Working With One Spouse on a Proposed Settlement

Tim had been married to Diane for 30 years. They had grown apart and had completely different visions of their retirement years but still cared for each other. Tim wanted an amicable and equal settlement. Diane understood little about their finances but trusted Tim to do the right thing by her. Tim knew this was a financial settlement and wanted guidance on how to split assets so that Diane would have the cash flow she needed. (Side note: This type couple is more common than you might think!)

Tim hired The Right Divorce Solution on his own for divorce financial planning services. We analyzed their assets and helped Tim understand how best to split their marital assets equally, both in actual and after-tax dollars. Tim, who handled all the bills and investments, knew what Diane’s expenses were since she was keeping the marital home and he knew her discretionary spending. Tim wanted Diane to have investments that would provide her with the cash flow she needed but with the remainder invested so she would have enough retirement assets to last.

Mary Salisbury, CDFA, worked with Tim to create a proposed settlement that met Tim’s goals. Mary made sure Tim understood the proposed settlement so that he could explain it to Diane. Diane accepted Tim’s proposal and Mary Salisbury, CDFA, wrote up a detailed summary that Tim could take to an attorney so that a separation agreement could be written. Tim and Diane were able to move forward with their lives and their family relationships were kept intact.