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Top Five Reasons for Hiring a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® in Austin, TX During the Divorce Process

1) Financial analysis conducted early in the divorce process in Austin, TX can save time.

The average length of the U.S. divorce process is one year. In the beginning stages of the process, both parties spend a great deal of time trying to get a clear understanding of the financial aspects and terminology of the separation. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) professional can explain all financial aspects of the pending decisions and help to empower their client to make educated decisions throughout the proceedings.

2) A CDFA can help their client save money during the divorce process in Austin, TX.

By using a CDFA professional, you can have a clearer view of your financial future. Only then can you approach a legal settlement that fully addresses your financial needs and capabilities. A legal settlement that floats back and forth between attorneys, without the client having a clear understanding of all financial ramifications, can be detrimental, time consuming and expensive. CDFA professional’s can educate their clients by providing a thorough knowledge and understanding of the often-complicated financial decisions.

3) A CDFA can help his/her clients to avoid long-term financial pitfalls related to divorce agreements.

Working with a client and their attorney, a CDFA professional can forecast the long-term effects of the divorce settlement. This includes details of all tax liabilities and benefits. Developing a long-term forecast for their financial situation is far better than a short-term snapshot. Financial decisions must be made that not only take care of immediate family needs, but retirement needs as well.

4) CDFA professional’s can assist their clients with developing detailed household budgets to help avoid post-divorce financial struggles.

A CDFA professional can help clients think through what the divorce will really cost in the long run and develop a realistic monthly budget during the financial analysis process. Expenses such as life insurance, health insurance and cost of living increases must be taken into consideration when agreeing on a final financial settlement.

5) Using a CDFA professional can reduce the amount of apprehension and misunderstanding about the divorce process.

Misinformation and misconceptions about the divorce process can be detrimental. Many have false expectations that they will be able to secure a divorce settlement allowing them to continue with their accustomed style of living. Financial divorce analysis helps to ensure a good, stable economic future and prevent long-term regret with financial decisions made during the divorce process.

Divorce Planning: Financial Mistakes & Advice

The Financial Mistakes of Divorce in Austin, TX

  1. Not enough cash.
    1. Expenses go way up as soon as the divorce process starts.
      1. Legal fees
      2. court costs
      3. therapist bills
      4. supporting two households
      5. and many others
    2. Set aside funds that you will need during your divorce. Divorce Attorneys in Austin, TX don’t like to take checks from joint accounts since the other spouse has the right to cancel that check.
  2. Not enough preparation.
    1. Divorce is one of the most difficult life transitions that you will go through. Be prepared. Read books on the subject, consult with a financial professional to determine the feasibility of the process.
    2. The timing of your divorce is important. There are benefits to being over the 10 year, 20 year, and 30 year thresholds with regards to either social security or spousal support in Texas.
    3. Get your ducks in a row before you announce your plans. Get a new or newer car. Get all of your checkups for both you and your kids. Get any dental work done that you have been putting off.
  3. Records.
    1. Make copies of all the important financial records for the last year. Further if you suspect your spouse is siphoning off money to an unknown destination like a girlfriend or off-shore account. This would include, but is not limited to bank accounts, credit cards, brokerage accounts, 401k, pensions, life insurance, deeds, trusts. Think of it this way. If has a $ sign associated with it, in any way, then make a copy of the statements.
    2. Make copies of any document that would help you prove your separate property, or dis-prove someone else’s. It’s up to the party claiming separate property to prove it.
    3. Make copies of your spouse’s business records. This could be helpful in determining their true income, or show you where they are hiding assets.
  4. Overlooking assets.Don’t overlook any assets—half of everything is yours! Even if you don’t want an asset, it can be used to trade for something you do want.
    1. Inventory safe deposit boxes; track down bank and brokerage accounts; review pay stubs, retirement plans, and insurance policies.
    2. If your spouse’s business generates a lot of cash, engage a forensic accountant to look for telltale signs of additional income. Don’t overlook hobbies or side businesses that might have expensive equipment or generate income
  5. Ignoring tax consequences.
    1. Should you take monthly alimony or a lump sum? Should you take the brokerage account or the retirement plan? Should you keep the house or sell it now? Who should pay the mortgage until it sells? Don’t ignore the hidden tax costs of divorce in making these decisions.
    2. Your situation may require some calculation by an accountant to determine if you are really getting the best deal. And, if there’s a chance that your past joint tax returns omitted income or overstated deductions, you may want to seek an indemnification clause to protect yourself if the IRS decides to audit.
  6. Ignorance is bliss.During divorce, ignorance is certainly not bliss—instead, it can be very, very expensive.
    1. Don’t be a passive observer of your own divorce. Doing as much as you can by yourself will help you recover more quickly from the divorce because you will have a healthy sense of control over the process, be focused on practical things, and be working with your ex to get things done.
    2. Also, taking an active role in the negotiations will help you to reach a better settlement than “letting the attorneys handle it.” You will have less conflict and litigation after the divorce, better compliance from your ex, and better sharing of information about the children. Your attorney may give you legal advice, but all of the decisions are ultimately up to you.
  7. Mixing money and emotion.
    1. During this trying time, it’s easy to confuse your feelings with the facts. Try to be as dispassionate and businesslike as possible.
    2. View your attorney as a paid professional rather than a friend or confidante. When your grief is overwhelming, go home or to a friend’s house, not to your attorney, who is billing you at his normal hourly rate.
    3. Make property division decisions based on your own long-term best interest, not out of revenge. It won’t make you happy to declare war on your ex. Make an effort to bring the divorce to a successful conclusion with as little rancor as possible. A nasty divorce benefits only the attorneys.
  8. Not fighting for what’s yours.
    1. Women tend to be supportive and sensitive to the needs of others, to build bridges, and to “make nice.” These tendencies often get in the way during divorce. Divorce is about survival, not making friends.
    2. You have to insist on getting what you need and deserve. Even if you hope that you will eventually be able to reconcile with your ex, don’t bend over backwards to make it happen.
    3. Stand up for yourself and get your share. If you reconcile, that’s fine. If you don’t, you’ll still be able to take care of yourself financially.
  9. Not taking control.
    1. Going through a divorce can sometimes make you feel like the captain of a leaky boat on stormy seas—there seems to be a new crisis at every turn. Use this time of upheaval to start taking control of your life.
    2. Vow never to worry in the dark—if you can’t sleep, turn on the light, pick up a pencil and paper, and write down your worries. Then, you can go back to sleep and deal with them first thing in the morning. Also, try to get a lump-sum whenever possible so you control the cash.
    3. Listen to your attorney, but make your own decisions. This is your divorce—so take control of the process!
  10. Not being ready for the worst.
    1. During divorce, prepare yourself mentally for the worst that can happen. How will you cope if your children get sick? If you have to move in with your parents? If the divorce lasts for years and you lose all of your money? If your ex remarries within two weeks, moves to Tahiti, and/or refuses to pay any support? Plan for the worst so what actually happens will seem easy by comparison.
    2. Don’t panic and let your fears rule your life. Face them, and take control.
  11. Not developing a career.
    1. Many women put their careers aside to concentrate on their families. After divorce, you will probably need to figure out a way to support yourself and your children.
    2. Divorce is an excellent time to get some career counseling at the local job center, university, or community college.
    3. Prepare for the expense of tuition and books while you get your career on track.
    4. Remember: there’s nothing like new knowledge and a fulfilling career to bolster your self-esteem.
  12. Not getting good professional advice.Right now, you need all the help you can get!
    1. Divorce can be very complicated, so don’t try to do it all yourself.
    2. Hire an attorney who can give you excellent advice—even if he or she isn’t the most inexpensive.
    3. Engage a forensic accountant if you think there might be hidden assets.
    4. Find a good therapist to help you emotionally.
    5. Hire a divorce financial professional to help determine the best settlement options for you. Don’t skimp now on matters that will affect the rest of your life.