Tax season is here — and if divorce is on your radar, that refund isn't just a windfall. It's a strategic opportunity. Your tax refund isn't just a check. It's a head start. Let's talk about something nobody brings up during tax season: what to do with your refund when your marriage is on shaky ground. Most people get their check and either spend it, save it, or put it toward something that feels immediately satisfying. I get it. But if divorce is something you're actively co

Should You Keep the House After Divorce? What You Need to Know Before You Decide Keeping the family home after divorce is a huge expense. Are you sure you can afford it? Whether you're in an apartment, condo, townhouse, or single-family house, the idea of leaving your family home after divorce can feel overwhelming and scary. Maybe your life is firmly rooted in the area, or your kids go to school nearby, or your job is close by—whatever the reason is, you want to stay put. If

Here's a statistic that should stop you in your tracks: What happens when she earns more but still does more at home? The divorce rate triples. Female breadwinners represent just 16% of all married households—but account for 42% of divorces. Let that sink in for a second. Women who earn more than their husbands are nearly three times more likely to get divorced than couples where the man earns more. And if she's the sole breadwinner? The divorce rate is more than double. I se

Let's talk about the elephant in the room. What does divorce actually cost? It's the question I get asked more than any other. And honestly, it's the one that makes people the most anxious. So I sat down with family law attorney Dennis Vetrano Jr.—who's been practicing for 25 years and handles 60 to 100 divorce consultations every single month—to get the real answer. And when I say real, I mean it. Dennis doesn't sugarcoat anything. Which is exactly why I love talking to him.

Watch the 25-minute video conversation above. Expert CDFA Advice on QDROs, Tax Strategies, and Protecting Your Financial Future When you're going through a divorce, the last thing you want to deal with is figuring out how to split up retirement accounts, who had what before marriage, what was earned during, and so on. But this is exactly the stuff you need to understand so you don't make expensive mistakes that'll haunt you for decades. I recently sat down with Certified Divo

Save Thousands in Legal Fees by Getting Your Financial Documents Organized Before Your First Attorney Meeting Organizing financial documents yourself saves thousands in divorce attorney fees. Here's something nobody tells you about divorce: the single biggest thing that will save you money is showing up to your attorney or mediator meeting with your financial documents already organized. Why? Because you're not paying someone $300-800 an hour to chase down bank statements and

From Two Incomes to One (or One to One): Creating a Realistic Financial Plan for Your Next Chapter Let's talk about the elephant in the room... going from a two-income household to a single-income household is financially brutal. Even if you're the primary breadwinner, divorce changes everything about your financial life. And if you've been a stay at home parent, the shift can feel terrifying and make you want to shut down. The bills don't change. Your kids still need the sam

Thinking about your retirement during divorce might sound premature, but your best bet to stay on track to achieve your goals is to educate yourself on how your long-term financial plans will be effected by divorce. How to Prepare for Retirement During Divorce: A Financial Survival Guide Divorce when you're staring down the barrel of retirement can feel absolutely terrifying. Maybe you've been married for 20+ years, and suddenly you're facing the reality of splitting everythi

Divorce when you've been in the dark about finances can paralyze you, but you can take control and get the info you need. When you're considering divorce but have zero access to financial information because your spouse manages everything, the whole idea of leaving can feel impossible. How are you supposed to make decisions about your future when you literally don't know what you have? I hear this exact fear almost every day from women who reach out to me. You're definitely n

So excited to be joining forces with C.D.F.A.and financial powerhouse Josephti Cruz! When you're facing divorce, the financial aspects often create the most anxiety. Not because they’re complicated (though they can be), but because they represent something much deeper: your future security, peace of mind, and ability to move forward with confidence. “Will I be okay financially?” “Can I keep my home?” “What will happen to my retirement?” These questions don’t just occupy your

This 20 minute conversation is packed with meaningful info for people navigating divorce after 50. In a recent insightful conversation, Divorce Prep Coach Alex Beattie of The Divorce Planner sat down with Michigan-based family law attorney Jorin Rubin to discuss the unique challenges of "gray divorce" – divorces occurring among couples aged 50 and older. Their conversation revealed critical insights about navigating divorce later in life, from financial considerations to le

Divorce brings a multitude of challenges, and navigating the complex financial landscape is often among the most daunting. When it comes to dividing assets and establishing new financial foundations, most people think primarily of attorneys, mediators, and perhaps financial advisors. However, there's a specialized professional who can make a tremendous difference in your divorce outcome, particularly when real estate and mortgages are involved: the Certified Divorce Lending P

By actively engaging in divorce preparation, you reduce your anxiety and activate yourself to be a part of the process rather than a passenger. When you're proactive about preparing for divorce, you not only save time and money, you'll experience profound peace of mind about your future. In this comprehensive guide we'll explore how proper preparation can transform one of life's most challenging transitions into an opportunity for growth, empowerment, and financial stability.

Josephti Cruz breaks down what a CDFA does and how working with one during divorce is a game changer. When navigating divorce, most people focus heavily on finding the right attorney. While legal representation is essential, there's another professional who could significantly impact your financial future: a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). In our recent conversation with CDFA and wealth management expert Josephti Cruz of Cover Your Assets Divorce Financial Planni

Divorce can be a challenging and emotionally draining experience, often leaving a significant impact on your financial well-being. As a woman navigating life after divorce, it's crucial to take control of your finances and set yourself up for a stable and prosperous future. This comprehensive guide will walk you through strategies for financial recovery, tailored to women in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. We'll explore how to rebuild your savings, improve your credit, and s

Addressing the changes divorce has on your retirement plans is critical for your future financial health. Divorce can significantly change the landscape of one's financial future, especially when it comes to planning for retirement. A startling finding from the 2024 edition of MassMutual's annual survey on Social Security knowledge uncovered that more than four in 10 Americans nearing retirement age are unaware that divorced individuals can collect Social Security benefits ba

In this 20 minute video, Divorce Prep Coach and founder of The Divorce Planner Alex Beattie and had a eye-opening conversation with certified divorce financial planner and wealth management specialist Josephti Cruz of The Wealth Garden Financial Services about about uncovering hidden assets during divorce. Divorce is a journey that many navigate with a slew of questions about what the future holds. It's a period marked by change, discovery, and, importantly, the division

Divorce means big changes for your budget. Early education and planning is your key to a sucessful split. If you're going through a divorce or considering one, planning ahead financially is key to a smoother transition. Subscribe to The Divorce Planner newsletter  and get divorce prep tips and tools delivered right to your inbox! This quick guide of 38 money secrets from divorce professionals is a great first step toward protecting your financial future after your divorce: 1.

The divorce process can seem like you have a on long laundry list of things to-do, most of them feeling endless and no fun! One of the most daunting can be the process of reassessing estate plans, wills, and trusts. This 20 minute conversation between divorce prep coach Alex Beattie (A.K.A. The Divorce Planner) and estate planning attorney Mindy H. Stern, sheds light on the crucial steps individuals need to take to secure their financial future during divorce. Here's what you

How Debt Is Split Up During Divorce Can Have A Lasting Impact On Your Future The reality of divorce is that you're navigating a complex landscape of financial issues that need to be addressed when separating assets. Dealing with obligations like debt can be an unwelcome task on your to-do list, but it's important to tackle it head-on so you know what your financial realities will be moving forward. At The Divorce Planner, our goal is to help you take your next steps informed