The Confident Stay at Home Mom

Jim and Lisa were a couple in their late 40s with children in grade school and high school. Lisa had stayed at home which allowed Jim to focus on his career but had recently gone back to work, not quite full time. With little work experience, Lisa made substantially less than Jim. Lisa wanted to keep the marital home and was scared about how she would pay bills. They both wanted the divorce to be amicable and weren’t fighting over child custody.

A neutral CDFA helped Lisa understand the pro’s and con’s of keeping the marital home and guided them both through the steps necessary for Lisa to qualify for a mortgage after the divorce. Then Jim and Lisa were educated on NC child support guidelines. The CDFA put on her “mediator hat” and helped them walk through each of their budgets to determine Lisa’s need vs Jim’s ability to pay and helped them negotiate workable spousal support. Both were provided guidance on financial considerations and how assets could be split in the most simplified, tax equal method.

With the help of a CDFA and mediator, Jim and Lisa achieved a fair and amicable divorce agreement. With the advice she needed, Lisa accomplished the steps necessary prior to signing the settlement agreement so she was confident she could qualify to keep the home. Both parties were educated on their financial assets and outlook and could plan for their futures accordingly.