Now everyone can win
Using the revolutionary Divorce PlanTM
software, Certified Divorce Planners input your personal financial
data. They then produce reports and graphs that show both the
present and future results of proposed divorce settlements.
The charts and graphs give you and your spouse a clearer view of your
financial future. Only then can you approach a settlement that fully
addresses the long-term financial needs and capabilities of both
individuals.
What else can a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst do for you?
- Show you the results of selling the house versus keeping it
- Explain the ins and outs of dividing pension and retirement assets
- Advise you on the tax issues that affect property division
- Provide you with powerful information that can help you settle and
stay out of court
After all, the marriage may be over. But the rest of your life is
still ahead of you. And with the fairest, most intelligent divorce
settlement possible, you're that much closer to a better tomorrow.
Here's how our Divorce Analysts helped one couple
John and Jane are 40 years old and have two children. They own a home
worth $165,000 with net equity of $77,500. Their IRAs and 401(k)
retirement plan total $165,500 in value. John earns $90,000 a year and
has take-home pay of $68,760 a year. Jane has never worked outside the
home and has no job skills, but she hopes to get a job for $5 an hour
with take-home pay of $8,900 a year.
The following settlement has been suggested. After the divorce, Jane
and the children will live in the house, which will be deeded to her.
She will also receive $44,000 of the retirement moneys and John
$121,500, thus dividing the assets equally. John will pay Jane alimony
of $600 per month for 5 years and child support of $225 per month per
child. He will also pay college costs which start in 4 years.
John's expenses include his normal living expenses, child support,
alimony and college costs. Jane's expenses include support of the
children and are reduced when each child leaves home.
This appears to be a reasonably fair settlement. However, an analysis
creates the financial future illustrated in the following graph. Jane's
assets will be completely depleted within seven years while John's
net worth will grow dramatically.
<FONT=-2Graph 1
To improve Jane's financial future, the settlement could provide her
with increased alimony of $1,500 per month for 10 years. This would
actually cost John $1,005 per month in after-tax dollars. The correct
child support according to the Child Support Guidelines is $1,125 per
month for two children for a couple with their income. Jane also could
be awarded an additional $24,300 from the retirement plans. She also may
need to cut her expenses by 10%. These changes in the original
settlement will produce the results illustrated in graph #2. John will
still have a surplus.
<FONT=-2Graph 2
This sample case illustrates the value of planning as a
means of reaching more equitable divorce settlements. If the court's
intent is to treat both parties in a divorce as equitably as possible,
it is essential to analyze the marriage as if it were a financial
contract, with tangible assets into it by both parties.
Our Mission Statement
To change the fundamental approach to divorce
so divorcing couples typically seek Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
prior to and during divorce to achieve financially equitable
settlements.
This will ultimately change divorce law so that financial security
after divorce is achieved by all parties.
Do please call to discuss how I can help you.
Jeffrey Rosenthal,
CFP©,
E.A., CDFA
CFP™, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
and  are
certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planning Board of
Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully
complete the CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
|
DIVORCE
STATISTICS (1993)
|
| U.S.A. |
| Total
divorces granted: |
1,187,000 |
| Rate
per 1,000 population: |
4.7 |
| Median
age at divorce: |
Males:
35.6
Females: 33.2 |
| Median
duration of marriage: |
7.2
years |
| Estimated
number of children involved in divorce: |
1,075,000 |
| Rate
per 1,000 population children under 18 involved in divorce: |
16.8 |
| (Source:
National Center for Health Statistics |
Divorce
Dictionary [Click
Here]
US History of Divorce Taxation
Click Here
Name Change Form (Social Security Office)
|
