WE CAN HELP: DIVORCE FINANCIAL PLANNING
Right now you are most likely going through the most difficult time in your life. Perhaps you are contemplating divorce, have just separated, or are in the midst of your settlement negotiations. During this time, we are here to help you through the process.
If this sounds like you, then you are in the right place.
So how can we help? There are a couple of ways that we work with individuals.
The first option is by working with a couple together to navigate the separation and divorce process.
If you can: → work together → meet at the same time → compromise
Then working as a couple may be a good option for you. It doesn't mean that you don't use an attorney. What it does mean is that you get to retain control of the settlement process. Financial discussions are held together, and different division options are reviewed and discussed with our help and advice. Once the marital division is settled, either one or both of you work with an attorney of your choosing to draft the marital settlement agreement, QDRO and represent the parties in court.
What is the benefit of this process?
♦ Control: For most clients going through a divorce, it is about retaining control. Couples can and should be able to discuss their finances, with some help from us, to get to the best solution(s) possible.
♦ Being Heard: If you have ideas or preferences for a settlement, this is your opportunity to share those ideas in a safe environment. Creativity is encouraged and all options are considered carefully. This is your life, and decisions need to be made in a way that will work for you now and in the future.
♦ Respectfulness: There are ground rules in every meeting. Discussions are respectful and with consideration of each person’s views.
♦ Privacy: Rather than discussing sensitive subjects in court, let's do this together in the privacy of our office.
♦ Post-Divorce Satisfaction: More satisfactory outcomes. Individuals who work together on amicable settlements find that they leave the process happier and with less anger towards their former partner.[1]
♦ Timeliness: For many clients, prolonging the process over a year or more can cause stress, fatigue, and animosity. By negotiating and solving problems together, we can reduce the time spent on the back and forth that often happens.
♦ Cost: We charge a flat fee of $275/Hour and provide you with the cost of our services ahead of time. This way you can manage your budget more effectively and know what you are going to be paying for our work and settlement analysis.
Working as a partner with your attorney:
If you have already retained an attorney, or are in a situation that does not allow for compromise, we can still work together. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense for us to work with both spouses. There may be financial or other types of abuse in the relationship. Or there are issues with infidelity, anger management, or substance abuse.
If this is what you are facing, we can work one-on-one with you and your attorney to help look at the details of your settlement and help navigate the choices that have to be made.
Most often we are paid by your attorney in order to keep the attorney-client privilege intact, and to help prevent the subpoena of confidential information and discussions.
As a partner with your attorney, we review proposed settlements, analyze budgets (especially if alimony is being sought), review tax returns for discrepancies in income, help value digital and other assets, and help facilitate the process of valuing privately held businesses and stock.
We offer suggestions and ideas so that your attorney can present the best case for you.