Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A Divorce Financial Analyst helps individuals and couples understand the financial impact of divorce decisions. This includes analyzing assets, income, expenses, support scenarios, and long-term outcomes so settlement decisions are based on facts, not emotions or assumptions.

Many of my clients work with me without attorney representation. If you have young children, I can direct you to a low-cost child custody mediation program. I recommend that my clients have at least a consultation with an attorney so they can understand their legal rights. Because in North Carolina, a non-attorney cannot create a legal document, you will need to have an attorney draw up a divorce settlement based on my detailed summary of what you and your spouse agree upon.

Once we have a brief no-cost phone conversation and establish if your situation is a fit for my practice, I schedule a one-hour initial paid consultation to get to know you and your goals/hopes for mediation/divorce settlement. We will go over the divorce process, how child support and spousal support are generally determined (if those are an aspect of your divorce), discuss your major assets in general and how assets generally are divided in North Carolina. I will go over my analysis and mediation process. I can also answer any questions you have regarding divorce, with the exception of legal advice.

Working with me as a divorce financial analyst and mediator, I can confidently answer yes. You will skip the back-and-forth information gathering when you each have an attorney. You will have one person analyzing documents and one person sitting at a table with you at mediation, rather than two attorneys and a mediator. By focusing on collaboration and informed decision-making, couples are able to save considerable money and preserve more assets for life after divorce.

Once we establish in our introductory call that you are a fit for my services, the general steps that follow are:

• We have a paid one-hour initial consultation in person or via Zoom
• I request information and documents that you upload to Dropbox
• I perform a financial analysis of your documents, determine values and create preliminary reports
• If I am your advocate, we meet to go over the reports or for couples, I hold one, possibly more, joint mediation sessions. Based on your geographical area, this can be in person or via Zoom
• I prepare a detailed summary of what you have agreed upon

My process proceeds as fast as my clients are able and willing to gather the financial information I require to do my analysis. My analysis is usually done within two weeks of being provided everything I ask for, and mediation is usually scheduled within 2 to 3 weeks thereafter. Many clients have finished the settlement process months ahead of the 12-month required separation period, allowing them to get on with their lives.