What does a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA) do?

A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, or CDFA, is a financial professional trained specifically in the financial implications of divorce. A CDFA models the long term impact of proposed settlements, analyzes how complex assets like retirement accounts, executive compensation, and real estate should be divided, and provides the cash flow and tax projections that allow a divorcing spouse to evaluate whether a proposed agreement actually works for their financial future. A CDFA does not provide legal advice and does not represent either party in a legal sense. The work is financial analysis and consultation in support of the legal process, alongside the clients chosen attorney.

How is a CDFA different from a divorce attorney?

A divorce attorney handles the legal process: filings, negotiation, litigation if necessary, and the drafting of settlement documents. A CDFA handles the financial analysis: modeling the long-term cash flow impact of proposed settlements, analyzing how assets like retirement accounts and executive compensation will divide, and translating complex financial structures into clear projections. The roles are complementary. An attorney advocates within the law. A CDFA quantifies what the laws outcomes will mean for the clients financial life. In high-asset divorces, both are typically necessary. The CDFA does not replace the attorney and does not provide legal advice.

When in the divorce process should I hire a CDFA?

Earlier is almost always better. The most valuable time to engage a CDFA is before any settlement proposal has been drafted, because it allows time to gather full financial information, identify all relevant assets, and develop a clear picture of what a fair outcome looks like. That said, it is never too late. Many clients engage a CDFA mid-process, after a proposal is on the table, specifically to evaluate whether the numbers actually work before they sign. Some engage after the divorce is final, to manage the transition. Each stage has its own value. The first consultation is the right place to confirm timing for a particular case.

What is a QDRO and why does it matter in my divorce?

A Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or QDRO, is a legal order that directs the administrator of a retirement plan to divide the account between two spouses according to the divorce agreement. Without a properly drafted QDRO, retirement assets cannot be divided without triggering significant tax penalties. QDROs are technical and plan-specific. A QDRO that is drafted incorrectly, or that does not match what was negotiated in the settlement, can create permanent and unrecoverable financial loss. A CDFA reviews the QDRO before it is finalized to confirm that the division accurately reflects what was agreed and that no administrative or tax issues will surface later.

What is a collaborative divorce and how does a CDFA fit into the process?

Collaborative divorce is a structured process in which both spouses, their attorneys, and a team of financial and mental health professionals work together to reach an agreement without going to court. Each professional commits to remaining outside of litigation if the process does not succeed, which keeps everyone aligned on resolution rather than positioning. A CDFA on a collaborative case develops the financial picture, models settlement scenarios, and presents findings to the team in a way that informs rather than advocates. The role can be neutral, serving the team as a whole, or aligned with one spouse, depending on how the engagement is structured.

How does a high-net-worth divorce differ from a typical divorce financially?

High-net-worth divorces typically involve assets that do not divide cleanly: closely held businesses, executive compensation packages with vesting and tax complexity, real estate holdings beyond the family home, investment portfolios with significant unrealized gains, and trust structures of various kinds. Each of these requires specialized analysis to determine how it should be valued, whether it is community or separate property, and what the tax consequences of dividing it will be. The financial complexity is greater, the stakes are larger, and the cost of getting it wrong is measured in decades of compounded financial impact. The right financial expertise on the case is not a luxury; it is a baseline requirement.

How does the fee structure work for divorce financial consulting?

Marriage Financial Solutions works on an hourly fee basis. The first consultation is complimentary, and the fee structure for any subsequent work is confirmed in writing before the engagement begins. The firm is fee-only, which means compensation comes only from the client. The firm does not accept referral fees, commissions, or any other form of payment from attorneys, lenders, investment managers, or other professionals. This structure is intentional. In a divorce, financial analysis is only as trustworthy as the person providing it. When the advisor has no financial stake in any particular outcome, the numbers can be relied on.

What should I bring to my first consultation?

Nothing is required for the first consultation. The initial call is a 30-minute conversation to understand the situation, the assets involved at a general level, and what a sound financial outcome would look like. The conversation is enough on its own to determine whether and how Marriage Financial Solutions can be useful in a particular case. If documents would be helpful for follow-up analysis, specific items will be requested after the first call. There is no homework before scheduling, and no obligation of any kind from the conversation.

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