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Why Working with a CDFA® Makes All the Difference in Divorce Planning

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Divorce isn’t just emotional—it’s financial. And that’s where a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA) brings unmatched value. At Austin Divorce Planners, our CDFA professionals provide expert divorce planning in Austin, helping women and couples protect their financial future with clarity and care.

What Is a CDFA—and Why It Matters

A CDFA is not a typical financial advisor. We’re specifically trained in the intersection of family law and personal finance, which allows us to identify risks, weigh options, and guide you through settlement decisions with confidence. Our CDFA in Austin understands local divorce laws and how they impact pensions, property, and spousal support.

Local Expertise for Pension Calculations and Divorce Planning

If you’re navigating pension calculations or debating what to do with your Austin home, our team can walk you through each scenario. We specialize in divorce planning for couples in Central Texas, offering financial clarity and peace of mind during one of life’s most stressful transitions.

Support Beyond the Settlement

We don’t stop once the paperwork is signed. Our post-divorce budget planning services help Austin women and families reorganize, adjust, and rebuild. Whether you’re creating a new household budget or planning for retirement after divorce, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Trusted by Women Throughout Austin

We’re proud to be one of the only firms in Texas focused solely on divorce financial planning. Women across Austin turn to us for unbiased advice, clear pension projections, and guidance customized to their real-life needs. When you work with Austin Divorce Planners, you’re not just hiring a financial expert—you’re gaining a dedicated partner in your next chapter.

Start with Financial Clarity—Right Here in Austin

Divorce planning is complex, but with local support, it becomes manageable. If you’re searching for a trusted CDFA in Austin, we’re ready to guide you through the process.

Call (512) 963-6883 or Schedule a Call with Keith today for personalized financial divorce advice.

How the CDFA Process Works

Attorneys are trained in the law. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® — a divorce financial analyst trained specifically in the money side of divorce — focuses on the financial mechanics, including how taxes change what a settlement is really worth.

Initial consultation ($100)

A one-hour conversation to understand your situation — income, assets, the length of your marriage, and what support is on the table.

After-Tax Modeling

We translate gross support figures into what each household actually keeps, so you're negotiating with real numbers instead of pre-2019 assumptions.

Support vs. Property Comparison

Keith works directly with your attorney — or as a neutral party in collaborative divorces — to support fair, informed negotiation.

Long-Term Projection

We model what your settlement looks like 5, 10, and 20 years out — not just at the moment the ink dries.

Austin Divorce Planners works with clients throughout Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, San Marcos, and across the rest of Texas through virtual consultations — so you can get divorce financial planning help wherever you are in the state.

 

About Keith PowellKeith Powell is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) and Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) with over 30 years of experience. Austin Divorce Planners is one of only a handful of Texas firms focused exclusively on divorce financial planning, with a strong focus on serving women throughout Texas. Serving all of Texas, including Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Waco, and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions: Alimony & Taxes in Texas

The questions Keith hears most often from clients navigating support in a 2026 divorce.

Is alimony tax deductible in Texas in 2026?

No. For any divorce or separation agreement executed after December 31, 2018, alimony and court-ordered spousal maintenance are not deductible for the paying spouse and are not taxable income for the receiving spouse. This applies to all Texas divorces finalized in 2026.

Didn't the 2017 tax law expire after 2025?

Several of the TCJA’s individual provisions were scheduled to sunset after 2025, which is why many people expected alimony rules to revert. The alimony provision, however, was written as a permanent change and was never part of that sunset. For 2026 and beyond, the post-2018 treatment stands.

My divorce was finalized before 2019. Which rules apply to me?

Agreements executed on or before December 31, 2018 are grandfathered under the old rules — alimony remains deductible to the payer and taxable to the recipient. Be careful, though: modifying that older order can switch it to the new treatment if the modification expressly says the new rules apply.

How much spousal maintenance can a Texas court order?

Court-ordered maintenance is capped at the lesser of $5,000 per month or 20% of the paying spouse’s average monthly gross income, under Texas Family Code § 8.055. Courts do not automatically award the maximum — the amount is tied to the recipient’s minimum reasonable needs, and eligibility itself is limited.

What's the difference between spousal maintenance and contractual alimony?

Court-ordered spousal maintenance is limited by statute — strict eligibility, a dollar cap, and duration limits. Contractual alimony is a voluntary agreement written into the decree, with no caps or eligibility rules, often used to balance the property division. Both receive the same federal tax treatment for post-2018 agreements.

Should the tax change affect how I negotiate?

Yes. Because the payer no longer gets a deduction and the recipient no longer pays tax, the after-tax value of every support dollar has shifted. Numbers based on pre-2019 assumptions are no longer accurate — which is why modeling support and property on an after-tax basis before you agree to anything is so important.

Do I need a divorce financial planner if I already have a divorce attorney?

Attorneys provide legal advice and draft agreements. A divorce financial planner or CDFA helps analyze the long-term financial impact of settlement options, including taxes, retirement accounts, spousal maintenance, and future cash flow.

Related Reading for Your Texas Divorce

Support is only one piece of the settlement. Explore the related financial issues that often move alongside it.

Spousal Support in Texas

How spousal maintenance works, who qualifies, and how Texas courts approach it.

Asset Division in Texas

Community property rules and strategies for a fair, after-tax division of assets.

Pension Calculations

Why a pension’s true value rarely matches the statement — and how it’s divided.

Post-Divorce Budget Planning

What your finances look like going forward, on one income.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Tax treatment depends on your specific facts and can change. Texas Family Code provisions are summarized here for general understanding. Please consult a qualified attorney and a tax advisor about your individual situation before making any decisions.
Austin Divorce Planners | Serving All of Texas
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