Valentine’s Day is full of expectations, on what we have created as a day devoted to romantic love. When those expectations are not met, it can be the last straw for someone clinging to hope to save a marriage.
Most people contemplate divorce for six months to a year before taking any action. They may limp through the holiday season, filled with family events and traditions, unwilling to confront difficult issues. But when the holiday bills arrive and one more Valentine’s Day is a disappointment, February 15 can be the day to take action. It can be one New Year’s resolution that you keep. It can be your way to protect your romantic heart’s future.
But who is going to protect your finances during this difficult transition?
Regardless of when someone decides to end their marriage, I advise them not to try to go thru the process without a Certified Divorce Financial Advisor (CDFATM) to protect their financial interests.
You go to a divorce lawyer for legal advice and strategy; your CDFA professional is the instrument to clarify the financial aspects of the strategy. Your CDFA gets and analyzes the numbers, and helps you quantify your goals. This makes it easier for your attorney to move forward with the legal process, and can speed a successful outcome.
Working with clients and their lawyers, a CDFA forecasts both the short and long-term effects of the proposed settlement, letting you know what the financial future may bring with Settlement A vs Settlement B, and gives your attorney the reports and tools they need to help settle your case.
So if your Valentine Day is the final disappointment, take heart. A new start can lie ahead with all of your interests protected.
