects of settlements. With a our expert’s help, you can see the potential future impact of different settlement options, allowing you to make decisions that are not only fair but also financially viable for years to come.
Addressing Complex Financial Issues
Divorce often involves intricate financial issues such as valuing and dividing pensions, stock options, and other retirement assets. A CDFA® is equipped to handle these complexities and can work in conjunction with your attorney to ensure that your financial interests are fully represented. In Texas, where community property laws dictate that most assets acquired during the marriage must be divided equally, their insight can be particularly valuable.
Collaborative Divorce and Mediation Support
In collaborative divorces or mediations, a CDFA can serve as a neutral party, providing both spouses with a clear understanding of their finances and helping them work toward a mutually agreeable settlement. They can create scenarios that illustrate the financial outcomes of various settlement options, fostering a spirit of cooperation and informed decision-making.
Post-Divorce Financial Planning
The role of a CDFA® isn’t limited to the divorce process itself. They can also assist with post-divorce financial planning, helping you adjust to a single income, reevaluate your investment strategy, and revise your financial goals for retirement. This planning is critical, as it helps set the foundation for a stable financial future and provides a roadmap for achieving your post- divorce objectives.
Qualifications and Training
To become a CDFA, professionals must undergo rigorous training and pass an exam administered by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA). They must also adhere to a strict code of ethics and engage in ongoing education to stay current with divorce finance issues.