March 12, 2026

Our tax code is complex and if you’re doing your taxes for the first time after a divorce, you might have lots of questions.

The first question you must always answer when preparing your taxes is your filing status.

This article (which is not tax advice) will detail the filing statuses available to you and help you understand what questions to ask your tax expert when making a decision about which filing status to use.

april 9, 2026

The family home is often the most valuable asset a couple owns.

If there is significant equity in the home, dividing that equity can be tricky. When things get tricky, creativity can be key to success.

This article outlines some of the lesser-known, and more creative, ways to divide home equity in a divorce.

January 15, 2026

Divorce is a life-changing event and maybe one of the biggest since your wedding day. And initiating a divorce kicks off a high-stakes legal process. That means there are some do’s and do not’s for getting ready to leave.

February 12, 2026

Most people would agree that getting through a divorce requires at least one professional: an attorney. In many cases, that is the only professional needed.

But in cases where family finances are complex, or where one spouse has significant anxiety about the financial elements of the case, something more may be needed. Even the most talented and experienced attorney isn’t trained to handle some of the complicated finance and tax elements of certain cases.

November 11, 2025

Anyone who has gone through a divorce can confirm two things: it’s an unpleasant process, and there are dozens of decisions to make.

Sometimes, we make a poor choice (or no choice at all) because of biases and shortcuts in how we think. Knowing what these biases and shortcuts are and how they work is the first step to making better, more effective choices about your divorce settlement.

These are the errors and biases I see most often in divorce cases and how to deal with them.

December 9, 2025

If you are getting a divorce, you're going to need a lawyer because a legal process requires a legal professional. 

The attorney you choose will set the tone for your case and have a major impact on how your divorce case proceeds and settles.

A poor fit between client and attorney can lead to frustration, higher than expected costs, and dysfunction between you and your attorney. This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your divorce.

September 9, 2025

If you are getting divorced, it's possible that you’ve heard your attorney or Certified Divorce Financial Analysist use the term QDRO (pronounced “qua-droh”).

QDRO stands for Qualified Domestic Relations Order.

And you may be wondering what that is and whether or not you need one.

In this month’s edition of Graceful Exits, I explore the whats, whens, and whos of QDROs.

October 14, 2025

We’ve come a long way as a society in how we view and deal with Intimate Partner Violence. Hitting an intimate partner is no longer considered acceptable. We’ve even come to recognize non-physical forms of abuse like Coercive Control and Emotional Battery.

Victims of Intimate Partner Violence are more visible and well understood than they were just a decade ago.

But there is another form of Intimate Partner Violence that is hard to detect, prevalent, and overlooked – Financial Abuse.

July 15, 2025

When a couple lives in a Community Property state, the law deems that any property acquired by either member of the couple during the marriage is jointly owned by both spouses.

But Separate Property may throw you a curveball.

August 12, 2025

Working as a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ (CDFA®) Professional means sitting at the intersection of finance and family law. Because of this I often find myself navigating professional grey areas.

So where do CDFA services end and tax and legal services begin?

June 10, 2025

In most divorce cases where the couple owns a home, one member of the couple will have that house awarded to them in the divorce settlement.

Being awarded real property will have major implications for your cost of living.

Before you agree to (or ask to) be awarded the family home, consider these factors

March 11, 2025

Legal processes, specifically divorce, can be complex and often have some very specific steps that must be completed in order and on a specific schedule. Being familiar with that process may allow you to navigate it more successfully.

April 8, 2025

When I am working with couples or individuals to build their post-divorce budget, a really common question that comes up is how much child support might be payable or owed.

This is a key question if you are trying to figure out post-divorce finances, and this is one of the few divorce questions we can answer with some measure of confidence.

January 14, 2025

One of the most common questions I hear in my divorce financial advisory practice is, “Am I going to be OK?”

Sometimes, the answer is clearly yes.

But there are times when the answer is less clear. That’s a sign that you may need to hire a divorce financial advisor.

In this edition of Graceful Exits, I’ll outline how a divorce financial advisor can answer this question and build your confidence.

november 12, 2024

Budget – just reading that word may have made your eyes glaze over with boredom. Or filled you with anxiety.

It’s rare that clients come to me excited about the topic. But I know from experience that budgeting can be a powerful tool; especially if you are preparing for or moving through a divorce.

Reaching a divorce settlement agreement involves a lot of high-staked, irrevocable decisions. A budget can be a valuable tool when making those decisions.

December 10, 2024

Most of us think of divorce as a primarily legal process; and it is. But this is a very narrow view that leaves out key aspects of divorce that will have a major influence on how your case resolves, and how you will feel during and after that resolution.

Moving through your case may be less painful if you are able to recognize, and attend to, the three essential elements of divorce.

October 8, 2024

According to CNBC, high-net-worth households hold over half their wealth in IRAS and 401(k)s. Given the prevalence of retirement accounts, it is vital to understand them so you can reach a settlement that meets your short-term and long-term needs.

But retirement accounts and benefits are often the assets that are least intuitive, the most complex, and have the most strings attached.

While the topic is complex, it’s not impossible to unravel.

This month I’m outlining the most common retirement accounts and benefits you’ll see in a divorce and helping you build a basic understanding so you can feel confident about your settlement.

July 16, 2024

I am a survivor of Financial Abuse and in this Special Edition of Graceful Exits, I'm sharing my story

July 9, 2024

We’ve come a long way as a society in how we view and deal with Intimate Partner Violence.

But there is a form of Intimate Partner Violence that is insidious, prevalent, and overlooked – Financial Abuse.

April 9, 2024

If you are divorcing after a long marriage, you may be doing your own taxes for the first time (or the first in a long time).

The U.S. tax code is complex but I've put together a primer so you can learn the basics.

February 13, 2024

Before you light the unity candle, say “I do,” jump the broom, or break the glass — make sure you’ve done your financial homework together.

January 16, 2024

Divorce is not a fun process and hopefully, you’ll only have to go through it once in your lifetime.

We often learn from our mistakes. But since this may be your first time, I’m sharing the top 10 divorce mistakes to avoid.

October 10, 2023

What is Collaborative Divorce, and is it right for you?

This article will outline the history and process of Collaborative Divorce in Texas, and give you a guide to determine if it’s a good fit for your case.

September 12, 2023

The Federal government has rules in place for how a divorced person can claim Social Security Benefits, and very little that your soon-to-be-ex-spouse does will affect your benefit.

September 1, 2023

If you are contemplating a collaborative divorce you may be wondering how the process works. The flow chart in this post is designed to offer a general overview of what to expect in the collaborative divorce process. 

June 13, 2023

Divorce can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be.

There are steps you can take to keep your costs contained.

And in cases where costs can't be well contained, there are options to use credit to get through.

March 14, 2023 

A very small number of divorce cases end up in a courtroom.

If you are considering asking for a divorce, consider also how you think your case may be best settled. It may be less stressful, less costly, and less painful than you think.

December 9, 2022

Many a family law client has sat in their lawyer’s office and asked, “Will I get alimony?” (or maybe, “Will I have to pay alimony?”). 

December 6, 2022

Divorce stinks. No one embarks on this journey with joy and enthusiasm.But hidden in the pile of grief, anger, hurt, and fear that divorce brings, there is a gift: The gift of transformation.

October 11, 2022

You’ve recently been served notice of a divorce petition filed by your spouse.

So far, you’ve done all the right things: You’ve interviewed a few attorneys, hired one you feel comfortable with, and you’re gathering up the information they’ve asked you to put together. Everything seems right on track.

Until you have a question about money.

September 13, 2022

Insurance coverage is often tied to employment, which means that a non-working or part-time employed spouse in a divorce proceeding may have some healthcare challenges ahead of them post-divorce.

July 19, 2022

If you are getting divorced, you’re likely in the middle of one of the biggest negotiations of your life. If you find yourself curious about the nuts and bolts of negotiating, then this article is for you.

March 8, 2022

In February 2017, I realized I had to leave my marriage.

In the 17 months it took for my divorce to be settled, I learned a lot. I’d like to help you avoid some of my mistakes and make your divorce process as smooth as possible.

February 8, 2022

Few professionals are equipped to effectively answer every need that a client may have through the divorce process.

This article aims to outline the various professionals who might make up your team, and help you decide when to call on them.

april 12, 2022

If you are newly divorced, you’ve just spent a boatload of money on experts, namely lawyers. You may, in fact, be all “experted” out.

But the period just after your divorce can be a critical time.

You need to implement your Divorce Decree and rebuild your financial life, and you may have a large settlement to administer.

There’s nothing explicitly wrong with going it alone. Failing to work with an expert could lead to mistakes, and those mistakes can be costly.

Before you can decide if you want to work with an expert, you need to know what kind of experts are out there.

January 11, 2022

Ending a relationship, especially a marriage, is hard.

There are heated emotions, hurt feelings, money anxieties, and complicated logistics (not to mention kid issues if there are children still at home).

If you’ve decided to end your marriage but haven’t figured out how to start the process, you aren’t alone.

December 7, 2021

Divorce is by nature a messy process, and if you are wrapping up a divorce, you may find that mistakes were made. Below I’ll outline the most common mistakes I see and guide you in how to address them.

November 9, 2021

The holidays are about family. And that fact can be painful for someone whose family has radically changed due to a divorce.

Maybe this is the first holiday season you’ll spend “alone” in a very long time.

While learning to be unmatched during this festive season may not be easy, it’s doable. Here are some practical tips on getting through and finding some joy.

August 10, 2021

For every woman I work with who claims to be bad with money, I can find another who confidently runs the money for her household.

So, what gives?

June 8, 2021

The year of and the year after your divorce will bring many firsts in your new life: your first birthday, Valentine's Day, and holiday season spent without your spouse, for example.

If you are among the lucky few for whom these days feel celebratory in the wake of divorce, read no further. But if you are like most people, some or all of these days may be difficult or emotionally charged. 

December 14, 2020

Almost no one who has gone through a divorce enjoyed it. But it is also possible that your divorce can be the best thing that ever happens to you.

In reality, there are plenty of benefits from divorce that you may not yet see...

November 9, 2020

It is common in divorce cases for one spouse to be more financially- or investment-savvy than the other. If you’re newly divorced with a settlement to administer and you’re the less-savvy spouse, you’ve got a learning curve to navigate.

October 5, 2020

If you have decided to pursue divorce, there are lots of things to be done. Some are vital; others are less so. This checklist is designed to help you get organized before you start the process.

July 13, 2020

Divorce is rarely a short process. Here in Texas, it takes no fewer than 61 days for a divorce to become final, and often requires up to a year depending on how complex your case is (and how badly the other party does or does not want...

June 8, 2020

Pension benefits (sometimes calls Defined Benefits Plans) are largely going the way of the dinosaur.

But for those who have them, it's important to accurately assess their value - both monetarily and in the context of a settlement agreement.

This article will outline what a pension benefit is, how it's divided, and how you can assess its value.

May 11, 2020

Mediating successfully requires that you prepare well. In addition, if you come to the table prepared for success, your mediation may finish more quickly. That means less time, money, and stress for you.

August 8, 2019

Divorce can do a number on your health – emotionally, physically, and financially. After the dust clears, it’s important to check yourself over so you can set yourself up for success.

July 11, 2019

Your divorce decree is not an ending; it’s just one more step in the process of disentangling two lives. This article will outline some of the most important, sometimes confusing, and potentially easy-to-overlook tasks you’ll encounter...