Open Hours:Mon – Fri 8:00 -7:00

The Role of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst in Your Divorce

Categories

Get in Touch

Send an Email

Divorce is not just a legal process; it’s also a financial one. As you navigate the complexities of divorce, you may find yourself grappling with various financial decisions and considerations. In such instances, the expertise of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) can be invaluable. In this article, we’ll explore the role of a CDFA and how their expertise can benefit you during the divorce process.

What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)?

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) is a financial professional who specializes in the financial aspects of divorce. These professionals undergo specialized training to understand the complex financial issues that arise during divorce proceedings. From asset division to tax implications and long-term financial planning, a CDFA can provide expert guidance and analysis to help you make informed decisions.

The Role of a CDFA in Your Divorce:

1. Financial Analysis:

A CDFA will conduct a thorough analysis of your financial situation, including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. They’ll help you understand the financial implications of various divorce settlement options and assess the long-term financial impact of proposed agreements.

2. Asset Division:

Dividing assets in divorce can be complicated, especially when dealing with complex assets such as investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and business interests. A CDFA can assist in valuing assets, evaluating tax consequences, and proposing equitable distribution strategies.

3. Budgeting and Financial Planning:

Post-divorce financial planning is essential for ensuring long-term financial stability. A CDFA can help you develop a realistic budget based on your post-divorce income and expenses. They’ll also provide guidance on managing debt, building savings, and planning for future financial goals.

4. Tax Considerations:

Divorce can have significant tax implications, particularly concerning the division of assets and spousal support payments. A CDFA can help you understand the tax consequences of various divorce settlement options and optimize your tax situation.

5. Expert Testimony:

In some cases, a CDFA may provide expert testimony in divorce proceedings. Their expertise can help support your case and ensure that financial matters are addressed fairly and accurately.

Conclusion:

Navigating the financial aspects of divorce can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. With the assistance of a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), you can approach the divorce process with confidence, knowing that you have expert guidance every step of the way. At Austin Divorce Planners, our team of experienced CDFA professionals is dedicated to helping clients achieve favorable financial outcomes in divorce. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you through this challenging time.

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
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.