Should I keep the house?
Often the heart says yes. We show the mortgage, taxes, insurance and repairs on one income next to what the same equity would do in a retirement account, so you decide with the numbers in front of you.
During your divorce
The financial picture, before you sign.
We gather the details, model the tradeoffs, and give you a way to see each decision over time.
What we do, in order
- 01
Gather the documents
Last three years of tax returns, recent statements for every bank, retirement and investment account, pay stubs, the mortgage statement, any pension estimate, and a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com.
- 02
Build a budget for life on your own
We work through the spending and expenses, line by line, to show what day-to-day life needs on one income.
- 03
List everything you own and owe
We put the assets, accounts, debts, equity, and obligations into a complete financial picture.
- 04
Compare each settlement offer
We show each offer side by side: what it leaves you in year 1, year 5, and year 10, after taxes.
Questions clients bring
Clear answers for the decisions that feel biggest.
How is a pension or 401(k) divided?
Employer plans such as a 401(k) or a pension are split with a court order called a qualified domestic relations order, or QDRO, drafted by an attorney. IRAs are split by a transfer under the divorce decree. Money you take from a 401(k) under a QDRO is not charged the 10% early-withdrawal penalty, even before 59 and a half; income tax still applies. If the same money goes to an IRA first, the penalty can apply.
Is alimony taxed?
For divorce agreements signed after December 31, 2018, alimony is not deductible for the person who pays it and is not income for the person who receives it on the federal return.
Can I claim Social Security on my ex-spouse’s record?
If the marriage lasted 10 years or more, you are unmarried and you are 62 or older, you may be able to, and it does not reduce your ex-spouse’s benefit.
What happens to my health insurance?
If you are covered through your spouse’s employer, COBRA can usually continue that coverage for up to 36 months after the divorce. Tell the plan within 60 days.
What about the kids’ college savings?
Who owns each 529 account matters; we make sure the settlement names it.
We are not attorneys and do not give legal advice. Your attorney or mediator sets the legal strategy. We show you the numbers behind it.
A private first conversation