6 Experts to Consider for Your Superstar Divorce Team
Divorce professionals you actually need in your corner
Especially when you’re thinking about getting a divorce, your support system and your team of divorce professionals is vital. While friends and family are invaluable, there are other key experts you’ll want in your corner during this challenging time. It may sound counterintuitive that hiring more professionals can reduce the overall cost of divorce. However, utilizing the correct divorce professionals in their own zone of genius can save you money versus funneling everything through your legal team.
Here are the essential divorce professionals that we recommend you bring together:
Divorce Professional # 1: Divorce Coach/Therapist
If you’re considering divorce, you may have already turned to a therapist to help navigate the emotional complexities of that decision. That’s a great start! While friends and family can also be supportive, they likely carry their own biases. That’s why having a neutral third party, such as a therapist or divorce coach, is essential. These divorce professionals can help you process your emotions and regulate your nervous system to avoid making emotionally driven decisions, which can prolong the divorce process and increase costs.
Divorce Professional #2: Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
A CDFA is someone you absolutely need on your team. They analyze the parties’ financials, help with goals and budgeting, and can provide guidance on tax consequences. Additionally, they can run reports to evaluate settlement proposals to assist you and your attorney in determining whether or not something is actually a good deal for you now and in the future. Their knowledge is truly worth its weight in gold!
Divorce Professional #3: Attorney/Mediator
We admit it— this is a bit of a shameless plug, but you truly do need legal support. Whether it’s through our new flat fee drafting services or through full representation, having an experienced attorney on your side is crucial for getting the best legal advice while always keeping your family’s best interests in mind. Your divorce is probably one of the largest financial contracts that you will ever enter into in your life. Most often, the division of the marital estate cannot be changed in the future. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure that you achieve the settlement you deserve.
Divorce Professional #4: Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP)
A CDLP is a mortgage lender who has specialized training in the unique nuances of divorce. These divorce professionals can help to determine if you can afford to refinance an existing mortgage and/or if you qualify for a new mortgage. If you aren’t able to be pre-approved yet, you can take steps to better qualify yourself in the future. You’ll want to speak to a CDLP early on in the process if you are considering a buy-out of the marital home or if you wish to purchase a new property in the future.
Divorce Professional #5: Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE)
A CDRE is a Realtor who has passed a certification program focused on the complexities of real estate needs during divorce cases. If you are considering buying and/or selling a property before or after your divorce, you’ll want to speak with a CDRE who has this specialized knowledge and experience. A CDRE may also be able to provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) of the current marital home for free or at a reduced rate compared to a traditional appraisal.
Divorce Professional #6: Estate Planning Attorney
Last but certainly not least, you’ll want to retain an estate planning attorney. During the divorce process, you’ll likely want to update or create your powers of attorney (both medical and financial). This ensures that if you become incapacitated while the divorce is pending, your soon-to-be-ex won’t have power over these decisions. Once the divorce is finalized, you should update or execute estate planning documentation to include at least a Will and potentially a trust to direct who will act as executor of your estate and how your estate will be divided in the case of your death.
Need help determining where to start?
Contact Foundations Family Law today for guidance on your legal options. We recently announced our new FLAT FEE DRAFTING SERVICES. If you need high-quality professional legal services that’s flexible for your budget, explore our Tier Service Offerings.