CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst)
A financial professional with specialized training in analyzing the financial impact of divorce settlements, including tax implications, asset division, and long-term projections.
Understanding CDFA (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst)
A CDFA helps divorcing clients understand the true financial impact of settlement proposals. They analyze pension valuations, tax consequences, real estate equity, lifestyle needs, and long-term financial projections. Unlike a regular financial advisor, a CDFA understands divorce-specific issues like QDRO preparation, the tax treatment of alimony, and hidden asset detection. Hiring a CDFA can prevent costly mistakes — for example, accepting the house instead of the retirement account may seem equal but can have vastly different long-term values after taxes and maintenance costs.
Real-World Examples
The wife hires a CDFA who shows that accepting the house in the settlement would leave her $200,000 worse off after taxes and maintenance than taking retirement accounts.
Related Terms
Any property or item of value owned by either or both spouses that is subject to division in a divorce. Assets include real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement funds, businesses, and personal property.
Equitable DistributionA property division system used by most states where marital assets and debts are divided fairly, though not necessarily equally, based on multiple factors.
Community PropertyA property division system used in nine states where all assets and debts acquired during the marriage are owned equally (50/50) by both spouses.
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This definition is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Divorce laws and terminology may vary by state and jurisdiction.
Always consult a licensed attorney in your area for advice specific to your situation.