Divorce financial planning that looks past the numbers on paper.
Dividing a complex estate means knowing what each asset is really worth after tax, fees and time. We help you and your attorney see it before you agree to it.
Two assets, equal on paper
Equal on paper isn’t equal.
A settlement can split an estate evenly by the numbers and still leave one spouse far behind. Retirement accounts, a house, a business interest and equity compensation each carry different taxes, costs and timelines.
Those differences rarely show up on a list of balances. They show up years later, when the money is needed.
Attorneys focus on the law and the negotiation. A spreadsheet of balances makes an even split look simple. Neither shows what each asset is worth after tax, or what the settlement looks like ten years from now.
What it costs you
- After-tax valueA dollar in a retirement account isn’t worth a dollar in a brokerage account.
- LiquiditySome assets can’t pay bills without being sold, often at a cost.
- Decades of cash flowSupport, retirement and living costs play out over a lifetime, not a closing date.
- Complex assetsBusiness interests and equity compensation are easy to misjudge.
Clarity before you agree.
Divorce financial planning is financial analysis for the settlement: what each asset is worth after tax, what each proposed split means for your cash flow, and how the decisions you make now affect the decades ahead.
We work alongside your attorney, who remains your legal advisor. Our role is the financial picture, including expert witness work when a case needs it.
See the settlement the way time will.
Instead of
So you can
Comparing balances
Negotiate on what each asset is actually worth to you
A split that looks fair today
Test whether a split still works years from now
Guessing what the business interest is worth to you
Understand the business interest before you trade anything for it
Negotiating in the dark
Give your attorney numbers to negotiate with
Wondering how you’ll manage after
Start your next chapter with a budget and a plan
What we work through.
Understanding the estate
- An inventory of assets, debts and income
- After-tax value of each asset
- Business interests and equity compensation
Evaluating settlement options
- Side-by-side scenarios for proposed splits
- Support and cash flow projections
- Retirement account and property considerations
Planning life after
- A budget and cash flow plan
- Insurance and beneficiary updates
- A plan for your next chapter
How it works.
- 1
Discovery Meeting
A complimentary, confidential conversation about where things stand.
- 2
Engagement letter
We agree on scope with you and your attorney and set out the hourly rate.
- 3
Analysis
We build the financial picture and model the settlement options.
- 4
Support at the table
We share findings with your attorney and, when needed, provide expert witness services.
Questions we hear
Do you replace my attorney?
No. Your attorney is your legal advisor. We provide the financial analysis your attorney can use in negotiation or in court.
When should I bring you in?
As early as possible, ideally before settlement terms are proposed. The analysis is most useful while options are still open.
I’m already paying legal fees. Is this worth adding?
Every dollar in fees comes out of the estate you’re dividing, so it’s a fair question. In the Discovery Meeting, we’ll tell you whether your estate is complex enough for our analysis to matter. If it isn’t, we’ll say so.
My spouse handled our finances. Where do I start?
You don’t need to arrive organized. We’ll start with what you have and help you build the full picture, one step at a time.
What if our family includes a child with special needs?
Divorce and special needs planning overlap in important ways. Ask about both during your Discovery Meeting.
Decide with the full picture.
In a confidential, complimentary 90-minute Discovery Meeting, we’ll walk through where things stand and flag the assets most likely to be misjudged in your settlement. It’s also how we both decide whether we’re the right fit, with no obligation.