Note that answers given in this section cannot take the place of a lawyer. For legal advice about your specific situation, you must consult a qualified lawyer. See our disclaimer.

"What is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, and how can one help me in my settlement negotiations with my spouse?"

 The Institute of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA) is the premier national organization dedicated to the certification, education, and promotion of the use of financial professionals in the divorce arena. Completion of the program entitles the participant to use the CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst ) designation.

The financial issues inherent to every divorce case are frequently the ones most overlooked. However, once a divorce settlement is signed, it's often too late. How much is it going to cost to live post-divorce? Is my spouse offering enough to support this income need? How can retirement accounts be split and the money accessed? What about the value of my spouse's business? What is the value of health care benefits? Most importantly, will I be able to survive financially with the settlement post-divorce?

The CDFA is trained to answer these questions and more for men and women in the process of divorce.

Edward Papier, CDFA, CFP, CIMC is Managing Director of the New York office of Lexington Advisors, an independent Registered Investment Advisor located in Lexington, Massachusetts. As a CDFA, he works with attorneys and their clients to help determine the impact of different settlement options on future cash flow requirements. He has lectured for the New York State CPA Society on Fiduciary Investing and applies these concepts to portfolio construction for individuals who are investing post divorce.

Tuesday, May 15
at 8 pm to 8:30 EST
Out With the Tragedy: Turning Divorce into a meaningful experience
with Allison Pescosolido and Andra Brosh, founders of Divorce Detox
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